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TRUST IN THE DARK

10/25/2017

 
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The dark, cold ice caves of Washington State were a scary spot. Always wanting to enter those caves when we picnicked there, I begged to go in. However I would always stop short of following my father into them.  Finally, on a very hot summer day, I did it! Trusting my father, I cautiously moved into the daunting darkness holding his hand so as not to slip and fall while the entrance disappeared behind us.  Out of this darkness the light of our small flashlight revealed beautiful ice formations in this underground refrigerator... an amazing phenomenon of nature experienced only by trusting my father in the dark.
 
Trusting their coach is a team’s flashlight to the future. Carefully guiding them the coach takes them through the steps needed to prepare for competition and the process of executing it. Without this trust factor whole sport season can be at risk. Following the directives of a coach leads a team to places that they otherwise could not experience.
 
Mary and Martha were called to trust Jesus in a very dark time of their lives...the death of their beloved brother, Lazarus.  Putting their trust in Jesus, they had called for him to come when their brother was dying.  His arrival was too late, Lazarus was already in the grave.  But Martha’s trust at this dark moment was greater...
 
 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:21 & 22 NIV
 
Jesus responded to Martha's TRUST IN THE DARK...
 
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  “Take away the stone,”  he said. Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:38,39 & 43 NIV
 
Lazarus came out of the darkness and into the light...alive!
 
Will you trust Jesus today by following his lead and trusting his power through your dark places of life?
 
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark—that is faith.”  Charles Haddon Spurgeon
 
PRAYER: Dark places are not easy, Lord.  Today I place mine in your hands trusting you to lead and guide me.  May I see beautiful lessons as you shine your light of understanding on my darkness.  Thank you for your ever-presence.  In your Son’s Name I pray, Amen.
 
AVOID THE SLIP AND FALL – TRUST GOD IN THE DARK!

 
©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

October 17th, 2017

10/17/2017

 
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Trees swaying in the breeze, waves lapping at ocean shores, pounding rain and gentle snow falling from the sky, clusters of clouds making their way across blue sky, flashes of lightening piercing the darkness …MOVEMENT.  It catches our breath and settles the soul.

Up and down the fields and courts of competitive sports MOVEMENT is key.  How and when it is executed will either make or break a game.  As a team, the choreographed plays to move the ball are a necessity to reach the goal.  Individual players moving to their designated position at the right time brings a successful reward.

MOVEMENT in nature and in sport competition pales in comparison to God’s powerful hand moving the sun…

“I will cause the sun’s shadow to move ten steps backward”  Isaiah 38:8  NLT

This MOVEMENT of God was given as a sign of promise to King Hezekiah.  The Lord provided this symbol of protection after healing him from a life-threatening illness (see Isaiah 38:1–8).

The mighty MOVEMENT of our Heavenly Father is not only for the skies and seas or for an Old Testament king.  It is for us... touching us at the core of our being.

“The One who orders the movement of the sun can certainly move in our hearts.”  Poh Fang Chia

PRAYER:  Please move in my heart today, Lord.  As the One who moved the sun, I trust in you to order the MOVEMENTS of my life.  Thank you for your promise of care and protection.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

     
LET GOD’S MOVING POWER SETTLE YOUR SOUL!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

GO FIRST

10/11/2017

 
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Running rapidly toward the lunch line in grade school, each class member hoped to be first in line.  That coveted spot was sought after each time the lunch bell rang.  It wasn’t so much to get lunch first as to just plain be first.

The idea for who goes first is important in the process of relationships.  Writer Kirsten Holmberg tells about how she fell into the habit of pulling away from her emotionally unresponsive child. Kirsten’s therapist gave her this advice…

“He needs you to go first . . . to show him he’s worthy of love before he’ll be able to act like it.”

As sportmoms we often must make the first moves of love and acceptance  particularly when our athlete returns home from a disappointing loss.  In showing our continual acceptance of them we are underlining their worthiness of our love win or lose.
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God went first showing his love for us…


But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 NIV

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Just as we don’t withdraw our love from our athlete when losses come  God doesn’t withdraw His heart from us when we fail Him.  In response, we can be the first to extend love to others.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NIV

PRAYER:  Thank You, Lord, for your “go first” love. I commit to being a reflection of your love by going first in loving others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

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CONSIDER...YOUR WAYS

10/4/2017

 
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VERSE FOR THE YEAR:  But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
 
Before a sport year begins, the coach takes time to reflect on past endeavors and plan for the season ahead. Identifying barriers that may limit the team effort is an important step in season preparations.  This process of consideration serves a team well while creating an environment for success in the year ahead.
 
 
Our verse for the year challenges us to ‘consider what great things God has done for us’.  Sometimes, however, barriers that we create hinder us from the great things God has in mind.  Even though God had “done great things” for the people of Israel, they put up a barrier about rebuilding the temple that God had called them to do saying…

 
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.” Haggai 1:2b NIV
 
The Lord responded to this barrier with a reminder to take a good hard look at what was actually happening to them because they refused to do what needed to be done…
 
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at (consider) what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!  Haggai 1:5-6 NLT
 
Are you on a treadmill in life doing things that fail to produce the desired result and getting nowhere fast?  Perhaps it is time to take a look at what is happening to you…CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. God wanted to do great things for the people of Israel and He wants to do great things in and through you today. However, It is up to you to eliminate your self-made barriers.  
 
PRAYER:  Dear Father in heaven, please show me the barriers I create that keep me from completing your work through me.  Thank you for your plan…I want to be a part of it.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
     “I AM WITH YOU!” declares the LORD.   Haggai 1:13b NIV
 
©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224
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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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