Blog Archives

GO DEEP

9/30/2015

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
What does it mean to be deeply in love?

Ask a couple who have been married to the same person for many, many years this question. The answers seem short and sweet boiling down to this: they each see their mate from the inside out and adore them anyway. To GO DEEP in the love of another requires a knowing beyond day to day living.

“Put a crown over your spouse’s head and let them grow into it!” Pastor Stan Russell

We hear the term GO DEEP on the Football field of play. This happens when a receiver sprints far down the field where the quarterback will throw him a pass. Knowing where each other are going to be is a requirement in order for the play to work. It is this kind of simpatico that makes for great football and many scoring opportunities.

God throws the pass of love to us through His Word and by sending His Son to live, work and love on this earth in the form of a man – Jesus! In order to fully receive it we must be willing to GO DEEP in our relationship with Him. Paul longed for this relationship when he wrote…

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death… Philippians 3:10 NIV

God wants us to GO DEEP in His love, to know Him and to receive His endless mercy, grace and power. He wants our love for one another to reflect this deep and abiding love. My prayer for you today is the prayer Paul prayed for the Philippian church…

…that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Philippians 1:9 TM

PRAYER: Lord, You are so worthy of love from me. You see me from the inside out. Please deepen my love for You today - not because of what you do for me, but because of who you are. Let me experience the GO DEEP kind of love that you so freely offer and give it back to you..
GOD PUTS A CROWN OF LOVE OVER OUR HEADS -
THEN HE HELPS US TO GROW INTO IT!

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

GIVE UP OR GIVE IN

9/23/2015

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Are you tempted to GIVE UP?

My grandmother was a strong influence in the lives of her twelve children. Raising a family of that size during the great depression was not an easy chore. Just to get a bag of flour in order to make bread was a back-breaking challenge. It was in this setting that her children were often encouraged to ‘keep on keeping on’.

Giving up is not an option for a sport team. Every coach wants his/her team to adopt the motto…when things get tough the tough get going! Mental toughness is a key component for every athlete.

Has something 'gotten the best of you'? The Psalmist, David, expresses this feeling openly seeming as though he is ready to GIVE UP. With clear and sad helplessness he expressed himself with the words that would later be spoken by Jesus…

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1

But hopefulness takes over in verse 19 when David GIVES IN to the One who controls all circumstances…

“But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.”

Feeling like giving up because of a loss, a failed attempt, or an unsuccessful season is human nature. But what we do with that feeling is our choice. We are once again reminded of God’s faithfulness to us when we read…

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ ” Hebrews 13:5

PRAYER: I am tempted to GIVE UP on __(fill in the blank)__, Lord. Today I choose to GIVE IN to You knowing that your faithfulness is my refuge and strength in order to keep on keeping on.
WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH – THE TOUGH GO TO GOD!

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

DESIRED TREASURES

9/16/2015

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What desires should I treasure?

This question causes me to take pause. Are all of my desires valid and valuable? Which ones are worth going after? What are my desired treasures? How do I determine the right ones?

"We tend to think that if we desire something, it is probably something we ought not to want or have.” Margaret Silf, author of Wise Choices

Sportmoms have an innate desire to see their child achieve in athletic endeavors. Sometimes this looks like winning, sometimes it looks like improving, and sometimes it requires the desire to see that athlete accept loss and learn from it or admit weakness and overcome it. Whatever the case, we are most likely willing to sacrifice our personal desires for our child…it’s what we do!

In a recent newsletter, Dr. Andrea Cook, current President of Warner Pacific College, wrote these profound words, “Our deep desires help us know God's desire for us...”

Knowing that God is the author of my deep and honorable desires gives me confidence that His will and mine are one. As I delight in Him my desires become known to me and treasures worth seeking.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the many desires you place in my heart. Please keep me focused on those that are your heavenly treasure. I will continually delight in you knowing that you are the author of my deepest desires. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MAY YOUR DESIRES BECOME GOD’S TREASURES!

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

RESOLVE OF THE HEART

9/2/2015

September’s “resolve” includes whole-heartedness and guarding. Both involve our well-being and are required in order to tackle life’s challenges.

Guarding is an important aspect of every team sport. It is a defense against enemy intrusion. An effective guard will deflect a pass, protect a play, and monitor the field or court for unwanted advances. This is successfully accomplished only when their heart is truly in the game.

Getting into the game of a life lived for Christ requires the same response…a heart that is fully maintained and totally involved. Luke, a physician, fittingly wrote these words about Barnabas’ visit to the church in the city of Antioch…

“…he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Acts 11:23 NIV

Our ability to remain true to the Lord is best served when it comes from the center of our being…our heart. It means serving the Lord not half-heartedly because we should but whole-heartedly because Jesus is at the center of our being. When this has been established, we must then vigorously protect it.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Everything? Yes - every thought, every deed and every word! We guard our hearts by allowing the Holy Spirit to control and counsel us and by using God’s Word as our guide. The result is our thoughts, deeds and even our words reflect a truly Christ-centered heart.

“Jesus can transform our hearts so that our words can truly be their best—honest, calm, appropriate, and suitable for the situation.” Marvin Williams

PRAYER: Help me to guard against intrusions that separate me from You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, for you are my strength and my Redeemer.*

RESOLVE #9:
I WILL GUARD MY HEART THAT MY LIPS MAY REMAIN TRUE TO THE LORD.

* (from Psalm 19:14)

©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.

GO DEEP

GIVE UP OR GIVE IN

DESIRED TREASURES

RESOLVE OF THE HEART

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN