Daddy/Daughter Time

Time with my daughters is precious. Approximately once a month we have "Daddy/Daughter dates" that Rachel practically begs for, probably because she gets Ice Cream :) Anyhow, we eat, play, and laugh together. My greatest desire in this is to teach her to follow Jesus with some one on one time. In the years to come, I pray that she will learn from her daddy how a godly man should lead her and care for her. 

Thanks Kevin Deyoung for an exhortative and instructive word concerning "budgeting for missions that fulfill the Great Commission." Fact is, I fail at strategizing my giving to fit Kingdom purposes when such comes to missions. Do I give to missions? Yes. Do I desire to give more to missions? Absolutely. However, I must be strategic in planning to give in the days and years ahead, as well as leading my church family to do the same. Kevin's article "Questions for Your Missions Budget," which can be found here will provide some food for thought as I pray and consider our next budget year both in my immediate family and local church family. 

Philippians Exhortation

Presently our church family is studying through Philippians on Sunday mornings. Paul instructs the Philippians to "live lives worthy of the Gospel" - better translation awaits as my brother Dave Black points out, "who can live a life worthy of the gospel?" What does this look like? What challenges come with seeking to live this life? I was challenged this evening when reading Black's Blog post and though you too, especially my church family, would be challenged as well. So here ya go, and thanks Dave for the needed exhortation. BTW, his blog can be found here.

"9:08 AM On Monday night I'll be speaking to a group of young professionals who are studying the book of Philippians in their pastor's home. My question to them will be this: Will it make any difference in your lives? We cannot treat the New Testament as a collection of intellectual insights. We distort its message when we use it merely as an exegetical tool. Truth alone, not knowledge, leads to lasting change in our lives. In Philippians, Paul is not offering us a philosophy. Read 1:27. Think about what Paul is saying here. It's not, "I have great kids! I got that job!" It's about putting the Gospel first and not allowing our lives to be hijacked by other agendas (homeschooling, "Christian" agrarianism, conservative politics, etc.).

The sad fact is that we can read and even exegete Philippians and still not be biblical in the way we live. We simply don't understand its message or, if we do, we refuse to obey it. Personal fulfillment remains our number one goal in life, and our lives remain unchanged. Need-driven, we rob the Scriptures of their vitality. We must opt for something better. If the entire goal and orientation of our lives is wrong, we need more than Bible study to make things right. We need Someone who will change us from the inside out, a Savior who will empower us to do what He calls us to do. There is no hope or power for change in education. Let me repeat that: There is no hope or power for change in education. None. Our only true hope is in a personal, daily encounter with the risen Christ. I am amazed at how often we have so little sense of the God of the Gospel whose love for the world should cause us to gladly accept suffering as a tool of His redemptive love. Suffering? Not for me!

Two things always hit me when I teach the book of Philippians. First, I am struck by the sheer simplicity of Christianity. It is not complicated at all. It is simply a call to have the selfless mind of Christ and to serve others. It is living in humble obedience as good citizens of a heavenly kingdom. It is loving as Christ loved -- sacrificially and even scandalously. It is basically a call to die.

At the same time, I am struck by the utter impossibility of anyone ever living this way. Our hearts are closed to such a way of living, our eyes blinded to its beauty. But opening blind eyes is at the heart of the Spirit's work in us. I sympathize with people who are caught up in the rat race of being "good Christians." I hope the message of Philippians will penetrate to the core of their beings.

Students, I will be holding you accountable. The book of Philippians is nothing less than a call to live a daily life of serving and suffering for the sake of others. This lifestyle doesn't require any more knowledge. It calls for a response. Like all true educational endeavors, Bible study must be incarnational. God is calling us to the same incarnational ministry that Christ had by the power of the same Holy Spirit. We must not merely claim to be followers of Jesus. We must love people like He did. Students, that's what Ill be asking you to do."

Reaching NE India with the gospel

Though riddled with our financial issues and times of crisis, our nation still resides among the richest nations in the world. God, in His divine plan, has allowed us to prosper financially. The poorest in our nation would be among the richest in "Developing" countries (third world countries). This prosperity is not without purpose. Our prosperity, I speak to the people of God, serves as a resource to fulfill God's mission to proclaim His name among the nations. He has appointed us as stewards over His resources to be utilized for kingdom purposes, for His glory. Padding our own wallets and building our own kingdoms are not an option for the follower of Jesus. All we have is to be used for His kingdom and His glory. How are you investing internationally into His kingdom purposes? How are you utilizing your God give prosperity and resources for His glory? Are you looking for an opportunity? I invite you, then, to consider partnering with the Peniel Gospel Team of NE India. PGT seeks to glorify God by planting churches throughout the State of West Bengal, India in order to make followers of Jesus. PGT utilizes orphanages, Free schools in villages, a Missionary children's home, a Bible college (seminary), and other avenues of ministry in an effort to plant a church in every village throughout West Bengal. Below are some ways you can utilize the "riches" given to us by God to further the gospel through partnering with PGT (the Peniel Gospel Team).

Missionary/evangelist support - $50/per month

Seminary student support - $35/per month

Seminary/school project per class room - $5000.

Books for library for seminary - $3000

Motorbike for missionary - $1550

Cycle for missionary - $100

Literature for evangelist/missionary for distribution - $800

Mosquito nets for children in orphanage and children home -$5 per mosquito net for 122 students.

Winter clothes for children - $15 for per students for $58 students for missionary children 

Winter blankets for children - $12 for per students for 122 students.

Purchase of new books for the children for new session - $120 per students for 58 children 

If you are interested, you can email me: joelbradsher@gmail .com and I will gladly provide you with the information needed to support the above ministries of the PGT. 

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind. (Proverbs 23:26-28 ESV)

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 ESV)

In a society enamored with sexual innuendoes, promiscuous lifestyles, homosexual agendas, pornographic images, and perverted pleasures, the Scriptures remind us of the destructive and deadly ways of sexual immorality. The believer must be vigilant to obstain from sexual immorality (any form of sexual pursuits or practices outside the marital covenant) while pursuing the will of God: holiness, honor, and sanctification. God desires us to experience supreme pleasure, which is only discovered and enjoyed in Him, by observing His ways. The above texts remind us and instruct us to pursue holiness and purity, a needed reminder and word of instruction in a world opposed to His perfect ways. May the God of all grace and mercy enable us to remain pure and holy while being surrounded by a society that praises sexual immorality. 

The Nut Cracker Adventure

Kimberly and I enjoyed some "culturization" this afternoon as we attended the "Nutcracker" at the Duke Energy Center of Arts in Raleigh, NC. We both agreed that our first adventure of attending a Ballet was enjoyable and educating. Thanks to Papa B (Dave Black) for sending us as well as April and Blaire Roberts for keeping the Fab Five (Nathan, Michael, Rachel, Abigail, and Caleb) that Kimberly and me may enjoy an evening of entertainment alone. Would I attend again? Most certainly! Though a few years ago I would have never gone :) This ol' country boy is learning to love the Arts as an expression of God's Creation. 

Christmas adoption

Christmas is always an exciting time for our families as we, together, celebrate the Incarnation of our King, Jesus Christ. The past 6 years have been filled with joy as we have added a child ever 2yrs since 2007 when Nathan, our oldest son, was born. The Father gave us Rachel in 2009 and then Caleb in 2011. All three brought us great pleasure and excitement was we experienced the beauty of life entering the world. This year we are excited, not about one addition, but rather two additions to the Bradsher nation as The Father has blessed us with Michael and Abigail, pictured in the the middle below. We are currently in the adoption process awaiting the final court date when, Lord willing, all will be finalized. I thank my God for such a wonderful, beautiful Christmas gift - having a part in exemplifying to the world the "reason for the season." Yes, the "Reason for the Season." How is adoption the reason for the Christmas season? Luke recorded Jesus stating the reason for His Incarnation (physically becoming a man), "for the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] has come to seek and to save the lost." Jesus was born to die for the redemption of man. Paul says such another way in Ephesians 1:5, "having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will," the Christ of God was born Jesus the man in Bethlehem so that we who once were not in God's family could become a member of God's family, a forever child of God. Thus, Jesus Christ was born, Christmas, for our eternal adoption. Though our adopting Michael and Abigail is not eternal, our willingly and joyfully embracing them into our family, making them our children, at least in part exemplifies the grace of God shown to us as He adopted us into His family. We celebrate Christmas this year in a whole different light as we are reminded of His willingly and joyfully adopting us into His family. From the Bradshere nation to you: Merry Christmas!