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iFOLLOW

5/26/2015

NOTE: This is the last weekly issue of SPORTMOM E-votionals for this academic school year. In June, July and August a RESOLVE issue will be posted on the first Wednesday of each month. Weekly issues will resume in September. Blessings and have a great summer!

Follow the leader was a fun childhood game. As adults we can inadvertently exchange marching in circles around the neighborhood for the game of “keeping up with the Joneses” ... an aimless course taking us nowhere fast.

Esteemed athletes who follow their coach’s directives find themselves on the podium of success. First a committed follower of someone who selflessly and effectively model’s the game – then they become a great leader for others to follow.

"Young people need models, not critics... there is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere." John Wooden

The apostle Paul describes an iFOLLOW act that was not in God’s plan…

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? I Corinthians 3:4 NIV

In contrast, Jesus taught us to follow him…

“…Follow me. Pursue life.” Matthew 8:22b The Message

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me…” Matthew 16:24

As the summer months approach, let’s pause and reconsider who or what we are following. Is it leading us on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere? Or are we following Jesus as our model placing our faith in his hands?

PRAYER: It is with all my heart that I once again choose to follow you, Lord Jesus. Please guide me into your plan for each day and I will follow. Pursuing your directives I place my aims into your hands. Thank you for directing my steps as iFOLLOW you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRULY LIVE - FOLLOW CHRIST!

©2015 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

THE VOICE

5/20/2015

With a 2-hour flurry of voices the popular television competition of THE VOICE wrapped up. Although the four finalists were each amazing, it was the voice of 16-year-old Sawyer Fredericks that caused all four judges to turn their chairs during blind auditions. It was also his captivating voice that gained him the sought-after crown as season eight champion.

A coach’s voice clearly penetrates. It is keyed into by their athletes and listened for during both practice and competitions. It both bellows directions and whispers affirmations.

“The voice is a second signature.” R.I. Fitzhenry

The voice of our Lord God bellows…
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. Psalm 29

The voice of our Lord God whispers…
And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12

It has been said that ‘prayer is the voice of faith’. With that voice as our second signature, we lay our thankfulness and our desires before our mighty God in His Son’s name…and His chair turns!

  MAY GOD’S SECOND SIGNATURE PERMEATE YOUR SOUL!

©2015 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

MARCH...2-3-4

5/13/2015

Have you ever lined up your children, your class or even your neighborhood kids for a spontaneous march? It may have been for fun up and down the street, to go to the local park, or just around the backyard. A marching band performs at games and parades to entertain an audience. Whatever the reason for marching, the drill serves an intended purpose of doing something together for a specific outcome.

Drills used by coaches to develop a team provide that same purpose. They bring the team together while taking them to new understandings, providing oneness and increasing stamina. The drills will give the team the necessary skills to meet their foes.

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." Coach John Wooden, UCLA

There is a story in the Bible about Joshua’s army following God’s unusual drills. When they did, they took over the city of Jericho by marching.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “ March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:3-5 NIV

Before God gave these marching orders to Joshua, He proclaimed the end result…

See! I have given Jericho into your hand. Joshua 6:2 NIV

PRAYER: Lord, I am ready for Your marching orders. Just as Joshua did, I will follow them no matter how unusual they may seem. Thank you for providing your direction as I march through the battles of life. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

HEAR GOD’S DIRECTIVES AND MARCH…2-3-4!

©2015 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PERFECT POSTURE RESOLVE

5/6/2015

My mother’s care-filled comment to “sit up straight!” as I was growing up still rings in my ears reminding me to pay attention to my posture. Children are taught the habit of good posture since they do not quite understand the importance of it…yet!

Player posture is critical to sound performance…head up or head down, legs straight or legs bent, arms at sides or arms over head. Each sport, position or play may require a different posture for perfect play. The resolve to maintain these postures is critical to the athlete’s development and the team’s success.

Our body-posture before the Lord may be kneeling by a bed or at a church bench, sitting in a special chair in the corner of our bedroom or even during our daily routines of life. It can be with arms raised, or knees down, in a circle of prayer or alone in the car. Whatever the physical position, the PERFECT POSTURE before our Creator involves the position of our heart. It is expressing not what we think He wants us to say but rather our true attitudes and thoughts. This honest and sincere call-out to our mighty God brings us into full communication with Him …it is prayer from the heart!

“It is not the body's posture, but the heart's attitude that counts when we pray.” Billy Graham

“…let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.” Hebrews 10:22 NLT

RESOLVE # 5: THE PERFECT POSTURE BEFORE THE LORD IS PRAYER FROM THE HEART!

NOTE: The first issue of SPORTMOM E-votionals each month is dedicated to our word for the year - RESOLVE.
©2015 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.

iFOLLOW

THE VOICE

MARCH...2-3-4

PERFECT POSTURE RESOLVE

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN