Blog Archives

HOW SILENTLY

12/17/2013

The silence of Christmas can be a noisy process. The silence is broken as Christmas Songs fill the air, text messages clutter my phone and my brain, newsy emails and cards pile up waiting to be opened and the iPhone calendar beeps reminding me that there is a schedule to keep. Oh for the silence of newly fallen snow and warm lights flickering in windows.

Silence is definitely not part of general sporting events. Rowdy crowds of fans, shrill whistles of the referees and even cranked up music breaks the silence of the game itself. Yet, it is in the still, steady silence of focused athletes and coaches that the game plan unfolds.

How silently, how silently this wondrous gift is given…the divine plan unfolds as the world sleeps. God stepped out of His heaven without fanfare and into the hearts of mankind. And the greatest Gift arrived…silently! God can now dwell in us as our Savior.

With focused silence we praise God in the midst of our clatter.

Silence is praise to you…You hear the prayer in it all. Psalm 65:1&2

REMEMBER THE WONDERFUL “GIFT” WITHIN…JESUS!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

SAVOR THE MOMENT

12/13/2013

It’s that time of year…with our ovens and stoves producing sweet goodies for friends and loved ones. Of course, a little first taste is necessary…a reward for our stirring, kneading, and carefully concocting the family favorites.

The moment I look forward to, however, is when the delicate morsels are popped into mouths with sighs of “mmmm-yummy” while smacking their lips in enjoyment...an opportunity for me to take pause and SAVOR THE MOMENT.

There are highlights in the lives of our athletes that are completely enjoyed by us SPORTMOMS… the perfect tackle, the 3-point basket at the buzzer, a stolen ball taken to the goal, and on. We savor these moments, replaying them over and over so as never to forget what we saw, how we felt and perhaps how it formed the future.

Just as we lingeringly hold sweet memories or a piece of food in our mouths to experience all of its succulent flavor, so is the presence of our completely satisfying God. Enjoying moments with Him through amazing circumstances, His Word, prayer and praise gives us pause and we SAVOR THE MOMENT.

I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips…Oh taste and see that the Lord is good… Psalm 34:1 & 8

There is nothing that satisfies the soul like the sweetness of His presence even in a manger. There is nothing more precious to our God than having us smack the lips of our souls with sighs of “mmmm…good”!

GOD IN A MANGER…TASTE HIS PRESENCE…SAVOR THE MOMENT!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PLAY UP

12/10/2013

Coaches can choose to "PLAY UP". This means scheduling competition that is above the team's standard level of play usually based on the number of students in the school. Pre-season or practice games also provide the opportunity to PLAY UP by competing with larger schools.

Although the game schedule is up to the coach and league, team members must buy into the PLAY UP challenge. It is an opportunity for the team to “put on their big boy pants” and play at the top of their game against a team that is known to have a skills and abilities greater than theirs. It stretches their bodies, minds and competitive spirits…excellent preparation for the season ahead.

Christ calls us to PLAY UP…to become more like Him! Although many circumstances of life are not ours to “schedule”, we are called to rise to life's occasions by developing attitudes and actions that stretch our patience, keep our minds steady and release love that comes from Him.

“Put on tender mercies (compassion), kindness, humility, meekness, patience (longsuffering), and forgiveness . . . but above all these things put on love.” Colossians 3:12 & 14

Let's put on our spiritual “big girl pants” and PLAY UP to new realms of conduct.

BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST … PLAY UP!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

BLOCKING OUT

12/6/2013

Protection has long been the by-word for parents. Inserting ourselves in situations when our children are at risk is a natural and necessary response to threat.

BLOCKING OUT is an uncompromising part of many sport competitions. In basketball it is called a screen, in football players block a pass or kick, and soccer goalies throw themselves into the path of the ball to thwart a goal.

"Blocking well is a combination of body positioning and timing," Rob Heidger, pro beach volleyball player.

To block safely a player must take the right stance and successfully insert themselves into the path of the opponent’s player or ball.

"Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." Abraham Lincoln

Christ performed the ultimate block. Standing in the course of history, God blocked sin providing a way to Himself through Christ’s death.

“Once you were alienated from God…But now He has reconciled you through Christ’s death.” Colossians 1:21-22

As Christ ones we are also called to block out. By taking the right stance and putting our feet in the right places we will stand firm as we insert ourselves in the path of evil...ready to the hit for the cause of Christ.

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

We give those around us the opportunity to experience Christ by BLOCKING OUT Satan’s ploys… and history is changed from defeat to victory!

BLOCK OUT SO OTHERS CAN OPT IN!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

TIME TESTINGS

12/3/2013

Sportmoms often juggle time issues asking themselves, “Is it time to (fill in the blank)?” Some schedules are ordered by others…i.e. trainers, doctors, teachers etc. The time to do other things may depend on the current sport season, a felt need or simply an unabashed desire. Timing decisions are crucial calls that can sorely test our patience.

In sports timing makes or breaks a team as well as individual athletes. Knowing when to throw a pass, kick for a goal, shoot for a basket or keep the pace rather than sprint is the unseen advantage of an outstanding competitor. Perfect timing is a constant goal tested and displayed on the fields and courts of sport competition.

Our timeless God assures us that there is a time for everything – a season for each activity found on earth. In Ecclesiastes 3 “the teacher” (believed to be King Solomon) penned this list of 14 opposing TIME TESTINGS:

a time to be born and a time to die - a time to plant and a time to uproot
a time to kill and a time to heal - a time to tear down and a time to build
a time to weep and a time to laugh - a time to mourn and a time to dance
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing
a time to search and a time to give up - a time to keep and a time to throw it away
a time to tear and a time to mend – a time to be silent and a time to speak a time to love and a time to hate - a time for war and a time for peace

As a wise man of God, Solomon not only pointed out the opposing times in life but he was given wisdom to determine which was right for the season as reported in this scripture...

“He had wisdom from God to make the right decisions.” I Kings 2:28 NCV

What time is it? Should I do this or that? Only God knows His time for everything under the sun. However, Christ promised to provide us with the Holy Spirit who enables us to distinguish what time it is…the ultimate secret to making wise decisions.

TESTING THE TIME REQUIRES RESTING IN CHRIST.

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©2013 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.

HOW SILENTLY

SAVOR THE MOMENT

PLAY UP

BLOCKING OUT

TIME TESTINGS

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN