Blog Archives

AFTER THE STORM

4/29/2020

All storms are challenging and some are also very frightening. We get through them but it is often what it has left behind that becomes the longer-lasting and perhaps more difficult challenge.

Riding out the storm of losing a child nearly 28 years ago continues to impact our lives today. The changes that it brought about re-landscaped our entire future.

Jesus commanded of the storm on the Sea of Galilee to be still, but it was what He said to his frightened disciples that challenges me today...

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40

The storm had passed but the challenge to faith-filled living was still on the table.

Consider this...Jesus reminds us to trust Him through the storm and challenges us to move ahead in faith AFTER THE STORM. He wants us to rest in Him knowing that we are safe even when we don’t think we are. He can calm the storm but, more importantly, He wants us to rest in His presence both during and after the storm.

The secret lies in the fact that it is not just Jesus’ ability to take away the storm but in the knowledge and understanding that He is in it. He is with us in the storm as we go through it and AFTER THE STORM as we pick up the pieces. His promise is to see us through it all.

PRAYER: Thank you for being with me through the storms and in all that comes after them even when I don’t see it. The sweet calm of your presence is what I need. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

 STUCK IN A STORM? TRUST JESUS AND MOVE FORWARD!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

COULD HAVE...

4/22/2020

The ‘coulda-woulda-shoulda’ imprint is on my life quite regularly. When the result does not seem good, regret is inevitable. Living with regret, in turn, can become a handicap to abundant living...what a trap this can create.

So what do we do with these words of our Savior when regret knocks at our door?

"I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly." John 10:10

While reminding us of His purpose for being here, He offered us His promise of rich, full, and satisfying lives even through our regrets. Knowing this we can look back at our past, see how it brought us to the present and move forward trusting His presence as He leads us through life. What we see as mistakes may be the very path that leads us to the abundant life He came to bring.

Pastor Rick Warren recently published these provoking thoughts...

“God could have kept Joseph out of jail, kept Daniel out of the lion’s den, kept Jeremiah from being tossed into a slimy pit, kept Paul from being shipwrecked three times, and kept the three Hebrew young men from being thrown into the blazing furnace — but he didn't. He let those problems happen, and every one of those persons was drawn closer to God as a result.”

These old song lyrics echo through my mind about Christ’s ultimate sacrifice - no coulda-woulda-shoulda here...

He could have called 10 thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free - He could have called 10 thousand angels... but He died alone for you and me!

OUR GOD COULD HAVE... BUT HE ALWAYS HAS A GREATER PURPOSE!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

LONELY-ITIS

4/15/2020

Loneliness is a plague all of its own. It can sneak up on us when we are surrounded by meaningful projects or even in a crowd. It can come through relationship dissolution or death of a loved one. It easily smothers our hope and dampens our spirit. It is “LONELY-ITIS”.

The good news is that there is a cure for this condition. It is found in a relationship with our Creator.

“Loneliness is being unaware of the One who is with us everywhere.” (unknown)

In Psalm 56 verse 13, we witness the resolve of one who has been lonely. Driven out of his country and into the caves to hide away all alone, God surrounded David in his loneliness...

“...Now I walk before God in the light of life!”

David was alone, but not lonely. Being alone doesn’t have to end in LONELY-ITIS. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with us, to comfort us and fill our aloneness when he said...
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b NIV

PRAYER: I will walk close by you. Your presence is my comfort, my shield and my guide. Thank you for being in me, around me, before me and behind me...for filling my lonely moments with your word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

CONQUER LONELINESS...STROLL WITH GOD IN THE SUNLIT FIELDS OF HIS WORD!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

FROM CHAOS TO COMFORT

4/8/2020

When chaos erupts, a whisper is not easily heard. The volume of chaos is often loud and disturbing whether to our ears or to our emotions. It can easily deafen us to much-needed comfort. Taking ourselves to a quiet place of solace allows us to hear the whispers around us.
God’s Word is that whisper - our place of solace and comfort...

“He placed his right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:17

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5 & Hebrews 13:5

“Is God’s comfort too little for you? Is His gentle word not enough?” Job 15:11 NLT

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. You protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: Life is hard. God is good. Don’t get the two confused.

Our good God invades the chaos whispering these words of comfort...
“I have taken you out of your comfort zone to teach you new things, to stretch you and help you grow. I will supply the courage to go through every situation. You aren’t alone in your trials...I have everything under control...you are in my hands.”

MAY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD BE ON YOU AS HE WHISPERS COMFORT IN YOUR EAR!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

TO ABIDE = WAITING WELL

4/1/2020

Our word for 2020 is ABIDE. Sometimes this word carries with it the duty of "putting up with". It is also the concept of “resting in”. These days we are challenged to do both by WAITING WELL.

Waiting is a spiritual discipline often developed in times like these. The concept of WAITING WELL is frequently addressed in God’s Word as both in an anguished cry for help and as a patient stillness.

WAITING WELL requires my resolve to ABIDE in the Lord...
My soul waits for the Lord; He is my help and shield. My heart is glad in Him, because I trust in His holy name. Portions from Psalm 33:20-22

WAITING WELL includes ABIDING in the Lord’s steady, unwavering, and ever-reliable love, care, and protection...
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who ABIDE in the shadow of the Almighty will say, “Lord, you are my refuge, my place of safety and strength, my very present help in trouble...in you do I put my trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

WAITING WELL brings promised rewards as we ABIDE in the Lord...
“...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

WAITING WELL results in Christ's presence...
Abide in me and I will abide in you. John 15:4

Our Lord does some of His most powerful and life-changing work in our times of waiting. He brings GLADNESS in uncertain times, STRENGTH to bear the added turmoil, daily RENEWAL in the effort, and new UNDERSTANDING that is only found in the waiting.

Are we just abiding, putting up with, these days? Or are we WAITING WELL?

TO WAIT WELL...ABIDE IN JESUS!

©2020 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

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.

AFTER THE STORM

COULD HAVE...

LONELY-ITIS

FROM CHAOS TO COMFORT

TO ABIDE = WAITING WELL

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN