Number 1000

March 13, 2026March 12, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. With that said, I wonder what a 1000 blog posts are worth? In case you haven’t caught on by now, this is blog number 1000 posted on WordPress for me. I posted some on a previous web server, but I can’t remember how many.

It has taken ten years to reach this point. I started out blogging once a week, but about six years ago, I increased it to two a week. With God’s help, in those ten years, I have only missed two deadlines. I would have missed three, but that night the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to write a blog and post it. I did, and I found out thirty-five minutes later that it changed a woman’s life. I have never missed one since.

At the time of this writing, this blog has been read in 165 different countries. I am humbled by that number. Again, only with God’s help. When I was a child, I heard about the Great Commission. Take the Gospel to the world. Being a rather normal kid in Oklahoma, I had no idea how I could fulfill that commission, but God did. He knew about the Internet before Al Gore allegedly invented it.

But numbers don’t measure success. When it comes to building the kingdom of God, it comes down to how many lives have been influenced or changed because of the message one has read or heard.

Speaking of numbers, I have observed that the more successful blog sites are written by some of the most narcissistic individuals I have ever seen. They will write about something that has nothing to do with God, and they might receive hundreds of likes. Sometimes, I’m fortunate to get one or two. And I’m okay with that because again, I have no idea the impact the words God gives me to write have, but I do know that “his” words do not return to him void, empty. (Isa. 55:11)

I also know that one lady, I used to work with, shared with me that she started going back to church after reading this blog site for a while. Another lady told me she was going to quit her job because she had made two minor mistakes, and she started listening to the devil, who was lying to her that she was worthless and didn’t know what she was doing. That she wasn’t worthy of doing her job. One blog she read that night encouraged her not to quit and to stop listening to the devil.

Changed lives. That is success. And how many other stories are there that I don’t even know about yet this side of heaven?

So, again, I am humbled that God asked me to do something I enjoy, help Him encourage people, or love on His people. I will continue to write as long as these fingers type.

With that said, I appreciate every reader. Thank you for the likes because they do something in us writers that is encouraging. I also am thankful for those who take the time to write a comment. There is one reader, from Kansas, I believe, who informed me that he got busy with life and had to delete a lot of his emails. But he went on to say that he never deleted my blogs. My heart was touched. He is currently about nine months behind, so he won’t see this until next year. LOL. But “Thank you” for all your encouragement and kind words. I appreciate you so much. You know who you are.

This is starting to sound like an Oscar acceptance speech! Thank you to April, who is so generous in giving me time to write. I would also like to thank my very special friend, Steve. If it weren’t for him and his initial encouragement, “not to worry about what people thought of my writing,” this blog may have never started. Thank you, Steve! You mean a lot to me. And never stop asking me questions, like you did, “What’s stopping you from writing?”

With that, I will end. So, “Happy 1000 Blog!” May God continue to use you to encourage people to grow in their relationship with you.

What Are the Three “P” s?

March 10, 2026February 21, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

There is a TV commercial that seems as if it airs constantly. The gentleman is trying to get you to buy life insurance, and he mentions the 3 “P” s. Then, inquiring customers ask, “What are the 3 ‘P’s?” He explains that the 3 “P” s are: “A Price you can afford, a Price that can’t increase, and a Price that fits your budget.”

I heard this commercial the other day and thought of God’s three “P” s.

Salvation was God’s Plan, Jesus’ Participation, and the Holy Spirit’s Power!

You may be thinking, “That’s great, but what’s my price?” With God’s salvation plan, a Price you can afford, a Price that can’t increase, and a Price that fits your budget.

You see, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on a cross to pay for your sins, all the things you have ever done wrong in your life. All of them! So you owe nothing. This was God’s Plan that Jesus Participated in. You can never be good enough to earn your way into heaven. You can never follow the rules perfectly because with God, there are no rules, yet there is a better way to live than I would suggest you are now. After Jesus died on the cross, He was laid to rest in a tomb. But on the third day, the Holy Spirit raised him from the dead. So it was the Holy Spirit’s Power.

The price of salvation has been paid in full and so will never go up. I think that fits your budget quite well. To accept Jesus into your life and receive eternal life for the rest of time.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)

Heartfelt Connections

March 6, 2026February 21, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Have you ever had anyone say via text, voicemail, or Messenger, “I miss you”? I have. It rattled me. I didn’t get it at first because it had only been 45 minutes since I last saw her. Yeah, I was thinking as a man does, with his mind and not his heart. When I did grasp the deep emotional value of those words, I realized she was really saying, “I love you.”

That happened many years ago, and the relationship ran its course, but the words and the feeling never faded from my mind. Today, I look for opportunities to say those words to April. When I do speak or text them, I know a warm glow is sparked within her heart, and I’m sure a smile grows upon her face. I only say them when I mean them, too.

But what about when it comes to our relationship with God? Do we miss Him? Do we miss spending time in His word? If you are honest, probably not as much as we should. Is that because we can’t see God? Or maybe it’s because we don’t feel close to Him to begin with? I get the impression that some people’s relationship with God is merely utilitarian. Meaning, it’s about what God can do for them.

This makes me sad because God is more than that! He is a loving, caring being who is always there and loves us perfectly. Perhaps occasionally, we need to tell God, “I miss you.” When we do, I know it will put a smile on his face. And it will strengthen a heartfelt connection between you two.

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jer. 29:12-14a (AMPC)

Through the night my soul longs for you.
Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you. Isa. 26:9 (MSG)

High Cholesterol Christians

March 3, 2026February 17, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Diet fads and beliefs seem to come and go. One day you should not eat meat, and the next day, you should drink a glass of red wine. (As in one!) They tell you not to eat eggs, then a few years later, they tell you it’s okay. I guess it had something to do with the yoke being bad for someone who suffered from high cholesterol. In my humble opinion, the yoke is the best part! I love eating an egg sunny side up.

In recent days, I have heard some Christians talking about Jesus and how, when He walked the Earth, He was both God and man. They go on to believe that is how He was able to know things and to perform miracles. The part that bothers me with this kind of thinking is when they believe that we cannot do what Jesus did. I feel this is wrong.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Phi. 2:7 (MSG)

Thinking as they do, I call them “High Cholesterol Christians.” They seem to miss the fact that Jesus was able to know things unseen and perform miracles because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Trinity is like one egg, but the egg has three parts.

The shell, the white, and the yoke. With the Trinity, you have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, yet they are one.

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. He demonstrated that is how we should walk this Earth as well. He became a man, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gives us power and supernatural gifts as He sees fit.

²¹One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Luke 3:21-22 (NLT)

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, Luke 4:1

Then Jesus himself in Acts 1:8 said, “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.” (AMPC)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12 (NLT)

We must accept the whole Trinity of God. We should walk with confidence because Jesus said we could. And if you have not been filled with the Holy Spirit, ask God to fill you. Don’t be afraid of what perhaps you have not been taught. Use the faith you have that brought you to God in the beginning. When you sense the Holy Spirit stirring inside, you will be moved to say things for God that you have never said before. You will be bold in asking someone if you can pray for them. When in what used to be uncomfortable situations, you will have the power from God to handle them. You will know what to say and what to do. As a Christian, eat the whole egg. It’s good for ya.

Ten Things that Happen

February 27, 2026February 11, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Ten things automatically happen when you attend your church on Sunday.
Originally posted by Stephen Cox.

1. You publicly demonstrate where your priorities truly are.

2. You see people you would likely never encounter apart from church.

3. Your pastor is encouraged simply by seeing you faithful in your place. (Yes—attendance still matters.)

4. Your opportunities to serve increase because availability always precedes usefulness.

5. You hear the Word preached, and your soul is fed by Scripture.

6. You become aware of needs and are given opportunities to give.

7. You hear the pages of God’s Word turning throughout the service, one of the best sounds on earth.

8. You hear a baby cry, and instead of being annoyed, you smile, because that is the sound of a growing church.

9. You sing with God’s people and worship Jesus together.

10. You are given repeated chances to put others before yourself, especially in a full sanctuary and a crowded parking lot.

Determine to be in a Bible preaching church on Sunday and worship Jesus.

Why Believe in God?

February 24, 2026February 14, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Believing in God is more than a religious choice—it’s a deeply personal decision that shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. For many, faith is the anchor that holds steady in life’s storms, offering hope, direction, and peace when everything else feels uncertain.

1. A Source of Unshakable Hope

Life can be unpredictable, filled with challenges that test our strength. Believing in God provides a hope that isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s the quiet assurance that no matter how dark the night, there’s a dawn ahead—because God’s promises are constant.

