Posts (page 2)

It's just before 7:00 am and my doctor just came in to check out everything. The surgery went very well. We should be heading home this morning after a stop at the physical therapist.

It's amazing to me the knowledge and skill of people in the medical field. Knowing exactly what to do when to do it and always doing with a smile (at least that was my experience!). Thanks to all you who checked on me in some form or fashion. I can definitely feel the love!

Now for the journey to recovery...
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything

The staff at TrueNorth is reading a book by Stephen Covey Jr titled The Speed of Trust. I highly recommend this book as it has taught me a whole lot of stuff about how the level of trust effects everything in our lives, from family to friends to work.

This week's chapter we discussed was all about learning to listen first. How many times have you been in a conversation with someone and while they are talking you are already formulating in your mind what you will say next? I know that is something I struggle with a lot. There's also prentend listening...you know what I mean, right? It's that glazed over, disinterested look people get when they could careless what you have to say.

Some of the things we brought out are how important it is to listen to others with your eyes, ears and heart and to listen without an agenda! People want to be heard in our culture today. That's why we have blogs and text messaging and Twitter and Facebook and everything else that allows us to put our thoughts and opinions out for all to see...without interruption!

For me, I'm really going to start practicing listening by keeping my agenda out of the conversation until I have heard the other person thoroughly and also being aware how much my body language portrays my level of attentiveness. After all, it shows others I care about what they have to say!

Typing that post title, my mind is drawn to the Matrix Trilogy, specifically Matrix Reloaded.  Maybe they will release a fourth one...Matrix Overloaded.  Anyway, I digress...

As I have expressed before, I am enjoying a new form of social networking called Twitter.  Twitter is a micro-blogging service that allows people to keep up with you throughout the day.  I have found it to be a great way to connect with friends and family, as well as leaders in the church world (you will find leaders in any field that you can find in order to stay current on thoughts and trends in that industry).

Twitter Overload

Well, one downfall to Twitter is the dreaded whale picture seen to the right.  If you see Moby over here, that means Twitter is experiencing high traffic and the service is not available.  It usually does not last long, but it can be irritating.  I do believe the tech folks of Twitter are on top of it though because these inconveniences are short lived these days.

So there, I admit one thing I do not like about Twitter.  But to all you nay-Twitterers out there, I am not giving it up!  (That means this guy.)

For those of you on Twitter or curious about it, stop by when you get a chance.

Today marks one week from my dreaded, but welcomed, knee surgery.  Yes, if you haven't heard (you know, both of you), I am having surgery to repair a torn ACL in my left knee.  I can't express the excitement that I have about this.  I'm ecstatic.  (Can you feel the sarcasm?)

Seriously, once it's all said and done, I'll actually be able to run around and play with my kids which I can't do right now for fear of blowing my knee out.  I'm 31 and I'm an invalid.

So...anybody want to play some basketball in about 8 months???

So I discovered a really cool thing (thanks to my brother, Brian).  It's called Pandora, and it's a free online music site that actually creates radio stations based off your likes and dislikes.  How stinkin' cool is that?

Here's how it works.  When I signed in, it asked me to type a band/artist name that I like, so I typed in Coldplay (after all, who doesn't like Coldplay?).  So from there, Pandora begins learning my musical tastes.  It will play a song that is either from Coldplay or a similar band and I check whether I like or dislike.  Really innovate. 

I think this whole Web 2.0 thing is going to catch on...

Family Ties

I would have to rate Family Ties as one of my favorite shows from my childhood.  Not really sure what it was, but it was one I rarely missed.

I had the privilege of seeing family ties in action this past week as I got to hang out with my father-in-law, Ronnie Jenkins, on our vacation to Knoxville, TN.  To start off the week, he had organized a family get together of all the extended family in honor of our visit.  I enjoyed watching him enjoy the day as family members laughed and reminisced of good times they'd experienced in the past.  After it was all over, we (me, Laurie and my in-laws) sat and just talked about the great day we had.  The joy in his eyes was contagious!

Later in the week, as we watched my boys run up and down a slip-n-slide, we shared memories of how each of us grew up...family fun and quirks that have shaped us to be who we are today.  I listened intently to him share and he did the same with me.

I learned a whole new respect and admiration for my father-in-law as his love for family was shown throughout the week.  It was actually incredibly inspiring to me and made me realize how much I can tend to take my family for granted.  In time when family values are becoming rare, I'm thankful for this reminder of its importance!

I've been spending time this morning planning upcoming services and one particular theme has resonated in my heart...compassion.  I spent time sifting through videos and songs to see how we can provide the most powerful worship experience for that service.  I also ran across this video on Steven Furtick's blog (he's the pastor of Elevation Church that we have been showing for Week 4 of the One Prayer series at TNC).

I become more and more convinced that it is through compassion and love that God will continue to change this world.  It breaks my heart that many in our world today view God's people as lacking compassion.  They see us for what we're against and not what we're for.

Two songs that are on the front of my mind are Mighty to Save by Hillsong United and I Will Go by Starfield.  The heart beat of them both is powerful.  If you don't already know them, download them ASAP because the message at the heart of them both is about loving people and not focusing on ourselves.

God, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.  Clothe us with compassion to change this world.  Amen.

You've heard me talk about my son, Austin, who was baptized recently.  I can't say enough how much his transformation has blown me and my wife away.  Here's the latest thing that has been so cool:  the 8-year old son is inspiring mom and dad to get more serious and passionate about Jesus!  How wild is that???  Last week, seeing him take his bible and devotional book out on the porch to spend time with God was incredibly powerful.

What did I ever do to be blessed with such an amazing child?  And, here's the kicker, there's three more!  Can't wait to see what God does through them!!!

A few years ago a good friend of mine unknowingly created a nickname for me that has stuck for quite a while.  We were in a conversation and he was telling a story that involved my name, but he didn't quite get it right.  Before I knew it, my last name had suddenly changed to "Bradley".  I couldn't let this go, so I jokingly told him if he's going to butcher my last name, he might as well do the same to my first and call me "Kelvin".  A homemade t-followed shortly after.  Ever since, the name Kelvin Bradley has followed me as a constant reminder of the name butchering that went on that day.  If I could remember the exact date, I'd almost be tempted to declare that day a holiday...the official Kelvin Bradley Day.  Oh well, it may not reach legendary status, but it does make appearances every now and then.  And some may ask the question: Who is Kelvin Bradley?