Author: Mark Brady

God Did It

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

A mother wanted to take her children to a special event where they would learn, grow, be inspired, and empowered. She knew in her spirit it was the right thing to do, but her bank statement was telling her otherwise! She finally told them, “I’m sorry kids. Your father and I have done everything we can think of in order to get you all there, but we just can’t. But, if God really wants you there as well, then He will make a way.”

This is what God says,
    the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
    who carves a path through pounding waves, Isa. 43:16 (MSG)

Thirty minutes later the mother received an email inviting her and the children to the very event they wanted to attend…free of charge.

Yes, there will be times when God’s involvement in our lives is obvious, but there are other times when it is not. In the aftermath, of something good happening, if we were to sit and look back on how it happened, if we were to investigate it, like a crime scene, we just might see the hand of God. There could be a faint trace of his hand, his presence in our lives.

Recognizing that God made a way, when there seemed to be none, when He led us to employment that will meet our needs, or lead us to the right doctor who He can partner with to heal us. They say, “Seeing is believing”, and there is truth in those words, but when we believe “before” we see, it does something within us. It builds our faith, encourages, and helps us know we are loved by God. He will make a way, even when there seems to be none.

Look around your life. You might just see traces of God.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

God, Crazy?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

If you created something, perfected it, and then gave it away, most would call you crazy!

If you gave your only child’s life, so that someone else could live, most would call you crazy!

God did those very things. He made you, and then gave you away to exercise your own freewill! And when you failed, and would then die for eternity in hell, he gave you his only Son, Jesus to pay for your failures, sins. Jesus’ blood was spilled for you. God’s only Son purchased you back, so you could live for eternity in heaven with your maker. BUT then he gave you away again, because He wants you to CHOOSE to love him, and accept him.

Some might call what God did, “crazy”,
but He calls it, “love”!

Yes, God loves you that much! It doesn’t matter what you have done, He loves you regardless.

“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)

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Rom. 8:37-39 (MSG)

“I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think.  Isaiah 55:8-9 (MSG)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

It’s Not Me, it’s You

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Have you ever found yourself in one of those relationships where the other person does something that offends you, or hurts you? And then when you tried to share with them how it bothered you they act out and try to turn things around as if it was your fault. What the heck? Right? It can be extremely frustrating.

I was thinking about this scenario and feeling exasperated. I asked God about it as I do now when I am in need of wisdom and understanding. He is so faithful to provide an answer. He shared with me that when you speak “truth” it can convict. This can make them uncomfortable and they can get defensive. The other thing that may happen is they will distance themselves from you.

It may be they come up with excuses as to why they can’t get together anymore, or stop inviting you to events, or family gatherings. What makes it hard on you is they convince themselves and others that “you” are the problem, but it is NOT you, it’s them!

I know it hurts. It’s not right. It’s an injustice. So how do we handle it? As difficult as it is, we must still love them, and pray for them. Realize you are in good company! Jesus was falsely accused. Some of the people around him, religious leaders of that day, etc. were confronted with Truth. It convicted how they should be living. To push Jesus out of their lives they crucified him. I don’t think your family and friends will go to that extreme so don’t despair.

Keep in mind when Jesus wants to enter a person’s life, heart, He stands at the door and knocks. He waits for an invitation to enter. We cannot force someone to change. Continue to speak the truth in love, and hope that your loving actions will be used by the Holy Spirit to work into their hearts.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. Rev. 3:20 (AMPC)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Seriously?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

There was a time when I had to work with some individuals, that, let’s just say, had different opinions on how to do things. Very strong, non-bending opinions, and they made it known, they were right! I didn’t share the fowl taste their behavior put in my mouth. Instead, I kept a pleasant face and did my best to swallow the dry, over cooked, attitude.

Later, when I was talking to my friend, I shared, okay complained, about them. I went on and on until he cleared his throat. I asked, “Too much?” He immediately replied in a deep rough voice, “Yes!” I stopped and we started talking about what was going on in his life, but the yukky flavor was still in my mouth.

It wouldn’t pass, and about five days later I started talking to God about it. Would you believe he told me to tell them “Thank you”?

I knew I had to obey, and I did, but I didn’t understand “why”?

After receiving God’s instructions I later opened my devotional of the year, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young to read that day’s selection. I share it with you below:

LET THANKFULNESS TEMPER ALL YOUR THOUGHTS. A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy.

 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 1 COR. 10:10

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” HEB. 12:28-29

“Thank you, Heavenly Father for loving me so much that you continue to guard my heart. You instruct me so evil will not be able to take up residence there in my inner most being. As I yield my life, my words, my thoughts to you I am directed to clean house, and remove even the smallest measure of dirt.”

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

You Know What?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Big news!  I have been invited to Washington D.C. to meet with President Biden and a commission he is putting together on creativity.  I think I was selected because of this blog.  The President wants to find different ways to get young people to express themselves, to set goals, and have dreams to live for.  Okay, April’s fool.

To be honest, I have never understood this day.
It’s lying.

One year I was asked to be at a wedding.  I traveled hundreds of miles to get there and the next day, as I was on my way to where the event was to be held, it dawned on me the date was April 1st.  When I saw the engaged couple I said, “If this is an April fool’s joke you’re dead!”  They laughed and then assured me it wasn’t.  I guess it does make it easier to remember the wedding date.

You know what?  There are fools year round, not just in April, and people do foolish things all the time.  Believe it or not, I’ve been known to do a foolish thing here and there, but that’s another blog I don’t want to write!  The most foolish person is the one who does not believe in God.

“The fool says in his heart, there is no God.”
Psalm 14:1 (NIV)

There are people who say, “There is no God.”  I wonder what they will say when they stand in front of him?  How do they arrive to this opinion?  I’m not sure, but the Bible says God gave everyone a measure of faith.  I tend to think when these people boast about their opinion they have a measure of doubt.  I’m sure they hope they are right.

One might live like a fool, but you don’t have to die a fool.  You can believe in God, accept his Son, and then ask him to help your unbelief.  You know what?  He will.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

There’s No Other Way!

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

It happened before I knew it. Facing a trying time, where facts were present regardless of having an understanding as to why, was very difficult for me. When you have to do another withdraw from your savings when in your mind you keep saying, “But, God, I know for sure we heard you!” I don’t understand why this venture has cost us financially, when it should have grown our finances.

By Saturday, while sitting in front of a warm fire, I realized I had not read from my current devotional, “Jesus Calling” all week. I went to get it. Ironically? No, but smacking me in the face was the overall theme for the week was, regardless of the circumstances, keep trusting me, and obeying also.

I needed to read that message every single day of this past week, but I wasn’t. Funny how quickly we take ownership of our situations in our minds. Then what’s odd is we seem to allow those situations to take ownership of us.

There are SO many good stanzas in this old hymn. Words that need to be taken to heart, and lived by.

“Father, I repent for taking my eyes off of you this past week. Please forgive me. I know and believe, that you are sovereign and you do know what you are doing in my life. I gave it to you. Help me not to take it back again. Thank you, God. Amen.”

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Who’s it For?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Hi. How can I help you?”

“I need to…”  “Sorry.”

“It’s quite alright.”

“I need to pick out a casket.”

“Okay. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks.”

“Step this way. Did you have something in mind?”

“Yeah. Nothing ‘over the top’. It should be simple, but natural looking. Not that there is anything ‘natural’ about dying. I think it should reflect the kind of life the one lived who will be using it.”

“I understand. What do you think of this model over here?”

“Model? Gees! You make it sound like they are vehicles that transport the dead into eternity. Is this the newest model or a late model?”

“My apologies sir. It’s a particular style of casket. It’s in our ‘Wood Grain’ family.”

“Umm, not bad. May I see the interior, please?”

“Of course.”

“No squeaks. That’s good. Wouldn’t want to scare any children that may be at the funeral. I guess that one will do.”

“Very good, sir. Why don’t we go back to my office now and we can start the paper work.”

“You mean loan papers don’t you? With what these cost and everything.”

“Sir, they must be paid for upfront. We certainly don’t have a ‘Lay-a-way’ plan here.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?”

“It was.”

“Oh. Well I guess it kind of was. I’m just not in a laughing mood.”

“My apologies, sir.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it.”

“Ok. Tell me about the deceased.”

“In general, all his life he tried his best to be a good man. To live according to God’s words, and overall, live a life pleasing to God. He was born here in this town, reared here also, but lived in several other places as an adult. He loved to travel. He was married twice, to two different women, had two children and two grandchildren. His first wife poisoned his children about him though, so after they became young adults they told their father he was a horrible man, and they never wanted to see him ever again.”

“Was he?”

“What?”

“A bad man.”

“No. Not perfect, but not bad either. He provided everything he possibly could for his children. Even though he was paying child support, if he saw his kids had a need, he met it. He took them places in America too. They loved traveling as much as he did. He also took them to church. He introduced them to the loving, one, true, God of the universe. He was faithful in taking them there so their faith could grow.

I guess it has become obvious which force won his kids over. They chose ‘evil’ over ‘good’. They know that their sins will cost them their life for eternity, but even though they saw ‘God” at work in the life of their father, it didn’t make the impact it should have. That broke his heart more than not getting to see and spoil his grandchildren.”

“That’s too bad. Seeing, or hearing from their father most likely brought on guilt, and the Holy Spirit bringing to their mind they should be living for God, instead of for themselves. By the way, I’ll also need where all he went to school, and the primary places he lived and worked, and for how many years. Any affiliations he was associated with and any other hobbies he had. Oh! One thing I failed to ask, who’s the casket for?”

“Sir?”

“Sir?”

“Who’s the casket for?”

“Me.”

Hebrews 9:27 (MSG) Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

As the World Turns

/ Mark Brady / 3 Comments

My mother claims she started watching the above “soap opera” when it debuted when she was only 16 years old. As my sister and I grew up, we knew not to interrupt mom’s “program”! In fact, the story goes that when I was only 4, I would hear the theme song play and start heading to my bedroom saying, “Time to go to bed!”

The program was about people and their lives, the drama they experienced. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I have never heard, or understood why they called these types of programs, “soaps”. Well the other day, I was talking to an old friend after a few years of losing contact with them. As they shared with me their family’s “drama” I started feeling dirty, if you will. When I began to figure out why I felt that way I realized it was because “God” was not involved in their lives!

Now there is no way I would say that I have lived a perfect, or spotless life, but it has all been washed by the blood of Jesus and my sins are gone. Plus, life is good these days. Yes, things still breakdown occasionally and we have some struggles and challenges with finances, but knowing that God is right here with me makes me feel better about the things of life. I feel clean. Also, I know He protects us from the evil one, who wants to kill steal, and destroy!

Many people know how they should be living, and some were even raised up in the church, but for one reason or another, they choose not to live according to God’s words. He gave us those very words, not to make our lives boring, or a drudgery, but on the contrary to give us real life.  Abundant life! When He made man and woman, He placed them in a garden.  That’s the kind of life He wants us to have, but out of freewill, many choose to live in the city dump. It breaks my heart that they are missing out now, and will miss out for eternity unless they accept Jesus and ask him to be Lord of their life. To cleanse them by washing their sins away through his death on the cross and making them white as snow.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Tomorrow, March 03 by 7:00 P.M.

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Journeys vary in length! Duh. Everyone knows that! But this particular journey took eight years. I’ll never forget how it started. My friend asked me, “What’s stopping you?” After much thought, I answered his question the following week. “Fear!”

Fear paralysis a lot of people before their journey actually starts sometimes, and that is sad. There is greater joy in overcoming than in feeling scared. The other thing I had to overcome on this journey was when someone extremely close to me asked, “What makes you think you’re a…” It hurt, a lot, and I almost believed them I wasn’t. Then, God put in front of me a wise, spiritual man who simply said, “Mark, you are.” And those words I did believe, and so my journey took off. I went from baby steps to running.

I came up with lots of excuses why my journey was taking so long. I stumbled when another person’s own hurts and past were projected onto me. This person should have supported me and guided me while setting their own issues aside. I understand, now, but back then, I didn’t. I did stop the journey for two months, and blamed them. Then God got tired of me feeling bad for myself, and whispered, “Mark, no one can finish this, but you. Because I gave it to you to do.” I heard him, and started my journey again.

My journey is getting longer and taking on more of an influence, but one key part of it is ending Tomorrow, March 03, by 7:00 P.M. My first novel, Kill The Preacher Man is being delivered. I am beyond excited.

This blog is being written on March 02, but it won’t post until March 18th, which happens to be part of that growing influence. When you read this, I will be in the middle of hosting my first writer’s conference with my business partner. I hope by the end of it I too will have been used of God to empower someone else on a journey, to believe they’re a writer.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

You can check out the book at bradymarka.com/books

What Does it Mean?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you ever notice numbers? Like if you see the same number over and over? The other day I noticed there were “252” people who had visited a particular website. Then, the next day I had an offering to give. I was going to split the full amount of the offering with another person. The amount for each of us was “252”. The following day I wrote a blog post and it had, yep, “252” words in it!

I thought, “Wow! This is amazing.” Not the first time this kind of thing has happened to me, but this time it seemed more amazing and meaningful. So I looked up what the spiritual number “252” means? Here is the definition:

“252 symbolizes diplomacy, harmony, respect and acknowledgement. It also symbolizes uniqueness, individuality, creativity, unconventionality, and curiosity.”

Another connection is this; last year I started the business “Experience Writing, LLC” with my neighbor, another writer. Our first writer’s conference starts this Thursday. Our core values for the business are:

  • Out of the box
  • Unique
  • Individual
  • Creative

Do you see it? Three of our core values are contained within the meaning, “252”. It would be all four if you considered “unconventionality” as “Out of the box”.

So what am I to do with this knowledge and awareness?

  1. Not start looking under every number for meaning. Not depend, or rely on seeing number patterns for direction, or guidance. Doing so would become a “religion”.
  2. I am to know, be confident that I am at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. Just another special delivery from God. It delights the soul as well.

As for the first meaning of “252”; in the spirit of diplomacy and harmony, I have learned to respect and acknowledge the special gifting of my business partner. So I am not going to get hung up on seeing “252”, but I am going to give thanks to God for the confirmation I am on the right track in my journey with him.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.