Blog Archives

POWERFUL PRESENCE

5/31/2017

There are people who enter a room and it is permeated by their presence. It can radiate as laughter bringing joy, calm bringing peace, or a plethora of other emotions for those nearby.

Coaches are known for their POWERFUL PRESENCE. Their mere presence influences and encourages players, parents of athletes, and all those who view them at work. For team members, this presence often carries great impact for a lifetime.

The POWERFUL PRESENCE of our Lord is on display in the Old Testament book of Nahum. The city of Ninevah was ravaged by evil and had turned against those who claimed God as their Lord. God's prophet, Nahum, received the good news that God was unleashing His power upon the situation. The reign of terror against Him would be put to an end and promising that He would protect and sustain His people. Nahum responds to God's overwhelming presence with these comforting words...

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him… Nahum 1:15

God’s same POWERFUL PRESENCE is here to encourage and comfort us today. He is our refuge and very present strength in times of trouble bringing joy and peace...

WATCH FOR IT, EXPECT IT, EXPERIENCE IT!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

HOME SWEET HOME

5/24/2017

As the school year winds down, graduates begin to consider going out into the world and away from their HOME SWEET HOME. This place, prepared by their parents or guardians, is filled with love and safety and will soon be one they come to deeply cherish.

Sport teams have a “home advantage”. They know their court or field of competition well, are safe with their own fans present and supporting them…it could be labeled “HOME SWEET HOME”... a familiar and secure place to compete.

God has a HOME SWEET HOME...it is his in heaven where He rules the universe.

You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor. Psalm 104:13 NLT

Jesus, God’s only Son, came to this earth to save us from our sin and left this earth to prepare a HOME SWEET HOME for all those who believe in Him – a place beyond the troubles of this world…

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLT

Our heavenly home is sweeter than one we have ever known in our life here. What a future Jesus is preparing for us!

PRAYER: How thrilling it is to consider my forevermore with you, Lord. Thank you for your promise to prepare a HOME SWEET HOME for me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A CHRIST-CENTERED HOME IS A SWEET HOME!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

FORGET ME...FORGET-ME-NOT

5/17/2017

As a young girl picking daisies was always special. Whether from my grandmother’s garden or along the pathway walking home from school, they provided a small bouquet for my mother as well as a peek into my imagined future. Picking off the petals one by one I would recite, “He loves me, he loves me not.” Of course I wanted it to end in ‘he loves me' ... after all, no one wants to be unloved or forgotten.

Throughout the past 50 years, many athletes have pounded the floors of the gyms where my husband has been coaching. A player’s high school basketball experience comes to an end, but they are never forgotten. Coach can easily offer a play by play description of each season’s highlights and the players involved. These are rich memories that cause him to remember them in prayer often.

“NO ONE IS POORER THAN THE ONE FOR WHOM NO ONE PRAYS!” (unknown)

The richness of these prayers pale in comparison to the care and concern of our loving Creator. He does not forget us even though at times we may feel forgotten. When we find ourselves in this frame of mind, we are in good company. Even the Psalmist David wondered if he had been forgotten when he penned these thoughts:

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me? But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13 NIV (portions)

"The psalmist had a remedy for feeling forgotten. He focused on all that he knew of God’s love, reminding himself of past blessings and deliberately praising God, who would not forget him. So can we." Marilyn Stroud

In our times of anxious loneliness or fears of being forgotten, may we boldly proclaim…

“I know that the Lord FORGETS-ME-NOT. My heart is sure in His rescue and rich in His saving grace. I will ever sing praise to Him for who He is and for all the goodness He has brought to me!”

BASK IN GOD’S UNFORGETFUL LOVE AND CARE!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

IN THIS PLACE

5/10/2017

There are special events in our lives that are marked by the place they happened. We are reminded of an event when we see or hear about that place.

Rattlesnake Creek is a rocky creek with green trees on its banks. It marks my baptism at age 11. When I am near it, that event immediately plays out in my mind. It was IN THIS PLACE that I made both a public and profound commitment to follow Christ.

Often an athlete will return to the field of play where they experienced greatness. The visit brings back memories of making a game-winning touchdown, basket or goal. Being IN THIS PLACE causes feelings of pride and accomplishment.

God came to Jacob in a dream as he slept under the stars with a rock as his pillow in a place called Bethel. It was IN THIS PLACE that He told Jacob about the land He was going to give him and how his descendants would be many. He also promised to be with Jacob watching over him. (see Genesis 28:12-15)

This encounter scared Jacob and he was afraid for it was a barren and rocky place. But it also left him in awe that IN THIS PLACE God had chosen to visit him. Not wanting it to be forgotten he built an altar to worship the Lord memorializing his experience.

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28: 16-17 NIV

Are you in a barren and rocky situation? God wants to visit you IN THIS PLACE. Like Jacob, it will mark the gate of heaven as He comforts and guides you through.

PRAYER: IN THIS PLACE I listen for your voice. It will forever be an altar of praise to you, my Lord and my God! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOD SPEAKS IN PLACES WE MAY NOT EXPECT!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

CONSIDER...THE POWER WITHIN

5/3/2017

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VERSE FOR THE YEAR: But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV

To be strengthened by another is a powerful experience. Life-changing moments have occurred through the encouragement of a loving spouse, an uplifting parent, an admiring sibling, a close friend, a faithful pastor, a skilled teacher or a respected leader.

A sport coach instills power into a team. Behind the teaching skill sets, plays and team building is the process of creating a “can do” spirit within each player. This power- producing experience is vital for both individual players as well as the entire team.

One of my favorite scriptures reminds me that THE POWER WITHIN comes from God himself igniting His purpose within me. It carries the encouraging promise of strength beyond myself, beyond those around me, beyond wise leaders and beyond any earthly instruction. Consider what He wants to do in us …

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…” Ephesians 3:20 NRSV

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Ephesians 3:20-21 The Message

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I open my heart asking for your Spirit to deeply and gently work within me. Your plans are far beyond mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (To continue your prayer click on the link listed below).
GO BEYOND YOUR PLAN ...
STEP INTO GOD’S MIGHTY POWER!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR “I NEED YOU" by Chris Tomlin
youtu.be/_rR_Rdb1CTE

©2017 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.

POWERFUL PRESENCE

HOME SWEET HOME

FORGET ME...FORGET-ME-NOT

IN THIS PLACE

CONSIDER...THE POWER WITHIN

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN