• SPORTMOMS & MORE HOME
  • SPORTMOM E-votional
  • "BEHIND THE BENCH" BLOG
  • COACH'S CORNER
  • MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FLOODLIGHTS

10/29/2014

 
Picture
Rotating floodlights at a grand opening marked the way for shoppers.  It was 1950 and as a five-year-old it was the first time I had seen anything like this.  The rays of light dancing across the dark sky were mesmerizing drawing us to the light.  As we came close to the source disappointment set in – it was like a great big flashlight that we couldn’t get near because of its extreme brightness. Expecting a carnival or some other playtime excitement, the beautiful attraction in the sky only drew our attention to a new store…not too thrilling for a child.

The floodlights of a sport stadium definitely draw the attention of the surrounding community.  However, unlike the childhood floodlight, upon arrival a rousing competition awaits.  The floodlights make it possible to see and enjoy this event even in the darkness as athletes display their abilities and fans cheer them on.

Our hearts are made to be filled with the floodlight of God’s glory…

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

Just as God provided the sun, moon and stars to light the earth, He also sheds His light into our very being.  Wanting us to know Him, He displayed His light to our world in the face of Christ. We understand His light through the life, teachings and death of His Son, Jesus, that He sent to be the light of this world.  This same light is ours today through the power of His Holy Spirit – a floodlight that shines brightly through us bringing others to Him.

PRAYER:  Thank you, Lord, for the floodlight of your glory.  I open the darkest parts of my heart to let your light shine in and through me.  Let my face display You to my world.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

                                FOLLOW THE FLOODLIGHT OF GOD’S GLORY!


©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224


HELP!!!

10/22/2014

 
Picture
The cry for help is often heard.  Whether the soft whimper of a newborn baby or a panicked plea from a teenage son or daughter who just ran out of gas, it always initiates immediate response from parents or care-givers. The media is filled with commercials telling us about all the help we need whether we                                                    ask for it or not.  Offering help is in our nature.

 Asking for help can be difficult for athletes.  They are taught to be tough, that they can do it and that it is all up to them. Although these can be useful,  they need the balance of seeking and receiving help.  A true mentor coach is ready and willing to offer help and will choose to give it when asked.  Needing help and offering it is in our nature.

 David, the Psalmist, penned his ever-present need for help with these words…

I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. Psalm 18:35

What do you need today?  Have you offered a soft whisper of “help!” to the One who loves you most?  

PRAYER:  Oh, God my help in ages past, my hope for years to come.  Please be my guide through stormy blasts and my eternal home.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

                A SINCERE CRY FOR HELP IS GOD’S SWEET SIGNAL TO OFFER IT!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PRAY BEFORE PLAY

10/15/2014

 
Picture

This photo of a sweet friend’s son recently came across my Facebook page.  He and a high school team mate pause, take a knee and pray together before putting on their helmets to compete.  On the field they will not only represent their public school but also Christ to their world.  Although the game is most likely their passion, being a Christian is their purpose…they PRAY BEFORE PLAY.

How often do we take a knee before on-going events of our lives?  Although we may be passionate about the new project at work, the new car we just bought or the coming trip we are about to take, it is the approach to the opportunities of life that make the difference. It requires remembering our God-given purpose and taking time to pray before we play.

That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Mark 11: 24 MSG

When we thank God in advance of enjoying our passionate interests it reveals our true purpose to live out God’s will in our lives…

In everything give thanks ..for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  I Thessalonians 5:18 NET

TAKE A KNEE :  Lord of my life, I give you (your passionate interest here). Please use it to bring others to you.  Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this opportunity as I live out your purpose for my life. I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

                                       TO PLAY WITH PURPOSE – PRAY WITH PASSION!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224


IN DADDY'S SHOES

10/8/2014

 
Picture

Have you ever wondered if you could fill someone’s shoes?  Perhaps it is a promotion at work, or a successful older sibling who just left home, or maybe it is just plain living up to the job at hand.  The best way to start is by simply putting them on as any small child does when they slip their tiny feet into their parent’s big shoes.  Then with shouts of encouragement spurring them on they even walk around in them and someday fit into them.

When sport teams follow past season champions, the shoes to fill may seem rather big and awkward. However, as each player slips into their position, their growing skills and abilities emerge and soon a new championship team is formed.

Hidden in the Old Testament writings of Haggai and Zechariah are nuggets of encouragement to an anointed leader named Zerubbabel.  Slipping into the God-ordained big shoes of the job at hand, he completed the stalled work of rebuilding the temple one stone at a time. God himself offered the necessary encouragement through Haggai and Zechariah to spur him on…


 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Haggai 2:9 NIV

…‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel …and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:23 NIV

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Zechariah 4:6 NIV

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.  Zechariah 4:8 NIV

 “Who dares despise the day of small things…” Zechariah 4:10 NIV

As small children, the tiny feet of our future athletes slip into the big shoes of their parents. We are their first and God-ordained mentors chosen to complete a special work of the Lord that may exceed our own accomplishments.  Growing these tiny feet into Christ’s likeness is a tall order that requires divine guidance.  To be up to this task we slip into the big shoes of Jesus knowing that it is not by our might nor by our power but by His Spirit that we will fill them.

                                                          STEP INTO BIG SHOES…                                                                       ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GROW YOU INTO DADDY’S SHOES!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224


PURPOSEFUL ADORATION

10/1/2014

 
Picture

Note:  The first SPORTMOM E-votional of each month is dedicated to our word-for-the-year...ADORE.


Purposeful living is a challenge we all face.  Bunny trails of attention-getting distractions can mean great set-backs on the road of life.  Books, classes, videos, television specials, talk show topics and other informational resources around us constantly encourage us to know the track we are on and to stay on it.

PURPOSEFUL ADORATION is a challenge when distractions come.  It is often easy for coaches and players to see the weak points of a team or in other players. This is good if it brings them alongside of the need by building up and assisting.  But if it causes the focus to be only on the problem with no intentional recognition of exemplary attributes then the bunny trail of distraction takes its toll.  Finding the good and promoting it while acknowledging the weakness and working on it, is at the heart of purposefully adoring one another.  

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”  Mother Teresa

As His children, God calls us to remain “at attention” in our endless adoration of Him.  When the bunny-trails of life take us through rough days, He reminds us to purposefully adore Him anyway.  This choice in the face of heartbreak, disappointment or deep sadness creates endless echoes of praise to our Lord. 

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.  I Peter 3:14  The Message 

Let's find the good and focus on it – let's take the bad and learn from it – let's choose to practice PURPOSEFUL ADORATION for the One who knows us best.


          AT THE HEART OF WORSHIP IS ENDLESS ADORATION FROM THE HEART.

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224



    Picture

    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.


    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    SPORTMOMS & MORE
    Your Comments

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly