Blog Archives

ALL DAY LONG

11/29/2017

There are many things we do ALL DAY LONG without even thinking about it. We cough, sniffle and talk out loud in response to no one. Rotely we prepare food, pick-up around the house and even start our cars. Perhaps this machine-like existence serves to free our minds for more important and pressing thoughts.

After a grueling practice, our athlete carries the challenge into their day. They ponder how to more completely accomplish the plays or performance. We may observe a blank stare or an absent-mindedness as they consider the important challenge ahead of them.

Our involvement with God is much the same. He calls us to tasks that may be repetitive or mindless while reserving the right to occupy our ALL DAY LONG activities. He longs for us to call out to Him in pressing situations and gently whispers important encouragement and understanding into our spirits as He occupies these tasks.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name ALL DAY LONG... (click to see Psalm 89:1–17)

Pray continually...Pray without ceasing...Never stop praying...Pray all the time. I Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV, KJV, NLT, MSG)

Our prayer today is from Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century monk. As a cook, he began his day’s work with it. Then ALL DAY LONG he would talk with God, listen for His leading and constantly dedicate the work at hand to Him.

PRAYER: “O my God . . . grant me your grace to stay in your presence. Help me in my labors. Possess all my affections”... ALL DAY LONG and every day.”

STAY IN HIS PRESENCE WHENEVER AND WHEREVER ...ALL DAY LONG!

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

ENTERING GATES

11/22/2017

Gates take us into wonderful, interesting and sometimes frightening places. They are used as added decoration to landscape, as a welcome for visitors to enter here, as barriers for unwanted entry, or as a guard protecting us from hazardous areas.

In sports, the gates to opportunity or disaster are often a line. Perimeter lines on fields and courts mark a barrier not to be violated. Lines on the court or field act as gates - places of entry to run a race, make a free throw or hike a football. Players must approach these "gates" with skill and wisdom.

God’s Word tells us how to approach His gates ...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NIV

We are reminded by the Psalmist to have thankful hearts as we enter God’s presence in prayer and worship.

Each year at this time, we enter the gates of loved ones or they enter ours. With thankful hearts we will eat a mountainous meal and praise God for His bountiful blessings.

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. Anonymous

THE PASSWORD FOR ENTERING GOD’S GATES IS ‘THANK YOU’.

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

"W" before "S"?

11/15/2017

It has been said, “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Work always precedes success and is certainly to be followed with a heart full of gratitude.

Sport teams spend endless hours both in practice and in competition. Why do they work so hard? To be the best, to conquer, to succeed and to celebrate progress.

The Old Testament festivals were celebrations of thankfulness to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for His provision and protection . They were preceded by WORK …followed by SUCCESS and celebrated with GRATITUDE to God.

“…honor the Lord your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work.” Deuteronomy 16:15

In heaven’s get-it-right dictionary “W” does come before “S” and they are both followed by “G”. At this time of year the work we have done renders hearts filled with gratefulness. We celebrate the successful and bountiful harvest recognizing that it was poured out on us by our Heavenly Father.
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PRAYER: I thank you for giving me the strength to work hard at the tasks before me. Every success I lay before you as a sacrifice in celebration of your provision, protection and the many blessings you have poured out on me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

WORK HARD, EXPERIENCE SUCCESS AND...
GIVE GOD THE GLORY!

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

LEAVE IT!

11/8/2017

While watching my mother make cookie dough or cake batter, there was one thing that always happened. After placing the last of the the dough on the cookie sheet or in the baking pan, there was always a remnant left at the edges of the mixing bowl. Instead of using her rubber scraper to get every morsel she would LEAVE IT for us kids to enjoy. Even though my mother knew she could get another cookie or two from the left-over dough or a bit more cake from the batter, she chose to let the enjoyment of her children take precedence.

When finishing a well-fought sport competition, leaving behind a sense of camaraderie is a lasting memory to enjoy. This learned behavior creates a spirit of friendship between competitors. Team members and coaches must purposefully leave the game with a sense of goodwill which in turn will benefit all those watching.

Moses directed the people of Israel to LEAVE IT as they harvested their crops...

“When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it...rather
LEAVE IT for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again...leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.” Deuteronomy 24:19-2 NLT

This may have seemed wasteful to the struggling farmers of the day, but Moses knew that the LEAVE IT concept would help more to alleviate need than the gathering every bit of product for themselves.

What do you need to leave behind for others to enjoy? Open yourself to this concept for today and see what the Lord has in mind.

WHAT IS LEFTOVER CAN MEET SOMEONE ELSE’S NEED...IF YOU LEAVE IT!

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

CONSIDER...A THANKKFUL YOU

11/1/2017

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

The month of November is a time to consider our thankfulness quotient. It may include being grateful for our home, family, provision, travel opportunities, friendships, job, and many other things around us. Along with these are the things that dwell within us... hope, peace, patience, kindness, abilities, interests...gifts for which we can also be thankful.

Teaching a team to be thankful for their attributes is part of a coach’s job. Some of the team’s skills and abilities are innate and others have been honed and learned. Both make the team strong and able to compete with pride. A team with a thankful-for-the- opportunity spirit is one that will go far in their quest for success.

Not only has God done great things for us (as our verse for the year says), He has also placed great attributes within each of us. Choosing to recognize these as gifts from Him brings a deep sense of gratitude. Made “in His image”, we.get to reflect Him!

Maintaining A THANKFUL YOU attitude requires avoiding comparison...

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else...

...let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. Romans 12:6 The Message

Does your thankfulness include the “you” God made you to be? Take a moment to thank Him for the great things He has done both for you and in you. Then ask Him to keep you from comparing yourself to others.

CONSIDER...THE YOU GOD MADE AND THANK HIM!

©2017 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
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- 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.

ALL DAY LONG

ENTERING GATES

"W" before "S"?

LEAVE IT!

CONSIDER...A THANKKFUL YOU

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN