SMS

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Feeling stranded on a deserted island is terrifying — but feeling spiritually stranded can be even more disorienting. Both situations demand intentional survival, clear priorities, and the courage to keep going when everything in you wants to give up. Below is a spiritual blog post that compares a literal survival list with the survival tools God gives us when we feel alone, overwhelmed, or spiritually marooned.

There are seasons when walking with God feels less like a peaceful garden stroll and more like waking up on a deserted island with nothing but questions, exhaustion, and a vague hope that help is coming. But just like a castaway needs tools to survive, God gives us spiritual tools to endure, rebuild, and thrive.

1. Water Purification → The Word of God

On a deserted island, the first priority is clean water. Without it, the body weakens quickly. Spiritually, the Word of God is our water — pure, cleansing, life‑sustaining. “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) When your soul feels dry, confused, or polluted by fear, Scripture filters the lies and refreshes the heart.

2. Fire Starter → The Fire of the Holy Spirit

Fire means warmth, protection, and the ability to keep going. Paul told Timothy,
“Fan into flame the gift of God.” (2 Timothy 1:6) When you feel spiritually deserted, the Holy Spirit rekindles passion, courage, and clarity. He keeps the cold of discouragement from freezing your faith.

3. Shelter Materials → God as Your Refuge

A castaway needs shelter from storms, heat, and predators. Spiritually, God Himself becomes our shelter: “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble.” (Psalm 32:7) When life feels harsh, unpredictable, or hostile, His presence becomes the roof over your soul.

4. Cutting Tool → Discernment

A knife on a deserted island is used to cut away what doesn’t belong — vines, branches, obstacles. Spiritually, discernment does the same. “Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) When you feel spiritually isolated, discernment helps you cut away lies, distractions, and destructive thoughts.

5. Fishing Kit → Daily Spiritual Nourishment

A castaway must find food daily — not once a week. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) When you feel spiritually deserted, you must feed your spirit intentionally: prayer, worship, scripture, fellowship (even if it’s just one trusted believer).

6. Signal Mirror → Crying Out to God

A signal mirror is used to get the attention of rescuers. Spiritually, calling out to God is not weakness — it’s survival. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.” (Psalm 50:15) When you feel alone, your cry becomes your signal flare.

7. Compass → The Guidance of the Spirit

A compass keeps a castaway from walking in circles. Spiritually, the Holy Spirit keeps us from wandering aimlessly. “He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) When you feel directionless, He points you toward hope, purpose, and the next right step. He also keeps you facing your true North, remembering your purpose and what you were made for.

8. First Aid Kit → God’s Healing

Injuries happen on deserted islands — and in deserted seasons. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) God doesn’t just help you survive the island — He heals what the island wounded.

Final Thought: You Are Not Actually Alone

Even when you feel spiritually deserted, you are not abandoned. Jesus promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) A deserted island season is not punishment — it’s preparation. It’s where God teaches you to rely on Him, hear Him clearly, and discover that His presence is enough. And when the rescue comes — and it will — you’ll walk out stronger, wiser, and more anchored than before. Oh! “SMS” stands for “Save My Soul.”

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

God’s Top Ten

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TV host standing next to a screen showing a humorous top ten list about cats
A TV host presents a funny top ten list about why his cat is smarter than a boss, generated via AI.

A lot of people may think that Dave Letterman was the originator of “Top Ten” lists. Truth is, he wasn’t. God wrote his at least a couple of thousand years earlier. Below is the original list with a modern translation.

1. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Put ultimate trust in what is truly worthy.
Don’t let money, politics, celebrity culture, or your own ego become the thing you revolve your life around.

2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol.” (Exodus 20:4)

Don’t worship what you created.
Technology, brands, influencers, and institutions are tools — not deities. Don’t let them define your identity.

3. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord.” (Exodus 20:7)

Use sacred things with respect.
Don’t weaponize faith, truth, or moral language to manipulate, shame, or score points.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

Protect real rest.
Unplug. Stop grinding. Let your mind and body breathe. Rest isn’t laziness — it’s obedience to your design.

5. “Honor your father and mother.” (Exodus 20:12)

Honor the people who raised, taught, or supported you.
Show gratitude. Break cycles of bitterness. Build relationships that heal rather than repeat harm.

6. “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)

Protect life and dignity.
Reject violence, cruelty, and dehumanization — in speech, in systems, and in action.

7. “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

Be faithful to your commitments.
Whether in marriage, partnership, or community, treat trust as sacred and intimacy as something not to be exploited.

8. “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)

Respect what belongs to others.
Not just possessions — but ideas, labor, credit, boundaries, and time.

9. “You shall not bear false witness.” (Exodus 20:16)

Tell the truth, especially when it’s inconvenient.
Don’t distort, exaggerate, or spread misinformation. Integrity matters more than winning.

10. “You shall not covet.” (Exodus 20:17)

Celebrate others without resenting them.
Comparison is a thief. Gratitude is freedom. Want less, appreciate more.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Road Without Directions

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Empty multi-lane highway with metal overhead gantries in a dry, mountainous desert area
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There’s a moment on every spiritual path when you realize you’ve been “driving to New York without a map.” You know you’re headed somewhere meaningful, somewhere that feels like destiny, but the route is foggy, the signs are confusing, and the GPS inside your heart keeps recalculating. And honestly, that’s what makes the journey sacred.

Imagine getting in your car in Tulsa, turning the key, and deciding, I’m going to New York.
No map.
No GPS.
No itinerary.
Just a sense that New York is where you’re meant to be.

When I was a young man, God asked me to give up a guaranteed paycheck, to say goodbye to family and friends, and to travel 1,641 miles from home to be used of Him as he saw fit. Nothing was sure, but His call on my life.

At first, it feels exciting. You’re fueled by obedience and possibility. But after a few hours, the uncertainty creeps in. You start wondering: Am I even going the right way? What if I’m completely lost? What if I miss something important?

That’s the spiritual journey in a nutshell. We feel the pull toward growth, healing, purpose, or transformation, but the path isn’t laid out like a highway. It’s more like a series of unmarked backroads that only make sense in hindsight.

If life handed you a perfect map, you’d follow it mechanically. You’d never discover the hidden towns, the unexpected detours, the strangers who become guides, or the quiet moments that reshape you. A map would give you certainty, but it would steal your becoming. Spiritual growth isn’t about arriving quickly. It’s about learning to trust the spiritual compass that doesn’t shout directions but whispers them. You may not know the whole route, but you always know the next mile.

When you drive without a map, you pay attention differently. You notice the sky, the road, the way the light changes. You become present. You become receptive. You become humble enough to ask for guidance and brave enough to keep going even when the path bends. That’s the spiritual life: a journey where clarity comes in pieces, courage comes in waves, and faith becomes the fuel that keeps you moving.

Reaching New York is wonderful, but the real transformation happened somewhere in the middle of Kansas, or on a quiet stretch of highway in Missouri, or during a moment of doubt that taught you to trust God. You don’t grow when you arrive. You grow on the way. For me, it was upstate New York. With each mile I traveled, my faith grew. I didn’t know how things would go, but I knew in my spirit it would be okay.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Ps. 119:105) God doesn’t always light the whole road—just the next step. But His Word is enough to keep you moving forward.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isa. 30:21) This is God’s promise of personal, moment‑by‑moment direction.

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (Ps. 23:3) God doesn’t just guide you—He guides you for His glory and your good.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Ps. 32:8) God doesn’t just point—He personally instructs and watches over you.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” (Ps. 37:23) Your steps are not random; God establishes them.

“You make known to me the path of life…” (Ps. 16:11) God doesn’t just guide you through life—He guides you into life.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Spiritual Drought

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Man praying on prayer mat on cracked dry desert ground
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A spiritual drought can feel eerily similar to a land drought — dry, cracked, silent, and painfully slow. It’s the season when prayer feels like dust in your mouth, scripture feels distant, and God feels quiet. But just as physical droughts have causes, signs, and eventual rain, so do the dry seasons of the soul.

In a land drought, the signs are obvious:

  • Rivers shrink
  • Soil cracks
  • Crops wither
  • Life slows down

The prophet Jeremiah described this vividly:

“The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land.”
(Jeremiah 14:4)

Drought doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the slow accumulation of small deficits — one missed rainstorm at a time. Spiritual drought works the same way. It’s rarely one dramatic event. More often, it’s the gradual thinning of connection:

  • Prayer becomes routine
  • Worship feels hollow
  • Scripture seems silent
  • God feels far away

David knew this feeling well:

“My soul thirsts for You… in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
(Psalm 63:1)

A spiritual drought is not a sign of God’s absence. It’s a sign of our deep need.

What Causes Spiritual Drought

Just as land drought can come from changing weather patterns, spiritual drought can come from shifting life patterns. Some common causes include:

  • Neglect of spiritual rhythms — skipping prayer, worship, or scripture until the well runs dry
  • Overwhelm and busyness — pouring out more than you take in
  • Unconfessed sin — which can clog the flow of intimacy
  • Disappointment or grief — which can make the heart retreat
  • Testing seasons — where God allows dryness to deepen our roots

Israel experienced this often. God told them:

“For the land… drinks water from the rain of heaven.”
(Deuteronomy 11:11)

Their survival depended on receiving what only God could give — and so does ours.

The Hidden Gift of Drought

Drought exposes what’s beneath the surface.
It reveals:

  • What we rely on
  • Where our roots actually go
  • Whether we’ve been living on yesterday’s rain

Strangely, drought is diagnostic. It shows us our need for God in a way abundance never does. And God uses drought to call His people back:

“Return to Me… and I will return to you.”
(Malachi 3:7)

The Promise of Rain

The good news is that spiritual drought is never permanent. God specializes in sending rain to barren places. Isaiah gives this promise:

“I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.”
(Isaiah 44:3)

Notice the order: thirst first, then water. God doesn’t despise your dryness — He responds to it.

How to Invite Rain Again

Just as farmers prepare the soil before the rain comes, we can prepare our hearts:

  • Return to simple prayers — honest, unpolished, real
  • Open Scripture slowly — not for information, but for presence
  • Confess what’s been clogging the flow
  • Rest — spiritual drought often comes from exhaustion
  • Worship even when you don’t feel it — worship tills the soil
  • Ask boldly for renewal

Hosea gives a beautiful invitation:

“Let us press on to know the Lord. He will come to us like the rain.”
(Hosea 6:3)

When God sends rain, everything changes:

  • Hard soil softens
  • Seeds long buried begin to sprout
  • Rivers return
  • Life awakens

Your soul is no different. The drought won’t last forever. The rain is already gathering. And when it comes, you’ll see that the dry season wasn’t wasted — it was preparing you for deeper roots and greater fruit.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Kingdom Investing

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Young student and older woman talking with notebooks and coffee at a wooden table in a coffee shop
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April and I had the privilege of having a conversation with a five-year-old, or as he would say, “five and a half,” the other day at church. His mother had posted on Facebook pics and videos of him playing baseball. He’s good!

We were complimenting him on how well he could play. He said, “I know.” That is when he invited us to his next game. “I’m playing Monday night. In Bixby!” he said with excitement in his voice. I was surprised one of his age would be able to communicate that information so well.

Later that day, April and I were trying to see how we could arrange our time in order to make the game. I texted his mother and got the address, the time, and the field number in the sports megaplex. I told April, “We have to go. It will mean a lot to him and be a small investment in his future that could last a lifetime.” We did go, and sure enough, he played well, and his team won, like 14 to 4 over the other team.

You don’t get inventions in the mail with investment opportunities into people’s lives; you have to look for them.

Earthly investing grows what you can keep for a lifetime. Kingdom investing grows what you can keep for eternity. Scripture consistently contrasts these two paths—not to condemn wise financial stewardship, but to show that only one investment has a guaranteed, everlasting return.

Earthly investing is wise and often encouraged in Scripture, but it is limited. Build resources for this life. Proverbs praises diligence, planning, and wise stewardship.

  • Proverbs 21:5 — “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…”
  • Proverbs 13:11 — “Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

These verses affirm that earthly investing can be good, responsible, and God‑honoring. Earthly wealth is fragile.

  • Proverbs 23:5 — “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone…”
  • Ecclesiastes 5:10 — Wealth never fully satisfies.

No matter how successful, earthly investments end at death.

  • 1 Timothy 6:7 — “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Earthly investing is useful, but it cannot outlast mortality.

Kingdom investing is about aligning your resources with God’s eternal purposes. Advance God’s mission and transform lives. Jesus frames this as storing treasure in heaven.

  • Matthew 6:19–20 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Kingdom investment is about people, justice, mercy, discipleship, and love.

  • Mark 10:29–30 — Jesus promises that sacrifices made for the Kingdom will be repaid “a hundredfold.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:58 — “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Kingdom investments never lose value. Kingdom fruit continues beyond your lifetime.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 — “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
  • Galatians 6:8 — “Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Kingdom investing is measured in transformed hearts, not financial charts.

Earthly investing is about accumulating what you cannot keep. Kingdom investing is about sowing what you cannot lose. Jesus never condemns wise financial planning—but He insists that the greatest investment is the one that outlasts the world itself.

Which part of your life, time, talent, or treasure—do you feel God nudging you to invest more intentionally in His Kingdom?

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Dunkin Disciples

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Dunkin' Donuts store with people holding coffee and donuts, parking lot, and drive-thru lane
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Water baptism is like dunking a donut — you go in one way and come out completely changed. The old you is gone. The new you is freshly made in Christ. At the church we attend, we recently had eleven people get baptized.

First up was a little girl. She was smiling as the minister started having a conversation with her, confirming she understood what she was doing. The young girl must have been excited about her decision to go public with her faith because before the minister could say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” she went underwater. She dunked herself. When those in attendance realized what had just happened, they laughed. The surprised minister said, “Well, okay then!”

Water baptism is a public declaration of an inward transformation. It’s the moment you step into the water and say, “My old life is gone. I belong to Jesus now.” It’s simple, humble, and powerful — a physical picture of a spiritual reality.

Different donuts. One Dunkin’.
Different stories. One Savior.
Baptism unites us in the same message: Jesus makes us new.

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
(Galatians 3:27)

No matter your background, personality, or story, baptism unites every believer under the same truth.

The last person to be baptized was an older gentleman. I met him afterwards, and he shared with me that he felt bad that it took him 51 years to accept Jesus into his life and then to get baptized. I congratulated him on making the most important decision of his life, and then said, “Wow! 51 years of sin. No wonder the water was dirty when you got out.” We laughed and celebrated that he is now a new creation.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Cor. 5:17  (NLT)

Water baptism is one of the most beautiful, symbolic moments in a believer’s life — and surprisingly, it has more in common with a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts than you might expect.

Next time you see someone dunking a donut into coffee — or you do it yourself — let it remind you of your baptism:

“Buried with Christ. Raised to new life.”

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Hammer That Builds — Words That Give Life

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Middle-aged man with beard holding a hammer handle in his mouth in a woodworking workshop
Image generated via AI.

A hammer drives nails with purpose. Each strike fastens pieces together, creating strength, unity, and structure. In the same way, our words can secure what is good in the lives of others.

Proverbs 16:24 says,
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

When we speak encouragement, truth, and blessing, we are driving nails of stability into someone’s spirit. We are building:

  • Confidence
  • Hope
  • Peace
  • Connection
  • Faith

Just as a carpenter builds with intention, we are called to speak with intention. Every word becomes a beam, a brace, or a nail that strengthens the people around us.

The Claw That Tears Down — Words That Wound

Flip the hammer over, and the claw can pull apart what was once secure. It can remove nails, dismantle boards, and undo hours of careful work. The tool isn’t evil—it’s simply powerful.

So is the tongue.

James 3:5 warns,
“The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

A single careless comment can pry loose trust.
A harsh word can split open an old wound.
Gossip can dismantle a reputation nail by nail.
Sarcasm can weaken the beams of a relationship.

The claw has its purpose—sometimes things must be removed or corrected—but when used recklessly, it destroys what God meant to stand.

The Spiritual Blueprint: Choose Your Swing

A skilled builder never swings a hammer without aim. Likewise, a wise believer doesn’t speak without awareness.

Proverbs 18:21 reminds us,
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

That means:

  • Every conversation is a construction site.
  • Every word is a tool.
  • Every moment is a choice.

Will I build, or will I break?
Will I drive in truth, or pry apart peace?
Will I strengthen someone’s faith, or weaken it?

The hammer doesn’t choose its purpose—the builder does.
The tongue doesn’t choose its impact—the heart does.

Final Thoughts

Imagine carrying a hammer everywhere you go. You’d be mindful of where you swing it. You’d be careful around fragile things. You’d be intentional about what you build.

Your tongue deserves the same reverence.

Because long after the sound of the hammer fades, the structure remains. And long after your words are spoken, their impact stands—either as a shelter or as a ruin.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

How Many Times do I Have to Say It?

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I did a favor for someone recently. The recipient acted as if they didn’t even notice. They never said, “Thank you.” That bothered me–a lot. So, after a few days, I asked them about the situation. I asked them, “Why didn’t you say thank you?” Their reply shocked me. They responded by asking, “How many times do I have to say it?”

I wanted to say, “How about 70 times 7?” That was Jesus’ response, though to a question about how many times to forgive someone. I couldn’t let it go. I wondered, does this person treat everyone like this? What about “Love thy neighbor?” Would you treat your neighbor that way? They do you a favor, and you don’t even acknowledge it?

The second part of the command to love thy neighbor is to love them as you love yourself. Well, what if a person doesn’t really love themselves? Does that hinder them in saying, “Thank you?” Because they don’t have a heart of gratitude? That would be a problem.

  • Perhaps they aren’t grateful for what Jesus did for them on the cross.
  • Maybe the issue is that they have done something they can’t forgive themselves for.
  • It could be something that happened to them by someone else, but they blame themselves.
  • Maybe they don’t feel they are worthy of forgiveness.

Whatever it is, it hinders them from having a heart of gratitude and, therefore, being grateful when others do something for them. I pray for them. I pray that whatever is hurting them, hindering them from having a heart of God, a heart of love, would be healed. That they would be able to say, “Thank you” whenever someone does something for them.

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mat. 12:31 (NIV)

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Oversized Loads

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You’ve seen them. The trucks going down the highway with the signs, flags, flashing lights, and usually with a pilot car, all of which inform you that an oversized load is coming. You stare, trying your best to figure out what it is.

Have you ever thought about the one driving the load down the road? He’s not doing it alone. He has a team not only with him but also several behind the scenes who charted a route that can be safely navigated by everyone.

What Counts as an Oversized Load?

Are you hauling an oversized load in life right now? Does it exceed the limits of normal life? Is it more than you can bear? Are you trying to do it alone? Can others tell? Are they looking at you and wondering what it is?

An oversized load is anything in life that you find difficult or challenging to manage. The size of the load varies person by person. Don’t allow anyone to tell you, “Ah, that’s nothing. You should be able to deal with it.” Because the truth is, no, you can’t. If you were, you wouldn’t feel weighted down, and it wouldn’t consume your thought life.

