Men and women, brave and strong, have kept our nation safe.  God in His mercy is our protector, keeping us in His arms of care.  

"The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender."  Psalm 18:2 NCV  

"...you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress."  Psalm 59:16b  NLT  

Blessings ... as you rest in the safety of our Father's care.  

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

THINK!

"Think," Coach often says while giving a tap to either temple with his index fingers.  Not only does this remind his players to use their noggins (as my father would say), but our children also were regularly reminded to develop this necessity of life.   

As sportmoms focus is important ... and prioritized focus is even more important.  

"Think of only three things: your God, your family and the Green Bay Packers-in that order."   Coach Vince Lombardi

Coach Lomardi knew that our most important battles are often "between the ears".  How and what we think can make or break a team.  Wounded athletes abound . . . believing and fixating on a thoughtless comment from a fellow player, coach, or someone they have looked up to.  You said I was (fill in the blank) and I believed it!  

A "think before speak" approach is needed.  In order to send kind, uplifting words from the heart, our thoughts must be clutter free.  It begins with this prayer...  

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14 KJV

Next we lay hold of Paul's words to the church at Corinth with this little gem in the middle of it ... 

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5  

I love the idea of  "taking every thought captive".  Many years ago, a very close friend and Pastor's daughter announced that her marriage was over -she was in love with someone else.  After a few days of asking why, I moved on asking God  how this could have possibly happened.  His answer was swift and impacting, "From the first thought."    

Unchecked thoughts (meditations of the heart) can turn into sin and sin imprisons those it touches. When this happens people are taken captive.   

                                     TAKE YOUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE - NOT PEOPLE! 

"As a woman thinks in her heart, so is she."  Proverbs 23:7 KJV paraphrased   Blessings...as you take your thoughts captive before they take you prisoner. 
©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

SIMPLY OUTSTRIP


Today we wrap up the ON THE OUTS mini-series.  We have learned to ...  

own an OUTSIDE view born from inside strength
 
Unleash the OUTSTANDING parts of you

Try OUTSTRETCHING of your hand to another daily

Simply OUTSTRIP by taking the right road

To "outstrip" is to surpass or to go at a faster pace arriving ahead of another.  It is not being favored to win, or able to win, but rather making wise decisions along the way to the goal.  It is the "how we get there" that becomes the deciding factor... doing for the right reason.   CLICK on the BEHIND THE BENCH tab above for amazing story and video.

"The lame man who keeps the right road outstrips the runner who takes a wrong one ... the more active and swift the latter is, the further he will go astray."  Francis Bacon 

Staying on the right road unleashes the power of God in our lives.  He steadily moves us forward SIMPLY OUTSTRIPING the world as it spins out of control.  

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV  

As we depend upon the all-surpassing power of God, we will experience OUTSTANDING outcomes in our homes as well as on the courts, fields and arenas of athletics.  Looking outside of ourselves with an OUTSTRETCHED hand and a right heart we will OUTSTRIP our spiritual opponents.  

So go for it ... and be blessed as you live ON THE OUTS!  

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

READILY OUTSTRETCH


Early in our existence we learned to trust the outstretched hand. Beginning with a firm grip on our Mother's outstretched finger our trust grew with the outstretched hand that we tightly held onto as we took our first few tippy-toed steps.  It was an outstretched hand that steadied us on our first bicycle without training wheels. As sportmoms we regularly observe the outstretched hand on the fields and courts of athletics as fallen players are assisted to their feet by the outstretched hand of a fellow player or even an opponent.  

It takes unbridled trust to receive an outstretched hand, but it takes unwavering awareness and confidence to give one.  The first step in reaching out to help another is recognizing where the help is needed.  Our purpose-filled schedules can easily cloud our awareness of needs right around us.  

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones come daily."  Ivy Baker Priest, treasurer of the United States from 1953 to 1961  

In order to "readily outstretch" our hand to others, we must not only be aware of present needs but we also need an ample portion of confidence to know how to meet them.  That confidence is gained through our relationship with the One who readily offers His outstretched hand to us just as He did to the chosen people of Israel.  

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.  Deuteronomy 5:15a NIV  

Just as trust in the outstretched hand of another is required in order for help to be given, we must reach for the hand of God trusting Him to guide us to the places of need and show us how to extend an outstretched hand.   

