WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EDIFYING - 02/26/2020 Sadell Bradley

   

"Not every film I do is going to be like 'Selma,' but every film I do can be edifying - can be something that points toward what I believe to be true. I'm not one to shy away from darkness in movies as long as there is light." - David Oyelowo

It's Black History month, and though what has happened in the lives of African-Americans should be woven into the fabric of what we learn daily; there is just a dedicated month of focus on our contributions to this Country. One Oscar-award winning film from 2014, "Selma," depicts the struggle of African-Americans for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, and the events of 'Bloody Sunday,' March 7, 1965, as peaceful protesters attempting to march from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery were met with a violent response from sheriff's deputies and state troopers as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The officers used tear gas, horses, and billy clubs to drive them back across the bridge. (You may know that Edmund Pettus was a Confederate brigadier general and later Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan.) After the first incident, Dr. Martin Luther
King and other activists, clergy, nuns, and people of goodwill (whites made up 30% of the marchers) joined the protesters from across the Country. That night, a Caucasian minister from Boston, James Reeb, was attacked and killed by members of the KKK. Two weeks later on Sunday, March 21, 1965, Dr. King and 3,000 activists persisted to begin the 12-mile trek yet again. The group swelled to 25,000 along the way under the protection of federal government troops. This act was EDIFYING to the Civil Rights Movement and to the Country. To EDIFY means to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually; to build; to construct a building; to strengthen. It ultimately led to Congress passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the registration of thousands of African-American voters in Selma, Alabama in 1966.

As we think about the writings of Scripture, we often view 'edifying' as encouragement that is primarily done with words. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) We know that the five-fold gifted ministries (I believe Dr. King fell into the Apostolic/Prophetic category), were ordained by God to mature, equip and edify the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12) Edifying is also action. "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." (Romans 14:19)  We are commanded, "Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." (Romans 15:2) Certainly, many of us who are African-Americans have been morally and intellectually stimulated to cast our votes in elections because of the sacrifices that our forefathers and mothers invested into that right. Those who care about God's justice have thankfully stood right alongside us in our fight for Civil and Human rights. Dr. King said, "I have come to see more and more one of the most decisive steps that the Negro can take is that little walk to the voting booth. That is an important step. We've got to gain the ballot and through that gain, political power...Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."     

What will you say or DO to EDIFY someone today? 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - STANDARD - 02/19/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

   

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God." - George Washington

 

When you say the word STANDARD you could be referring to any of a number of things: a required or agreed to level or quality of attainment used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations; principles of conduct informed by notions of honor and decency; the weight or value of gold, silver, or currency; a song of published popularity; or a military or ceremonial flag carried on a pole. Generally, the word standard is a descriptor of how we view ourselves or treat each other. We say, "I have high standards," when we will not settle for less than an excellent outcome. Or "You are using a double standard," when inequity or injustice is at play.

 

In warfare, 'to raise one's standard,' meant to take up arms and oppose - and lifting a military flag was a rallying cry. Isaiah 59 depicts the LORD our Warrior engaging His enemies. Isaiah illustrates the result of sin, wickedness, darkness, and turning away from the LORD, "It is your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore." (vs. 2, NLT)  The prophet goes on to discuss the murderous, unjust, deceitful, and corrupt way in which people are living, "Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don't know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace." (vs. 7-8)

 

The result of sin is injustice. Truth has fallen in the streets and honesty has been outlawed. "Yes truth is gone and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD was displeased that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He Himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained Him... He will repay His enemies for their evil deeds. " (vs. 15-16;18)  

 

Isaiah proclaims, "So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the West, And His

glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." (vs. 19) This power is portrayed as a raging tide that the breath of the LORD drives over His enemies. Sometimes the wickedness around us is nothing short of overwhelming. I'm glad that our God is the Captain of the Hosts of Angel Armies, that He is with us, and fights for us! 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RUNWAY - Sadell Bradley 02/12/2020

"I think Starbucks created a platform and ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks." - -Howard Schultz, CEO RUNWAY is a word with many meanings: a leveled strip of smooth ground along which aircraft take off; a raised aisle extending into the audience from a stage, especially as used for fashion shows; an incline or chute down which something slides or runs. The general idea implies momentum - the driving force gained with velocity through a process of events. Sometimes we forget that runway is also a business term. A runway is a launching point for an enterprise or endeavor. It propels something forward to an ultimate goal. In fashion, the RUNWAY is a path down which models walk and pose to showcase the creativity of a designer. We marvel at the mannequin-like figures who showcase their beautiful designs. It's easy to miss that at 'fashion week,' whether in New York or Paris, the RUNWAY is also where decisions about fashion trends are made that will affect millions of people and represent billions of dollars in revenue. We teach at MORTAR, an entrepreneurship incubator, that a RUNWAY is also an emergency fund for your business. It's the amount of cash a business owner has on hand to buy themselves time for the months when they're not making money. If a business expends or 'burns' $5,000/mos but the owner has saved $25,000, we say they have a 'runway' of five months.  Which begs the question...how long is your runway? How many months could you live without a paycheck or other influx of cash? In America, 40% of Americans don't have $400 for an emergency. They have a runway of zero months. Without a savings runway, we not only can't take off; we can't sustain ourselves during a hard time. In Genesis 41, Joseph dreamed that Egypt would experience 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. In verses 34-36, he recommended that 20% of the harvest be collected and stored to prepare for their coming time of hardship. The wisdom of this proposal for them to create a 7-year runway pleased the Pharaoh, and Joseph was appointed 2nd in command in the Country. This great decision, "also brought increase as every other nation came to Egypt to buy grain." (vs. 57)   We don’t know what lies ahead, but we’ve been told since we were kids to save for a rainy day because eventually, it’s going to rain. Now is a great time to build a substantial runway for yourself, your family and your business.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EUPHEMISM - 2/4/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

"Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians." - Alan Dershowitz, Esq.

 

A EUPHEMISM - is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. The Greek euphemizein means 'to use auspicious words.' Popular euphemisms include: being between jobs (unemployed), vertically challenged (short), temporary negative cash flow (broke), pre-owned vehicle (used car), passed away (died), expecting (pregnant), over the hill (old), and casualty of war (victim). Paul Johnson said, "Euphemism is a human device to conceal the horrors of reality." 

 

We do a lot of glossing over, massaging, and spinning these days. Why is it so difficult for us to 'speak the truth in love' and grow up? (Eph. 4:15) In Ephesians 4:25, Paul emphasizes the new character we are to live in Christ, "Therefore putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth to his neighbor," for we are members one of another." Fanciful language does not take away the blow of harsh realities any more than political correctness removes an underlying insult. In Psalm 15:1-3, King David wrote, "Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking truth with sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends."  There is a discernible connection between truth and worship. Jesus said the Father is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24) 

King Solomon said, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Prov.15:2) "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (NIV) What a truth-teller says may be hard to hear, but it's often trustworthy. Something unfortunate is happening when we can no longer trust what anyone says. American Musician Bobbie Gentry said, "Euphemism is a euphemism for lying." It's just a nicer way to say it. Paul instructs us as Christ-followers, "Do not lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and its wicked deeds." (Col. 3:9, NLT)