Road Construction

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

At the entrance to my subdivision there is road construction. I can only exit and enter by going one way while they upgrade the infrastructure, water, electric, and sewer that runs along the road, or under it. Then, they will put down a new road, with new lane stripes and new signs. They say it will take 6 months to complete. It has already been two and a half.

If that wasn’t enough to endure, they have torn up a major highway interchange just blocks from the road I mentioned above. It is reported to take two years to finish. The officials say, “Go slow. Proceed with caution. Be patient. It will be worth it in the end.”

As I have shared in previous posts, I married a Filipino woman in 2019. Soon after the wedding, we worked with an immigration attorney to get the process started to bring my wife to America. I lived in the Philippines for several months until I needed an eye procedure. We discussed the situation and felt it was best if I came back to America to have it done here. Thinking her immigration process wouldn’t take that long and she would follow me here shortly. It seemed as if they had missed placed her file and then shortly after they started working on her case, Covid hit.

At the time of this writing, my wife is still not here with me. There have been lots of conversations with God about the process and questions of, “Why is it taking so long?” Walking with God in life is definitely a journey. As we are now getting toward the end of the immigration process I can look back and see with greater understanding. I can see how God has updated power lines in our lives making sure that in the future we look to him for uninterrupted power to live by. He has put in a new sewer system to remove the waste and potentially toxic aspects of our personalities away safely and quickly. My wife compares my temper to passing gas. She says, “It stinks at first, but it doesn’t last long.” She has learned to let me vent and then we can return to our regularly scheduled life already in progress.

If God didn’t take the time to pour new pavement in our lives we would be traveling with him on dirt, and when the storms come get bogged down in mud. Yuk! If he only put down stones travel would be easier but it would be a bumpy and rough ride. Not enjoyable at all. But God has used the time, while waiting for her immigration to be completed, to put down nice smooth pavement. When the final touches are completed my wife and I will be able to come and go quickly in any direction with ease. We will be able to see the lanes we should stay in so we avoid head on collisions and harm.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

Yes, walking with God is difficult at times, and it is hard to see what He is doing, because some improvements are below the surface. At times it’s hard to understand why it is taking so long, but He would say, “Go slow. Proceed with caution. Be patient. It will be worth it in the end.”

He Did it For Me

March 12, 2021March 10, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

My father came from a large family. At an early age he learned how to catch fish, and not just go fishing. He realized he was helping to put food on the table for his family, but he also discovered how much he enjoyed it. He became a good fisherman.

When I got old enough to go with him he started teaching me. One of my father’s favorite places to fish was on a creek. You wade in the water from fishing hole to the next fishing hole. Along the way nature is all around you, including the occasional snake. I watched as my father remained calm and deal with them, so though I learned which ones were poisonous I also learned how to stay safe. I respect snakes, but I do not have a fear of them. Now, I come across a tiny spider in the house, I’m squealing like a school girl and yelling for my wife to come kill it!

One night, while we were in the creek catching our bait I said, “Dad, I’ve got a snake up against my left leg.” “Okay, I’ll be there in a minute,” he replied as he continued picking up crawdads. He moved in behind me and grabbed the snake by the tale and gave it a good toss. It was not poisonous and the ones that were, he killed. My father was my hero, my deliverer.

Several years later, we were on the creek, and dad was in some deep water when a snake came at him. He tried like crazy to push the snake away with his fishing pole, but the snake kept coming and getting closer. Dad started screaming while I remained safe on the bank laughing. After he got the snake to go away from him he expressed his displeasure of my reaction to, according to him, “his close call with death”. (The snake was not even poisonous.)

“Dad, why are you so angry? You’re not afraid of snakes,” I said.
“Are you kidding me? I hate those things. I am horribly afraid of them!” he replied.
All those years I had no idea. My father faced one of his greatest fears. He did that for me.

God, my Heavenly Father, doesn’t fear anything at all, but He too had to do something He didn’t want to. He allowed his only son, Jesus die on a cross to take on the sins of all of humanity. It grieved him, and in the final hour, because God is Holy and cannot even look at sin, had to turn away from his son while he was dying a horrible death. He did it for me, but He also did for you. That’s how much God loves us. Here it is, in its simplest form:

“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)

God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are my heroes, my deliverers.

“Life” – The Ride

March 9, 2021March 8, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I love riding roller coasters. The thrill, the excitement, the rush they provide is satisfying. Being surprised by sudden twists and turns, dips, and loops. Corkscrews are always a nice touch. One thing I have noticed designers give their coasters big names. Such as, The Texas Giant, Millennium Force, The Beast, Nitro, Magnum XL-200, Intimidator 305, Goliath, and Cyclone in the famous Coney Island, to name a few.

Life, at times, feels like a roller coaster. Up one minute, down the next. Cheering with exhilaration, or screaming with terror. Laughing one second and potentially tearing up in the next turn. Life can change drastically in a moment. A life is born, or a life can end. One can meet their new spouse, or get handed divorce papers. A job can be gained, or one can be terminated, in a moment.

Life moves, in a constant motion. Never pausing, chilling out, or taking a rest. It’s impossible to stay in a good moment very long. Dealing with this moving force can be overwhelming at times. There is no way, once the ride goes over the first hill, you can ask the operator to stop and let you off. Sad, but true, some riders get off the ride by taking matters into their own hands and prematurely end it, causing, “an unfinished life!” I think this is due to not knowing the Operator, and trusting Him.

Coasters are designed to keep riders safe, and getting them to the end. Yes, freak accidents do occur at times, just like in life. There are no guarantees, and there is no posted sign that discourages getting on the ride due to things like height, or lack of, your health, pregnancy, or recovering from a recent surgery.

The key to surviving a coaster and life is trusting the Operator. Accepting His love, his Son, and His Spirit to ride next to you. On my honeymoon, my wife and I went to an amusement park. I made the mistake of asking her to ride next to me. I didn’t get hurt from the ride, but my arm was bleeding from her digging in her finger nails, and my ear was ringing from her screams, “Take me home!” The Operator will rejoice with you in the highs, and comfort you during the lows. He, God, can keep you calm with the many twists and turns that comes with life.

Don’t attempt to ride life alone. Accept God’s offer to join you. The admission price was paid for by His son, Jesus when He died on the cross for you. One thing I can promise you is “Life” – The Ride is much better with God.

Tempting, Isn’t it?

March 5, 2021March 2, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I once wrote a parody of Genesis 3:1-7, where Satan tempted Eve. I expressed the idea of Satan not being successful in his first, or second attempt. He soon realized he had to step up his game and be the best salesman there ever was or will be. He begin convincing Eve the fruit would complete her ensemble (a word I learned from my first wife) and the forbidden fruit went well with the shoes she was wearing. As you know, the rest of the story, it worked.

I had a Chinese friend, a few years ago, who referred to temptation as,

“her favorite sin”,

and she was convinced the devil knew what it was and how to use it against her.

What is yours? What does your snake say to you?

But now I’m afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s clever lies, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may lose your single-hearted devotion and pure love for Christ. 2 Cor. 11:3 (TPT)

One of the greatest tools we have is knowing how Satan comes against us using the same temptation usually every time.

“so that we would not be exploited by the adversary, Satan, for we know his clever schemes.” 2 Cor. 2:11 (TPT)

^“So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”Heb. 4:16 (TPT)

“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.^“ 1 Cor. 10:13 (TPT)

The tempter wants you to fail,

but the tester wants you to succeed.

Remember Jesus has already overcome the evil one, and He is there to help you do the same. Call upon his name, and trust He hears you and will show you the way to be an overcomer.

Initial Words

March 2, 2021March 2, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“What’s that symbol tattooed on your back?” I asked the girl I worked with. I knew, I thought, what it was, but had not seen one that elaborate. “It’s a pentagram,” she replied. “I’m a Pagan.” “Oh, well I don’t judge,” were my initial words. She said, “I know.” I wasn’t exactly sure why she said that, but she did.