2. A Guiding Moral Compass

Faith in God shapes our values and decisions. It encourages compassion, honesty, forgiveness, and humility. When we believe in God, we’re reminded that our actions have meaning beyond the moment, influencing not just our lives but the lives of those around us.

3. Comfort in Times of Pain

Suffering is part of the human experience, but belief in God offers comfort that pain is never wasted. Many find strength in knowing that God can bring purpose out of hardship, turning trials into testimonies.

4. A Sense of Belonging and Identity

Believing in God reminds us that we are not accidents—we are created with intention and love. This truth gives a deep sense of belonging, knowing we are part of something greater than ourselves.

5. Motivation to Live with Purpose

Faith inspires us to live intentionally, to serve others, and to make choices that align with eternal values rather than fleeting trends. It shifts our focus from “What can I get?” to “How can I give?”

Final Thoughts

Believing in God doesn’t mean life will be free from struggles, but it does mean we never face them alone. It’s a relationship that brings peace in chaos, clarity in confusion, and joy in the everyday moments.

If you’ve ever wondered about faith, maybe this is your invitation to explore it—not as a set of rules, but as a journey toward hope, love, and purpose.

9,772 Tears

February 20, 2026February 14, 2026 / Mark Brady / 5 Comments

“I want you to have a stress test and an echocardiogram,” said my heart doctor. I was having some difficulties with my breathing. I have had these tests done before at the same medical facility, before having heart stents put in. I should add that my medical insurance had paid for these tests at this facility.

So when I got a bill for $9,772.50, I was shocked! My health insurance company explained to me that, though the doctors were “In-Network” and paid, the hospital was “Out of Network.” I had the test done in August of 2025. What I didn’t know, and was never told, was that the company I retired from could not reach an agreement with the oversized medical conglomerate, so they decided to declare them “Out of Network” in June of 2025.

I argued, I appealed twice, but still the insurance company would not pay the bill. I spoke to the hospital, I argued, I appealed, and I begged them to reduce the bill as if I was paying cash and had no insurance, and technically, I didn’t have insurance to help me pay it. They would not work with me. The only thing they finally did was agree to put me on a five-year payment plan instead of a three-year plan.

I turned to God. I appealed to Him for help. I cried, at least 9,772 tears. I didn’t know what we were going to do. I could feel stress every time I looked at our finances. Over the ongoing five months, I prayed. April was praying too, as was her prayer partner.

I was talking to a medical advocate that my retirement company provides, and I mentioned the $9,772 bill. The woman I was talking to took notes and referred me to another lady who was going to look into the matter. She responded a few days later that she, too, spoke to my insurance company and to the medical group, and the only thing she could suggest was to fill out and submit a financial aid form. I almost didn’t because, as I said to April, “They will probably think we make too much money.” But I did fill it out and sent it in.

Yesterday morning (February 13, 2026), I was sitting at my desk working on some other matters when I received the following email:

Hi Mark A.

We’ve received the final payment for your payment plan, and the balance is now paid off. Thank you — this payment plan is now closed.

Your balance is now fully paid

I couldn’t believe it! I was shocked, and I started crying! “APRIL, COME HERE! YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT!” We hugged and held each other, as we started thanking and praising God.

This is why I write so many times about how great God is. How much He cares and loves us. He knows what we are going through and is just waiting for us to invite Him into our lives and into our situations. I’m not special. I’m not holy or a saint. I do try to walk justly with my God, though. I do read His word, the Bible, not religiously, but I do read it. Having a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, is not about being good enough or keeping a stupid man-made list of rules. I do commit sins, but I also confess those sins to God and ask Him to help me go and sin no more.

Again, Father God in heaven, “Thank you for being such a loving and caring God. And thank you, Jesus. Because of your sacrifice on the cross my “sin” balance has been fully paid!”

(The tests came back good. I have a strong heart. The issue was caused by one of my medications, which the doctor changed.)

Can You Relate?

February 17, 2026February 10, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I heard the other day about a conversation in which people who do know God believe they shouldn’t bother Him with what they would consider a trivial request. One lady felt it was wrong to ask God for a parking space near a store’s door when it is raining.

If you have read these blogs for very long, then you know how I feel about this subject. If it matters to you, then it matters to God. No matter how minuscule your concern may be to you. I have asked God to help me move, fix, heal, lift, and do various other things, and He has. I have asked him to keep me safe, and He has. I have personally had God perform many miracles in my life and have received several loving and thoughtful gifts after another.

God loves us so much. I wish people would realize that and act as if they believed it. I keep my awe and respect for God, but I communicate with Him like I would a good friend. I don’t think of God as an “In Case of Emergency Break the Glass” God. He’s not a personal “Jeannie” either! But I have no issues with making my request known. It’s up to Him and His wisdom to answer or not. God is relatable. He knows what you are going through, and He actually cares about it.

I challenge you to go deeper with God. Give Him a chance to demonstrate who He really is. Study the names of God, and believe they are more than just a title. Now that I think about them, a lot of them are more like “verbs!” Jehovah-Rapha means, “God who heals.” Jehovah-Jireh means, “The Lord will provide.” Palet means, “Deliverer.”

God is everything you need! The sooner you agree to that and accept it, the better off you will be.

The Sound of Freedom

February 13, 2026February 4, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“You can sell a bag of cocaine once. A 5-year-old child, you can sell them 5-10 times a day, for 10 years straight.” – Tim Ballard from the movie, “Sound of Freedom.”

In case you still haven’t seen it, “Sound of Freedom” is a 2023 American-Colombian-Mexican action film about Tim Ballard, a former U.S. government agent who starts Operation Underground Railroad and embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. Directed, written, and produced by Eduardo Verástegui. It is based on an incredible true story.

April and I just watched it the other day. It was very moving, and of course, we cried. Perhaps not because of a particular scene or series of dialogue, but because in our hearts and minds, we knew it was true. There are children, people being trafficked every day, and a lot of it is here in America!

“God’s children are not for sale.” – Tim Ballard.

One character in the film, Vampiro, said that he got involved trying to rescue children out of sex trafficking after sleeping with one girl he was told was 22 years old. After the deed was done, he saw the sadness in her eyes and asked her what her real age was. She cautiously admitted, “14.” He admitted, “I was the sadness in her eyes.” He said after she left, he put a .45 up to his head and said, “If there ever was a God, now is the time to know.” He felt a stirring in his spirit. He went on to say, “When God tells you what to do, you cannot hesitate.”

“Do you know there are 22 million new images of child porn on the Internet? That’s up 5,000% from just 5 years ago!” – Tim Ballard.

What does freedom sound like? In the movie, the sound of freedom was when the children, realizing they had just been rescued, started singing. There is another kind of freedom, and that is knowing God, accepting his Son, Jesus, and asking for your sins to be forgiven. We, who know God, need to join the others who are praying against human trafficking. Praying is the least we can do!

“You know trafficking exists, you’ve heard of it, but you don’t want to look.” – Tim Ballard.

What Size is the Box?

February 10, 2026February 4, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God. Mat. 19:26 (AMPC)

I grew up in church. I heard all of the great testimonies of what God did, like the time He parted the Red Sea and the children of Israel walked across it on dry ground when Pharaoh’s army in Egypt was chasing them. That is just one of hundreds shared with us in the Bible.

I have no problem believing every one of them. Perhaps I have the gift of faith. Yet others try to minimize or explain them. It’s as if they try to use their own intellect to understand God. That never works! God cannot be minimized or reduced to fit within the limits of our minds! Honestly, it seems like a feeble attempt to minimize the power and importance of God. I think doing that helps them reduce the reason they should accept him and his Son, Jesus.

That kind of thinking, for those who have accepted God and his Son, Jesus, hurts them from believing God can do anything to help them in their own time of need. The times when they need a “walk across on dry ground” miracle in their own lives.

Recently, this topic came up in my men’s Bible study group. The gentleman sitting next to me turned and said, “Mark, your God box is bigger than most.” I looked at him and said, “Are you kidding me? I don’t put God in a box at all!”

Believing in God, as I do, has allowed me to see so many miracles in my own life. Sometimes, I’ll share them in some of the blogs I write. I’m not special, but when I read in the Bible that “with God, all things are possible,” I simply believe it. Doing so allows me to ask God in prayer for anything, even miracles. Does He always answer? No, or at least in the way I want Him to, or by the deadline I try to impose, but I trust God to do things His way.

I challenge you, today, to take God out of the box. Allow Him to roam free in your life. To stop imposing your own limits on Him. Then, take him at his word. Ask for dry ground. Ask him for directions and guidance. Ask, and believe for that miracle that only God can do. If you do, you will be amazed at what He does. And then, the next time you need anything, you will turn to the God who can do anything!

brady, mark a.