Take 2

August 29, 2025July 29, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

April and I joke whenever we see Liam Neeson in a new movie coming out. Before we know the real name of the film, we call it “Taken 27.” It seems Hollywood often creates sequels to successful movies. Seldom are the sequels even close to being as good as the first one, though. And the average movie buff perpetuates the problem by going to see it. The problem is they don’t know how to tap into the creative power of God, but that’s another blog post.

Maybe the movie makers keep doing the same movie until they get it right. I’m not sure. With most issues in life, there are no “do-overs,” “retakes,” or “sequels.” Well, on second thought, some people do keep repeating the same life choices and patterns. Sometimes, a person’s life choices can have detrimental results that can change one’s life forever. It is usually in those moments that they might say, “Boy. If I could just go back and change my decision.”

At the time of this writing, a corporate professional was recently caught on a “Kiss-Cam” with his arms around a woman who was not his wife. A day or two later, he resigned. You think he didn’t wish he could make a different choice?

Yes, life can be ruff if one makes a wrong decision. It’s also not very forgiving, and neither are people in general. When I worked for AT&T, there was a phrase that I always thought was rather odd: “If you do something wrong, people may not remember what you did, but they will remember your name.” It seems like those were the individuals who got promoted!

Living with regrets can be overwhelming. So may living with the results of bad decisions. I have certainly experienced both. You dwell on them too much, and it can bring about your demise. That is why I am so grateful to know God. He not only forgives us but remembers our sins no more. I figured if God can let it go, then why shouldn’t I? Why let my wrongdoing hold me back from being the best person I can be with God’s help?

When I screwed up and had to leave the ministry, I thought life was over. Like David, in Psalm 51:10, I cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Neither did I want God to cast me from his presence or to remove his Spirit. A few months later, a friend sent me a letter. No email back then. They wrote that God had given them a scripture for me:

I will build you up again, and you, (Mark Brady) Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Jer. 31:4 (NIV)

It has taken some time, years, but God has kept his word. I am still a pastor. It’s just my flock doesn’t meet with me in a sanctuary, and it’s small, but I have known for a long time, success in ministry has nothing to do with numbers. I am so grateful that God gives us second chances, or another take on life. “Thank you, Father!”

¹⁰he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Ps. 103:10-12 (NIV)

¹⁸Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

Who Told You, You Were Naked?

August 26, 2025July 24, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

If you suffer, even a little, from obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), the smallest thing out of order can upset you. I have to deal with this daily, and it can be overwhelmingly frustrating when my wife, April, is the source of something not being “just right.”

In the realm of things that are wrong in the world, to get upset over something minor that she did is probably stupid of me. For instance, not lining up the dishes perfectly in the dishwasher. The way she does it will still get them clean, but to me, they should be lined up.

So, who is right? I hoped that she would understand my issue and change her behavior, so I won’t get unsettled. However, after being married to her for six years now, I don’t think that will happen due to the issues she faces.

I was praying, asking God, “How do I deal with this issue and others that are similar?” My flesh wanted to show her how wrong she is in loading the dishes. It was also expecting her to change. But as I prayed, I heard in that still small voice, “Who told you she is wrong?” “Umm, Satan?” I thought. As if how she loaded the dishwasher was a sin. I realized at that moment, this is my issue, and I shouldn’t say anything to her. It’s a good thing April doesn’t read my blog posts!

Then I got to thinking, Does God expect us to be perfect? He does expect us not to sin. But He also knows that free will can lead to wrongdoing. Us feeling ashamed for what we have done.

She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” John 8:11 (NET)

⁷At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. ⁸When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. ⁹Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ¹⁰He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” ¹¹“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” Gen. 3:7-11 (NLT)

And here is why I should not say anything to April:

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. 1 Pt. 3:8-9 (MSG)

The devil is our accuser. He is the one who will tell you that you are naked. He wants you to feel ashamed of what you have done wrong. He also wants you to believe that whatever you have done is too great for God to forgive. Scripture tells us that God is faithful and just to forgive us if we confess them. (1 Jn. 1:9) Jesus is your defense attorney who reminds his Father in heaven that his death on the cross paid the price for your sins. So, don’t listen to the lies of the devil. You are worthy of God’s grace, mercy, His love, and forgiveness.

“It Is Written”

August 22, 2025July 21, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Early in July, I had the opportunity to work at my local church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS). The setting was a campground. The church and sanctuary were transformed into a wilderness. My assignment was to work with the associate pastor in a large tent and to teach the children that week’s memory verse. We enforced the verse through a series of activities to help the kids learn it.

“A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. You must love one another just as I have loved you.” John 13:34

I felt it was fitting that we were inside a tent. To me, it was a parody of “hiding” the word of God in our hearts. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Ps. 119:11 (NIV)

I can’t always remember the location of a scripture verse, but I tend to remember the verse. Some may take issue with that, but I would debate that at least I know “what” is in the word of God. For example, I could remember the above verse, but I could not remember “where” in the Bible it was located but I did an internet search to learn it was in Psalms.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. The devil even used some scripture but twisted it. And three times Jesus said, “It is written…” He resisted the devil’s temptation by knowing the words of God. (And I point out; he didn’t give the reference, but what was written.)

In the past, church goers were told that the Bible was too complicated or confusing for them to understand on their own, so they should leave the reading and the studying of the Bible to those who had been professionally trained. Knowing what the Bible says for yourself is important! And with today’s easy-to-read translations, the gist of God’s words can be understood.

I feel there are days coming when knowing what is in the Bible for yourself may be key to you not being misled, deceived, sinning, and led astray. Take time to read the word of God and hide its words in your heart. Wrongdoers may be able to take a lot away from you, but they will never be able to take away what is in your heart.

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Rules!

August 19, 2025July 18, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When I was a little boy, I didn’t understand why the school cafeteria always served fish sticks on Fridays. As I got older, I learned it was because people who followed the Catholic faith couldn’t eat meat on Fridays. I don’t mean any disrespect, but what in the world does that “rule” have to do with accepting Jesus Christ and having your sins forgiven?

I have read the Bible several times and from different versions, and I have never seen that “rule” in the Word of God. And for that matter, I have never seen that we had to go to a man to confess our sins, but rather we could go to God himself. And nowhere did I read that when we pray, we have to face East. (Some people, directionally challenged, might find that one difficult.)

Again, I don’t mean any disrespect, but isn’t it obvious that these and other “rules” are man-made? I kind of get it, some feel they need to “do” something to “earn” their way into heaven. As if they can be “good” enough to deserve heaven. The truth is, they can never be “good” enough or “do” enough to get into heaven. There is only one way into heaven, and I stated earlier that is by asking Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins, wrongdoings, and to ask Him into your life, thus foregoing the “rules” and starting a “relationship” with God.

I have heard that “religion” (rules) is man’s way to God, but God’s way to man is through his Son, Jesus (relationship).

Some may say, “Wait a minute, Christianity is full of rules.” No, it’s not. Christianity is a lifestyle. A way to live that is based in love. Loving God first and then loving others as you love yourself. Christianity is freedom. Walking with God and talking to him anytime you want to. Just like He intended, and the way things started out with Adam and Eve.

If you haven’t tried living life God’s way, then what are you waiting for? What are you afraid will happen? You are only delaying real life, true living, so forget the “rules” and start walking with God. You’ll love it, you’ll love Him, and you will love others.

“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)

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” Mat. 22:37-40 (MSG)

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. 1 John 4:7-10 (MSG)

But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
Acts 5:29 (NLT)

Coincidence?

August 15, 2025July 18, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I once heard that a “coincidence” is a small miracle where God insists on remaining anonymous. Maybe, but I’m not sure, because He wants to be known. For the devout follower of God, one who has a great relationship with Him, their steps are ordained (officially ordered by God).

It still amazes me, to this day, how God does such a thing. Especially, if your path is to cross with someone else’s. If left to your decisions, would you be too early, or too late for your assignment? But when you yield to God, you are always on time! That kind of relationship takes trust and faith in the God who runs the universe.

This happened to me yesterday. I was going to get out the door and run my errands before it got too hot. I also wanted to mow the lawn. Lately, the grass has been wet from a heavy dew until as late as 2 – 3 PM. I looked out the window and saw that the dew wasn’t too bad and there was a strong breeze. I heard a soft prompting in my spirit, “Go mow.”

I did, and I have to say, for the middle of summer, it wasn’t too bad. After finishing, I was glad I got it done. I came in, showered to help cool down, ate lunch, and then headed out to deal with the errands.

On my second stop, I encountered a young man. Through a thread of conversation, we wound up talking about church. It seemed as if he wasn’t going or wasn’t happy where he was going. I invited him to the church that April and I are going to. I shared with him why we like it so much. I am excited because I believe he will come. Then, on my last stop, I had a serious conversation with another young man about the importance of a trusting faith in God.

I could not dismiss what had taken place and knew that if I had run my errands earlier in the day as I was planning on, I probably would have missed both of them. I love being led by God and having my steps officially ordered. I have learned to trust him in knowing what to say to people and how much. I am humbled that God would allow me to take part in conducting his business. Of course, I won’t know the outcome until I get to heaven, and I’m okay with that, because I know that God’s words never return to him void.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Prov. 3: 5-6 (MSG)

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Is. 30:21 (NLT)

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Prov. 16:9 (NLT)

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Ps. 37:23 (NLT)

God wants to be known:

To you it was shown, that you might realize and have personal knowledge that the Lord is God
Deut. 4:35a (AMPC)

Never Too Close!

August 12, 2025July 14, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” Rom. 10:11 (MSG)

Yesterday, at the time of this writing, my pastor spoke from the book of Genesis about how Abram (later Abraham) picked up and left everything to follow God and his plan for his life. Today I sent the following message to him.

Hi Pastor,

I could relate to your message yesterday. When I was 20, God called me into the ministry. Three weeks after I turned 21, I left Tulsa, my budding, stable career with PSO, family, and friends, and drove 1640 miles to Acton, MA.

I took a position in an Assembly of God church that was new, and they said they couldn’t pay me a salary. Yet I had a car payment, a student loan to pay back (with no Joe Biden’s help), and living costs. My father forbade me from going. (I was not living under his roof at the time.) Also, I lost my best friend over it because he thought I should obey my father. Yet I knew God told me to go, and I wanted to “trust” Him and obey.

God was faithful, and everything got paid. I learned so much about following God back then. It has truly been the greatest adventure one could ever live! I, too, desire for everyone to experience that kind of relationship with God, and that is the basis of my blogs.

In closing, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to me yesterday while you were speaking, “Because you trusted me and obeyed, I have poured out my blessings upon you ever since.”

Romans 10:11 is so true! You don’t follow God for what you can get from him. He simply likes to bless his children who believe so strongly in him. One can never follow God too closely.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:6 (NIV)

⁶So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ⁷Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Gal. 3:6-9 (NIV)

You’re Close!

August 8, 2025July 9, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I have been volunteering at our church’s Vacation Bible School. Last night, the children’s pastor had them play a game where one student went up on stage and was blindfolded. Then he hid a lantern on the stage. That student’s teammates had to “cheer” when the student was moving in the right direction toward the light and “boo” when they were going the wrong way. It was loud!

Watching the fun, I realized, shouldn’t we do the same with people who have not accepted Jesus? I mean, shouldn’t we “cheer” them on when they go in the right direction? And shouldn’t we be loud? Then, likewise, shouldn’t we show our disapproval when we see someone making bad decisions and or walking away from the Light?

People who have not accepted Jesus Christ yet and have had their sins forgiven are indeed blind to the truth. And the devil does everything he can to confuse, distract, or lie to them to keep them away from God. He tries so hard to convince them that they know the way and can do life on their own, their way. The Bible has some things to say about this.

This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. Mat. 13:13 (NIV)

If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get. 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (MSG)

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)

I See You!

August 5, 2025July 7, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I watched a movie today, where a son was bitter against his father. His dad was a world-renowned photographer, and he didn’t think his father was around enough or even saw him. The father learned that the last company in Kansas doing so was going to stop developing film. He had some, according to him, important photos that had never been developed earlier in time. He wanted his son to drive him halfway across the country to Kansas. As well, he hoped to reconnect with his estranged son one more time. The father was also very sick and dying of cancer.

The movie played out a lot like real life, where when someone is around long enough, their true feelings about them have a way of coming out. Words, hurtful ones but sometimes true ones, are spoken.

They make it to Kansas just in time, and if you are like me, you will guess (sorry, spoiler alert) that the father dies the night before the slides are made, preventing him from ever seeing what he considered his best work.

Some people may think or feel as though God doesn’t see them. Or perhaps he isn’t around enough. They might believe this because life isn’t going the way “they” want it to. I assure you, God has never taken his eye off of you. And He is always right there with you.

Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together. Ps. 33:18-19 (MSG)

God would say, “I see you!” There have been times when I felt God’s presence so strong that I knew He not only sees me and what I am going through, but is right there with me in the moment. Faith helps you know that God is there and that He sees you.

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deu. 31:6 (MSG)

At the end of the movie, the son loads a slide carousel projector to view what his father claimed was so important that he had to deliver it to the developer himself, rather than trust a shipping company to handle it. Turns out, the photos were of him as he was growing up. Yes, his dad was there, and yes, he saw him!

First Place Trophy?

August 1, 2025June 30, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

One man bragged that he had a trophy wife. His buddy said, “Yeah, but she came in sixth place!”

I know a man, and the second time I had a conversation with him, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Watch out for this man. Don’t get too close to him and guard what you say to him.” He started sharing with me his religious trophies. In other words, what he thought he had done “for God,” but in reality, he did them for himself. There was one such trophy that shocked me when he shared it. He seemed proud of it, too, which bothered me. It was something that didn’t seem right, for one who claims to be a Christ follower, to be a part of.

I’m sorry I can’t reveal more about what he told me because it is possible that some who read these blogs know him and I have always strived not to expose people for what they are, but to make a point. Who this man is isn’t important, but his being “religious” is!

Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. Jam. 1:26-27 (MSG)

Focusing on the part of the above verse that is labeled as “Real religion” is really about “love.” God’s love. Simply loving on people. Bob Goff wrote a book about it titled “Love Does.” I’ve had the opportunity to hear Bob speak in person. One story he shared I can’t forget.

He said he was picked up at the airport in a limo. On his way to his hotel, he asked the young driver, “Have you ever ridden back here?” “No,” said the chauffeur. Bob says he thought for a moment and then said, “Why don’t you pull over and get back here and I’ll drive for you.” “What?” exclaimed the driver. “Of course, if we do this, you have to let me wear the hat!” They exchanged places. The young man had never been shown or felt such love.

Doing something out of the ordinary for someone else gets their attention. They sit up and start paying attention to why this person is different than anyone they have ever met. Many times, they will even ask, “Why are you doing this?” Or, “Why are you different?” Jesus dined with tax collectors, and they were considered bad people. He became friends with a woman caught in adultery. He understood and didn’t condemn when a woman went against her culture to touch the hem of his garment.

Those people didn’t see “religion,” they saw “love in motion.” Jesus never dragged out his trophies of all the miracles he had performed and showed them off. He never had the disciples stop and polish them either. Jesus simply loved, and talked about his heavenly Father and a better way to live.