March 31, 2009
Good Morning,
I only have a few moments this morning, but I wanted to post a blog.
I am not sure exactly what happenned, but my wordpress blog had been hijacked. 
I posted 3 blogs from my I-Phone {Wordpress} but none of them posted at all.
Then I went to log-in this morning to correct it, and my password had been changed, as well as some other problems with my blog.
Everything should be back to normal, and I will post some blogs this week
Please check back later tonight for Tuesday Night Reflections
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Posted by kevinjbradford
March 26, 2009
Here are some additional benefits and responsibilities of believers. (Neither list is exhaustive)
#3. Additional Blessings God pours out on His people.
Acceptance before God through Jesus Christ
Insight into God’s will
God’s mercy and love
An eternal inheritance
Wisdom and Knowledge
Spiritual life
The promise of eternal kindness (Eph 2:7)
The knowledge of God’s plan for us (Eph 2:10)
Unity with believers
Peace
#4. Responsibilities of believers
To grow and mature
To put away the old (Eph 4:17-24; 5:2-14)
To speak honestly and truthfully
To imitate God
To walk in love
To be good stewards (time, finances, relationships, etc…)
To be filled with the spirit (Eph 5:18)
To submit to one another
To have marriages that honor God
To demonstrate integrity in the workplace
To stand strong against the forces of evil
When I read the above list of benefits {blessings} I get excited and want to praise God. When I read the list of responsibilities it is a little overwhelming.
It is the grace and mercy of God that provides us with all of the blessings, and gives us strength to accomplish the responsibilities.
One final thought on the responsibilities: It takes work and diligence to be successful in the responsibilities of the Kingdom. The responsibilities can be difficult at times, or inconvenient others, but we must be stead fast in our pursuit of the Kingdom.
The book of Matthew provides us with great wisdom and insight when we compare the benefits and responsibilities.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is done through understanding and walking out the responsibilities of being a believer.
Thoughts?
4 Comments | Challenging, Jesus, Overflow | Tagged: benefits, Jesus, Life, Overflow | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 25, 2009
Well, it has been an eventful week.
- On Monday morning, I was talking with someone in my office, and I stated that I was refreshed and had a relaxing weekend. Then it hit me, “NO you did not relax”
- I worked for hours on Saturday for cleaning out the room that will become our sanctuary at our new building.
- Then on Sunday I had 3 meetings, after church. It was a grueling day beginning at 5 AM and ending around 9:15.
- Those were the facts, the truth was that it was one of the most relaxing weekends. I believe God honored me with rest, during those activities. Each day I took a couple of hours to spend with the family watching movies, taking walks, and running out for ice cream.
- I was thinking on my drive from Green Bay today. If believers spent half as much energy and got half as excited about Church as they do March Madness, we would see entire regions won for Christ. The Kingdom could truly be advanced.
- I think part of the problem is that we are not ashamed to be radical sports fan, but we are ashamed of being radical loves of Jesus!
- The bathrooms at the Tundra Lodge Conference Center are the nicest I have ever seen. The room is marble with some amazing wood doors and fixtures. The restroom had a chair that was heated in a separate section with heaters. During our lunch break today, I kicked back and relaxed. I almost took a nap, but my I-phone kept me busy on Twitter and Facebook.
- You should take a look at WINY‘s blog. The last couple of post are awesome, and the rest are good too!
- Another blog to check out is JoNathan’s Bog. JoNathan is moving to Appleton to work with Overflow. After a brief season of being in our services and Life Groups he will take over our children’s ministry. (CAN I GET AN AMEN!)
- You know I have been begging God for somethings over the last several months, and many of them have come to pass. I am blessed.
- The real concern here is that Ashlee has set her mind to stand in faith for 3 things and they have ALL come to pass. She should be the one teaching our prayer series in a few weeks.
- Did I mention that we are working with another Church in the Fox Valley Region and going to move our services into a new building in April. I am believing we will outgrow it quickly, but will remain involved with the building and outreaches from that location for a long time!
- Oh, final thought… I need to pray more!
Those are my reflections. Many other things happened and went on around here, but too many to discuss.
If you live in the Appleton area we would love to see you at a Life Group or Celebration Service! Just give me a call 920-475-7595.
Check back (Thursday) for Benefits Verses Responsibilities Part 3
2 Comments | Life, Overflow, Tuesday Night Reflections | Tagged: Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, reflections, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 24, 2009
Today I want to continue discussing the benefits (blessings) and the responsibilities of believers.
