January 30, 2009
A few days ago I posted Leadership Lessons Via Dora. I had some good feedback and a few people who thought it was a good lesson. The next morning I was praying during my quiet time, and God began to speak to me about another leadership lesson that can be learned from Dora. So over the last couple of days I have been asking God about it.
These are the observations God has brought to my attention from Dora the Explorer, and especially Wii Dora saves the Snow Princess.
- When Dora begins an adventure she is always with that special someone, that sidekick, Boots. Boots is who climbs all the trees, goes into all the holes, or catches balls in the show and the game.
- Who are you going to call when you don’t know where to go? The Map! The Map!
- When Dora needs something to accomplish a her quest, she calls upon backpack.
- The Fiesta Trio celebrate and congratulate Dora each time she accomplishes a portion of her quest.
Can I tell you that I was completely blown away by why God was showing me through Dora.
This little girl “Dora” is showing some leadership skills that few leaders in the corporate world possess, let alone in the church!
- Dora is definitely the leader, but she has no problem delegating tasks to someone that is better at them than her. A monkey is always going to be a better tree climber, hands down. So why should Dora even attempt it.
- Dora does not even attempt to act like she knows where she is going. She always seeks out the map on what direction to take to accomplish a task. Then along the way, she checks it often. (Vision for your life, company, church?)
- This chick has one cool backpack. It carries ladders, snow boots, coats, etc… Dora never leaves for an adventure without the right equipment. How many times as leaders do we set out on a path, without even asking what tools will be needed.
- Dora is surrounded by people who will cheer her on as she accomplishes parts of her quest. In the corporate and church world, we rarely find those that are there as an encouragement as we see parts of our vision accomplished. Typically we only here about the negative stuff.
The final and maybe overall lesson God was trying to teach me was this, Dora maybe the star of the show (game), but there are several other characters that are equally important in accomplishing the quests they set out on.
Romans 12:4-5 says, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
In the body of Christ we need to build a caste of characters (not shady) around us to help us accomplish the quest that God has set before us. Each one of us, just like in Dora, do not have the same function but are equally important in accomplishing God’s will for our church.
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Posted by kevinjbradford
January 29, 2009
I only have a few moments here before I head off to bed. Thursday will bring Leadership via Dora #2.
I had to blog quickly to say that God completely rocked some people tonight at our Life Group.
Over the last 4 days, I have brought a straight Kingdom message “Introduction to The Kingdom of God” and God has really challenged some people and moved them.
It was not a fancy inspirational or practical message, but it was purely laying out there the fact that Jesus’ primary message was not salvation, but “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!”
To be honest, people getting rocked by God through simple messages, NEVER GETS OLD!
Leave a Comment » | Challenging, Church, God, Jesus, Life, Overflow | Tagged: Dora, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 28, 2009
The last seven days has been extremely amazing. God has been so good in the past few days.
- God has been setting me on fire this last week.
- We launched our 2009 Life Groups this past week. Wednesday Nights will be every week, and Saturday Nights will be the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of each month.
- Friday the girls went to have a Diva For A Day Treatment at a local kids Spa! So I had to take them out for a Night Out with Mommy and Daddy. We went out to to El Azteca a local authentic Mexican restaurant the girls love.
- Saturday we spent the day playing Wii and me reading and praying through various things that have been on my heart.
- Sunday was awesome! I preached a message called “The Kingdom of God” which was the first message in a series called The Design For Life!
- I was really unsure about this message, because it was a hard-core teaching and not the inspirational, practical type of preaching I normally bring on Sundays.
- Can I tell you, people got touched on Sunday. God proved that if you simply speak what Father says, people will be rocked.
- God continued His faithfulness yesterday. I got the scriptures and basic outline for my next two sermons during my prayer time.
- The next two services are The Kingdom of God – Refine & Align and then Define & Design
Well those are my reflections for tonight. Overall, the tone of the week has been that God is good and we are in a season of recieving His blessings.
Check back this week for blogs on: Leadership Via Dora 2, All things are lawful but may not be helpful, and things God taught me through parenting.
Has God lit a fire in you lately about something?
1 Comment | Family, Inspirational, Jesus, Leadership, Life, Random Thoughts | Tagged: Dora, Jesus, Leadership, Life, Random Thoughts, Tuesday Night Relfections, Wii | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 27, 2009
About a week ago I was playing Wii with the kids (big surprise I know).
We played several different games, and finally ended up playing Dora Saves the Snow Princess Wii game. There is a portion of the game called Dora’s Forest Adventure. It is basically snow sledding down hill for coins. You can also race with a dog sled. At the end of each race the game counts your coins and gives you either a bronze, silver, or gold medal.
I had to go and spend a few precious Facebook moments and the girls were playing with the dog sleds and at the end of each race my youngest was upset that she only had a few coins and would only get a bronze. While my oldest daughter would have a ton of coins, and get a gold medal.
So I told her I would sit and watch the following race to give her some desperately requested advice in the game. The following is the list of my observations.
- She simply set there with the remote and allowed Dora to slide down one side of the course for 1/4 of the hill, then she would change sides.
- She would not move toward the coins.
- Then she would get 3/4 down and just sit down the remote completely and run for a drink of water.
- My older daughter however had an intense grip on the remote, game face on, and determined to get as many coins as possible.
Later that night I was praying and asking God about our leadership team at Overflow. During that prayer time I began to realize that many Christians out there are living the same way my daughter was playing Dora.
- They simply went one direction with no specific goal or plan, until they decided they were tired of going that way, so they change direction.
- At some point many Christians get discouraged or bored with the path and they abandon it completely.
- Another thing I have noticed is that many of those same people are very frustrated that others seem to be winning or doing well in this life.
- They get frustrated and seek advice on how to be like, act like, or achieve what those successful Christians or people are doing.
The reality of the situation is this, all they have to do is simply grab the reigns and begin to go for it. They need to understand what they are trying to accomplish and then pursue it with intensity.
1 Corinthians 9:24 state, ” Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
You see in this life, we must seek God’s plan and destiny for our lives. Once we hear God and understand the prize (goal) we must pursue relentlessly so that you can obtain it.
The concept is really simple. Hear God, and pursue it!
LEADERSHIP VIA DORA!
3 Comments | Challenging, Church, Family, Inspirational, Jesus, Leadership, Life, Random Thoughts | Tagged: Dora, Family, Leadership, Life, Random Thoughts, Vision, Wii | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 23, 2009
A couple of weeks ago Ashlee and I were in San Antonio, Texas visiting some great friends of ours. We had a wonderful time, but one of the experiences we enjoyed was going to the Brazilian Steakhouse.
When arriving at the Brazilian Steakhouse (Chama Gaucha) we realized quickly everyone except Pastor Brandon was way under dressed. We were quickly shuffled in to a nice waiting area with a end-tables and chairs. Moments later we were informed our table had been prepared for us.
Our table was arranged for 12 people (9 of us) with water glasses, utensils, fancy napkins, and candles. The server came and explained the concept and salad bar to us. The salad bar was an experience in itself with smoked peppers, portabello mushrooms, different lettuces, cheeses, and meats. After a few moments of eating our salad the red&green cards on our table were explained to us.
When you turned the card from red (stop) to the green (service) the Gaucha’s (brazilian cowboy waiters) pounced quickly on you with one of 14 different selections of meat from lamb, beef, chicken and pork. As long as your card was on green there was a continuous flow of meat from various waiters. It was like they roamed the room with meat on these skewers just waiting to provide pursue you with service. It was almost like they were relentlessly pursuing you. One time I left my card on green and turned to speak with Ashlee for a moment and turned back around to find that 2 different waiters had dropped of meats while my head was turned.
About halfway through our meal Brandon made a statement that I have focused on several times since that meal. He said “this brings a whole new light to the Lord preparing a table before me in the presence of our enemy.” We kind of laughed about it that night, but I agreed.
In the last two weeks during my prayer time this has come to me several times, and God has really used it to minister to me along with some other things spoken and discussed during that trip to San Antonio.
The enemy in many ways tried to deceive, trick, and force Pastor Brandon and myself from ministry. I know Brandon went through rough times over the last few years, and is now planting a life giving Kingdom-minded church in San Antonio. When I moved from Texas to Wisconsin I went through a two (2) year wilderness experience where I felt like I was cut off from a lot, but God it used to shape and mold me. The enemy was working hard at ending my pursuit of ministry.
Based on discussions we had in San Antonio and me seeking God over the last two weeks, I have come to the following revelation in my spirit.
The Lord is preparing a table before me at the feet of my enemies. That night in San Antonio was a picture of God’s grace. For all the hardship and struggle in Brandon’s and my life (ministries) we were now sitting at a wonderful feast in a beautiful atmosphere enjoying the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Brandon and Holli are doing great in San Antonio with a beautiful house, healthy kids, joyful lives. In the same way Ashlee and I are enjoying our beautiful house, loving kiddos, and experiencing the joy of advancing His Kingdom.
I believe the reason that Brandon/Holli and Ashlee/I are experiencing this is because of all the years where we were willing to do what no one else was willing to do. We laid our lives down for the Kingdom. Matthew 16:25 states ” whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
For years we have been laying down our lives and relentlessly pursuing the Kingdom of God. In those years we were losing our lives, and now both of us (Brandon/Holli & Ashlee/I) are finding it. Please do not get me wrong. I am still relentlessly pursuing God’s blessings, His presence, and His Kingdom. The difference is that I am understanding His Kingdom a little better than I did, and He is pouring out His blessings on us in amazing ways, because of the years we poured out our lives to see His Kingdom advance.
Is there something that God is asking you to sacrifice that no-one else around you is wiling to do?
Do you feel like you are doing all of the pursuing? (like a one sided relationship)
Share with me some of your thoughts!
1 Comment | Challenging, Family, God, His Kingdom, Inspirational, Jesus, Life | Tagged: 2009, Family, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, reflections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 21, 2009
What an exciting week the last seven days have been.
- Ashlee and I went out on a date Friday Night. It was a lot of fun. We went to the Texas Roadhouse for steak, and then over to Family Christian to order the 2 books release by Alan Vincent.
- Saturday was crazy. I met Pastor Landon for coffee at 8:00, attended 2 birthday parties in the afternoon, dealt with 3 phone calls after the parties, and then went to Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) to watch the UFC.
- Sunday truly was awesome! I obeyed God and invited several people to our Vision Sunday Service. Even though I did not preach and I laid out the vision for 2009 and long term vision for Overflow, people were touched. (That never gets old)
- Then both teams I was rooting for on Sunday won! I am so excited to see my Steelers in the big show once again!
- God has been challenging me the week in several ways. One way is in my eating. (check back later this week for a blog on food and health)
- The Wii Fit has been dealing me some exhausting workouts. Who knew a video game could make me loose 2 lbs in 4 days.
- In Matthew 18:19-21 Jesus tells us that if two people agree to anything on Earth that it will be done for them by God. How awesome is that? (I do believe it must still line up with Scripture)
- God has been challenging me to understand this reality in a new way. In Alan Vincent’s new book Heaven on Earth he states that two people can change a city, 20 can change a region.
- Can you imagine that the Kingdom of God is powerful that just two believers coming to a Kingdom-Minded Faith that says just two people can change Appleton, Wisconsin (Insert Your City)?
- I am excited about our 2009 Life Groups kicking off tomorrow.
- In the next few days I will be blogging about Dora, food, Social Clubs, and San Antonio’s Brazilian Steakhouse so check back often for some of these interesting topics.
Leave a Comment » | Appleton, Challenging, Church, Inspirational, Jesus, Overflow, Vision | Tagged: 2009, Family, fit, Jesus, Life, Tuesday Night Relfections, Vision | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 16, 2009
I am so excited about this coming Sunday’s Vision Sunday. I have been away from blogging this week, so I could spend extra time preparing and seeking God for this service.
I finished up last night. I will still go over it I am sure before Sunday, but I am done!
Invite
I wanted to invite everyone in the Appleton area to come to this Sunday’s Vision Sunday Service at 10 AM. We will be having a discussion time concerning our 2009 Vision and Strategy at our Life Group on Wednesday January 21st at 6:30 PM. The vision Sunday is designed to communicate what we are developing for 2009 here at Overflow Church. We have spent many hours in prayer and begging God for wisdom for this up coming year.
We will kick our year off with a winter/spring semester called Renovate. The definition of renovate is to make new again, to restore to freshness, to give new life to, to rejuvenate, to reinvigorate, and recreate. I personally believe that renovation is what many people need in their life to feel refreshed and full of joy.
Most people I meet are searching for happiness, but that fluctuates so much based on what is happening. I believe most of them are actually searching for an overriding JOY that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
During our Renovation Semester it is my prayer that people begin to tap into the JOY of a deeper or new relationship with Jesus Christ.
I believe Romans 8:28 when it says that all things work together for good to those who love God. In these struggling times of our country God is still relentlessly pursuing you! I hope to help you pursue Him in 2009
Leave a Comment » | Appleton, Church, Leadership, Overflow, Vision | Tagged: 2009, Inspirational, Overflow, Vision | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 14, 2009
I am very thankful to be back in Appleton after 12 wonderful days in Texas.
- I am so excited that my Steelers are in the AFC championship game this weekend!
- I really enjoyed my time in Texas with my family. It was a wonderful time to reconnect with my brother and sister-in-law. My sister was off the entire time, which was great.
- God’s favor was on our travels. We did not see any rain or snow the entire drive down, and only for about 50 miles on the drive home.
- I had some amazing times in the word while we were in Texas. I will share some of the things in the coming days and weeks. God is so good! I was up at 5:30 to 6:00 each morning and ran out to a different coffee shop each morning with the IPOD to do some reading.
- I honestly thought I would spend at least an hour a day working on some church stuff, but the time in the Word and prayer was so powerful, I never actually got to work on anything.
- We ended our trip with a quick 4 1/2 hour drive south (yes the wrong direction) to San Antonio. It was wonderful reconnecting with my pastor. It had been 3 years since I had seen him. I talk with him regularly, but had not hung out in a while.
- We had dinner at an amazing place, the Brazilian Steakhouse. (I will post about it soon)
- After dinner Thursday Night I found out that I had an opportunity to speak at the Believer’s Academy on Friday morning. I discussed the Post Modern and Secular Humanism word views that most of our culture has embraced with a passion. I discussed the differences between the Texas culture and Wisconsin Culture.
- I went into detail about intellectualism and atheistic viewpoints that state that Christianity is a man-made agenda. I also was able to discuss the difficulties in church planting, and the things I have found surprising a long the way. It was a great experience. I got to speak in a Sophomore and Senior class.
- My wife had an amazing opportunity to speak at the Women’s ministry meeting for All Nations Church on Friday Night. It was a last minute opportunity, because their speaker fell through, and we just happen to be in town.
- The reports I got were that my wife spoke a word that touched many of the women in the meeting. I am so proud of her.
- Several people have asked me what I have been reading, studying, preparing lately. To be honest, I have spent the majority of my time the last 2 weeks preparing for our Vision Sunday Service this Sunday. (See Invite on yesterday’s blog entry)
- I am so excited about what is going to do here in the Fox Valley and here at Overflow. 2009 is going to be a year of extraordinary fun and fruit.
Nothing too deep tonight, sorry. In the coming days I will blog about the Brazilian Steakhouse, Social Clubs, and the things God has been speaking to me about during my preparations for 2009.
Leave a Comment » | Appleton, Challenging, Church, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, Vision | Tagged: 2009, Family, God, Life, Overflow, reflections, Tuesday Night Relfections, Vision | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 13, 2009
I wanted to invite everyone in the Appleton area to come to this Sunday’s Vision Sunday Service at 10 AM. We will be having a discussion time concerning our 2009 Vision and Strategy at our Life Group on Wednesday January 21st at 6:30 PM. The vision Sunday is designed to communicate what we are developing for 2009 here at Overflow Church. We have spent many hours in prayer and begging God for wisdom for this up coming year.
We will kick our year off with a winter/spring semester called Renovate. The definition of renovate is to make new again, to restore to freshness, to give new life to, to rejuvenate, to reinvigorate, and recreate. I personally believe that renovation is what many people need in their life to feel refreshed and full of joy.
Most people I meet are searching for happiness, but that fluctuates so much based on what is happening. I believe most of them are actually searching for an overriding JOY that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
During our Renovation Semester it is my prayer that people begin to tap into the JOY of a deeper or new relationship with Jesus Christ.
I believe Romans 8:28 when it says that all things work together for good to those who love God. In these struggling times of our country God is still relentlessly pursuing you! I hope to help you pursue Him in 2009.
Leave a Comment » | Appleton, Church, God, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Vision | Tagged: 2009, Family, God, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Vision | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
January 6, 2009
Back to Normal Blogging Next Tuesday now that holidays are over, and I will be back from my vacation (vision time).
This morning I am at an AT&T Hotspot (Starbucks). I am not sure when I will get to another hotspot so I wanted to post my Tuesday Reflections.
- We only get one shot at this thing called LIFE!
- I am thirty years old, and God has been speaking to me about all the dreams that He has for me, and that I need to learn to dream with Him, instead of dreaming for me!
- I had a good friend pass away yesterday morning, and He was way too young! He was thirty-two years old. He passed away due to some medical conditions. Man, has it convicted me to get FIT! I need to loose 50 lbs in 2009!
- God has so many dreams and plans for each of us, that it is a shame that we would waste our lives on anything else, yet so many people do!
- A turn: I am enjoying day 6 of my vacation in Texas. It took 2 days to get here, and we have been here 4 days.
- The last couple of days have been very encouraging to me. The Lord has used some old relationships and some great friendships to really build me up!
- I have met with some great friends for some fellowship, and visited an amazing church on Sunday morning, Fountaingate Fellowship.
- I have had some amazing times with Father. I am getting up each morning around 6 and sneaking off to a coffee shop for a few hours of reading and prayer. God has been so faithful to meet me here in these times.
- I am very blessed to have had an enthusiastic family on our drive down here. We were all so excited and expecting wonderful times, and God has delivered! Yea God!
- It is odd, but we have felt no warfare the entire trip. Driving around my old stomping grounds, where some great battles happened in the past, we feel completely at peace and in a state of rest!
- Last thought for today: Driving around here in Abilene, and in Clyde it no longer feels like home. Every trip prior to this one, I felt completely connected, and a draw to move back. Not this time!
- I feel released from this region, and feel that this is a great place to come and be refreshed, but not battle or struggle with feelings of belonging. Praise God!
2 Comments | Challenging, Church, Family, Inspirational, Life | Tagged: Family, fit, Inspirational, Life, Random Thoughts, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
