A Time for Life

January 9, 2026November 30, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Today, April and her Filipina Bible study group are surprising one of their members. It is her 45^th birthday. They have gathered at our house until everyone is here, and then they will go to her house all at one time. I must say, since marrying a Filipino, I have witnessed how sincerely honest and excited they are when it comes to celebrating life together. One member of the group had a brother in the Philippines who passed away this past week. The group mourned with her and shared words of comfort and support.

The Bible says a few things about life. Like how it goes and how we should do it together. Sadly, though, it seems as if in today’s times, people are narcissistic and selfish. It’s all about them. And if you are involved in their life, it’s as if they say, “What can you do for me?” I know that below are more scriptures than I normally share, but God really does know best how to do life with others.

3 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
²A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
³A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
⁴A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
⁷A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
⁸A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecc. 3:1-8 (AMPC)

12 ^1-2So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

³I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

^4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

^6-8If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

* * *

^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

^11-13Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

^17-19Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

^20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Rom. 12 (MSG)

Spiritual Thermostat

January 6, 2026November 28, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you have a “spiritual thermostat” in your home? You probably have a regular thermostat, at least in America. Other than in the U.S., I’ve only lived in the Philippines for a few months, and we didn’t have one there on the wall, but the air conditioner we used had different settings on it.

So, what do I mean by a “spiritual thermostat?” Walking through our home today, I noticed an atmosphere of peace, joy, and love. It felt good and comfortable. I stopped long enough to think about it and figure out, “Why?”

I believe I have been open and honest about my struggle of being married for a second time. Learning to believe and trust someone can be difficult. Honest about how I have fought my fears concerning April and if I could trust her true motives. Needless to say, I have had to talk to God about it, like, a lot! I have complained, cried out, begged, and asked for answers and His help.

God heard me, and in His timing, He answered me. He has helped me be a spiritual leader in our home. He has helped me to believe April and has helped me trust her. He has also given me the strength and wisdom to be quiet and, when needed, to walk away. The result is that the “spiritual thermostat” has been adjusted and is now set to where it should be.

It doesn’t matter if April helps or not. It is my responsibility to do what is required or expected of me to lead us spiritually. I am thankful for God and his help. I like walking around the house feeling peace, joy, and love. And the greatest of those is love.

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual qualities such as love, joy, and peace, which are meant to be limitless and transformative in our lives. Gal. 5:22-23 (TPT)

Welcome to the New Year

January 2, 2026November 22, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The clock’s hands tremble at midnight,
as if they too feel the weight of time’s turning.
One breath, one heartbeat—
and the old year exhales its final sigh.

We stand at the threshold,
feet on the worn floorboards of yesterday,
eyes fixed on the bright doorway of tomorrow.
The air hums with possibility—
like unopened letters,
like seeds sleeping beneath winter soil.

The New Year is not just a date,
but a soft invitation:
to forgive what hurt,
to carry forward what healed,
to dream without apology.

In its first quiet hours,
the world feels tender,
as though it knows we are fragile too.
We promise ourselves new beginnings,
but perhaps the truest promise
is to keep showing up—
even when the days are ordinary,
even when the light is slow to return.

So here’s to the year ahead:
to the laughter that will surprise us,
to the tears that will teach us,
to the moments we will not see coming—
and to the courage to meet them all.

May we step into this year
not as who we were,
but as who we are becoming.

(The above poem was written via AI.)

I have stated before that I am always hopeful for a new year. It’s like having the slate wiped clean and a fresh start to see if you can get this one right. Of course, it usually isn’t too long before I need forgiveness. I’m glad I never go into a new year alone. I know God is always with me. So, with Him, I can face whatever the new year holds for me. If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ into your heart or asked for forgiveness for your sins, I hope you will. Then, you too can have peace as you enter a new year. “Happy New Year!”

The Hilariously Honest Guide to Surviving New Year’s Eve

December 30, 2025November 18, 2025 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Ah, New Year’s Eve — that magical night when we collectively decide that next year will be different… right after we finish this last plate of nachos and questionable champagne.

Let’s be real: NYE is less about “new beginnings” and more about “trying to stay awake until midnight without turning into a pumpkin.” Here’s the unfiltered truth about the night we all pretend to have under control.

1. The Outfit Illusion
You start the night in a glittery outfit that screams, “I’m ready for 2026!” By 11:45 p.m., you’re barefoot, your hair looks like you’ve been in a wind tunnel, and you’re clutching a coat that isn’t even yours.

2. The Resolution Roulette
Everyone’s making resolutions like they’re auditioning for a self-help book.

“I’m going to run a marathon!” (…to the fridge.)
“I’ll stop eating sugar!” (…after this cupcake.)
“I’ll be more organized!” (…once I find my phone.)

3. The Midnight Countdown Chaos
The countdown is supposed to be magical, but somehow:

The TV is on a 7-second delay.
Someone’s yelling “Happy New Year!” at 11:59.
You’re still trying to figure out where your champagne glass went.

4. The Post-Midnight Mystery
After the hugs, confetti, and awkward cheek kisses, there’s always that moment of “Now what?” Do we keep partying? Do we go home? Do we just… eat more cheese? (Spoiler: it’s always cheese.)

5. The Morning After
You wake up on January 1st with glitter in places glitter should never be, a vague memory of singing loudly in public, and the comforting thought that you have 364 more days to get your life together.

✨ Final Thought:
New Year’s Eve is like a sparkly, chaotic group project — no one really knows what’s going on, but somehow, we all pass. So here’s to another year of trying, laughing, and pretending we know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.”

The above words may certainly describe some of us. I think the last two years, I have been in bed by 10 PM only to be woken up at midnight by fireworks. “Happy New Year,” and then back to sleep.

Years ago, I gave up trying to make New Year’s resolutions. I usually broke them before January 1^st was over anyway. Most people want to improve themselves. For me, that means learning to react to people with one of the Fruits of the Spirit. The one I need most often is “self-control.” But the truth is this: I can’t really make myself better without God’s help. I ask him to help me often. For where I am weak, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

This practice can make any year happier, whether it’s new or not. Happy New Year, everyone!

(Portions of this blog post were generated via AI.)

The Fine Art of Returning Christmas Gifts (Like a Holiday Ninja)

December 26, 2025December 26, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The holidays are magical — twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, and… plotting your stealth mission to the returns counter. Because let’s face it, not every gift is a keeper.

1. The “Ohhh… Wow!” Face
When you unwrap something that looks like it escaped from a yard sale in 1987, channel your inner Oscar-winning actor. Smile big, nod slowly, and say, “This is… so… unexpected!” Translation: Where’s the receipt?

2. The Receipt Hunt
Gift receipts are mythical creatures. Without one, you’re stuck with store credit — which is how you end up owning a lifetime supply of “Cinnamon Moose” candles.

3. Re-Gift or Release
Some gifts are too bizarre to keep but too guilt-inducing to toss. Solution? The Re-Gift Stash — a secret vault where questionable presents wait for their next unsuspecting victim.

4. Return Counter Survival Skills
Post-Christmas returns are basically the Hunger Games with shopping carts. You’ll need speed, agility, and the ability to answer “Why are you returning this?” without blurting, “Because it’s ugly.”

5. The Gift’s True Destiny
Returning isn’t ungrateful — it’s matchmaking. Somewhere out there, someone wants that neon sweater with the 3D reindeer nose. And bless their festive little heart.

The best gifts never get returned. They are the ones where the giver knows the person well. Knows what they like and knows what they have need of. The best gifts are held close to the heart.

That is why God gave us His only Son, Jesus. He knows us and knew our greatest need was a savior, not a financial wizard or an educator, or anything else, but someone who could pay the price for our sins. (John 3:16)

When one accepts God’s gift, opens it, if you will, and tries it on, there is no doubt that after feeling the release of bondage, will not want to return it. God’s gift also comes with an instruction book, called the Bible, and I strongly recommend reading it from cover to cover. (It would be interesting if IKEA came out with its own version of the Bible. It would have no words but pictures only.) Don’t be like a typical man and put God’s word in a drawer and think that you can have a relationship with God without reading it. Technically, you can, but if you want to enjoy your gift to the fullest extent, then you will want to read it.

