April 1, 2009
Just a few thoughts tonight.
- So many church leaders are against other church leaders. I just don’t get it. We are all trying to reach the same goal of winning people to Christ, and advance the Kingdom of God on Earth! {Right?}
- The Fox Valley is a place where thousands of Christians are unchurched. A recent survey indicated that most unchurched Christians want to attend church somewhere, but do not know where to go!
- According to that survey people want to attend church where there are people like them!
- That is what I love about Overflow, we are ordinary people try to provoke one another to be more like Christ, and live a life of faith!
- In order to reach those people that are unchurch Christians & those far from God, we have to begin to think outside of the box. {How do we do that? How do we attract people?}
- I believe 2009 is the year for families at Overflow Church. It was apart of the vision God spoke to me back in January. I am praying through ways to attract and engage more families this spring and summer.
- Overflowers, please be praying for me in the area of our schedule. I have a rough outline for the semester theme’s for the rest of the year, but I need to begin putting some more details in place.
- I need more details so that I can do some strategic planning and set some goals in order to maintain a good pace of preperation.
- Did you know that God “blesses” preparation? It is true. When I spend time preparing, and seeking God man He really blesses me in a way I cannot describe.
- One final note on the preparation situation. A few people I have talked with recently gave me a hard time by the way I planned out our year into 3 different semesters {to fit in with school year} as not allowing the Holy Spirit room to move.
- I have two thoughts about that:
- God can speak to me today about a message He wants me to preach, or needs me to preach in October, just as well as He can speak to me in October about it. When I began to prepare for the following semester, I believe God honors my preparation and gives me more time to study and bounce the ideas around about the best way to build excitement, prepare good illustrations, etc…
- This past Sunday was a Holy Spirit driven Sunday at Overflow. I had a sermon completely finished and Saturday morning during my prayer time, God spoke to me clearly that I needed to change my sermon. It was for some people who would be there Sunday. I do not believe it was by accident. I felt a little nervous with little prep time and no run through. If your an Overflower reading this, you can let me know, but I thought God rocked it out! I went for it with a passion and zeal that was amazing.
- Final thought: If the church could come into UNITY with a common vision to see a city transformed, we could take entire regions for God. For now, I will continue to seek out like minded pastors and leaders to build relationship with, and beg God for that unity to come!
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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!
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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?
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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?
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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,
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Posted by kevinjbradford
February 4, 2009
I cannot believe how quickly the last few weeks have flown by. I have not blogged as much as I have wanted to due to pouring every spare minute into developing the first few series in the Renovate Semester, and outlining the 2nd half of Renovate. Now that the majority of that is done, I can blog again.
Tonight, I will put down a few thoughts, and then I want to link some blogs that I read recently, and thought I should recommend them to you!
- Life Group on Wednesday Night Rocked! Maybe best Life Group Ever! Some people really got touched by God!
- Sunday Morning…. What can I say, God showed up in a powerful way! I believe some people really got set free, and some fuel was added to others fire!
- The SuperBowl did not disappoint. (The Game or the commercials) What was your favorite commercial?
- God is so good! He has been showing me things each day. I honestly do not have enough outlets to teach all that I am getting. Reason for blog!
- Today I realized that a lot of people I work with are really getting attacked by sickness, strife, and such (Satan, basically). Then as I was praying about it, God began to speak to me about what can be shaken. At that moment Ashlee called to tell me during her prayer time today God spoke to her about what can be shaken will be shaken! How awesome is God, using my wife to confirm what He was speaking to me like that!
- This Sunday’s sermon will blow people’s minds. I finished re-drafting the first half of the message today. Oh..My… It was really ministering to me.
- Sunday February 15th will be a new series title “The Message” and it will be awesome! Designed for those who do not attend church for what ever reason, and those Far from God!
- I have a hectic schedule the next few days. I have worked 8 AM until 8 or 9 PM since Sunday, and it will last through this Saturday. Please pray for my family!
Those are my reflections for tonight! On to some blogs you should read! These are great reads.
- Please read this post if your pastor is married! To read go here!
- This post by Lisa Shea on how to pray for your pastor.
- Another great post on Stevenfurtick.com about worship. Read Here!
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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 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.
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Posted by kevinjbradford
December 24, 2008
It was Christmas Eve – Eve! Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse! (So I thought) The stocking had not been hung yet, but the Christmas tree and decor was glistening. The kids were snuggled in bed in hopes that Jolly old St. Nick would be preparing His sleigh!
I had just settled in for a quick power nap, so that Ashlee and I could watch “the nativity story”. When rose such a patter, that I arose from my sleep. As I arose slowly I began to understand that patter, was really the tap,tap,tap of the office keyboard, for behold my wife was still on Facebook, or Fashion Wars to be exact! So I quickly went in and chatted with her, only to find out my power nap was two hours in a zap! Now that you know why my Tuesday Night Reflections were not last night, I will post them this day, Wednesday the true Christmas Eve!
A few reflections before I rush off to work this morning:
- The Packers lost another game by only a few points on Sunday. It was a bummer, but not too surprising. (It makes me wonder if they simply cannot finish strong.)
- As Christians we are encouraged by Paul in several different places to finish strong. I have heard of and seen too many Christians who are running the race strong, but cannot seem to finish strong. I want to be a Christian who is known to finish what I start, and to be at my best at the end, not just the beginning.
- Today is Christmas Eve, and I cannot get over how much God has blessed us this year. We have had so much blessings this year.
- This is our first Christmas in our New House!
- We have a new Fridge (very similar to Ash’s dream fridge)
- Our girls are healthy, and getting so many amazing things for Christmas!
- Santa is bringing them their most request gift! (Guitars, keyboards, and drums)
- They have requested them so they can learn to Worship God with instruments. SERIOUSLY! Yea God!
- Ashlee and I have a wonderful marriage, and love each other now more than when we first got married.
- Our church has potential, and I believe we are finding our stride, so that we can finish stronger in 2009 than we start. (Definitely the case for 2008!)
Those are my thoughts before work on Christmas Eve!
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Posted by kevinjbradford
