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TOO SMALL

10/28/2010

 
 As we see it, outgrowing things in life is a sign of health and maturity.  When our athletes were babies, we found them graduating from one diaper size to the next, then to bigger and bigger shoe sizes right along with jean sizes.  This process of things becoming TOO SMALL means change which is often costly.  Our children are helplessly dependant on us to provide the next size of outgrown clothes until they become self-sufficient adults.  

As a child it was always a race as to which would happen first....would I outgrow my shoes or would they get holes in the bottom?  Either way, I would need a new pair in order to maintain happy, healthy feet.  Even if they were too small, I would squeeze my foot into them because I was used to them and often liked them very much.  The old comfortable-but-too-small shoes had to be replaced.  

Sometimes our relationship with God becomes TOO SMALL.  For those of us who struggle with the old shoes of trusting where He is taking us . . we remain in our old and way-too-small shoes - shaking in the outgrown boots of fear, discouragement or mis-trust.  J.B. Phillips offers this perspective, "If you can't believe in God the chances are your God is too small."   

"The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!"  2 Cor. 6:11 The Messsage

 There is one thing that we can never outgrow. . . it is our dependance on God.  Our helplessness brings a smile to His face as we grow in Him.  The life-long process of spiritual growth takes us from size to size - but we can never outgrow God!
 
"... precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little..."  Isaiah 28:10 KJV  

Blessings . . . as you grow into new spiritual shoes!

WALK STRONG!

10/26/2010

 
Tennis players have been known to wear shirts with the slogan "Love is for Losers".  In tennis, a “love” score is zero so if your score in a game is “love,” you lose! In this sport...love shows weakness and certain loss.  

It's easy to love a "winner", but it is the "loser" that desperately needs it.  When defeat is experienced, nurturing and uplifting attention from those around us is absolutely necessary.  Rather than offering light-weight excuses for why things went the way they did, the best medicine a sportmom can offer for the wounded spirit is:
  • An ear that listens to the pain
  • A shoulder that bears the hurt
  • Arms that are open wide
  • A  Mouth full of encouragement toward a better day
LOVE IS FOR WEAKENED LOSERS - LOSERS NEED THE STRENGTH OF OUR LOVE!  

Recently our granddaughter faced a disappointing loss with her volleyball team.  Her clearly-expressed need following this loss was to be left alone for a bit to process through the self-blame and get ready to re-enter her world.  For her, this did not include an in-your-face "I love you" or a "bear hug" - the things we wanted to give her.  After a few minutes of adjusting her perspective she was ready to "talk about it" and accept encouragement. Discovering how to love our losers is an important part of the sportmom's challenge.    God knows how to love us when we are in a funk!  He "loves his loser" with an all-encompassing knowledge of his child's need.  Through His Word and through quiet talks with Him,  He targets the center of our disappointment and lovingly brings us back to WALK STRONG once again.  

"But the people who trust the Lord will become STRONG again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will WALK and not become tired."   Isaiah 40:31 NVC  

"With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever."  Psalm 136:12 NIV  

Yes, "Love is for losers" and "losers need love"... but here is the best news . . .

 GOD'S LOVE NEVER QUITS - EVEN WHEN WE LOSE!  

Go to the GOD'S LOVE NEVER QUITS passage of scripture in Psalm 136 using The Message version ...it will bless your socks off!  (you may use BibleGateway.com to access on-line) 

Blessings . . . as you WALK STRONG in the power of God's love.    

©2010 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

SPORTMOM E-votional

10/26/2010

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11-4-10 MUD-MUD-MUD
The E-votional from November 4th took a welcomed turn at the end going from "Stuck in the Mud" to "mighty Mud!!!" and from "...Mud on your face, a big disgrace!" to "We will, We will rock you!".  As I read, I gegan to visualize the blind man and his great faith in Jesus the healer.  He was looking forward ot receiving his sight.  He is a great exampkle of how to handle Mud!.  Thanks for the "mud bath" from your E-votional Spa!!!   - Gwen Jordan
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THE GREAT "I AM"

10/19/2010

 
Athletes often identify themselves by the position they play on a team.  For instance, I am a quarterback, I am a pitcher, I am a point guard  etc, etc.  In turn, we often relate to them in terms of that specific function.  Each team member fitting into a defined position brings clarity and boundaries as they practice and play games.  

Our grandchildren love to say how old they are . . . I am 5 (with five fingers in the air) or I am 7-almost 8!  Their age is very important to them.  Me?  Well, at my age I remain in the year as long as I can!  Okay . . . I am 64! (with only a few days until I'm 65 . . . often unsaid  but clearly inescapable). Our age along with the many other "I am" statements define how we view ourselves and in turn define and limit our relationships or position.   

In the book of Exodus our Creator defines Himself too . . . but it is without any limits!  He simply says that He is the "I AM" - the beginning and end of everything.  This places Him in an all-inclusive category of one without boundaries, beyond our comprehension, all in all for all, awe-producing in every way. . . . He simply IS!
"By his power we live and move and exist."  Acts 17:28a NCV   This without-boundaries "I AM" connected with us, His boundary-laden creation.  He is this by sending His Son, Jesus, who walked this earth as a man with clear and simple boundaries.  Even though He was the Son of the limitless "I AM", He spoke to us in ways that specifically defined his purpose and relationship to us...  

"I am the light of the World ." John 8:12 NIV  

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."John 14:6 NIV

  "I who speak to you am He." John 4:26 NIV  

These "I am" statements provide placement and position for us to experience the intimate love that the Source of all creation - the great "I AM" - has for each of us.  Jesus came so we can see, feel and understand God's perfect love within the boundaries of our human limitations - so that we get it!  We live and move and have our being in Him.  

May your "I am's" be wrapped up in THE GREAT "I AM".
  
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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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