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TAKE TEN

11/30/2016

 
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There is a crucial point in sport competition that requires a huge sigh and a mental check before successfully completing the play.  In basketball it is often observed when a determined player patiently steps to the free throw line. That moment of focus is powerfully essential to a good outcome…sinking of the basket.
 
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." Leo Tolstoy
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In our Christian lives the TAKE TEN focus uses both patience and time as a hedge against words that may harm.  This 10-second habit ensures that the desired outcome can be accomplished by asking yourself these three questions:
                                                                     Is it True?
                                                                     Is it Essential?
                                                                     Is it Nice?
 
IS IT TRUE…Honesty and truthfulness includes both what is spoken of another and what is spoken about oneself. The proverb below depicts one who prepares a meal for others while not wanting to do it.  When unwillingness is at the root of an action it becomes dishonest.
 
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 KJV
 
IS IT ESSENTIAL...Offering information or opinion may seem harmless but is it necessary?  Take a moment before speaking to review the end result to avoid devastation to you and/or others.
 
There’s a way that looks harmless enough; look again—it can lead to trouble.  Proverbs 16:25
 
IS IT NICE…Purposefully speaking about the good in others is what we are called to do.
 
…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
 
PRAYER:  Lord of my life, I want to be a TEN for you today and every day.  Please remind me to review my words before they are hastily spoken. Thank you for Your Word that instructs me in the way of life everlasting.  In Jesus Name, Amen.
 

                                                                  BE A TEN – TAKE 10!
 
©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224


ENTER WITH THANKS

11/23/2016

 
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Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4 KJV


This week may find you entering the home of a friend or family member where we anticipate good food and fellowship with those inside. Or it may find you graciously welcoming guests into your home as you celebrate the provision you’ve been given this past year. Either way, a thankful heart is the key to our gatherings.

Each year Coach Brown sponsors a Turkey Toss for his basketball players at practice the day before Thanksgiving.  The players line up at 3/4 court to attempt a free throw from there.  The winner takes home a fresh turkey...a simple yet difficult challenge.


Today I offer this simple challenge for your Thanksgiving gathering… ENTER WITH THANKS.  Choose to let each person present know something you are thankful for about them sometime during the day. Your thankful heart will permeate the spirits of others as a pleasing fragrance to our Lord.

Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost.  2 Corinthians 2:15 ERV

Filling the air with sweet words to another reflects a thankful and Christ-like heart.

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  Ephesians 4:29 NLT

                                                FILL THE AIR WITH SWEET PERFUME  –
                                   TAKE ON THE “ENTER-WITH-THANKS” CHALLENGE!


©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PUSH PAUSE

11/16/2016

 
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 The night-time words 'settle down now' often echo in my mind as my mother would try to calm the family down at bedtime.  My favorite T.V. show pauses with a 'be right back' message taking two minutes for a program-sustaining commercial.  When the teacher in my first grade class announced a “Nap Time” pause as we came in from noon recess, we would roll out our mat and lay quietly. Music directors signal a complete pause using it as a musical exclamation point and our DVR’s allow us to PUSH PAUSE at our own whim.
 
Coaches use the PUSH PAUSE button when they call a time out.  This break from play gives players an opportunity to reset themselves, refresh themselves and refocus on their game plan. It is vital to the strategy of the game and to the sustainability of the players.  The benefits of the time out far outweigh the time spent taking them and quite often the season’s destiny depends upon wise use of them. 
 

“Learn to pause ... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you.”  Doug King

God has a ‘PUSH PAUSE directive recorded in the book of Psalms…

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV
 
The most power-producing pause we can take is one in the presence of our God. Prayers of surrender, studying His Word, reflecting on His ways and considering how to more effectively live our lives for Him are worth the pause. It is the single-most important button that can be pushed to live out our eternal destiny.
 
PRAYER:  I PUSH PAUSE to spend time with you today, Lord.  Please settle my rushing thoughts and calm my busy body as I set my mind on you.  Thank you for this time out with you that renews, refocuses and refreshes my spirit.  My desire is to be still and know you.  In Jesus Name, Amen
 

           MAKE YOUR LIFE AN EXCLAMATION POINT FOR CHRIST…PUSH PAUSE!

 
 ©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

VANISHING ANGER

11/9/2016

 
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Anger can result following unexpected outcomes or from a festering caldron of unmet expectations.  At its very core is   fear…fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of opposition and so on.

After a difficult loss on the courts and fields of athletics, this same anger can rear its ugly head.  Coaches lead the way as to how a team will deal with thIs emotion. The standard guideline can be summed up using thoughts from the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling…

“If you can keep your head about you when all others are losing theirs – you will be a man, my son!”
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The Bible speaks of controlled anger …

“Be angry, and sin not: don’t let the sun go down upon your wrath…”               Ephesians 4:26

There is a pathway to VANISHING ANGER…it is offering GRACE.  Appropriating grace when we are at our weakest moment is possible because of the grace God has given us.  As we choose to offer grace, our own anger vanishes into the sea of God’s forgiveness.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”            2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

                          WANT TO GET RID OF ANGER?  TRY GRACE!
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The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.   Rev. 22:21

 ©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

ABOUND...in EXPRESSED GRATEFULNESS

11/2/2016

 
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November is here…the month for grateful living and thankful hearts.  It’s the time to reflect on the past year and its seasons of winter rest, spring preparations, summer growth and the culmination of it all with fall harvest…certainly a time to grab a grateful moment and express it.


“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”  G. B. Stern

As sport teams finish a season…it is time to express gratefulness. No matter the win-loss score, coaches reflect on how the season has prepared each team member for their future. Grateful expressions from coaches along with parents, family, their fellow team-mates and friends are invaluable to an aspiring athlete.  Just as important as being honored for their sport skill, athletes need to hone the skill of humbly expressing their gratefulness for the past accomplishments … it is the best preparation for future achievement.
 
                             UNEXPRESSED GRATEFULNESS IS LIKE…
                     WRAPPING A PRESENT AND THEN NOT GIVING IT!

Expressing our gratitude to God is a vital part of harvest.  He revels in our gratefulness for we are His workmanship – created to reflect and honor Him.  He knows our hearts but He loves to hear our voice.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! … Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Psalm 107:1-2

Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face!  Psalm 30:4 TM

If you are looking for contentment in life, begin your search with gratitude…first to your Creator and then to those around you.  Remember…it is not contented people who are grateful - rather it is grateful people who are contented!  So…
 
                  GRAB A GRATEFUL MOMENT AND EXPRESS IT!

 
©2016 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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