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 | 
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Posted by kevinjbradford
March 6, 2009
I heard an interview today and it got me thinking.
I have been preaching some hard core foundational stuff lately, and prior to that some inspirational, challenging sermons.
Recently God has had me preach on the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. It is a story from the New Testament that has drama and a provacative discussion between the two involved. That sermon had real fruit.
You see the Bible is full of messy situations, violence, sex, back stabbing, drama, and family feuds. That is just the Old Testament. The NT is also full of drama, back stabbing, love, service, and redemption.
The description above sounds like a best selling romance, action novel or even a new drama developed for NBC.
Yet church is boring! We preach from this thing called the Bible and somehow we pick out the clean cut passages, leave out all the provacative topics available, and PLAY CHURCH.
Our culture portrays the Word of God as a nice and neat wrapped up piece of wisdom and literature.
It is time the church quits being the nice and neat boring place you’re dressed up for and spend money at on Sundays!
Life is messy, we are flawed, and we have drama. We need the action, life and redemption that the Word of God presents on the pages of the Bible.
Here is my challenge to you today!
Find something you have not read or at least not in a while, or something interesting to you in the Word.
Read it and ask yourself, “How does that apply to my life and those around me?”
I am positive that in the messy, flawed lives of those in the Word and the inspirational life of Christ you will find that it is far from boring, and it is life changing!
3 Comments | Challenging, Church, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow | Tagged: bible, Jesus, Life, Overflow, redemption, sex, violence, word | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
March 5, 2009
TWISI = The Way I See It!
At Overflow Church we are about to embark on an amazing journey to discover and evaluate the way you see the world!
In life many people ponder about things, but few take the time to reflect on how they see things, or why they see them the way that they do. In a world full of moral and social relativism, the truth is in short supply.
I genuinely believe that we will have fun and enjoy the provocative discussions that will ensue during these 6 short weeks.
The ground that is covered in these 6 weeks is emence, and will stretch you to the point that your mind might throb a little.
All in all, I believe this will change your life and the way you see the World forever.
Overflowers… start praying now… for God to shape, stretch, and challenge you through TWISI!
1 Comment | Challenging, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow | Tagged: Challenging, Family, Life, Life Group, Overflow, Pondering, TWISI | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 27, 2009
As I have been traveling and praying here in Nashville the last couple days I am beginning to get a sense of urgency for somethings, and a feeling of patience for others.
I believe for our church, and really The Church we are in a now time.
So… Overflowers
What have you been believing God for in 2009?
When you pray do you have a sense of urgency or a sense of patience?
If you feel a sense of urgency, what are you doing about it? Are you building or pushing toward it, or cowering away and waiting on God?
To many people I know are waiting on God to do something He has already told them to do. When God commmands or gives us direction it is not a request.
If God calls someone to be a doctor they cannot set around until God sets a coat and scope around their neck. They have to get off their butt and go to school.
If God gives someone a dream to see their neighbors have a relationship with Jesus, then they can not just sit around and pray.
You see it is a now time in the Kingdom of God. Are you going to get up and advance the Kingdom or sit back and force God to use someone else?
4 Comments | Challenging, Church, Inspirational, Leadership, Life | Tagged: believing, Challenging, doing, Life, Overflow | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 25, 2009
Here are a few thoughts before I head to bed!
- On Thursday I took the girls to Milwaukee for the day, and to have Adalee’s tooth fixed.
- We decided to go to the Betty Brinn’s Children’s Museum with the kiddos.
- The museum was a lot of fun and the girls had a blast in the hands-on areas.
- It makes me wonder why the church does not step up their game. Many of the things in the museum were not that detailed. The church should have a vision to WOW kids as they enter the children’s area.
- I am excited that Overflow is having a new website developed. I got a sneak peak at it on Friday, and it looks amazing. Thanks Nate!
- Our Saturday Night Life Group launched on Saturday night with 10 people attending. I was very excited about the turn out.
- The feedback was that everyone enjoyed the group. We also heard from a couple of people they were stretched.
- Continued preaching through the Gospel of John on Sunday morning with “The Message Part 2:LOVE”.
- The message really emphasized the love of the Kingdom and the Father through the passages in John.
- There are some things beginning to take shape here at Overflow.
- We need to pray for a location to facilitate our growth.
- Please continue to pray for those far from God to be reached through our ministry.
- I am still praying for people to join our team.
- I am looking at some universities to continue my studies. I want to work on a Master’s in Ministry Leadership or Master’s in Transformational Leadership. God is calling me to take this step, to prepare for parts of my vision that are starting to take shape even now. I need to be prepared for those things fully.
I cannot think anymore. I am exhausted, and about to relax a little before hitting the sack. Research and writing will come at 5.
