WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TRANSITION - 01/11/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else." - Playwright, Tom Stoppard "I've always believed that there are moments in our lives which can be defined as a transition between the before and after, between the cause and the effect." Author, Benjamin X. Wretlind.  Last night millions watched the farewell address of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Some mourned, others celebrated. No matter your political persuasion, one thing about the US is very impressive in contrast to the world: President Obama stressed the importance of maintaining America's outstanding tradition of the peaceful transfer of the presidency. I hope that we all, particularly Christ followers, will do what we can to uphold that civility in the coming weeks. If we protest, do it peacefully. If we disagree, challenge in a courteous way. Unfortunately, due to our mishandling of this earthbound political sphere, much damage has been done to our Kingdom focus and the love that is supposed to be our identifying mark as Christians. (John 13:34-35) I hope that will change. TRANSITION is the process of a period of changing from one state or condition to another. It derives from the French transire or to 'go across.' Across is an adverb whose origin means "in the form of a cross."  Interesting...transitions sometimes feel like crucifixions. We are always leaving behind or dying to one  thing, identity, or position, while moving on to the next. . Birth is a transition. The baby leaves the internal, secure state of their mother's womb to transition to life in the world. The Bible calls this process travail (John 16:21), because the transition is a painful, laborious process but once it occurs; it brings a joy that makes you forget the agony. Death is also a transition from living in this earth realm to the eternal destiny we've chosen. In between, we get a lot of practice with transitions. Each stage of life: the various physical, mental, emotional, educational, relational and occupational stages are all transitions.  Even our spiritual development goes from being born again to converted and moving on to maturity. (John 3, Matt 18:3, Heb.6:1) Transitions are everywhere. At the same time we're going through them...so is everyone and everything else! and we're all bouncing off of each other from puberty to the 'change' of life. Think about it. Our houses settle, cars wax old, government officials change, new movies, TV shows and music are offered. Sports teams that once had all the championships transition to rebuilding years returning to the bottom of the totem pole.  If you are averse to transitions, life is going to be really difficult for you. We act as if we don't want ANYTHING to EVER change. Deep down we know that transitions bring challenge and growth.  When outwardly imposed transitions are not to our liking; we learn to resolve to stand for the things we believe in and make a change. When we become stagnant, frustration and restlessness about our lack of progress sets in. We realize we CAN DO SOMETHING, though difficult and uncomfortable, to get to where we desire to be. No matter what transition we face, we can be assured that GOD is working all things together for the GOOD for us because we love Him and keep His commands.  No transition can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PERFECTIONISM - Sadell Bradley 01/04/17- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance." - Brene Brown   Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor. - Anne Lamott PERFECTIONISM is the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection. Normally, a child would just scribble on the wall, but this young lady is measuring out her drawing to make it perfect, and taking all the fun out in the process. She simultaneously creates and criticizes her work, saying, "The sun is NOT yellow! Too big a tree! and Not even CLOSE to a stick person!" Perfectionists torment themselves doing tasks for the pleasure or approval of important others: parents, leaders, bosses, spouses, neighbors, family, friends or a larger audience. To be perfect means to have all the required or desirable elements qualities or characteristics; to be as good as it is possible to be; to be free from any flaw or defect; to be precisely accurate. To be perfect is to be approved of. Mistakes bring rejection. Anxiety can build so much internally, that it's hard to sign-up for projects. It's not so much in anticipation of others response, perfectionists often perform at high levels. It's avoiding the internal emotional war, and the irrational fear of failure. It at times presents with physical symptoms like a tight chest, headaches, or gastro- intestinal issues. You'd rather do nothing versus something at which you're not guaranteed to excel. I've been delivered from this oppression. Now I can feel it and arrest paralyzing perfectionist tendencies. GLORY! The doctrine of some religious and social circles is that perfection is attainable - even moral/spiritual perfection. This flies in the face of the GRACE Christ offers. God's grace is not just unmerited favor, but the Divine enablement to do what He has called us to do by HIS power. Prophet Mark Chironna said, "Grace says I can't; therefore God must!" In 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 Paul describes the 'thorn in the flesh' that the Lord allowed Satan to buffet him with so he would not become prideful. After asking 3 times that this issue be removed, God told him, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness" to which Paul replied, "So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." Remember, God resists/opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) He looks for weakness! The other matter God deals with for perfectionists is the issue of APPROVAL.  We are completely and eternally loved by God. (Jeremiah 31:3) We don't have to win God's approval! WE are approved, which is not the same as saying that everything we do is ok.. .no more than it is with your son or daughter.  WE are approved by our loving Father. Our identification with Jesus Christ and His finished work bring us into adoption and ACCEPTANCE in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) If God is for us, who can be against us! Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)  Quiet as it's kept, we are often unknowingly approved of even by the people we so desire to hear it from - whether they say it or not. One small or large mistake isn't going change that. Most people don't even notice the things perfectionists deem so traumatic. So if perfectionism is holding you back, shed it in 2017. Perfect can be the enemy of good! It certainly is the enemy of peace, fun and progress. Don't let perfectionism win!

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DISORIENTED - Sadell Bradley -12/28/16 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Change is always tough Even for those who see themselves as agents of change, the process of starting a new thing can cause times of disorientation, uncertainty and insecurity. "-Joyce Meyer I went home for Christmas to visit my mother who has been ill. I made arrangements to take her to church for the first time in months, and to attend the family dinner in New Jersey, about an hour away from Philadelphia. It was a daunting task, but praise God it was accomplished. Leaving from the church versus our home, I found myself on a new highway. Philadelphia was familiar, but the road I was taking was uncharted. I was DISORIENTED -which means to make someone lose their bearings or sense of direction; to make someone feel confused or lose the sense of time, place, or identity. I attempted to calmly navigate the change as the cars zoomed by or rode my bumper trying to make me go faster. My internal panic was not helped by my mother's, "Are you lost?"  I was relieved to find that the new highway was linked to a familiar one. Once I got to I95, my breathing relaxed and we arrived safely at our destination. This time of year invites change.  We make resolutions about the future. Proverbs 4:25-27 encourages us to "ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established." Though we ponder what we plan to do, we rarely consider how it will feel to actually DO it. If we really DO what we've set out to do, or GO where we've never gone before...we will at times feel disoriented.  Even if our surroundings are familiar but we're taking a fresh approach, or doing the same thing with different people, we'll deal with temporary awkwardness until what is uncomfortable becomes our comfort zone. Then we'll have to adjust and transform again. Now that I've driven the new route, next time it won't be disorientating. I HATE to feel bewildered and adrift, but I LOVE growth and change. Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggemann described the Psalms as depicting three experiences we as humans face in relation to God: orientation, disorientation and reorientation. Cool Blog on This We first experience the Lord and are filled with awe, wonder, and worship, "When I consider the heavens, the moon and the stars thou hast ordained..." (Psalm 8:3-4) Our faith is tried when we are faced with our limitations and are required to put our hope and trust in God; groping in unseen, unfamiliar places. "How long wilt Thou forget me, oh Lord? Forever?" (Psalm 13:1) Then we gather ourselves, finding His steadfast love and faithfulness no matter what we experience, and realize His goodness. "Whom have I in heaven but thee?...My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:22-28) I'd love say you're never going to feel disoriented in life. That's just not how this thing works. Disorientation is temporary. You will get through it and get your equilibrium back. Happy New Year! and Happy New You!!

THIS SATURDAY JOINT NEW YEAR'S SERVICE Tryed Stone New Beginnings 5550 Reading Road 10:00 PM THIS SUNDAY NEW YEAR'S DAY SERVICE 11:00 AM Worship The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OVERTHINK - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The sharpest minds often ruin their lives by overthinking the next step, while the dull win the race with eyes closed." - Bethany Brookbank - Write Like No One is Reading I didn't know OVERTHINK was even a word! It means to think about something too much or for too long, in a way that is not useful. Gallup developed the Strengths Finder assessment.  When Sherman and I took the test, he scored high in Activation, while one of my strengths was "Intellection." So he likes to act, and I enjoy thinking. Gallup said, "You are introspective. In a sense you are your own best companion, as you pose yourself questions and try out answers on yourself to see how they sound. (Intellection) does not dictate what you are thinking about; it simply describes that you like to think." Happily, when our strengths are combined it is wonderful! The caution is for him not to act without thinking, and for me not to just think without acting. By overthinking you can lose time and opportunities. OVERTHINKING can be motivated by control, fear, perfectionism, or distrust of your own, others or even God's decision-making. Paul warns against this kind of anxiety in Philippians 4:6-9, admonishing us to pray specifically when we're worried and to think on things that are good, just, pure, honest, virtuous and praiseworthy. The person whose thoughts are fixed on the Lord will have "perfect peace" because they trust His sovereignty, everlasting strength and wisdom. (Isaiah 26:3) Overthinking invites stress: physical, emotional and even mental illness. Fearing making a wrong choice, we let PERFECT become the enemy of good. I'm embracing that I just like thinking for thinking's sake. It's a gift that comes in handy when problem solving, coaching, leading and counseling. Intellection helps me with the Holy Spirit's guidance to decipher knotty situations and bring clarity. Thinking is my comfort zone, maybe that's true for you. The challenge is acting on some of the things we've thought and considered. That's where faith comes in. We've scrutinized it, but just being convinced alone is dead without corresponding action. (James 2) When we overthink, time passes and we don't get to harvest the fruit of our thoughts. When caught in the paralysis of analysis, what can we do? Be aware: Catch yourself and redirect your thoughts, especially if they are anxious or negative. Use gratefulness. Ask yourself, "What am I thankful for in this moment?" It lifts your countenance. Do something...ACT! Get away from thinking all together for a moment. Sometimes it's better to use your brain less. Don't judge your action, even if it doesn't turn out perfectly. Your goal is to stop overthinking. Give your brain a rest and trust God.

THIS SUNDAY
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
513-212-1131
NEW YEAR'S EVE SERVICE
10PM Saturday,
December 31st
NEW YEAR'S DAY SERVICE
11AM January 1st

WEDNESDAY'S WORD- ADVENT - Sadell Bradley - 12/14/16 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for Him at all, Christ comes uninvited." - Thomas Merton "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." - Neal A. Maxwell ADVENT means the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. In Christian Theology it is both the season of the year leading up to Christmas- the celebration of Jesus Christ's arrival; and the anticipation of the second coming of Christ. The Latin advenire means "to come."  The account of Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem is familiar. Across this Country and around the world nativity scenes will grace many homes and establishments commemorating the arrival of the baby Jesus. Carols will be sung, pageants will be held, gifts will be presented, and there will be feasting. Thousands of years later, millions are now aware of what an auspicious occasion it was. Then, it was an humble and ignoble birth in a smelly manger with animals. The event in Luke 2, though lauded by the Angelic Hosts in Heaven, was barely acknowledged on earth save for some Shepherds in a field, a few wise men following a star, and jealous king Herod attempting to prevent a coup. The arrival of a Kardashian baby would garner more attention than our reception of the Savior of the world. Paparrazi stalk celebrities for a glimpse at a newborn. Royal births are greeted with public fanfare (E.g. Prince William and Princess Kate's children). It is unfathomable that the appearance of the King of Glory: who would forgive the sin of mankind, restore us back to God, bring peace and healing to the wounded and broken, release the captives and proclaim favor to the lost, (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19) would be cloaked in obscurity, anonymity and seeming insignificance. Our ways and thoughts are significantly lower than God's. (Isa. 55:8-9) Advent sets in motion His plan to confound the wisdom of men by using the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary to redeem mankind. Then He uses the foolishness of preaching by the most unlikely vessels to inform the world! (1 Cor. 1)  What if the innkeeper had known who he was turning away? It is sure that he would have displaced the most significant man in the best room available for Jesus. What if WE were to realize that we're turning away Jesus for Santa, shopping, trees, decorations and lights, vacations and food? Would we find the time for Him? Would we MAKE room?

THIS SUNDAY 9:30 AM Class Youth Room  11:00 AM Worship The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TENTMAKING - Sadell Bradley- 12/7/16 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"After these things he (Paul) left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.  He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." Acts 18:1-4  These days most think of clergy as a paid profession. Preachers teach that the Levites had no business inheritance and were set aside to be wholly devoted to the Lord. (Deut.10:8-9) Catholic priests and nuns with vows of poverty and chastity lead neighborhood parishes. There are full-time denominational and megachurch pastors. But 59% of America's churches have 100 members or less and 94% are under 500 members. (Hartford Institute for Religion Research) So MOST clergy are bi-vocational. They shepherd their flocks and have other jobs to meet their family's needs. I've been on both sides of this equation, and both present challenges. There is a struggle with work-life balance. We are torn between the demanding commitments of the day-job and leadership responsibilities. On the other side, it's easy to lose touch and empathy with parishioners' experience if you've never worked in a secular job. The Apostle Paul was a bi-vocational minister, as were Priscilla and Aquila, two other prominent teachers. Now we associate Tent-making with missionaries who go overseas and teach English or do another job in a clandestine fashion to open doors for the Gospel in closed countries. Paul was working a regular job, but he also believed in material compensation for spiritual work (1 Cor,9:11-14; Gal. 6:6) He worked and he received support from the churches. In certain circumstances, he committed to working as an example, or he didn't want to be a burden to the churches in a region, (2 Thess. 3:7-8) but he made tents. The other day one of our members, who happens to work with me proclaimed, "your Jesus never goes off!"  What a glorious thing to hear! (wish it were 100% true, lol!) Se eing me be the same in a secular setting said what we teach in church is real and not just conjecture or for show. Tent-making is NOT a second-class ministerial status. We are ALL to be preachers of the Gospel in our spheres of influence! Perhaps more pastors might consider this example, if even for a short time. Sure, sometimes I long to devote all my time to leading and caring for the flock. Then I recall that my leader, Jesus the Carpenter, was a small business owner!

THIS SUNDAY
9:30 AM Class
Youth Room 
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215

513-212-1131