2. God pours out His blessings – Our responsibility (call) to spiritual warfare.
Many Christian can testify of the blessings that God has poured out in their lives. Many of us could spend hours describing the abundance of grace and mercy alone. In addition, many believers live a life amazing peace, financial prosperity, maturing & genuine relationships, and the ability to grow in godliness.
I know I can praise God and thank Him for the blessings of my wife, our children, our church family, and many, many more things that He poured out into my life. I am very thankful!
When someone receives Christ or rededicates their life to following Jesus as their Lord and Savior they begin to experience the blessings that God pours out on His children.
During that same transition period it is important for new believers to understand their responsibility to walk in accordance with His heavenly calling in Christ Jesus and encourage the body of Christ to maturity in Him.
Even though the Christian is blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), spiritual warfare is still the daily experience of Christians while in the world. (Ephesians 6:10-20)
The spiritual world is real and it makes an impact on more than is obvious to most believers. Paul offers insight and direction for not being taken unaware in the midst of the invisible battle around us.
Many times we struggle with things that are hard to explain or have a rough day at work, or just feel that intense pressure or weight on our shoulders, yet seemingly nothing is really wrong or needed to be done. Not all, but many of these instances in my life have been due to spiritual warfare, and a need to go to my prayer closet and seek God.
In Ephesians 6 Paul describes the weapons of warfare that I have turned to during these times. Paul offers insight and wisdom in these verses, and describes the weapons of prayer, and God’s Word. It is in the tongue that brings power and life to the Word of God. I will read scripture out loud or quote some verses that pertain to my situation. The spoken Word of God has power to change things.
Then in my prayers I will seek God and ask Him for the breakthrough or victory that I need, while thanking Him for the victory that was won on the Cross.
I will close with this, His Word coupled with our Faith — changes things — it changes everything!
Next time you are experiencing one of the amazing blessings from God, remember to spend a few moments thanking Him and praying for other situations in your life, and for those struggles in others lives.
1 Comment | Challenging, Church, Life, Overflow, Prayer | Tagged: benefits, Challenging, Family, God, Inspirational, Life, Overflow | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 23, 2009
I know people in the church are always talking abou the blessings (benefits) of living a Christian life, and how coming into a life giving church can radically change your life. HONESTLY SEEING THAT CHANGE NEVER GETS OLD!
The one thing I do not hear a lot of Christians or churches talking about is the responsibilities that come with those blessings. When someone enters into the Kingdom of God they recieve the full benefits of living in the Kingdom, however they also recieve all of the responsibilities of living in the Kingdom.
Many things in life operate in this same manner, yet we simply do not aply this practical reality to the church, especially to God’s Kingdom.
So this week I want to spend sometime on discussing the benefits (blessings) and the responsibilities of believers.
1. Accepted into the famiy — use our abilities for the church’s benefit
Very few believers would argue that there are major benefits and blessings that begin to manifest in thier lives as they begin to plug into a community of believers where they are welcomed, wanted, and accepted. It is a SECOND FAMILY that accepts them with open arms. The blessings that come from this are too numerable for me to list.
Ephesians 4:7-13 that as believers we are to use our abilities for the churches benefit. Ephesians 4:12 specifically says, ” for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.
In too many churches in America today the believers believe that it is the “paid” pastor’s responsibility to do ministry, and to carry out all the “work” of the church.
According to scripture that is the furthest thing from the truth. It is the pastor’s job to equip the saints for the work of ministry. It is my belief that everyone should doing ministry. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is for every believer and not just for the “paid” pastor or the elders of the church.
A final take away here today is that it is amazing and wonderful when people begin to be adopted into the family, but with that comes the responsibility to use your abilities to benefit the family.
1 Comment | Challenging, Church, Family, Life, Overflow | Tagged: benefits, Challenging, Family, Life, Overflow, responsibilities | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 19, 2009
Back in January I posted 2 blogs that still to date have been my most viewed posts.
I have talked from time to time about posting a Leadership Via Dora Part 3.
So here it goes!
Have you ever noticed when watching Dora that she is not about her own business?
She continually is looking to serve and help people on every episode. {Okay, maybe there was that one Dora’s Birthday Surprise}.
Every time I watch Dora with my three year old, it jumps out at me that she is trying to serve someone or something. Always trying to bring restoration to a situation, reconcile a relationship, or help someone accomplish a goal.
Sound like anyone you know?
Matthew 20:28
28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
It is amazing that a simple childrens program gets it, but the majority of our society is out for themselves. Our society teaches people to be out for number one.
In our culture we are so caught up with instant gratification, and securing goods for ourselves that many fail to serve their neighbor. We definitely live in a time and culture that no longer loves their neighbor as thyself or serves others as a lifestyle.
Another interesting fact about Dora is that she is no respecter of persons and even forgives Swiper the Fox for swiping items from her party or adventures. In several episodes Swiper and Dora work together to accomplish their goal like the Friendship 1 hour special.
I know… it sounds like I am obsessed with Dora. I am not.
I am however, very interested in learning from Media how to reach and teach the next generation {and our adults} how to get a hold of the truth God has laid out in his wonderful & amazing Word!
Hope you enjoyed Part 3…please feel free to leave some feedback.
1 Comment | Appleton, Challenging, Family, God, Life, Overflow | Tagged: Dora, Family, Leadership Via Dora, Life, Overflow | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 18, 2009
Just a few thoughts before heading off to bed…
- LONG week… Why is it the weeks that we think are going to be easy and enjoyable turn out to be a pain, and the weeks I dread or think will be difficult are never as hard as I thought!
- The week ended with a lot of meetings.
- Friday night the team and I got to look around the building we are planning on using as a new location for our Sunday Services and community outreach.
- The weather has been beautiful the last few days and our family cannot get enough of it.
- We have been enjoying long walks, cool breezes, and the grill!
- “If you cannot be tested, then you cannot be trusted”
- Trials and tribulations will come, so we must ensure our attitude is one that embraces the trials as opportunities.
- Many Christians say that God would never test us or allow us to go through trials
- Umm… please read Gen 22, Matthew 4, and James 1, 1 Peter and get back to me.
- The last seven days have been a pretty down time for me and the family. My family needed the rest time and a little more family time.
- I put in 8 or 9 hour days instead of the normal 11 or 12.
- I also took most of Monday off and we went out to lunch and to Monkey Joe’s play center.
- It may sound a little contradictory to say that the week was long, and restful at the same time.
- The warfare and pressure this week was immense for me, but Ashlee and the kids needed my attention more and needed me around more during the last few days.
- So through out this restful and enjoyable time, there was some intense times of prayer and warfare.
- Don’t Get it? That is okay. When someone is working full-time, raising a family, and church planting the roles and days seem to get very mixed and very complex.
- Today I broke through some of the warfare and I feel much less discombobulated. PRAISE GOD!
- I don’t get the NCAA selection Saturday process, but at least NCAA basketball has a play off system. The NCAA should glean some information from basketball to set up a football playoff system.
Enough Random thoughts for tonight!
1 Comment | Appleton, Church, Family, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, Tuesday Night Reflections | Tagged: God, Leadership, Life, Overflow, Pondering, Random Thoughts, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 16, 2009
I have been praying and working through what we will be doing for Easter Sunday.
Honestly, I have been blank. Everytime I sit down to pray about it or strategize or develop I am completely blank.
So, what should an Easter Sunday service look like?
If your not a partner with the OC, what has your church done in the past or doing this year?
1 Comment | Appleton, Church, Family, Overflow, Random Thoughts | Tagged: easter, Overflow, Random Thoughts | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 13, 2009
By: Ashlee Bradford (Guest Blogger)
When Kevin asked me to “guest blog” a couple of weeks ago I meant everything I wrote. I DO feel as though I’ve come into a new level of contentment in the past year. However, one area that has been difficult has been my struggle with fertility. Our oldest daughter was a very pleasant surprise after Kevin and I had been married a few years…but were still in college and very young. Then because of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) we used fertility medicine (Clomid and Progesterone) to get pregnant with our 2nd daughter.. The process lasted about 2 years and was incredibly frustrating. I remember praying about it time and time again and the only thing I ever head the Lord say about it was that Baby #3 would be a surprise and I wouldn’t have to go through the fertility drug crap again. I was relieved by this, primarily at that time because if there was to be a Baby #3, there had to be a Baby #2!
So, after our second daughter was born I “expected” a surprise. I see some irony in that now. Would I have really been surprised? But anyways, nothing happened. We moved to Wisconsin to plant the church, we bought a home. There were a lot of distractions and I never really had “baby fever” but yet that Word was always in the back of my mind. Finally, towards the end of 2008 I started thinking about really wanting another baby. I struggled with believing what I heard God say and the obvious lack of results. I felt older, and in some ways like we were moving into a different season of life because our girls were getting so big. In December I asked Kevin about going to the Dr., getting Clomid, going through the whole process again. He said, “OK” and I made my appt. Privately; I struggled with wondering if I was giving up on what I heard God say. Tests are done, prescriptions are written.
Before you can start fertility medicine they want to be 100% certain you are not pregnant. So, I took a test on cycle day 28 (as directed) and the test was negative. That was the expected result since my labwork indicated I had not ovulated. I called the nurse to tell her I was going to start the meds. I got the price tag from the pharmacy (over $100/per month). While I was chatting with the nurse she mentioned that it was possible I could have ovulated late and she wanted me to wait until cd 35 and take another test. To be honest, I was annoyed. I felt like she was just putting off my TTC (trying to conceive) efforts for another week. I almost went and picked up the meds anyways and got started. But — I’m a rule follower, and I already had another test so I waited.
Then last Monday (cycle day 34) I asked Kevin if he really wanted to do go through it all again? I wanted to know what he thought, if he resented the expense, or if he was just going along with what I wanted. He expressed some concern over how emotionally difficult it is, but said he was game for a few months. I felt so relieved we were on the same page. I also shared my hesitation because I really believed I heard from God that we wouldn’t have to use the fertility medicine again. He mentioned that perhaps I heard wrong, or what I heard was colored by my emotions, or that maybe it would make sense down the road. I commented that it was one of the clearest words I’d ever had from the Lord, but after nearly 4 years…who knows?
So Tuesday morning I woke up, and was rushing about to get our youngest ready for her dance class when I remembered I needed to take another test before I ran to Sam’s Club to pick up my meds. I’m so frugal it was the old fashioned 2 lines sort of test… I was totally expecting only line to appear, so I thought I was seeing things when a second line appeared. I ran downstairs to ask Kevin if he could see it (it was SO faint!) and he confirmed that he did see it but wanted me to calm down and go for a blood test. I dropped Kevin off at work, rushed to the clinic BEFORE the dance class and had the test done. By the time her class was over I still hadn’t heard the results from the clinic so I went to Walmart and picked up two of the digital tests. I honestly screamed when the word “Pregnant” came up on the tiny little screen. I don’t think I will ever purchase a test with lines again. I took both tests (just for fun, I guess) and then the doctors office called with the same result. Because the hcg levels were really low I had to go back in on Thursday for a second test but everything had doubled perfectly!
How amazing is God?! I do not think there could have been a day in the last 3 ½ years I would have been more surprised…and we never used fertility medicine…the plan was to start that very day! He is so faithful to keep His promises to us and His love NEVER fails us! To say I am excited is the understatement of the year…I’m ecstatic! We don’t care girl or boy…I love being a mom to girls and think having 3 girls would be awesome…yet having a boy would be something fun and different too. I’m very happy with whoever God blesses us with! I hope this encourages you…if you have a word that you have been holding in your heart for a long time…God has not forgotten it.
2 Comments | Family, God, Inspirational, Life, Prayer, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 11, 2009
WOW…. the past 7 days have been interesting.
- First and foremost we must pray for the Pastor Fred Winters family in this tragic time. We must pray for his wife and kids, but also for his church family.
- Sunday was amazing at Overflow Church as we wrapped up “The Message Series” with “Yield”.
- Without Surrender (Yielding), God is not free to work in us and through us and; therefore we will never realize our potential or fulfill our divine destiny.
- The greatest threat to our relationship with God is the blessings and promises that God gives to us.
- If you asked me to sum up everything I know about Christianity in one word, it would be “yielding”.
- Sunday’s message was the pinnacle of the series, and it really rocked some people.
- This is a must read testimony about God breathing the breathe of life into someone. Read here!
- I am so blessed by the blog noted above. IT NEVER GETS OLD!
- Our household has had one interesting two week period.
- I worked late 3 nights the last week of Feb, and then flew to Nashville for 3 days on Feb 26th.
- The first week of March I did not get home before 8:30 any night.
- Monday Night, Ashlee and I sat down and discussed some areas of our life that we needed to make sure we are on the same page about.
- Tuesday of last week, we found out that Ashlee is expecting #3! (We are very excited)!
- Powerful Testimony tomorrow about how God moved in this situation.
- I took Monday off and had a family fun day! We went to lunch, Monkey Joe’s (kids play area), took at family nap, and then enjoyed some snuggling and reading.
My good friend Jonathan (Nate) has arrived in Appleton tonight. Many of you on Twitter may know him as Jfietzer. I am excited to spend some time having fun this week, and dreaming some about what God is going to be doing here in Appleton and the Fox Cities Region.
That’s all tonight. Check back for our Guest Blogger tomorrow night (Wednesday).
2 Comments | Overflow, The Message, Tuesday Night Reflections | Tagged: Inspirational, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