“Thank you, God, for the greatest gift ever, and Happy belated Birthday, Jesus! Love you,”

Getting Excited

December 23, 2025November 14, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When I was a child, as Christmas approached, I would get increasingly excited. I knew we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, but the gifts I received were usually awesome! When I became a father, my excitement grew even more. Not for me, though, but for my children. Why? Because I knew what was coming. I couldn’t wait to see the pure joy on their little faces as they unwrapped their gifts.

The world is facing some tough times. Honestly, without God, I don’t see how people are making it. Where do they find their hope? And where do they place their trust? Is there anything to look forward to? Anything to get excited about?

I have heard, firsthand, stories of individuals who do know God, smiling in the moments before they cross over into heaven. Some even see Jesus coming to welcome them home and to give them a personal escort. I heard of one such story last week. The daughter of the woman who passed said in the final moment her mother started smiling, and the siblings all said in agreement, “Mom, go on home. We will be okay.” And she did. I heard my uncle cried out, “I see him! I see him!” And then he closed his eyes, smiled, and went with Jesus. They got excited because they knew what was coming.

I have read the Bible and have heard countless sermons and teachings about what lies in store for the one who has accepted Jesus Christ. Who has asked for their sins to be forgiven and go on to walk with God. Heaven sounds pretty awesome! Especially when compared to the only other alternative, hell. Yes, times are difficult, but I put my trust and faith in the Lord, God Almighty. He has never let me down before, and I don’t think He will in the future. Personally, I’m not afraid to die. I know in my heart I am ready to stand before God and give an account for how I have lived my life. And honestly, I sometimes get excited about death because I know what is coming!

It’s the Christmas season. I hope there are gifts under your Christmas tree. I hope you have excitement in your heart, not just for the gifts, but for gathering with family and friends. But I hope more that you, too, know and have accepted Jesus into your life, and that is the true source of your excitement. If you have, then you, too, can get excited, for you have the hope of what is coming!

¹ Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). ²Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Rom. 5:1-2 (AMPC)

Is He Real?

December 19, 2025November 14, 2025 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I know I had it at the age of four. Logic and problem-solving skills, that is. One day, my older sister and I went Christmas shopping with my mother. At Promenade Mall, we saw at least four Santa Clauses. Of course, none of them looked the same, or like the typical image we think of, and one was even a different race than me. This didn’t sit well.

Then there were all the other problems with Santa. We didn’t have a fireplace in our home, and even if we did, wouldn’t it be too hot for him to come down? And how he allegedly traveled the whole world in one night. I didn’t think so. Not to mention the issue of carrying all those toys. It just didn’t make sense to me. One such movie addressed these issues, but it wasn’t around when I was four.

On the way home, the mystery of Santa Claus became clear. I was excited, so I blurted it out. My sister started crying and screaming, “No! No! It’s not true!” My mother almost wrecked the car trying to reach back and slap my legs out of anger. Then she yelled at me to shut my mouth and not say another word. It was a different time between parents and kids back then, so of course, I obeyed. The rest of the ride home was, can you say, “Awkward?”

After we got home, and my mother put things away, she entered my room. I knew she was still angry with me. She said, “You think you are so smart! If you want to ruin Christmas for yourself, then fine, but don’t you dare ruin it for any other child, including your sister!” (Notice I didn’t say what I figured out here, still keeping my promise to my mother some sixty years later!) I think she then went and told my sister I was wrong, and my sister continued to believe a few more years after that.

To this day, things still have to make sense to me before I can accept them. Having logic and problem-solving skills has served me well all these years. I thank God for those gifts. But one area of my life where I can’t always figure things out is with my faith. One thing hard to understand is how God’s love for us has no bounds. It never runs out, as if each person is allocated a certain amount. And then he gave us his only Son, knowing he would die a horrible, excruciating death on the cross that provides forgiveness for our sins. That blows my mind, and having a son, I’m not sure I could have done the same.

Of course, Jesus’ birth is the whole reason we have Christmas. Talk about divine moments, when the Holy Spirit moved upon Mary and she became pregnant with the Son of God. Wow! She must have felt so special, even though she didn’t understand it all, yet she believed. I’m sure she had more questions than answers. I know, at times, I do.

For instance, the way God does things and his timing. I would certainly like to have him help me figure out his timing. But as I have read his word, the Bible, I have come across scriptures that do help me, especially when things don’t make sense. Like, Isaiah 58:8-9:

“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (MSG)

The greatest gift one can receive in life is God’s Son, Jesus. Yes, it can be difficult to accept, but that is where God gave us another gift. “A measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) One doesn’t have to try to problem-solve their relationship with God. And it doesn’t even have to be logical or make sense first before we accept him. All we have to do is believe. Our faith is something we should blurt out to everyone.

God is real. Heaven and hell are real. For that matter, so is the devil. Satan doesn’t want you to believe in God. He tries so hard to keep doubt in your mind. He is the one who proposes questions in your mind that can hinder you from believing and then accepting God into your life. So, knowing what is real, start there. And if you struggle a little, it’s okay. Ask God to help you believe and then grow in your relationship with God. I assure you, it’s the best gift you will ever unwrap in your life.

She Knew – He Knows

December 16, 2025November 14, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Growing up, my mother would always ask my sister and me what we wanted for Christmas. She usually popped the question around the end of September, kicking off the magic of the season. My sister would soon deliver to my mother a rather long list of items. I felt as though we were somewhat poor, and I would be embarrassed if I asked for too much or something too expensive. So, I would tell my mother I didn’t have anything to submit.

On Christmas Day, I would be amazed when I opened my gifts. It seemed they would turn out to be what I secretly wanted in my heart or something better that I didn’t even know I wanted. I often wondered, how in the world does Mom do this every year? How does she know?

It wasn’t until I was a father that I learned her secret. She listened and she paid attention to what caught my eye in a catalog (that’s a book that would arrive in the mail with cool items for Christmas) or on TV. She knew. I started using the same technique with my own children. I have always found a lot of joy in giving someone a gift they didn’t expect.

Through my many years of walking with God, I have realized how true it is when it is written in the Bible that our Heavenly Father likes to give good gifts. (Matt. 7:11) Yes, there are times I tell him what I need, but the best gifts from Him have been the ones that surprised me.

One Christmas season, I was alone in the house, and so I went snooping. There, on the other side of my parents’ bed, was a big box. I had become a pro at slicing tape with an X-Acto knife and then replacing it with tape of the same kind and length. Under the wrapping was a 13-inch black and white TV. I thought Oh, wow! My sister is going to love this! It was the early 70s, okay?

On Christmas morning, I sat there and watched my sister open gift after gift while all I had in my pile was a new pair of jeans and a shirt. I thought perhaps I hadn’t been as good a kid as I should have, so I was okay with the disproportion of the take.

After all of the gifts were opened, and we started cleaning up the mess, my mother told my father, “Oh. We forgot one. Why don’t you go get it from our bedroom.” He did and set it down in front of me. Of course, I recognized it. I blurted out, “This isn’t mine!” “How do you know?” questioned my mother. She had her suspicion that I snooped or peeked at the gifts, but she didn’t have enough evidence that would have put me away. I said, “Because it’s so big.” “It’s yours,” said Mom. “Open it.” So, I did, and of course, I had to put on an act showing my surprise that would have won me an Oscar.

Now the gift exchange was over, and we all took our presents to our bedrooms. I couldn’t wait to get the TV out and plug it in. A few minutes later, I heard a commotion in my sister’s room. She was crying. My mother heard it, too. She heard everything in the house. She went in to investigate, and my sister confessed that she wanted the TV and didn’t think it was fair that I got one. My mother pointed out everything that she had gotten, and that she shouldn’t be jealous.

I unplugged the TV and carried it into my sister’s room. She was so happy, but my mother became furious and very firmly instructed me to take it back. I felt bad for my sister, and I didn’t totally understand then why she was acting that way. I guess we both could have used a Dr. Phil episode on siblings, in black and white.

