When Your Creativity is Only a Spark

May 19, 2026May 5, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Hand holding windproof lighter producing bright sparks — Image generated via AI.

Let’s be honest — creativity is a lot like that one friend who says, “I’ll be there in five minutes” and then shows up three hours later with a smoothie and no explanation. You love them, but you can’t rely on them to be on time.

So, what do you do when your creative flame is more like a broken lighter? Here’s my totally serious, not-at-all-questionable advice:

1. Bribe Your Brain
Some people meditate. Others journal. I personally offer my brain snacks in exchange for ideas. “Come on, brain, give me one good concept and I’ll get you a cookie.” It works about 40% of the time, which is better than my gym attendance rate.

2. Lower the Bar (Like… Really Low)
If you can’t think of a masterpiece, think of a piece. Write a sentence. Draw a stick figure. Hum a tune that sounds suspiciously like the elevator music at your dentist’s office. Creativity loves low-pressure environments — it’s basically a cat.

3. Steal From Yourself
Go back to your old work. That half-finished poem from 2018? That doodle of a potato with sunglasses? Gold. You’re not recycling — you’re upcycling.

4. Pretend You’re a Genius
Walk around your house narrating your life like you’re an eccentric artist in a documentary. “Here we see the visionary at work, pouring coffee with the precision of a Renaissance master.” You’ll either feel inspired or mildly ridiculous, which is still a win.

5. Accept That Weird is Wonderful
Sometimes your “brilliant” idea will be a story about a detective who’s also a raccoon. That’s fine. The world needs more raccoon detectives.

Final Thought:
Creativity isn’t about waiting for lightning to strike — it’s about dancing in the drizzle with a colander on your head and calling it performance art.

One of my favorite things about being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)is being able to create. To turn a blank page into the world’s most impressive blog post or a touching, moving story. I first discovered that I perhaps had some talent when my first wife asked me to write a story about how the “Secret Sister Club” got started. She had just been asked to manage the group at our church.

I wrote a story in about twenty minutes. She thought it was good enough to read the next day at church. When she went on stage to read the story, I was manning the soundboard. As she got deeper into the story, I began hearing sniffling around the sanctuary. Then I witnessed some women wiping tears. I thought, Hmm. I may have something here.

When we moved to another state before the year was up, without telling me, she revealed to the women that I had made the whole story up. Later, women were coming up to me and hitting me, or pinching my arm, all while saying, “Very funny, Mark. I believed that was a true story.”

I love writing and am blessed to have time to do it. I do my best knowing I’m not the most talented writer, and I certainly haven’t made a lot of money doing it, but still, it brings me a lot of joy. Especially in those few moments when someone says to me, “Hey, I read your latest blog and it ministered to me.”

One thing that gets my creative juices flowing is watching an extremely well-written movie, but those are few and far between. That is when I will tap into the most creative being I know, God! I mean, who else could have thought of over 53,000 different ways to creep me out by being a spider? It’s not funny! Stop laughing! But asking God for inspiration works. And my best works are the ones when his Spirit was hovering while I wrote them. Of course, I give him the credit and the glory. So, grab something out of the kitchen to snack on, get yourself into your workroom, and let the creativity flow.

Anointed Oil

May 15, 2026April 20, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Her discovery became a battleground. Her faith broke barriers. Her courage inspired a nation. I live about five miles from where her story took place. Her name is Sarah Rector. If you have never heard of her, you’re not alone; a lot of people haven’t.

Sarah was born on March 3, 1902, as a young black girl living in Oklahoma. Under the Treaty of 1866, due to birthright as a Black grandchild of Creek Indians born before the American Civil War, she received an allotment of land. It was discovered to be oil-rich and produced over US$300 (equivalent to $10,400 in 2025) per day, so she was known as the “Richest Colored Girl in the World.”

April and I watched the movie the other day, written about her life. It was very good and moving. Sarah cared about people. Her family, as well as others, but one of her main focuses was on God and pleasing him. Her mother recognized this and once said to her, “God gave you gifts, the only sin is not to use ’em.”

Sarah was smart and gave a lot of credit to one of her teachers. One of those who truly cared about her students and wasn’t just doing a job. The movie portrayed how Sarah interacted with God’s favorite project: people. She wound up going into the business of getting the oil out of the ground with Bert, a driller. One oil company was trying to cheat Sarah out of the land where the oil resided underneath. When their schemes didn’t work, they even proceeded to kill her. The company even tried to use Bert to get what they wanted. He was tempted to go along with them.

One day, Sarah looked intently at Bert and said, “The land is worth more than money and more than oil. It’s about your soul.” Bert was stunned. He saw at that moment how much Sarah cared. He replied, “You told me things about my soul. Ain’ nobody ever done that for me.” He was so moved; he wound up doing the right thing by Sarah.

Life keeps us so busy, yet we need to be looking at individuals and investing in them. We need to go deeper with them and not just keep things on a surface level. True riches will never be discovered at that level. But drilling down into their life, sometimes deeper than anyone else ever has done so, takes time, patience, and perhaps an anointing to know when a risk is worth it. Let’s be praying and asking God for such an anointing to know who is ready for a strike (like an oil strike) in God’s kingdom. For in his kingdom are riches like no one has ever seen.

As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]. 1 Pt. 4:10 (AMPC)

For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for ^[a]selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. Gal. 5:13 (AMPC)

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Phi. 2:3-4 (MSG)

The Art of Walmart Speed Shopping:

May 12, 2026May 5, 2026 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Shopping cart filled with pasta and canned goods in supermarket aisle — Image generated via AI.

Let’s be honest, shopping at Walmart can feel like running a marathon you didn’t train for, except the finish line is a self-checkout machine that keeps yelling, “Please place item in the bagging area.” But fear not, my fellow deal-seekers. I’ve cracked the code for the most efficient (and slightly ridiculous) way to conquer Walmart like a pro (or your local store).

Step 1: The Parking Lot Power Play
Forget circling for the “perfect” spot. Park near the cart return. Why? Because after your shopping sprint, you’ll thank yourself for not dragging a cart across three zip codes. Bonus: You can use the cart return as a landmark when you inevitably forget where you parked.

Step 2: The Cart Selection Olympics
Test your cart before committing. Push it three feet. If it wobbles like a shopping cart on roller skates, ditch it. A squeaky wheel is fine—it’s basically your theme song, but a rogue wheel will ruin your speed record.

Step 3: The Aisle Assassin Strategy
Walmart aisles are like rivers—flow with the current, don’t fight it. If you see a cluster of people debating which brand of peanut butter is “more organic,” execute a swift U-turn and circle back later. Efficiency is about momentum, not peanut purity.

Step 4: The Ninja Grab-and-Go
Know your list. Memorize it. Commit it to your soul. This is not the time for “browsing.” You’re here for milk, bread, and maybe that suspiciously cheap throw blanket you didn’t know you needed.

Step 5: The Checkout Gauntlet
Self-checkout is faster—if you’re ready. Bag like a Tetris champion. Scan like you’re defusing a bomb. And for the love of efficiency, don’t be the person who realizes they forgot eggs after paying.

Step 6: The Grand Exit
Leave with purpose. Don’t get distracted by the clearance aisle on your way out. That’s how “just a quick trip” turns into “I now own a karaoke machine and a 3-foot inflatable flamingo.”

Final Pro Tip:

If you really want to shop at Walmart like a legend, go at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday. The aisles are empty, the shelves are stocked, and the only other shoppers are retirees who will absolutely beat you to the last rotisserie chicken.

You may be thinking Geez, Mark. What does Walmart shopping have to do with the kingdom of God? A lot, really. Our world is telling us, through several media outlets, to buy more. To drive the latest model. To wear the latest fashion, and so on. Do you realize that when you see those “so-called famous people” advertising something, they most likely were given those things to generate sales? Because people think they will be happier with more of the same items that the people they idolize have.

“Fill your shopping cart,” they yell at us. “Get the latest phone, the biggest TV, the coolest car. Can’t afford it? No problem. Put it on credit. Come on, you work hard. You deserve it!” The debt of Americans was 18.3 trillion dollars in the second quarter of 2025! Some are so deep in debt that they cannot afford to be generous. That is sad.

There is a huge difference between a “need” and a “want”. Something I tried to teach my children starting when they were young. I’ll admit, the way items are displayed in the store makes it difficult not to impulse buy. Or to purchase more than only the items on your shopping list, but we must try to resist the temptation. Learn to “tune out” the lies the advertisers tell us. Instead, ask God to help us and to guide us. To help us to “Just say No,” as if shopping has become a drug, and in many ways, it has. Focusing on God can help us “break the habit,” so that we can do our shopping and still be a good steward of what He has given us, being confident that He knows what we have need of (Mat. 6:8) and will provide those things.

A Forgotten Weapon for Believers

May 8, 2026April 20, 2026 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Person standing on mountain top with arms raised toward sunrise and text Praise to God is a weapon — Image generated via AI.

When you’re up against a struggle, that shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fear
Don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear

Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Now, Satan is a liar, and he wants to make us think
That we are paupers, when he knows himself, we’re children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith, for the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ has risen, and the work’s already done

Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

When you praise God, things begin to happen. Consider 2 Chronicles 20:22. In this passage, Jehoshaphat was facing a great army, and instead of leading his troops into battle, he appointed singers to go out ahead of the army, praising God. And yes, they won the battle.

When “life” happens, you might feel scared, worried, or fearful. Often, your first thought isn’t to praise God. You might eventually think to pray, after your emotions calm down, but to give God praise seems awkward, weird, or unnatural many times. Praise, if anything, affects your heart. It can calm you down and turn your attention to the One, perhaps the only one, who can actually change the circumstances. Praise is a powerful tool or weapon we who believe in God forget about, unfortunately. But now that you know, try it.

“Praise the Lord” song by Russ Taft

How to Steward Your Finances

May 5, 2026May 5, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Pile of mixed US dollar bills on a wooden table with rubber bands — Image generated via AI.

Managing money well isn’t just about earning more — it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, goals, and responsibilities. Being a good steward of your finances means treating your resources with care, using them wisely, and planning for both the present and the future. Here’s how you can start building a healthier relationship with your money.

1. Understand Your “Why”
Before diving into budgets and investments, take time to reflect on your financial purpose. Are you saving for a home, building a safety net, or preparing for retirement? Knowing your “why” helps you make decisions that feel meaningful rather than restrictive.

2. Create a Realistic Budget
A budget isn’t a punishment — it’s a roadmap. Track your income and expenses to see where your money is going. Allocate funds for essentials, savings, debt repayment, and a little for enjoyment. The key is balance: spend intentionally, not impulsively.

3. Live Below Your Means
Financial stewardship thrives when you resist lifestyle inflation. Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it. Prioritize needs over wants and let your spending reflect your long-term goals.

4. Build an Emergency Fund
Life is unpredictable. Aim to save at least 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses in a separate, easily accessible account. This cushion protects you from unexpected setbacks without derailing your financial plan.

5. Manage Debt Wisely
Not all debt is bad, but unmanaged debt can quickly become a burden. Focus on paying off high-interest loans first and avoid taking on new debt unless it’s strategic and affordable.

6. Invest for the Future
Once your basics are covered, put your money to work. Whether it’s a retirement account, index funds, or real estate, investing helps your wealth grow over time. Start small if needed — consistency matters more than perfection.

7. Give Generously and Obediently
Part of stewardship is recognizing that money is a tool for impact. Whether through charitable giving, helping family, or supporting causes you care about, generosity can be deeply fulfilling.

8. Know Whose It Is
The above information is all good, but understanding whose money it is in the first place is important. If you believe in God and have accepted him, then allow him to be Lord over your finances, too. Trusting God in that way is really difficult for some people. It is all his. Your attitude should say, “Everything I have is because of God. When you understand that, it becomes easier to do what needs to be done to be financially sound. He may even ask you to give when it doesn’t look as if you can, but know this: God will make a way and provide for your needs. That kind of obedience builds faith and trust.

“After all, God, who is your Father, knows your needs before you ask him.” Mat. 6:8

¹⁹Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. ²⁰But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ²²The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. ²³But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness! ²⁴No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). ²⁵Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?

²⁷And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? ²⁸And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? ³²For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. ³³But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Mat. 6:19-33 (AMPC)

Got Milk?

May 1, 2026April 18, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A river dividing a dry desert on one side and green farmland with animals, trees, and flowers on the other — Image generated via AI.

When the Bible describes the Promised Land as “a land flowing with milk and honey”, it’s not just a poetic flourish—it’s a vivid promise of life at its fullest under God’s care. For the Israelites, worn down by years of wandering, these words stirred anticipation for a place where their struggles would give way to stability, fruitfulness, and joy.

The Meaning Behind the Metaphor

In the ancient Near East, milk signified steady provision—evidence of fertile pastures and thriving herds. Honey, often from dates or wild bees, represented sweetness, delight, and the richness of the land’s produce. Together, they painted a picture of a life where both the essentials and the pleasures were abundant, a life marked by wholeness.

The Relevance for Us Today

We may not be crossing a desert toward Canaan, but we all long for a place of peace, security, and fulfillment. The imagery of milk and honey still speaks powerfully because:

God’s Provision Is Overflowing – He meets our needs and blesses us with joys that go beyond survival.
Faith Opens the Door – The Israelites had to trust God’s leading before they could enter the promise. We, too, must step forward in faith before we see His abundance.
True Abundance Is Spiritual First – Material blessings are temporary, but the richness of God’s presence endures.

Experiencing “Milk and Honey” Now

We can live in the reality of God’s promise today by:

Resting in His faithfulness instead of being driven by fear or scarcity.
Recognizing His blessings in both the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Seeking His presence daily, knowing that He is the source of lasting fulfillment.

The “land flowing with milk and honey” is more than a historical promise—it’s a spiritual reality we can taste here and now. It’s an invitation to trust, to hope, and to live with the confidence that God’s goodness is not just ahead of us, but with us today.

Understanding the Fear of the Funnel

April 28, 2026April 18, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Tornadoes are among nature’s most awe-inspiring — and terrifying — phenomena. They can appear suddenly, roar with unimaginable force, and leave behind a trail of destruction that changes lives in minutes. While some people are fascinated by them, for many, the fear runs deep. Here’s why tornadoes have such a powerful grip on our emotions.

1. The Sheer Unpredictability
Unlike hurricanes, which can be tracked for days, tornadoes often form with little warning. Even with modern radar, the time between a tornado warning and impact can be just minutes. This unpredictability leaves people feeling powerless, heightening anxiety.

2. The Devastating Power
A strong tornado can level entire neighborhoods, uproot trees, and hurl vehicles like toys. The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale measures wind speeds that can exceed 200 mph — enough to turn everyday objects into deadly projectiles. The sheer force is a reminder of how fragile human structures can be.

3. The Sensory Overload
Survivors often describe the sound of a tornado as a deafening roar, like a freight train bearing down. The dark, swirling clouds, flashes of lightning, and sudden drop in air pressure create an intense sensory experience that can be overwhelming and traumatic.

4. The Emotional Toll of Past Events
For those who have lived through a tornado — or know someone who has — the fear is often rooted in personal experience. The loss of homes, livelihoods, or loved ones can leave lasting emotional scars, sometimes leading to lilapsophobia, the specific fear of tornadoes and severe storms.

5. The Feeling of Helplessness
Even with preparation, there’s only so much one can do when a tornado is on the way. The idea that safety depends on being in the right place at the right time — often in a small shelter or basement — can make people feel trapped and vulnerable.

At the time of this writing, we had a tornado touch down close to our house, sort of. If you look at the included image, you will see the green area that represents where the tornado made human contact. The white arrow points to a small white dot, which is where our house is. The distance between the two is only about two and a half miles. Which, in the realm of tornadoes, that’s not even considered a “close call!”

I grew up not far from that white dot, so you might say I grew up with tornadoes. I have never seen one, but I have seen the sky right before one hits. During the daytime, or if there is lightning, you can see this eerie aqua-green color. I have only seen the sky turn that color during a tornado. Fear can easily set in. I am fascinated by them and all of the stories that come along with them, but I do respect them and their power, and I take cover. Wind is scary. It is loud, noisy, and can evoke concern, but it is just wind. The devil is like wind in some ways: loud, noisy, and he tries to evoke fear because fear is debilitating!

My way of dealing with them is to turn my fear and concern over to God and let him help me. The same goes for any storm that may come my way in life. When the weatherman says, “There is a chance for the outbreak of tornadoes,” I start praying, asking God to divert or minimize the storm, and to protect us, and the home, car, and other belongings He has provided to us. I know of other believers who are praying as well. So far, the God who loves us so much has answered each time.

People fear “storms of life” for many of the same reasons they fear tornadoes. You can’t stop them, change them by worrying about them. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” And remember, He is also the one who said, “Peace be still!” in Mark 4:39.

The Waiting Room

April 24, 2026April 10, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

An empty chair near a window with sunlight casting warm shadows — Image generated via AI.

At the time of this writing, we just celebrated Easter last weekend. One of the songs we sang mentioned Friday and Jesus’ dying. Even he himself said, “It is finished.” One would think if Jesus said it, then it must really be over. But what about that coming back to life after three days part he used to talk about? It must have been difficult to wait and see if he was telling the truth or just dreaming.

What are you waiting to see what God will do? Lead you to a job or your spouse? Tell you what the next chapter in your life is? Or perhaps heal you? Maybe it’s to provide finances to help you pay a bill. I’m sure whatever it is, it’s difficult to wait. I have a close friend who is and has been waiting for several weeks to get results concerning an issue in his body. I think it is taking a toll on him, even though he portrays faith and bravery.

What is worse, I think, is knowing that God has spoken something, but it has not yet come to pass. I used to ask God, “When will I get married?” All He ever said in reply was, “Soon.” “That’s great! Thanks, God. I’ll put that on the calendar!” According to his watch, I guess it was.

Jesus died on Friday. Saturday must have seemed so dark. Perhaps even hopeless. I believe some of his disciples went back to their old way of life as an answer to the question, “Now what?” You may be on Saturday, in your waiting for an answer from God. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t try to figure out his timing, and for sure don’t take his silence as an answer. Just keep praying, keep asking, and keep believing that He loves you and will take care of you. There is nothing that you can do to force his hand or to speed things up. As if putting an extra $20.00 in the offering plate is going to impress God.

Sitting in the waiting room is hard. If you let the devil play with your mind, fear, worry, dread, and other bad thoughts can creep in. Don’t let them. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV) Who wins the battle in your mind, while you are waiting, is key to the victory. You learn a lot about God in the waiting and about yourself. One thing I have learned in life is this: every trial has an end. You just need to make sure that when that day comes, you are still holding the hand of Jesus.

How Much per Gallon?

April 21, 2026April 20, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Robotic arm accepting Japanese yen bill at a gas pump — Image generated via AI.

It’s hard to miss the sting of higher gas prices. Every time we fill up, the numbers climb faster than we’d like, and for many, that extra cost means cutting back elsewhere. While the economic impact is real, there’s also a deeper, spiritual layer worth exploring.

1. The Test of Trust

When expenses rise, our first instinct is often anxiety. We start calculating, worrying, and wondering how we’ll make ends meet. Yet Scripture reminds us that our ultimate security isn’t in our bank accounts, but in God’s provision. Rising gas prices can become a modern-day test of trust—an opportunity to lean into the truth that “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

2. The Call to Contentment

Higher costs can tempt us to grumble or compare our situation to others. But contentment isn’t about having everything we want—it’s about recognizing that what we have is enough for today. This season can be a reminder to simplify, to be grateful for the transportation we do have, and to see every mile as a gift rather than a given.