Leave a Comment » | Challenging, God, Inspirational, Life, Overflow, The Message, Tuesday Night Reflections | Tagged: Betty Brinn, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 24, 2009
Here at Overflow Church we focus heavily on discipleship and provoking believers to a level of maturity that allows them to function as a hearer and a doer of the word.
In the last few messages here at Overflow, I have used these examples on a couple of occasions. Reading a couple of different blogs today made me think, I should touch on these topics on my blog. I know I have brought them on Sunday morning, but not everyone reading attends our church.
Hebrews 5:12-14
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
This is such an interesting passage of scripture, because Paul uses natural example of maturation and growth to explain a spiritual condition.
When a child is a newborn we feed them they are nursed, or given formula through a bottle, and eventually take on whole or regular milk. During this time the mom or dad holds the child, holds the bottle and carefully feeds the child watching every meal with intensity.
In the next stage of life, a parent begins to introduce some solid foods. In the first few feedings the parent may feed the child and help them take bites, eventually leading up to the point where the child can feed themselves as long as a plate is placed in front of them. In this stage the parent still watches the child during every meal with a high level of interest and concern.
The final stage of the child’s ability to eat is when they come to the mom or dad and tell them they are hungry. The parent tells them there is food in the refrigerator, therefore the child runs to the fridge grabs something and beings to eat. The parent is aware of the child eating, but is not particularly focused on the child eat.
These are the same stages that Paul is discussing in Hebrews concerning a believer’s spiritual condition. You see many Christians ought to be teachers by now, at least ministering to people around them, yet they still don’t get the basics of following Christ.
In a believers journey to maturity they go through the same steps and stages as a newborn baby.
In the first stage the new believer needs milk and nourishment in the word. The pastor, life group leader, or friend walks them through simple messages of love, new beginnings, grace, mercy, and such. They are getting the milk. A taste of what God has for them and it is satisfying.
In the next stage, the believer is not satisfied with the milk any longer, and they want some more solid food to chew on and process. In this stage the believer is coming to church and the plate is being placed in front of them. On Sunday morning the pastor is helping those taking bites through the preaching of the Word. Then the believer can process the food or take some bites of their own by asking questions of their pastor, life group leader, etc… One thing to remember in this stage is just like the child that a parent is helping feed their first few solids, sometimes the new believer takes in the milk into their mouth and spits it out. Then the pastors (parents) have to clean up the mess and continue to feed them.
In the next stage, definitely not final stage of a believer’s life, the believer begins to enter into some maturity. The believer is able to grab his/her Bible, open the Word and feed themselves. Sometimes the hunger comes from a word preached on Sunday and they want more, or something they hear on the radio. It is just like when the mom or dad says there is food in the refrigerator.
It begs the question: If you honestly looked at your life, and were only disclosing this information to yourself, where are you in the stages of maturing as a believer?
2 Comments | Appleton, Challenging, Church, His Kingdom, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Vision | Tagged: God, Growing Up, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, maturing, Overflow, Vision | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 16, 2009
God is so good!
Our church service this morning was amazing. God really showed up and some powerful things happened at Overflow Church this morning. The worship was great, and then setting in our Worship Leader as a pastor at Overflow will be a thing to remember for a long time.
Then I preached the sermon “The Message” and I think I did an okay job presenting the Gospel! An elder in Texas were I was a pastor once told me that if people get touched and people respond during ministry time, then it was a good message and presentation.
Well, today people responded. We had at least three people receive Christ during our service today, and some renew their commitment to Jesus.
My preaching style was toned down in order to present the Gospel through the scriptures in John chapter 3.
I am so thankful that I serve a powerful, loving God who wants to breath life on those so that they may have life, and it more abundantly.
3 Comments | Church, His Kingdom, Inspirational, Jesus, Life | Tagged: God, gospel, Jesus, Life, The Message | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 12, 2009
Inadequacy is the sudden feeling I got Tuesday afternoon setting in my office thinking about this coming Sunday’s service.
Over the past week I have posted a little about this Special Sunday. I was processing through all of the things that must be done, accomplished, put in place, and finalized in order to make Sunday successful.
Suddenly, without notice, a feeling of inadequacy washed over me. I got nervous, became flush, and even started to think, “man what am I doing.” Have you ever had that sudden feeling of inadequacy. The feeling that you have jumped in over your head? That feeling that if God does not come through in a real and relevant way this whole thing is going to be a wash! Those were the feelings that rushed around in my mind for a few minutes. My anxiety level began to rise, my blood pressure was rising, my thoughts were getting quicker and quicker to the point I could not concentrate.
Then, as quickly as the feelings of inadequacy rushed in to my mind, God began to speak to me about I was right where he wanted me. He wanted less of me, so there would be room for more of Him.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
A few moments of rattling this precious scripture around in my head created a thankfulness in me. It’s not that it was not already there, it was more like a reminding, a gentle nudge in the right direction. So I began to thank God for all of the opportunities I have in my life and in our church.
