• SPORTMOMS & MORE HOME
  • SPORTMOM E-votional
  • "BEHIND THE BENCH" BLOG
  • COACH'S CORNER
  • MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"FLOURISH"

1/6/2011

 
"Flourish"  is my 2011 Word for the Year.  By January 1st of each year the Lord graciously provides a word of focus for the year.  I began asking Him for this 5 years ago and the words ENJOY, CONSIDER, REFRESH, EXPAND and now FLOURISH have become both a source of strength and encouragement. 

The common definition for the verb flourish includes to thrive - to be at the peak of development - to prosper - to succeed and(my favorite) "to grow vigorously".  Wow!  What will this year bring?  The word also brings a certain measure of excitement along with a healthy dose of fear. With preparation and maintenance in place, I set my sites beyond what is seen in order to thrive, succeed, prosper, be at the peak of development . . . FLOURISH! 

Advertising giant David Ogilvy's challenge comes to play here when he said,  "Don't bunt, aim out of the ballpark!"  

To flourish requires an aiming-out-of-the-park type of focus which is beyond ourselves and out of our perceived reach.   

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."  Arthur C. Clarke 

The word flourish is often used in connection with soft-scape . . . trees, bushes, flowers and the like.  As a plant turns it's leaves toward the sun to soak up the rays or to the heavens to receive the necessary rain, the result is lush foliage, gorgeous flowers and delicious fruit.   

In the same way, we turn our hearts toward our loving Creator absorbing all of who He is which in turn fosters a lovely presence that exudes beauty from within and produces the fruit of the Spirit all around us... we FLOURISH!
 
"Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God."  Psalm 92:13 KJV

Our Heavenly Father is focused on us with the targeted purpose of causing us to thrive!  The Psalmist David, a man after God's own heart,  records this prayer . . .
 
"May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children."  Psalm 115:14 NIV

 And here is His promise for prosperity made to Abraham through an angel . . .

"I'll bless you—oh, how I'll bless you! And I'll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches!" Genesis 22:15  The Message  

Yes, even our children will reach their peak of potential through His blessings of love poured out on us. So when all is said and done, to flourish is God's desire for us ... it is His intention and His will.   

Today let us embrace the same resolve to flourish as my niece so eloquently expressed in these words, "When my life here is finished, I want to die empty, having used every ounce of potential God has given me and having fulfilled all of His purposes for me on this earth.  May 2011 be known as the year I pour out just as quickly as God pours in!"  

"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well."  Philippians 1:9  The Message

 Blessings ... as you flourish - loving much and loving well on the courts of life!

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED . . . click on "comments" at the top right  of this entry or send them directly to sportmoms@comcast.net

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sue Thoens
1/13/2011 03:59:56 am



Janet,

This message was OUTSTANDING! I sent it out to my entire business team. May God Bless & Flourish you this year!

Sue

Sue Klassen
1/13/2011 04:02:15 am

Sue" <suzieq102@aol.com>
To: <sportmoms@comcast.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 8:21 AM
Subject: Re: SPORTMOM E-votional 1-6-11 FLOURISH


> Really enjoyed this! God has given you a real talent.

Daniel
1/13/2011 04:03:41 am

Daniel W. wrote:
"Very cool my Cousin! I started that last year so I only have 2 words that I can share; Last year was: "Others"
This year: "Real"
You might be just one of my 1st cousins, but you are also my Sister in Christ! I am honored to count you in both my families (Earthly and Spiritual)..."


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    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.


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    SPORTMOMS & MORE
    Your Comments

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly