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YEAR END WRAP-UP TIME TO ...

6/9/2011

 
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TIME TO ...

As we wrap up SPORTMOM E-votionals for this year, we are all looking forward to some extra time and that is just what a summer break offers ... especially this year!  We have five Friday-Sunday weekends in July 2011 and it won't happen again for 823 years...so let's enjoy!  

Extra time can bring new opportunities our way.  Even though July has the same 31 days it always has, the calendar tells us that we have an extra weekend to invest in our family, friends or other interests. The question is - what will we do with it?  

Chinese writer, Lin Yutang,  whose father was a Christian minister, and who journeyed from Christianity through Taoism and Buddhism and, thankfully, back to Christianity, penned these wise words: 
  "Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do, than what one can do."

Recently I have had some opportunities to serve where my heart lies.  During these considerations I experienced the truth of Mr. Yutang's quote.  While choosing how I would spend my time,  it became clear what could and could not be accomplished in a given period of time.  This process was critical to staying on track with God's purpose for me.  My desire did not match the number of days available to do it.  

King Solomon, the purported writer of Ecclesiastes, gives us a "spending time" overview in his "there is a time to..." passage.  There he offers  the encouraging thought that there is a time for everything with everything on earth having its special season.  This begs the question, what is it "time to" do?

The remainder of the Ecclesiastes 3 passage includes a long list of the times in our lives.  To help us choose how to use the extra time we have this summer  click on the BEHIND THE BENCH BLOG tab above
 and view Ecclesiastes 3 along with a useful SUMMERTIME CHECKLIST.   

Blessings ... as you spend your God-given days doing God-honoring activities.  

NOTE:  This issue of SPORTMOM E-votional  wraps up our 2010-2011 program year... see you in September!  
 

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

BRAMBLES & BEYOND

6/7/2011

 
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BRAMBLES & BEYOND

Blackberry Cobbler is one of our favorite desserts but getting the fresh-off-the-vine blackberries can be a dangerous.   Climbing through endless thorn-filled blackberry brambles is what it takes to get to the sweet, succulent fruit that provides the eventual satisfaction ... freshly baked blackberry cobbler with a dab of ice cream on top. 

Sport teams must negotiate through the brambles of competitive play in order to reach the goal beyond ... doing their very best.  In the end, whether an undefeated season or not,  the reward is a deep satisfaction of a job well done.

                  IT IS THE GOAL BEYOND THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR PROGRESS

Each day carries with it some brambles to be faced and cut through.  We must keep the goal in mind ... that beyond these tough times come the sweet berries of accomplishment that God has planned for us.  These ultimately lead to our sweet and eternal home.

...We must suffer many things to enter God's kingdom.  Acts 14:22 NCV 

Much of life is about getting through the brambles - the trials and troubles -  of this world.  Facing these with the Holy Spirit as our guide will bring us to a beautiful city beyond where there is no more sorrow or tears.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4 KJV

We can be sure that the joy that awaits us makes our temporary discomfort worthwhile.

CLICK ON the BEHIND THE BENCH tab above to see an up close and personal view of what lies beyond.

Blessings ... as you break through the brambles to the beauty beyond.

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

TREASURES

6/2/2011

 
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TREASURES

Treasure chests are found in the deepest parts of our oceans.  They were often fought for when evil pirates attacked the carrying ship. The result was that no one benefited from these riches.  Instead, they ended up on the floor of the sea rendering them useless.    

"Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them."   Napoleon Bonaparte  

Our earthly treasures will someday be rendered useless but lasting treasures are the intangible gem found within our relationships.  This time of year, our children  are walking down aisles at graduations and weddings.  Within them they carry eternal treasures carefully stored and yet to be fully seen and used.  Our  found within our relationships.  This time of year, our children  are walking down aisles at graduations and weddings.  Within them they carry eternal treasures carefully stored and yet to be fully seen and used.  Do we treasure the piece of paper that they are about to receive?  Or is it the beautiful dress, handsome tux, or unenviable cap and gown that we hold in high regard?  Could it be the gorgeous setting that we long to capture? 

As heart-warming as these things may be, none are lasting treasures.   Coach and I agree with Coach Gibbs when he said...

"...one way to store up "treasures in heaven" is by investing your life in other people..."  Coach Joe Gibbs  

Our lasting treasure is in people.  First, in our relationship with Christ and then with the people who walk those graduation aisles, wear those prom dresses and tuxedos, or hold the trophy of accomplishment in their hands.  They are our treasures because of who they are.  The hours of  character-building efforts, shared moments of their victory and defeat, your unbridled investment in their readiness for life...these are the makings of "treasures in heaven".  

But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Matthew 6:20 NCV

What we treasure reflects our purpose, our focus, our hearts...  

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Matthew 6:21 KJV  

Just as we treasure our children, God treasures us.  

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.  Exodus 19:5 NLT  

As sportmoms who have kept the covenant with God, we offer our "treasures" back to Him today proclaiming...

We have this treasure from God ... we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us.  2 Corinthians 4:7 NCV  

Blessings ... as your family "treasures" become God's own special treasure.    

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

TREASURES

6/2/2011

 
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    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.


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