                                                    TRUST CHRIST FOR THE EXAMPLE
                                                    TRUST THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THE COURAGE 
                                                    TRUST GOD FOR THE OUTCOME  

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time...
 I Peter 5:6 KJV

As we hold His mighty hand, we will know when, understand how and have the courage to READILY OUTSTRETCH our hand to others.   

Blessings...as you trust God with an outstretched hand, daily! 

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

While raising our yet-to-be strong and robust athletes, there are times when they may "act out".   Although the child may have known the right thing to do and believed that kicking and screaming wouldn't work, the not-so-good actions didn't show it.  This inappropriate, behavioral display is often addressed with a "time out" that hopefully fosters the desired "outstanding" outcome. 

"Outstanding" is a rather over-used word but it expresses an important goal that humankind strives to attain.  Commonly attributed to good behavior or skills, we all have a God-given need to be recognized...to stand out.  This need is so strong that sometimes it is mis-used in order to gain the much-sought-after attention by indulging in bad behavior.

God made us to be "outstanding" in the right way ... to know what is good and to do it.

So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:27 & 31 NCV

We are created to be a reflection of perfection ... love in action with a living example to follow - Jesus Christ.  It isn't being perfect, but it is mirroring His image.  Just as a pool of water reflects our likeness, we reflect the likeness of our Creator.  To do this requires two inseparable actions:

                                    TO BELIEVE IN HIM AND TO ACT LIKE WE DO.*

As we meet these requirements, we become the people God made us to be.  By "standing out" in the crowd for the right reasons we take the world's breath away with our loving and truth-seeking attitudes and actions that shout, "I BELIEVE!".  It's been said ... 

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by moments that take our breath away." 

Blessings...as you offer the world breath-taking experiences that reflect Christ.

*from Dave Egner's Our Daily Bread devotional

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

"How things look on the OUTSIDE of us depends on how things are on the inside of us."  Park Cousins  

Our inside space is smaller than a telephone booth so handling it shouldn't be difficult...but sometimes it is.  This small space determines our 360 degree view of the world.  Maintaining healthy minds and bodies becomes primary to living beyond ourselves.  

In the world of sports we often experience this truth.  Many a team with highly developed skills and more than adequate support come to the field or court without the "will to win" - without heart... and they lose!  On the other hand, there are the teams with lesser abilities and not as many people in the stands, but with heart - wanting it more ... and  they win!   

                     OUR "OUTSIDE" IMPACT DEPENDS ON OUR "INSIDE" HEART.  

Living outside of ourselves and for the good of others requires a heart that is in tune with our Creator...   

But the Lord said to Samuel, "...God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."   I Samuel 16:7b NCV  

As our hearts are taken captive by the Holy Spirit, we become ready to impact the OUTSIDE world.
  
"The church exists for the sake of those OUTSIDE it."   William Temple  

PRAYER:  Today may my INSIDE heart be ready to impact the OUTSIDE world.  

Blessings ... as you learn on the INSIDE and live for the OUTSIDE. 
        

CLICK AT "BEHIND THE BENCH BLOG" TAB ABOVE to read a great story of "ON THE OUTSIDE" LIVING.  

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

ON THE OUTS - Have you ever been "on the outs"?  In baseball, an out can be devastating if your player is at bat.  But if your team is in the field then "outs" are a good thing.  Today we begin a mini-series titled ON THE OUTS - a peek at the positive "outs" of life.   

"On the outs" is an expression used for a turning away from something or someone. It describes being in opposition to a person or group with whom we most often are in agreement.  It can happen because of what society upholds as the Politically Correct way of thinking or doing.  Is it always a matter of right or wrong?  Often not - perhaps just different a different way of seeing things.
 
Sportmoms are notoriously adept at solving on-the-outs situations.  As my grandmother used to say, "There is more than one way to skin a cat!"  Not commonly heard today (and perhaps not so PC either!) but what she meant was, there is more than one way to get things done - if it doesn't work one way, try another!  

As baseball teams take the field there is a measurable amount of competition in the air.  Each is there to win by protecting the bases and swinging the bat with gusto and precision . . . using well-honed skills to defeat their opponent.  Although this is an adversarial effort, it is not necessary for them to be "ON THE OUTS!" with their competitor.  Healthy play between skilled athletic teams is a thing of beauty resulting in a fulfilling outcome for both - win or lose.  

The prophet Isaiah announced the right way to be "on the outs" . . .  

"You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace!"  Isaiah 55:12 NIV  

Whether in our churches, homes or on the courts, fields and arenas of athletic competition, let's burst into our world with joy and permeate it with peace.  Instead of being "on the outs" let's go out into our world reflecting the very character of God and the nature of Christ.   

Blessings . . . as you pursue God-inspired "outcomes".  

CLICK ABOVE on the BEHIND THE BENCH BLOG to read about an  "OUTSTANDING"  experience.  

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

What does a MOTHER look like?  Most of us learned motherhood from our mothers, and they from theirs, and on and on.  As sportmoms, we are likely to hang out with other mothers who also influence our mothering. 

With these thoughts in mind, I went to Genesis to take a look at the "first" Mom ... here is what I found.    

... his mother found a wife for him (21:21 NCV)  What?  I remember the guys my Mom wanted me to go out with...ugh! but she meant well. 

... mother of these eight sons (22:23 NCV)  Always wanted to be a Mom...but to 8 boys?  I don't think so!  

... the mother of thousands of millions!  (24:60 KJV) These 8 boys are turning into millions and millions? Pretty impressive influence!   

... the mother of many nations (17:16 NCV)  Wait a minute . . . children who will lead nations? Now I'm scared!  

... mother of all who live  (3:10 NLB)  Only Eve can claim that one!  

... gave expensive gifts to her mother  (24:52 TM)  That sounds more like it!  

... mother said, "We will call ... and ask her what she wants to do."  (24:57 NCV)  You got it -always go for an opinion!  

... go into his mother's tent  (24:67 KJV)  Oh no, not 8 boys in a place the size of a tent!  

... mother said, "Let the girl stay a while, say another ten days ... ."   (24:55 TM) Okay enough already ... house guests for 20 days along with my 8 sons and in a tent???  

... "If it comes to that," said his mother, "I'll take the curse on myself."  (27:13 TM) That's right - take it for the fam ... it's called blessed motherhood!  

... his mother prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it.  (27:14 NIV)  Now, do you want Domino's, a Big Mac or Subway?)  

... his mother was gone away  (28:7 KJV)  Guess business trips are the best way to get away from all this!  

... found some plants and brought them to his mother (30:14 NCV) Now we're talkin' - flowers for Mom!  

What a real-life picture of mothers in that first book of the Bible.  Taking it into the 21st century ... Blessing a marriage, praying for stalwart, God-fearing and giving offspring who impact their world for Christ, valuing our child's opinion at any age, always standing up for them,  keeping an "open door" policy, serving favorite dinners, and taking some time away will bring flowers of honor over and over.   
o
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ... be blessed!    

CLICK on the BEHIND THE BENCH BLOG tab at the top of this page for 2ND GRADERS ANSWER "MOM" QUESTIONS. 

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

In the world of team sports, the games require individual athletes to perform in precision and oneness. It is at these outcome-defining challenges that the meaning of unity is displayed. A team that comes together in this manner will experience a high degree of success as they take the field or court.  

In the sport of basketball the team huddle is essential...a proverbial GROUP HUG.  A pre-game huddle at introduction sometimes includes such things as locking arms and gradually swaying back and forth faster and faster showing their unified spirit. Usually accompanied by a verbal shout-out, this "group hug"  announces their intention to be a force with which to be reckoned.  

Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, groups are a part of our life landscape.  Sometimes they are clearly defined and we know the constituency well.  Sometimes they are by loose association only. No matter the case, if the group comes together for a cause the result will be greater than one doing it alone.   

Jesus came to put the "Church" group in motion.  This band of believers would come together in a proverbial group hug which was essential to the presentation of God's love to a lost world.   

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  Romans 12:4-5  

Whether a member of a team, group, or within the body of believers, oneness for the work ahead is essential. We belong to and affect one another.  It is in the joining together that we become a strong force. The togetherness of the GROUP HUG with arms locked in purpose prepares us for the work ahead and acts as an exclamation point to those looking on.   

David, the Psalmist,  relied on a big hug from His Creator to face a life of fear.  

I've already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. Psalm 11:1 TM  

Whatever group you find yourself a part of, including your family, be sure to enjoy the ESSENTIAL GROUP HUG that shouts "we can do it!".   

Blessings . . . as you hug your group just like God hugs you!
  
  ©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224