Why Oversized Loads Require Special Attention

Oversized loads shouldn’t be ignored. They can be difficult to maneuver. Usually, they cause you to go through life more slowly, and other normal matters and issues can get put on the side of the road. At times, that might include people. You want to make sure that what you are carrying at the moment doesn’t hurt you or anyone else, for that matter.

Best Practices for Hauling Oversized Loads

When you feel yourself getting weighed down, here are some things to remember until the load is gone.

  • Don’t try to carry this alone.
  • Talk to someone, a friend, a counselor, or your minister.
  • Lean into your faith in God and definitely ask him to help you, and be confident that He will, even when the load seems overwhelming.
  • Recall the words of Jesus:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matt. 11:28-30 (MSG)

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Where’s the Beef? Finding Substance in a World of Spiritual Fast Food vs. Soul Food

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Cheeseburger with lettuce, cheddar cheese, ketchup, French fries, and a glass of water
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The question “Where’s the beef?” started as a joke, but it’s become a surprisingly sharp spiritual mirror. In a world full of noise, slogans, and surface‑level inspiration, it’s fair to ask whether the things we consume—mentally, emotionally, spiritually—actually nourish us.

Because let’s be honest: a lot of what passes for “spirituality” today is like a beautifully wrapped burger with almost nothing inside. It looks good, it photographs well, it might even go viral, but when you bite into it… there’s not much there.

So the question becomes: Where’s the substance? Where’s the depth? Where’s the nourishment for the soul?

The Hunger Beneath the Question

When someone asks, “Where’s the beef?” spiritually, they’re really saying:

  • I want something real
  • I want something that changes me
  • I want something that feeds the parts of me I don’t show the world
  • I want truth, not just aesthetics

That hunger is ancient. Every tradition, every culture, every seeker has felt it. It’s the inner tug that says, there must be more than this.

The Illusion of Fullness

Modern spirituality often gives us:

  • Pretty quotes without practice
  • Rituals without meaning
  • Community without connection
  • “Love and light” without honesty
  • Positivity that avoids pain instead of healing it

It’s like eating cotton candy when what you really need is a meal. Sweet, colorful, fun—but it dissolves the moment you touch it.

The Real Beef: Depth, Practice, Presence

Substance shows up in quieter places:

  • In the discipline of showing up for yourself when no one is watching
  • In the courage to face your own shadows
  • In the humility to admit you don’t have all the answers
  • In the stillness where you finally hear your own soul speak
  • In the compassion that costs you something

Spiritual “beef” isn’t flashy. It’s not always Instagrammable. It’s the slow-cooked stuff—patience, integrity, forgiveness, truth-telling, inner work. It’s the meal that actually fills you.

How to Tell If Something Has Substance

  • Does it make you more grounded?
  • Does it make you more honest?
  • Does it make you more compassionate?
  • Does it help you grow, not just feel good?
  • Does it stay with you after the moment passes?

If the answer is yes, you’ve found something worth keeping.

The Spiritual Twist: The Beef Might Be Inside You

Here’s the part people don’t always want to hear:
Sometimes the question isn’t “Where’s the beef out there?”
It’s “Where’s the beef in me?”

Am I showing up with depth?
Am I living what I say I believe?
Am I nourishing others, or just decorating my life with spiritual language?
Am I feeding my soul, or just scrolling for inspiration?

The real substance often comes from the quiet, unglamorous work of becoming who God wants you to be. Do individuals see substance in me? Do they see the calm they desire but find it out of reach? Do they see God?

So… Where’s the Beef?

It’s in the spiritual practices that stretch you.
It’s in the truths of God’s word that challenge you.
It’s in the moments that humble you.
It’s in the love for others that costs you something.
It’s in the courage to be real in a world obsessed with appearances.

And most of all, it’s in the part of you that refuses to settle for a life that looks full but feels empty. Spending time with God is where the beef really is. Talking to him daily in real conversations. Sharing with him your concerns and your needs, even though He already knows them.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.