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HOLD ON TIGHT

10/28/2015

As a small child my mother would gently place me in a schoolyard swing and say, “Now HOLD ON TIGHT!” This directive was the key to a successful push and the exhilarating joy of a safe ride as I held on for dear life.

A good tackle in football requires the same directive. To HOLD ON TIGHT is vital in order to halt an opponent’s play. It can result in stopping a first down and may be key in a much-wanted win.

God’s Word tells us in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 that there is…

A right time to hold on and another to let go…

We HOLD ON TIGHT to our Heavenly Father during times of distress or danger…

I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. Psalm 63:8 The Message

On the other hand, we may find ourselves holding on to the “things of this world”’. Like the rich, young ruler who asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life, we too can get distracted. Jesus ultimately answered his question: he needed to sell all he owned, give to the poor, and come follow him. But this prosperous man with his whole life ahead of him was overcome by the selfish desire to HOLD ON TIGHT!

The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go. Mark 20:22 The Message

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." Martin Luther

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I will hold on to you because of what Christ did on the cross for me. I place in your hands all that I possess and all that I am. Letting go of those things that come before you, I will HOLD ON TIGHT to your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

DON’T LET THINGS KEEP YOU FROM AN ETERNAL WIN!

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

HANDLE IT!

10/21/2015

My boss of many years decided to have a special stamp made. He used it quite often as paperwork came across his desk. The stamp read: HANDLE IT and don’t tell me what you did! At first it seemed as though he was disinterested, however the truth was that it was his way of saying he trusted another person to take care of it.

Ball handling is key in any sport that involves a ball. Whether it is choosing which pitch is best for the situation, dribbling down the court in a way that keeps the opponent wondering or deciding to pass or run with the ball, a fine athlete must know how to HANDLE IT.

Which brings me to this question: What does it mean for Christians to HANDLE IT? My mother gives the answer in this lyric she once wrote …

Handle with care the life God has given you… Guard it well for He cares for you! Handle with prayer through Christ God’s chosen way… Handle with care – Handle with prayer… He’ll see you through. delre

It is our responsibility to be careful and vigilant with the precious life God has provided. This, along with his promises results in a win-win lifestyle no matter what may come our way!

When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it... I Corinthians 10:13 NIV

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

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for your guidance and provision showing me how to HANDLE IT! I will turn to you for endurance and refuge trusting your power to see me through. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

GOD WILL NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN HE CAN HANDLE!

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

SECONDS IN TIME

10/14/2015

A brief moment of hesitation can be the difference between life and death. We find this to be true on the roads and freeways we travel daily. It only takes mere seconds to avoid trouble or encounter it.

Our athletes find this same experience as they participate in their chosen sport. A half-second hesitation in basketball can turn into an after-the–buzzer basket. In football it may mean the difference between releasing a pass and being tackled before the release. In volleyball a single second can turn into a score for the opposing team when an inside-the-boundary ball is not returned. The illustrations can go on and on but the point is SECONDS IN TIME do count.

Peter writes about the quickly fleeting moments of our lives as God views them. He describes our life span as only a moment – a mere breath…

“My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:5b NLT

From God’s perspective our SECONDS IN TIME may be longer than we think...

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 NCV

There is so much more to our eternal souls than the earthly life we now know. The SECONDS IN TIME given to us as we walk this earth are valuable commodities. Deciding how to spend them is up to us.

PRAYER TIME: Ask God to show you His plan for the moments of your life and trust Him to guide you in each of them…because they count!

WE GET A SECOND CHANCE EVERY SECOND WITH EVERY BREATH!

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

PATIENT RESOLVE: WAIT-WAIT... GO

10/7/2015

NOTE: The first issue of each month is dedicated to our 2015 word for the year - RESOLVE

Get ready (hesitate), get set (hesitate) …GO!

With this announcement we would be off and running a race across the lawn to an imaginary finish line. As a child, waiting for the start seemed long and we found it very easy to jump ahead or not begin because we didn’t hear the GO! It was a game that required the resolve to listen carefully, be at-the-ready, and respond quickly with very fast feet!

With a loud horn, a sudden gunshot or an attention-getting buzzer, a sport competition begins signaling the athletes out of the WAIT-WAIT mode and into the anxiously-awaited GO! It’s now time for the training, practice, and mental preparation to carry them through the game. The wait is over and their resolve becomes reality.

There are many WAIT-WAIT times in our lives. Whether it is something as simple as waiting in a long line at our favorite event or as important as waiting to begin something that we have studied, trained, practiced and have prepared to do, the wait for it can certainly test our patience.

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains. Dutch Proverb

David, the Psalmist, wrote about the WAIT. He tells us to wait for the Lord's GO, encourages us to remain strong, cautions us not to lose heart and then reminds us a second time to WAIT for the Lord’s GO.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Between the Lord’s WAIT and His GO we are challenged to put all of our hope in Him and expect His answer to come. We are also directed to be brave and courageous with hearts resolved to endure the wait.

PRAYER: Today I put the things that I am waiting for into your all-knowing hands. With my trust in you I am resolved to endure patiently, listen carefully, and remain at-the-ready and WAIT. When you say GO, I will respond quickly. Thank you for your faithful watch-care over me, your ever-present protection, and your clear guidance. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

RESOLVE #10:
I WILL BE A PATIENT WITH PATIENCE IN GOD’S WAITING ROOM!

©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.

HOLD ON TIGHT

HANDLE IT!

SECONDS IN TIME

PATIENT RESOLVE: WAIT-WAIT... GO

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN