Blog Archives

RESOLUTE FAITH

3/30/2012

Things don’t always turn out the way we want them to turn out. In fact, much of the time there is a marked difference between what we want to happen and what happens. This process of life can leave us quite disappointed and sometimes severely shaken.

The world of sports brings us to this point again and again. We want to win, but we lose. We want the team to play their best game but it just doesn’t come together. We want to be #1 but we are #2.

As Christians these events, as well as the many others that life brings, often challenge our faith. Recently a dear young friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy. It turned out she was in the 1% that experience extreme pain that lasted 10 days. With the many prayers of faithful prayer partners as well as the doctors continuing to administer various kinds and levels of pain meds, she has continued to fight through this condition with unshakeable and resolute faith.

Trusting God through pain and weakness is the outward sign of inward resolve. This quote recently came across my desk…

Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. Oswald Chambers

So often I want out of the pain or weaknesses of life. I find myself praying the “please God, take it away” prayer. The truth is that faith in God means trusting that….

IF HE BRINGS ME TO IT... HE’LL TAKE ME THROUGH IT!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Trusting that our Lord walked with us before we got to where we are and that He is still in charge of where we find ourselves now is RESOLUTE FAITH.

Perhaps you have experienced some disappointing outcomes too. Good news, you and I are not alone. The great people of faith listed in the Bible did not see the outcome they worked toward (see Hebrews 11). Their unshakeable belief in our loving God allowed them to walk in true and RESOLUTE FAITH.

Blessings…as you rest in RESOLUTE FAITH.

For CHANDA’S RESOLUTE FAITH click on the BEHIND THE BENCH tab above.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

YET STILL

3/27/2012

Sport teams blossom under the tutelage of a good coach. Many times the reasons for certain types of training are only known to the coach…YET STILL the athletes willingly participate in the conditioning because they trust their coach and mentor. The purpose and value of the preparation will be fully understood by the players when the game they are preparing for is played.

As Sportmoms we are fully aware of this YET STILL process.

    - We feed our children healthy foods even when they may not appreciate them. Why?
       Because we know their bodies need the nutrition in order to be strong for their sport and for life.

    - We see to it that our children get both the rest they need whether they want to “go to bed” now
       or not.

     - We enroll our children in activities that will strengthen their minds and bodies even if their
        willingness is sometimes a question.

     - We teach them the basics of right and wrong decision making even before they can speak in
        preparation for the difficult choices they will face as adults.

During these years of mothering, our offspring may not fully grasp the importance of our training rituals…YET STILL they cooperate with us. Why? Because since we are their parents they trust us. Later they will come to understand and appreciate the purpose and value of this preparation.

The YET STILL concept also applies to our daily walk with the Lord. Recently Pastor Stan Russell captured this process when he said …

                               “When we can’t track Him, yet still, we must trust Him!”

Much like the athletes and our children, we may not understand the purpose or value of what God is requiring of us. Tracking Him may be difficult but trusting Him is deliberate.

“The ways of God are without fault. The Lord's words are pure. He is a shield to those who trust him.” Psalm 18:30 NCV

“Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 NCV

God’s plan for us is perfect…YET STILL it often escapes our understanding. As we sit under the trustworthy tutelage of the greatest life coach ever – Jesus Christ – we will be both protected today and prepared for tomorrow. These are excellent reasons for trusting Him!

            TRUSTING IS WALKING INTO GOD’S PLAN…NOT INVITING HIM INTO OURS.

Blessings…as you live out the “YET STILL” by trusting in God’s plan today.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

GREATEST OF ALL...

3/23/2012

Life brings great experiences. Lasting fulfillment comes not so much in what we have done but in how we feel about it as time and perspective bring clarity and balance.

A recent Our Daily Bread devotional asked this question: “What is the greatest thing in sports? Is it championships? Records? Honors?” He goes on to draw our attention to a plaque in the University of Pennsylvania basketball arena that reads:

                  TO WIN THE GAME IS GREAT…TO PLAY THE GAME IS GREATER.
                                 BUT  TO LOVE THE GAME IS THE GREATEST OF ALL.

“…sports are, after all, just the games we played with joy as kids.”  Bill Crowder

What is your greatest experience as a sportmom? Is it the # of points your athlete put on the board? Is it his or her team taking the #1 spot? Is it the recognition received from the coach at the close of the season? Perhaps our sportmom wall plaque could read:

                                                    TO PARENT MY ATHLETE IS GREAT…
                                    TO SEE THEM BECOME ALL THEY CAN BE IS  GREATER.
                                BUT TO LOVE THEM WHILE DOING IT IS THE GREATEST OF ALL.

What is the greatest thing about being a Christ follower? Is it the open access to our Heavenly Father? Is it the oneness of spirit among believers? Is it the protection and direction that God gives? Or should the wall plaque of our heart read:

                                                     TO KNOW THE LORD IS GREAT...
                                                TO FOLLOW THE LORD IS GREATER.
                                   BUT TO LOVE THE LORD IS THE GREATEST OF ALL.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.”. Matthew 22:37-38

Blessings..may your love for the Lord fill you with joy as you make Him your greatest love of all.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

IN PASSIONATE PURSUIT

3/20/2012

Sportmoms are clearly the experts on PASSIONATE PURSUIT. We watch it blossom before our very eyes as our athlete husbands, spouses or children run hard after the goal they have set on the field, court or at the start line of a competition. We nurture it, focus it, encourage it and applaud it. And we fall asleep at night with a smile on our face when we have experienced the amazing results of its presence._

Often I have wondered what kind of a world this would be if our pursuit of the Word of God was as passionate as our pursuit for…

                                          ...our favorite team to win

                                          ...our favorite athlete to succeed

                                          ...our favorite sport to be broadcast
                                             (so we can spend more time in pursuit on the couch)

What would happen If we kept our noses in the Word of God in this same passionate pursuit?  Would life's outcomes be different?

David the Psalmist gives us a clue…

"…he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."Psalm 1:3

So it obviously can affect our very being providing unyeilding strength, unending productivity, unwavering health and, in addition, it would make the most out of our lives. It isn’t by accident or by birth that we receive these blessings as Coach Joe Gibbs writes…

“Day and night he makes learning God’s Word a passionate pursuit. Good genes? Lucky breaks?”

Let’s get serious…it’s neither. Simply put, the more we study the Bible the more completely our lives are shaped, governed, and directed by God's ultimate truth. Our PASSIONATE PURSUIT of God's Word will…

               ...make us smarter than our enemies (see Psalm 119:98)

               ...take us from inexperience to wise and knowing (see Proverbs 1:4)

If studying God’s Word does this, why wouldn’t we be in passionate pursuit of His Word? Sometimes it is simply because we don't want to work that hard at it - put it first in our day - look to it for answers to our daily questions.

Thomas Jefferson said it first … "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

Blessings…as you work hard to know God’s Word and in PASSIONATE PUSUIT apply it!

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

GET-A-HANDLE MESSAGES

3/16/2012

Sometimes a message from someone just makes my day! Even if it is short, it can be very helpful. Today we are going to look at some messages that have been sent to us from God Himself through His Word. May these timeless messages help us “get-a-handle” on a situation that may seem out of control…


From:     "Jethrow – Moses’ Father-in-Law”(jethrow@heaven.always)
To:            Moses
Subject: WORKING TOO HARD

MESSAGE: “You’re going to wear yourself out settling all these disputes—This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. .. distribute your workload - have the people help you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people… will flourish also." Exodus 18:18,22


From:     "Paul the Apostle” (pwaul@heaven.yay)
To:            Timothy
Subject: QUARELLING AMONG CHURCH MEMBERS

MESSAGE: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV


From:     “King Solomon” (wiseman.always)
To:            The People of Israel
Subject: CONTROLLING YOUR TEMPERS

MESSAGE: “Don't be quick to fly off the handle…anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head." Ecclesiastes 7:9 The Message


From:     “David” (psalmist.fine)
To:            ALL
Subject: HANDLE WITH CARE

MESSAGE: He that handles a matter wisely shall find good...” Proverbs 16:20
Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.” Prov.20:22


Blessings…and remember GOD WON’T GIVE YOU MORE THAN HE CAN HANDLE!

CLICK ON the BEHIND THE BENCH tab above for a little more…

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PURFICK!

3/13/2012

The first Christmas after we got married, Coach put a little plaque in my stocking. Here is what it said:
NOBODY’S “PURFICK”!

This smile-producing gift was his way of confessing our inadequacy to be perfect… and just when I thought I had attained perfection by marrying him, the closest I came was to be "purfick". The plaque has hung on our Christmas tree each year since always reminding us of our intentions to accept one another as we are. It has been said...

“To accept another is to value their imperfections as much as their perfections.”

I am so thankful for Coach’s grace and even more thankful that both he and God know that I am not perfect. This restoring scripture has been the cornerstone for my life on many occasions…

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Despite striving to live a God-pleasing (i.e. perfect) life, I realize that even with my best intentions and determination, I stumble and fall short. By my strength alone, it is impossible… re-vitalization is needed. The good news is that by His grace, Christ lives in me and although I am not, He is perfect. Paul declares it with these insightful words…

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” Galatians 2:20

The power of God in our lives overcomes the imperfect through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit …

CONNECTING OUR WEAKNESS TO GOD’S STRENGTH

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14

God is not only in the business ofour FORMATION, but He is an expert in our RE-CREATION, REVITALIZATION AND RESTORATION.

Blessings… as your “purfick” becomes “perfect” because Christ lives in you.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

TIMELESS

3/9/2012

Many team sports are carefully governed by time. There are 8-minute quarters, 12-minute quarters, 40-minute halves, and so on. Play within these time frames is all the time a team has to prove themselves worthy winners.

Many a sportmom gages her mornings by the clock…time to get up, time to have breakfast, time to get ready, time to do chores, time to get going…and the kids are out the door. Now it is time for her to collapse into her own often tightly scheduled day based on – you got it - time.

“And yet, after all, the clock is not always ticking. Sometimes it stops and then we are happiest. Sometimes it is without time limits that we find the still point of a turning world. All our most lovely moments are perhaps timeless.” Sheldon Vanauken – a College Professor converted to Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I was plagued by the question of time when a coach and his family that we were mentoring took 7 years to come into a relationship with God. Thrilled at the outcome is an understatement but the nagging question of “why did it take so long?” haunted me. One day when I was particularly focused on this issue before the Lord – even fretting – the answer came quickly and clearly…

I AM NOT A GOD OF TIME…BUT OF CIRCUMSTANCE!

Later I came across this scripture ..

But do not forget one thing, dear sisters in Christ, with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day…the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as sometimes we understand slowness, but He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV (adapted)

Even though my understanding of our timeless God became clearer through this experience, I find myself bound by it while present here on earth…trusting a timeless God in a time-controlled world. C.S. Lewis – a very ordinary church layman but an extraordinary and influential Christian apologist – tackled the subject of the binding chains of time…

“Not only are we harried by time, we seem unable, despite a thousand generations, even to get used to it. We are always amazed by it – how fast it goes, how slowly it goes, how much of it is gone. Where, we cry, has the time gone? We aren’t adapted to it, not at home in it. If that is so, it may appear as a proof, or at least a powerful suggestion, that eternity exists and is our home…”

PRAYER: Lord, keep my eyes on your timeless moments as I process through this time-controlled world until I reach my forever home where time will be no more. In Jesus Name, Amen

I trust in you, O Lord …. My times are in your hands. Psalm 31: 14-15 NIV

Blessings…as you experience timeless moments from the One who holds all time in His hands.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

WHATSOEVERS

3/6/2012

The winter is dwindling away and we turn our attention toward new life as the daffodils begin to peek their heads out of the cold ground despite some yet snowy days. Even the adverse weather around them cannot contain their strong will to grow and blossom as they burst forth with the first fruits of spring. Our focus shifts to what is fresh and new.

As the spring flowers pop up, the spring sports approach. The long track meets and baseball games bring on extra time to ponder what we are seeing. Just as our athlete has trained to develop his or her skill, we can train ourselves to follow a response pattern that is honorable and encouraging. The “whatsoevers” are a good place to begin bringing our thoughts, like the daffodils, into beautiful blossoms despite adversity.

Our best friends and our worst enemies are our thoughts. A thought can do us more good than a doctor or a banker or a faithful friend. It can also do us more harm than a brick.
Dr. Frank Crane (Christan writer and minister)

Paul the Apostle lists these “whatsoevers” that will bring our thoughts under control …

whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Colossians 4:8

Here we are called to fill our minds and hearts with all things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse (adapted from THE MESSAGE).

We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NCV

Not only will focusing on the “whatsoevers” list cause healthy thinking but it will bring the satisfyings peace we desperately long for. Paul’s closes with this if-you-do-this promise …

…and the God of peace shall be with you. Colossians 4:9

Blessings…as you avoid the bricks by capturing the “whatsoevers”.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

MARCH DELIGHT

3/2/2012

The first SPORTMOM E-votional of each month during 2012 is focused on our word for the year … DELIGHT! Webster’s says that to delight is to give great pleasure – to be highly pleased. That certainly describes what all of us sportmoms want to experience as we raise our athletes into the people they are meant to be.

It also describes most of the teams that Coach has taken through a season of basketball. No matter the numbers outcome, both players and coach finished with a top score in the delight category. Over the years that delight has grown as the players transferred what they learned on the court to real life experience. We are filled with DELIGHT!

Coach’s favorite Psalm passage tells us how to delight!

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither and whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Here it is in the JB paraphrase: If we network with people who do what is right, spend time in wholesome places and hang out with those who love God’s ways, we will experience God’s favor. When we know and think about His ways all the time we are delighting in Him and He is delighted with us. Taking His directives into our lives produces awesome results, causes us to remain vibrant and gives us lasting purpose in all our comings and goings.

Now who wouldn’t want that? I do.

Blessings today as you DELIGHT in God’s ways and He DELIGHTS in you.

For more…CLICK ON the COACH’S CORNER tab above and find out how Coach delighted in acorns in his post titled “THOSE DARNED ACORNS”.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

About the Author...
JANET BROWN

As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.

LIFE EXPERIENCE

From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

- Gave her "heart to Jesus" at 6 years old
.
- Studied Education/ Psychology at a Christian College

- Enjoyed earning her wings and flying as a Flight Attendant

- Is the wife of Coach Dave Brown since 1967.

- Involved in ministry to women for 30+ years including: Retreat Facilitator and speaker, Bible Study leader, National Women's Ministry Leader

- Held an executive position in the corporate world for 35 years.

- Developed and taught Pre-married and Marriage classes with her husband for 12 years.

Currently is a writer, grandmother to 4 and a coach's wife.

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN