WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RECEIVE - 06/24/2020 - Sadell Bradley

WEDNESDAY'S WORD

RECEIVE

Sadell Bradley

06/24/2020

"Most Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire-builders have been people unable to give and receive love." - Henri Nouwen

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." You've heard this oft-quoted saying of Jesus through Paul in Acts 20:35 in his farewell to the Ephesians, admonishing that they must help the weak. Giving is emphasized in the Church and it should be, but we often translate this verse, "You're blessed if you give, NOT when you receive. So make sure you're always on the giving end." Some damaged souls work hard to never need to RECEIVE - to be given, presented with, or paid something. They not only have a hard time receiving but struggle with the idea that there's any blessing there. Jesus said giving is more blessed, but receiving is blessed too. There will be times when we're on the receiving end: of advice, of gifts, of opportunities, of miracles, and of goodwill. We need to receive to develop humility and gratefulness and to bind our relationships with God and one another.

Blocking Compliments Like A Linebacker Some of us are so averse to receiving, that we can't even take compliments. The church is notorious for this. Scripture says, "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, not your own lips." (Prov. 27:2) But...do we LET them praise us? What happens when someone commends or admires us, or applauds what we've done? THE most awkward responses: from blushes to deflections, to the church approved, "Glory to God!" (We should give God glory, but not fake it because we're too uncomfortable to receive kudos). Sadly, we've at times lost sincerity. Maybe we could start regaining the ability to give AND receive by encouraging each other. Here are some good phrases with which to start. Henri Nouwen is right, we cannot show this world a love that we're unable to give and receive. For those who've experienced trauma and pain in their lifetimes, believing they're worthy to receive love, then giving and receiving it is very difficult.

I RECEIVE YOUR LOVE

In 2013 Israel Houghton released, 'I Receive," a powerful song whose lyrics ring out, "Accepted, highly favored of the LORD. Forgiven, by Your love I am transformed. It's not what I do, but what You've done for me. And by Your grace, oh God, I stand with my head held high. I receive Your love! I receive Your love for me. I receive Your love, I know I am accepted!" In this time, where some of our relationships are in jeopardy and the powers of this world are dolling out hatred, rejection, and vitriol; it is not only comforting but crucial for us to be able to receive God's approval and validation. At times He does that directly, at other times it's through US. So if you see something beautiful in someone, speak it.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EMANCIPATION - Sadell Bradley 06/17/2020

 

"Until justice is blind to color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men's skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact." - President Lyndon B. Johnson

To EMANCIPATE means to set free, especially from legal, social, or political restrictions; to free from slavery. Emancipation is also used to describe a child being set free from the authority of their parents or the foster care system. The word derives from the Latin, emancipat - which means 'transferred as property.' The day Africans were emancipated from chattel slavery - the most brutal form of sustained bondage was June 19, 1865, and is commemorated yearly by the holiday Juneteenth. Learn more by clicking this link: What is Juneteenth?

From Owned to Owning Those words 'transferred property' evoke a lot of feelings. Africans were brought to the colonies to be owned as property. Millions of human beings were owned by other human beings for hundreds of years. They were brutally treated and forced to produce billions of hours worth of FREE labor in almost every sector of society. Not only were historic buildings such as the White House built; the foundation of America's wealth was generated on the backs of slaves. Then racist systems, laws, and practices like Jim Crow, redlining, gerrymandering, Plessy vs. Ferguson, mass incarceration, police brutality, racial violence, etc. continued to hold masses of African-Americans back economically and socially. It is a blight, a stain, and one of this Country's greatest sins. Its effects still reverberate. Through many subsequent generations, despite these obstacles and systems, Blacks have striven to move from being owned, through owing and debt, into ownership. The economic impact and loss to our communities have put us hundreds of years behind as described in the article below: It will take 228 years for black families to attain the wealth of white families.

JESUS IS A LIBERATOR

Why is it important for Christ-followers to care about the lives of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed? Because that is the ministry of JESUS! In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus told us, 'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ and in turn, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18-19 tell us that Jesus was anointed to preach good news to the poor, to mend the brokenhearted, to recover the the sight of the blind, to set the captives free, and to proclaim God's free flowing favor to all. Sure, we want God to bless America, but John 3:16 says GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CATASTROPHIZING- Sadell Bradley 06/10/2020

"Worries typically follow such lines, a narrative to oneself that jumps from concern to concern and more often than not includes catastrophizing, imagining some terrible tragedy. Worries are almost always expressed in the mind's ear, not its eye - that is, in words, not images - a fact that has significance for controlling worry." - Daniel Goleman - Author, Emotional Intelligence   To CATASTROPHIZE means to imagine the worst possible outcome of an event; to think about a situation or event as having a catastrophic outcome. Catastrophes are momentous tragic events ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin; utter failures; or fiascos. I wish I could say I was unfamiliar with catastrophizing. Sadly, it's something with which I've struggled. I was raised in a home with combating outlooks on life. My mom was hopeful, witty, and adventurous. Her sister much more fearful, anxious, and expert in catastrophizing. I'm a mix between the two and have to war against my propensity to do the latter. Some folks are really battling anxiety right now. The bible term is foreboding- a fearful apprehension that something bad will happen. Jesus told His disciples that this would be a characteristic of the times leading up to His return: "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26, ESV) By the way...there's no better time than the present to identify yourself with Jesus, to accept His forgiveness for your wrongs, and identify with Him as LORD of the universe and your LORD and Savior. (John 3:16-17)  How do we balance the facts with our fears? How do we resume regular activity with an unseen virus in our midst? We know it is contracted disproportionately by African-Americans. We don't know where or when it will strike, but the CDC says that the fatality rate is between .2-.5% of the population. How do I as an African-American leader encourage my friends and parishioners of color to LIVE their lives? Though they are more than twice as likely as whites to be shot and killed by police, according to a Forbes Magazine article quoting statistics from the Washington Post: the total number of US citizens shot and killed by police since January 1, 2015 is 4,728 people. 2,385 were Caucasian. 1,252 were African-American (though we make up only 13.4% of the US population). 877 were Latino and 214 were from other groups.  African-Americans can be killed at a traffic stop, in the park, on a jog, or at home - with or without cause. This horrific reality is unacceptable given ALL of the racialized systems in the US too numerous to name that disproportionately jeopardize Black people. Police brutality is really just the tip of a huge iceberg: hence the protests. Still, none of them, in my opinion, is as insidious, pervasive, or destructive as the spirit of fear that has been bread by domestic terrorism. It is modern-day lynching meant to dissuade us. It is slavery via mass incarceration and mental bondage by the continual propagation of these images. On one hand, I'm grateful that our voices are finally being heard. Just like the hoses and dogs on national TV during the Civil Rights Movement, the masses now see what we've known all along. On the other hand...I'm concerned about our collective psyche.        It's easy for any of us to get swept up in a tidal wave of anxiety. Anyone who's suffered abandonment, divorce, bankruptcy, abuse, racism, other isms, or PTSD may worry that it will happen again or to their kids. That millions of Black folks are simultaneously experiencing societal/personal trauma is devastating. My caution to myself and to those who read this blog is not to allow what's happened in the past, or to others around you to construct prison bars in your mind. Phil. 4:4-9 tells us that to ward off anxiety, the first characteristic for the things we should think about, (the story we tell ourselves)...is that it is TRUE...then honest, lovely, just, virtuous, praiseworthy and of good report.  Just how true is what you're thinking?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LAMENT - Sadell Bradley - 6/3/2020

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"If it were possible to cure evils by lamentation and to raise the dead with tears, then gold would be a less valuable thing than weeping." -Sophocles

 

LAMENT is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow; of regret or disappointment; a complaint. The Book of Lamentations in the Old Testament, was written by Jeremiah, who is described as the weeping prophet. Throughout his writings, he grieved over the wickedness of the people, their rebellion, and the judgment they had brought upon themselves. Lamentations can be songs, poems, or a piece of music used to express these same deep feelings. I've had several friends reach out to see how I'm doing after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arberry, and the subsequent unrest and response with even more deaths and injury. The words have sometimes escaped me.  

 

My greatest disappointment is with the Church, which should be a light for the Kingdom of God, its statutes and values, in this darkness. The Apostle John said, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." (John 3:19)  Jesus warned us to 'take heed, or "make certain that the light that is in you is not darkness." (Luke 11:35) Paul warned that "false apostles, and deceitful workers would masquerade as apostles of Christ, And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions." (2 Cor. 11:13-15) My posture has been to pray, ask God for forgiveness and repentance, to try to love everyone-even my enemies, and to speak Kingdom Truth into chaos.  

 

Still, this whole scenario is sad. I am grieved by: the continued history of injustice, murder, and racism that has plagued this generation and so many before it; the economic and militaristic oligarchy (rule by a small group) that is rising; the misuse of Christianity for political and personal gain; and the segregation, conflict and division in what is supposed to be One Body in Christ. Growing up, we used to sing a stirring song based on the lamentation below:   

 

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:22-26) 

 

Weeping is an often neglected expression of emotion that connects us with God and one another. At times such as this, it's really necessary, but sometimes our feelings..particularly anger and hurt, are so buried that we can't summon up tears. I cannot describe how it feels to be hated, thought less of, dehumanized, and in danger just because you exist and your skin is of a darker hue. The question, "Why do they hate us so much?"  arises more often than I'd like to admit. (I know there are those who don't.) It is particularly painful as history points to the kinds of things that have been done to us since we were brought here. Evil, wickedness, and sin are alive and well. The lusts of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life continue to be all that's in this world. It's a wonder that the LORD still has mercy on us. We are definitely not getting what we deserve. Yet every day we get new mercies. Every day we get another chance to do things better. So my soul hopes and waits for Him.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ENTITLEMENT - 05/27/2020

     

"Sometimes people take it for granted that they have success, especially nowadays when you have instant stardom. A lot of people feel entitlement and nobody is entitled to anything." -Donny Osmond

 

For 5 weeks, NBA fans were treated to "The Last Dance" a fascinating documentary on the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) player, Michael Jordan. Jordan won 6 NBA Championships, 10 Scoring Titles, 5 MVP trophies, and a number of other accolades in the '80s and '90s. We saw a driven competitor, a man with sporting excellence, revolutionize the way basketball is viewed around the world. The Jordan brand became a marketing and economic machine that has made him a

billionaire and the most recognized athlete in history. This feat was all the more remarkable for a dark-skinned Black man rising just 20 years after the US Civil Rights legislation passed. In our current volatile racial climate, what Frank Sinatra said just might be true, "The best revenge is massive success." Part of me wonders if some of what we're experiencing is backlash over the strength and splendor of Black men. Maybe we need more MJ's, who didn't get distracted by race or politics but chose to focus on becoming great and building an empire. Jordan had lots of flaws, but one intriguing opinion he shared about players of his time versus now is that he and his contemporaries had to work hard to earn salaries and endorsement deals. They had to win championships, gold medals, and scoring titles - to PROVE their worth - BEFORE they were considered for millions of dollars in compensation. Players nowadays he said, are being paid 'for potential,' receiving millions of dollars and endorsements when 'they've done nothing yet.' Something to think about, isn't it? Times have changed. 

 

ENTITLEMENT is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Whether we're talking about younger generations, or some of the more privileged members of our society, folks think, "I deserve to have a better life." "I'm entitled to a high salary, a great house, a car and world travel."  "I'm allowed to treat others this way." This is not just an issue in the world, but in the Church where we've forsaken the truth of what it means to follow Christ. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) "...those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:33b) Instead of losing or laying down our lives for Christ and each other, we're obsessed with defending and protecting ourselves and remaining in our comfort zones. Or we're also frustrated with God for not giving us the gain or fame we think we're entitled to...when we think we're entitled to it. Selah... 

   

Entitlement is lethal. It leads to spiritual erosion. We believe we have rights to something that: A) Is not God's will for us, B) We are not willing to sacrifice for, C) We have not heard from God, exercised faith and used disciplined to pursue, D) We have not been equipped or discipled for, or E) We believe our privilege alone should get us. Those who have invested decades of blood, sweat, and tears walking by faith just to know God and be in His presence. Or those who have endured great suffering and trial to fight injustice and be where they are now, have learned like Abraham that only the LORD is "our shield and our exceedingly great reward." (Genesis 15:1) The humble truth is... whatever we have, we received it from God. (1 Cor. 4:7), so no boasting! The real privilege of Christ-followers is to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel, to follow Jesus, and to serve the LORD.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - METTLE - 05/20/2020 - Sadell Bradley

     

"As an actor, I'm always interested in my characters getting into trouble, because conflict is, you know, the great determiner of someone's mettle." 

-Mary Wiseman

 

I've said before that I have never aspired to be a leader. Over the years I've tried to avoid it by giving GOD my 'reasons' (excuses). I'm not ready, single, married, not qualified, a woman, too young, too old... any argument to say no to or at least delay the next level of leading. This might be an anomaly in a world where many seem to desire platforms. Since the pandemic has made us all engage virtually, I've had to face my fear of doing videos, over and over again. It's super uncomfortable. God is also using inter-personal conflicts; equipping and confronting leaders; facing myself and my past; and navigating the turbulence of being an African-American female clergywoman...to test and strengthen my METTLE - a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way. There are a lot of spiritual, mental, and emotional ups and downs, but God assures me that what I've been experiencing is preparing me for the future He has in store.  

 

It's a little comforting to know that I'm not alone in this struggle. Moses, Gideon, Saul, Esther, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, even Mary had questions as to why God was choosing them; how they could do what they were being asked with their glaring deficiencies and challenging circumstances; whether God would really be with them; and when He would finally show up. Some of them questioned and challenged the LORD, others hid in fear. The study above by Forbes.com in 2016 showed that about 40% of the population believes that people generally want to remain in the status quo versus reaching for something better. Why? because just to change oneself is hard without being a leader. Leadership is really difficult, it's often thankless, and it takes mettle. I guess that's why they say it's lonely at the top...or in the front. 

 

A shepherd goes before their sheep into uncharted territory to find green pastures and still waters for them, which is a lonely proposition. They care for the souls of their sheep- their emotional, and mental well being. Shepherds use their rods to correct and their staves for gathering and comfort. They venture first through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23) Jesus, the Good Shepherd, holds a relationship with His sheep of mutual knowledge and deep communication. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. They hear His voice and follow.. He faces the wolves and is willing to lay down His life for them. (John 10) We as under-shepherds have the assignment to lead like Jesus. We hold this call dearly and in reverence. It requires METTLE.   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LESSON- 05/13/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

   

"I have learned from personal experience that putting trust in God means there will be unanswered questions. That was a hard lesson for me because I naturally want to understand everything...to know what's going on so I feel like I'm in control." - Joyce Meyer

 

Failure is a lesson learned. Success is a lesson applied. I don't know who said this, but it sounds like something my mom, a 27-year elementary teaching veteran, would have told me. A LESSON is an amount of teaching given at one time; a thing learned or experienced by a student; an occurrence, example, or punishment that serves or should serve to warn or encourage; admonish or rebuke. The phrase 'to teach someone a lesson' means to punish or hurt someone as a deterrent. The phrase 'to learn one's lesson' means to acquire a greater understanding of the world through a particularly unpleasant or stressful experience. This pandemic; changes to our church, work, and family life; politics; and the Ahmaud Arberry shooting... are all offering up some pretty strong lessons. I wonder what we've learned?

I am a huge fan of not learning lessons the hard way. I would much rather glean from the negative experiences of others than have to hit a painful wall myself. Sadly, I don't always obey the LORD or use wisdom as I should. In the book of Mom Chapter 1:1, it says, "A hard head makes a soft behind!" You'll get that later. Proverbs 19:25 tells us, "If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser." Lessons are very valuable to the Believer. Jesus explained to His disciples, "I'm telling you this so that you will have PEACE..." (John 16:33) He had a reason for giving us those instructions. Disobedience, rebellion, poor judgment...all bring inner turmoil. There's nothing worse than failing a spiritual class and earning a 'do-over' for yourself.  It's worse than having to write, "I will learn my lesson," on a chalkboard 100 times...although chalk screeching is an experience that will definitely cause you to repent.

How do you respond when God is teaching you a lesson through a circumstance or a relationship? with HUMILITY - a modest or low view of your own importance. Apostles Peter and James said, "God
resists/opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6-7; 1Peter 5:5-6) Maybe the stress you're feeling is God opposing you. The remedies the Apostles offer are to: 'submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you,' or to 'humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time.'  That means the quickest way to get back up is to first really get down...as low as you can... repent, turn, and obey. Regret and lessons are real...but so are forgiveness and restoration!    

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PRESSURE - 05/06/2020 Sadell Bradley

"When poor people get involved in a long conflict, such as a strike or a civil rights drive, and the pressure increases each day, there is a deep need for spiritual advice. Without it, we see families crumble, leadership weaken, and hard workers grow tired." - Cesar Chavez   "Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise."- Kobe Bryant I was listening to the PBS news show Amanpour & Co., featuring economic and healthcare experts like Dr. David Nott, a Welsh trauma surgeon who has served for 23 years taking unpaid leaves in war-torn zones like Syria. Dr. Nott is currently battling the coronavirus in London. He stated that in traumatic situations like this pandemic, our adrenaline and survival instincts are operating. We feel OK as we're addressing the immediate crisis, but when we come out from the calamity; it may take weeks before we really feel the emotions that result from being in trauma. This is normal, and because of the breadth of the global pandemic's impact may result in mental health issues for those on the front lines of medicine and other essential workers, for those who've been homeschooling, or for those who've lost incomes. Pastors and leaders would be wise to prepare for what Cesar Chavez refers to as a coming 'deep need for spiritual advice.'  PRESSURE is the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time,      We Americans have been acculturated not just to deny that we're under pressure, but to disparage those vulnerable and transparent enough to admit it. We have been told to suck it up, to never let 'them' see you sweat. I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul faced ridicule, imprisonment, poisonous snake bites, was shipwrecked, and threatened with death...but did not shy away from stating emphatically and specifically, that he was under pressure:   8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him, we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10, NIV)     Everyone's capacity under pressure is different. That's why it's important for us to be kind to ourselves and to one another, despite how frustrated we become. It is crucial that we depend upon the sufficiency of the grace of God. Paul encourages us that God's grace- His unmerited favor and Divine ability to do through us what we cannot on our own - will superimpose itself over the weaknesses we are willing to both admit and glory in, so that Christ's power and ability can rest on us. We can choose to delight in our weaknesses and the hardships, persecutions, and distresses we face...because when we are weak...in Christ, we are strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10) Just like diamonds are really chunks of coal formed under pressure; God is allowing these trying circumstances to refine, shape, and mold us into something more beautiful and valuable.