As I was thanking God for this Sunday and for the grace to deliver a powerful, life changing message and reach people imploring them to be reconciled to Christ Jesus. The thankfulness and gratitude that I am allowed to even pastor a church in the Kingdom of God, the fact that God has honored me with such a opportunity to change lives is so amazing, and I am so thankful.
You know, His grace has brought me this far, and His grace has been sufficient for me up to this point, and it will be sufficient for me this weekend, when I am weak, He is strong!
In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate?
In what areas of your life has God’s grace been sufficient for you to achieve what you thought was impossible?
2 Comments | Challenging, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, The Message | Tagged: awe, Inadequacy, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 11, 2009
If you have been around the blog for long, or if you went back and read the last few Tuesday Night Reflections then you would know that God has been really blessing my family and I. This includes my immediate family, and our church family at Overflow Church.
God has not disappointed these last seven days either. Below are a few of my reflections from the past few days.
- Our Wednesday Night Life Group had some wonderful discussion. The topics in our Renovate series has really been inspiring some good dialogue.
- On Friday some people that we knew as acquaintances through our home school co-op came over for dinner and an evening of games. After the night, I could say that they are some good friends, and I am excited to continue to get to know them. (And John saved me $1000…seriously)
- Overflow Church’s Men’s Ministry (OCMM) kicked-off the 2009 schedule with men’s breakfast on Saturday morning.
- After the OCMM breakfast I went with a couple people from our church body and we purchased our first PA/sound equipment.
- We used the equipment for the first time on Sunday. We got great reviews from those attending.
- Sunday… that is a whole topic for itself. I could blog an entire series on the firsts, deep revelation released, and the worship experiences created this weekend.
- Overall it was our most powerful service of 2009. (I was really worried that it would not be very good. I was struggling with how things had come together.)
- The worship on Sunday was really great with the new sound equipment, the message was a little meaty (deep). God proved one more time, if you will unashamedly speak what He leads you to say.
- I know at least 2 people that got really touched, and very, very effected by the Word.
- On Sunday I cast vision to remind our church about the vision and goals for 2009.
- This Sunday at Overflow will be a very special Sunday Celebration Service entitled “The Message”. I am pumped about the message being prepared, the worship, and some of the exciting things going on during the service.
- We currently have more visitors confirmed to attend, than we have in our church. This is going to be exciting.
- Please pray for our service, our team, and that God moves powerfully in these peoples lives.
- Tonight was a good night. I went to buy 1 new shirt to wear on Sunday for our service. I wanted something new and fresh to wear. I ended up with 8 new shirts, and I paid less than I had expected to pay for 1. (PRAISE GOD)
Well, those are all the thoughts I can get out tonight. Check back in the next few days for the following blog topics: Leadership Via Dora 3, Lessons Via Parenting Part 2, Inadequacy, Forgiveness and more.
In His Favor,
Leave a Comment » | Family, Inspirational, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, The Message | Tagged: awe, Family, gospel, Jesus, Leadership, Life, Overflow, Tuesday Night Relfections | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
February 10, 2009
I am very excited about this Sunday’s Celebration Service here at Overflow Church!
We have some special things going on this weekend, and I have been pumping this service to our Life Groups and our friends around the area. One of the things I have been doing is casting the vision that this particular Sunday will be pivotal to us reaching our goals & vision for 2009! The team and the people in our Life Groups have caught that vision.
We are a church of 20 people! We have approximately 24 vocal commitments to attending this Sunday’s Celebration Service titled “The Message”.
Those numbers are right. This Sunday at church we will have more visitors in our body than we will partners in our church! PRAISE GOD!
You see we have been working diligently to get this set up and ordered the way that God has been speaking to us about. Last week we set up our NEW Sound System (first one actually). We have now have a full audio/video package working with the projector, and the wonderful audio components in place.
I am very excited about this weekend, and it will be one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, messages I have every preached! Hence, the title “The Message”!
This will be a very powerful kingdom-minded presentation of the gospel. I believe that it will touch/rock those people that are far from God, or simply do not attend church for one reason or another that will be attending.
If you are in the Appleton area your invited to Overflow Church’s presentation of “the message”. If your not from the Appleton area, and you believe prayer changes things, it changes everything, then please pray for the Holy Spirit to move in power and love during this week of preparation. Please pray that all those who answered yes, will come and bring friends and/or family. Please pray that the Holy Spirit really blows through our service on Sunday in a wonderful, awe inspiring way.
4 Comments | Appleton, Family, God, His Kingdom, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, The Message, Vision | Tagged: awe, God, gospel, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, The Message | Permalink
Posted by kevinjbradford
