WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PERSPECTIVE -Sadell Bradley - 11/29/23

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD PERSPECTIVE 11/29/2023 "Injury generally teaches you to appreciate every moment. I've had my share of injuries throughout my career. It gives you perspective. No matter how many times I've been hurt, I've learned from that injury and come back even more humble." - Troy Polamalu - NFL Football Player TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP!: Under the Knife @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube       Ten years ago, in November, we prayed for the victims of a Typhoon in the Philippines. That country didn't have much relief as another storm swept through in 2022. Now, our eyes are turned toward the hostages being freed day by day in Gaza, during a several day truce between Israel and Hamas. We watch the citizens of Gaza walk through their devastated city looking for traces of relatives and relics. Their entire lives and those of their children, grandchildren, and possibly generations have been forever altered. These days, shootings, hate crimes, and demonstrations, are happening across America and all over the world. Our US government is languishing and its prospects for the future are in jeopardy. The season has changed, and I'm not just talking about the dark, cold days of winter. Times like these cause us to reflect and consider our perspectives on life and what's really important. I majored in Art in High School. It was my favorite subject. One of Art's most fascinating lessons is PERSPECTIVE—a picture drawn in two dimensions, especially one appearing to enlarge or extend the actual space, or to give the effect of distance. I remember images like the one to your left seemingly jumping off the page—a testament to the artist's skill and ability to see beyond what was there, and to make an object appear different than it actually was without truly changing it. We have the uncanny creative and spiritual ability to make things be as we view them. Perspective is a particular attitude or way of regarding something; a point of view. Perspective can also give us a truer understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion. The medieval Latin perspectiva is 'the science of optics'—the way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public. We see and hear 'spin' narratives from various vantage points on a variety of subjects. When I consider the tragedies going on around the world...it puts my problems in their proper perspective. Christ followers approach things from Jesus' Kingdom perspective. Peter wrote,"The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (1 Peter 4:7-10) Maybe it's time to change our perspective on some things.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - UNGRATEFUL - SADELL BRADLEY - 11/22/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD UNGRATEFUL 11/22/2023 "A complaining tongue reveals an ungrateful heart." - William Arthur Ward, American Writer TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP!: We're Only Human @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube   Tomorrow in the US, families will gather at dinner tables for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many will enjoy a feast beyond all proportions that feeds them not for just a single day...but for the whole weekend. During this season, some break their banks to ensure each and every thing that everyone never wanted is supplied. It starts on Thanksgiving with more food in a day than some around the globe eat in a month. Then on to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales where, as they say, we "buy things we can't afford to impress people we don't like." We give some of those items away on Christmas and finally pay off our credit cards by the time we receive our income tax in April. No wonder we're ungrateful; it's stressful and we're maxed out. It's amazing how blessed we are...yet some dread Thanksgiving, despite its meaning, even though they're surrounded by loved ones while others are alone. Some of us are UNGRATEFUL which means not feeling a readiness to show appreciation for, or to return a kindness. God has been so kind to us, but ingratitude's disposition is not pleasant nor acceptable. Three signs of ingratitude are murmuring, complaining, and discontent. American Ballerina Suzanne Farrell said, 'It's ungrateful to be wishing you were doing something else at the moment you are living. You haven't lived in the moment you are really living...you are wishing you were somewhere else." Has your ingratitude come from feeling stuck and desiring your circumstances to be different? Are things as bad as what you think and feel they are? Sometimes they are; most times they're not. Ingratitude is one of a long list of negative attributes the Apostle Paul says people will have in the last days. "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." (2 Timothy 3:2-5) It would probably be easier to have nothing to do with these people...if WE were not these people. Paul also wrote that..."true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-10) On Thanksgiving Day, many of us will sit at tables with amounts of food that folks around the world would think impossible. We'll enjoy apartments and homes with furniture, toilets, running water, electricity, cable or streaming, heat or AC, TV's, sporting events, and friends and family that others wish they had. Stay in the moment, relish in and appreciate it. Be thankful, you don't know what tomorrow holds.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SAGA- Sadell Bradley - 11/15/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SAGA 11/15/2023 "The Star Wars Saga is about a series of seemingly chance encounters. They impact the destiny of everyone involved."—Kathleen Kennedy - President, Lucasfilms TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP!: SHAKE THE DUST OFF @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube Some of us can remember the first time we experienced the spectacle that is Star Wars. Released in 1977, the movie was unlike anything we'd ever witnessed: flying space vehicles that hovered over sand dunes, light sabers, and "The Force." It had characters both human and alien, whom we grew to know, love, and hate. Star Wars captured the world's collective imagination and still holds it. It's hard to believe this idea floating in the mind of George Lucas has, over 46 years, spawned 12 films and 9 TV series. The franchise has grossed 10.3 Billion dollars and counting...Some would say Star Wars is a never-ending SAGA- a long story of heroic achievement; an involved story, account, or series of events. Some are ready for it to end ; ) Lucasfilms President, Kathleen Kennedy, says Star Wars is a saga about a series of seemingly chance encounters that impact the destiny of everyone involved. That's not just a powerful quote; it's the way life works. Think about how you came to be who, and where you are today. Many of the experiences that have shaped you came from meetings and exchanges with people you did not previously know. Someone opened a door, made a way, or provided a need for you. Another invited you into their circle of friendship, power, influence, or wisdom. You've done the same for others. All of us are not just creating an individual life—through our connections and encounters, our trials and triumphs; even on days when it seems nothing's happening...we are writing portions of a saga some call fate, others destiny. Throughout Scripture, we see these "chance encounters." Elisha is called from scooping up dung behind some oxen to serve as the mentee of the prophet Elijah. (1 Kings 19) Ruth, a poor widow gleaning in the fields, encounters her future husband, Boaz. (Ruth 2) Joseph is suddenly promoted when the Cup Bearer he's helped while in prison calls him up to what becomes a ruling role in Pharaoh's palace. (Gen. 41) Esther is placed in Persian King Xerxes' Harem, and after being chosen as Queen, she delivers her people from annihilation. (Esther 8) Jesus takes an unnamed boy's lunch and miraculously feeds 15k people. (Matt.14) These are a few opportune, Heaven-sent, moments in the Bible ...not the least of these is when a group of fisherman aree told by a Rabbi named Jesus, "Come, follow Me and I will make you to become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17) A chapter might be written in the saga of your life or mine through a chance encounter even today.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CELEBRATE - Sadell Bradley - 11/08/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD CELEBRATE 11/8/2023 "The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don't celebrate those, they can pass you by."—Alek Wek - Model TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP: PROPHETIC INTELLIGENCE @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube     Celebrate good times! Come on! Let's celebrate! Some of you are already singing Kool and the Gang's #1 hit. The song Celebrate was released in 1980, but continues today as a universal anthem for joy and festivity. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry. Not familiar with this infectious tune? Listen to it HERE —it's guaranteed to lift your mood. To CELEBRATE means to acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity; to honor or praise publicly. When was the last time you really celebrated? Was it a birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion, holiday, or your favorite sports team? What do your celebrations look like? Do they include food, drink, laughter, dancing, gifts? Do you celebrate the simple, everyday things that happen in your life? At our church, we've taken on the mantra "Celebrate Progress." When we move even small steps toward our goals—it's an opportunity to celebrate! Oprah Winfrey said, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Have you been around someone whose entire life is a big party? Their joyful presence is infectious. You can't help but smile with them because they always find a reason to celebrate. In the Old Testament, the LORD called Israel to celebrate. He did that by commanding seven feasts throughout the year (Leviticus 23). Feasts are large meals in which we eat and drink sumptuously in celebration of something. The Hebrew word for feasts, moadim means "appointed times." The first four of the seven feasts occur during the Spring (Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and the Feast of Weeks). The final three holidays or holy days (The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles) occur during the Fall, all within a short fifteen-day period. As you study these feasts you will see that they all point to Jesus Christ as Messiah. Many Christians observe these feast days to connect to the Judaic roots of Christianity. Israel celebrated other things with feasting and song in Scripture like the dedication of the house of the LORD (Ezra 6:16), or Yahweh fighting battles on His people's behalf. (Exodus 15: Isaiah 30:32) The LORD felt celebration was so important that He commanded it throughout the year. Might it be time for us to prioritize celebrating? Celebrate what you want to see more of. —Tom Peters, American Businessman

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LIMINAL - Sadell Bradley - 11/1/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD LIMINAL 11/1/2023 "Liminal space is a term that applies to those uncertain times in our lives when we stand in the 'threshold' between the 'old,' which may no longer work, and the 'new' which is not yet clear." — Wayne Goulet TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP: PORK on the FORK @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube     Some of us are in a time of transition, which can be unsettling, Gospel singer Isaac Carree's song, "In the Middle." is about praising God with "tears running down your face And your heart feelin' like it's gon' break. And your earth feels like it's 'bout to shake, And you've taken all that you can take." The song is not like the season it describes. It's an upbeat, catchy tune, and everyone rises to their feet to joyfully declare, "I'll praise Him anyway...in the middle of it!" In Psalm 34:1 David declares, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." At the time, he was a fugitive, running away from his enemy Saul. David even feigned insanity before Abimelech the king of Gath, to save his life. David was living in a liminal space. The prophet Samuel had declared that David would eventually be king, anointing him before his family. He was destined for an office he did not yet hold—which brought him trouble from the current king, Saul. In the middle, in his liminal space, David worshipped God. We are to extol (enthusiastically praise) the LORD in liminal spaces. The word LIMINAL relates to a transitional or initial stage of a process; occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold. Life coach Nancy Levin encourages us to "Honor the space between no longer and not yet" — between what was...and what's next. Liminal spaces can give rise to fear, frustration, anger, impatience, and anxiety, or... we can choose to see liminal spaces as holy. Pregnancy, whether natural or spiritual, is a liminal space. You're about to give birth, but it hasn't happened yet. Britta Bushnell writes that, "Pregnancy and birth are a space between worlds — a liminal space — a place where you are no longer not a parent and not yet one either. This betwixt and between is sacred space within which powerful and profound events occur — often uninvited." Engagement is a liminal space, so is the time between your last paper and graduation, getting the job and your first day of work, or when your home loan is approved but you don't yet have the keys. Are you in a liminal space right now? Liminal spaces are times of uncertainty that can be scary, but also produce wisdom, perseverance, and patience. James admonishes us to "Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Theologian Richard Rohr writes that, "Liminal space, the place of waiting, is a unique spiritual position where human beings hate to be, but where the Biblical God is always leading them. It is when you have left the tried and true, but have not yet been able to replace it with anything else. It is when you are finally out of the way. It is when you are between your old comfort zone and any possible new answer." Prayers for those in liminal spaces.