3. The Invitation to Compassion

When prices rise, those already struggling feel it the most. As followers of Christ, we’re called to notice and respond. Maybe that means offering a ride to a neighbor, helping someone cover their commute, or simply listening to their concerns without judgment. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who always moved toward those in need.

4. The Shift in Perspective

Gas prices may be out of our control, but our perspective isn’t. We can choose to see this moment not as an inconvenience alone, but as a spiritual checkpoint—asking ourselves: Am I trusting God with my daily needs? Am I using my resources to bless others? Am I letting gratitude outweigh frustration?

Final Thought:

The numbers on the pump may keep changing, but God’s faithfulness doesn’t. If we let it, even something as ordinary as filling our tank can become a moment of worship, trust, and generosity.

Your Faith

April 17, 2026April 2, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A detailed reproduction of the Shroud of Turin resting on a wooden table. — Image generated and edited via AI.

I was in a Bible study group once, and one subject came up that kind of surprised me. Before I get into the topic, I want to say how much I appreciated and respected those guys in the group. We all had walked with God for various lengths of time and have come from different backgrounds and denominations.

One guy brought up the Shroud of Turin, which was allegedly the cloth that Jesus Christ’s body was wrapped in after he died. He was really into it and talked about how some scientists have proven that it is real and dates back to the age when Jesus was on Earth. (Some scientists have disproven it as being authentic.) Some of the other guys had never heard of this cloth before. I, for one, am a skeptic.

First of all, it’s okay if you have a different opinion than I do. Believing in the Shroud of Turin or not has nothing to do with whether you will make it into heaven or not. I asked the gentleman who believed it was real if it helped his faith or strengthened his faith. I was surprised when he responded that it did.

I’m not a “super saint” or anything, but I believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the Son of God and walked this Earth to show us a better way to live, and that his death on the cross gives us forgiveness of our sins. I believe that without any physical proof. I mean, I have evidence of the changed lives of others and of who I would be without his love in my heart. Only God’s love and his Son could change the heart of man. I have seen all that God has done in my life, the miracles, etc. I believe, period!

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29 (MSG)

There has been a lot of analysis and study of the shroud, yet the results remain inconclusive. Some scientists place the cloth at the time of Jesus, while others don’t.

My point is this: either believe in Jesus from the word of God or not. Don’t be wishy-washy, for that will only make you weak. Physical evidence shouldn’t matter. It’s intriguing or interesting, but it shouldn’t be necessary. Look how many followed Jesus and saw miracles right in front of their eyes, yet after they left, they most likely allowed the limitations of their mind to reason the miracles away. The result is they stopped believing in Jesus.

Jesus didn’t do miracles to “prove” that he was indeed the Son of God. He did them because people needed them. Remember, God does the supernatural when the supernatural is needed. Jesus’ main mission was to be a savior for the lost, because that was our greatest need.

God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor. Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!” Luke 4:18 (MSG)

Some people are “poor” in spirit, others are prisoners of their sins, and the blind are spiritually blind.

I used to work with a guy, and he didn’t believe that God was real. After some discussion, I finally asked him, “What would you have to see to believe?” He sat there and thought about how to answer the question for what seemed like eternity. I broke in and said, “Nothing comes to mind, does it? And here’s why: no matter what God did for you to prove his existence, it wouldn’t be enough. Your mind would then try to reason the proof away.” He turned to me with sadness in his eyes and responded, “You’re right.”

Now faith means putting our full confidence in the things we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see. It was this kind of faith that won their reputation for the saints of old. And it is after all only by faith that our minds accept as fact that the whole scheme of time and space was created by God’s command—that the world which we can see has come into being through principles which are invisible. Heb. 11:1-3 (Phillips)