A few years ago, my wife and I were in desperate need of about $1000. We prayed and asked God to provide. I looked at our situation, and I could not figure out a way to get that kind of money quickly. While praying again, as if God didn’t hear me the first time, I got a sense in my spirit to log into my bank’s app and look at our account balance. I did, but I didn’t expect anything to have changed from the last time I had looked at it, ten minutes earlier, but there it was. $1063.00 had been deposited into our account by my retirement fund company. I called them up and they said there had been an audit of my pension, and it found I was owed that money. I cried as I told my story to the man on the phone.

God does hear us. He encourages us to ask for what we need even though He already knows. Why? Because it demonstrates that we have enough faith in him to ask. We may not know how He is going to do it or if He will do it, but we should ask anyway. And there are times God gives us gifts that we may not need, but He wants to bless us anyway. And it doesn’t matter if the gift is big or small. Also, we should never get jealous of a gift that God gives to someone else. These days, I’m happy and thankful every time I pull back into our garage safe and unharmed after being out. Now that’s a gift! So, go ahead and give God your list even though He knows.

The Purpose of Christmas

December 12, 2025November 15, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When December rolls around, it’s easy to get swept up in the glittering lights, festive music, and the rush of holiday shopping. While these traditions bring joy and togetherness, the true meaning of Christmas runs much deeper—it’s about love, hope, and the gift of presence over presents.

At its heart, Christmas is a celebration of light breaking into darkness. For Christians, it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, a moment that symbolizes God’s love and the promise of redemption. But even beyond faith traditions, the season carries a universal message: kindness, generosity, and connection matter more than material things.

Christmas invites us to show love in tangible ways—through compassion, forgiveness, and time spent with those who matter most. It’s a reminder that relationships are the real treasures of life.

The story of Christmas is one of hope against all odds. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or global uncertainty, the season whispers that brighter days are ahead.

Gift-giving is beautiful when it reflects thoughtfulness rather than obligation. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are not bought—they’re shared moments, heartfelt words, or acts of service.

Amid the noise, Christmas offers a chance to slow down, reflect on the year, and realign with what truly matters. It’s a season to let go of grudges and embrace peace.

The true meaning of Christmas isn’t meant to fade when the decorations come down. Carrying its spirit into everyday life—through kindness, gratitude, and empathy—can transform not just the season, but the entire year.

In the end, Christmas is less about what’s under the tree and more about who’s around it. It’s about hearts opening, hands giving, and hope shining brightly, and of course, God’s love in motion that forgives the sins of the world through Jesus.

(I have been experimenting with AI. A good portion of this blog post was written via AI.)

Monopoly – A Game of Spiritual Analogies?

December 9, 2025November 15, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

At first glance, Monopoly might seem like nothing more than a competitive scramble for cash, property, and power. But if we look closer, this classic board game can actually serve as a thought-provoking metaphor for biblical truths about life, stewardship, and eternity.

In Monopoly, no matter how many hotels you own or how much cash you’ve stacked, the game eventually ends. When it’s over, everything goes back in the box. The Bible reminds us of the same reality: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). Our earthly possessions are temporary; what truly matters is how we use them for God’s purposes. And at the end of your life, you, too, will go into a box.

In the game, you never truly “own” the board — you’re just managing resources for a time. Likewise, scripture teaches that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). We are stewards, entrusted with time, talents, and treasures to manage wisely. Winning in God’s eyes isn’t about accumulation, but about faithfulness.

Monopoly often rewards aggressive acquisition, but in real life, unchecked greed can destroy relationships and peace. Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). The game can be a playful reminder of how easily our hearts can be drawn toward “more” instead of “enough.”

Monopoly may be a game of strategy and competition, but it can also be a mirror for our spiritual lives. The real “victory” isn’t measured in property deeds or stacks of cash, but in a life lived with open hands, a generous heart, and an eternal perspective.

In Monopoly, one player’s gain is often another’s loss. But the Kingdom of God operates differently — it’s not a zero-sum game. In Christ, we are called to generosity, lifting others up rather than bankrupting them. Imagine if we played life more like that — offering mercy, forgiveness, and help instead of just trying to “win.”

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you