Because of my cautious and prayerfully planned out approach to the inquisition, I found out later it’s what I “didn’t say” that allowed for an ongoing conversation concerning her beliefs and spiritual practices vs. my own to take place.

Now, you may find it odd knowing a Christian is even talking to a Pagan, but I ask you, “Why?” Jesus was misunderstood for talking to tax collectors, or prostitutes, and he about gave the so called “religious leaders” of his day, a heart attack if he dined with them.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and misfits?”

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” Mat. 9:10-13 (MSG)

Why venture outside of your comfort zone, and talk with those who choose to live a different lifestyle than you?

Because they need to know, see, and hear the love of Jesus as much as anyone else, perhaps more!

They need to feel what is authentic and that might help them reject, cast off, Satan’s cheap substitutes or imitations of what is real.

So what was it that I “didn’t” say to the self-proclaimed Pagan? After hearing what she was, I didn’t say, “Oh, I’ll be praying for you.” She explained hearing those words infuriates her, and she refuses to listen to anything else a person who says that has to say. She said it immediately makes her feel as if her choice is wrong.

Say a prayer before engaging one that you know is living a life less than what God intended. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your tongue, as you dare, or take a risk to speak words of life to them. Your initial words may be the only ones they hear, but hopefully they’ll stick around to hear more, and perhaps even dine with you.

Who Do You Say I Am?

February 26, 2021February 23, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Some time ago I met a lady at work, and the first thing she started informing me was she was the best one, on our shift, doing the job. She wanted me to know that her “rate per hour” never dipped below 500, and even on the day she poked herself in the eye she maintained her excellence. For reference, the average rate per hour is around 270. I must confess, her boasting was a turn off. Later I thought, if you are that great at your job then why haven’t I heard about you from others?

The second time I encountered this same woman she was bragging to some other coworkers, in the break room, of her greatness in doing her job. The third time I crossed her path she was wearing a shirt that proclaimed, “The Boss”. The very next day she wore a T-shirt stating, “World’s Best Mom”.

It got me to thinking, perhaps she is extremely insecure in who she truly is, and tries to command respect by telling everyone who she wants to be?

After thinking about this for a while I heard in my mind a question Jesus once asked;

“But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked.
Mat. 16:15 (TPT)

Jesus knew who he was, and didn’t go bragging about it to anyone, or ware a tunic stating it. In fact, God declared who Jesus was when he rose up from the water after being baptized. God said, “This is my Son, whom I am well pleased.”

It’s important to know who Jesus is. He’s a healer, a brother that never leaves you, a calming source in any storm, but most important, he’s a savior whose death on the cross saves your soul from hell, if you accept who he is and ask him to forgive you for your sins, wrong doing. Your eternal life depends on this because one day you will stand before Jesus, and He will ask you, “Who do you say I am?”

Grumpy Old Man?

February 23, 2021February 20, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I believe I have expressed how much I dislike “injustice” before, but it seems like I am becoming more vocal when I see it. Either out loud, or under my breath. I don’t like how it makes me feel, and if I am not careful, I go on way too long about it. This is a pattern I’m not too fond of.

The other day, and I wish I could remember the source, I was involved in my devotional time and I came across the phrase, “a gentle and quiet spirit”. It keeps resonating in my head. Kind of like a “LSS” (Last Song Syndrome). You know, the last song in your head that you keep singing over and over. It seems I can’t get away from thinking about it, so I determined, this must be something God is calling me to.

Now, raising awareness of an injustice is needed and getting loud about it is important for it can draw attention to the situation and cause others to stop, look and decide to join you in your fight to alleviate it, but in everyday life, how you call out something that isn’t fair and or even mention it at all, is important. That’s where I have been failing in recent days.

Not using the right words, the correct volume or the Godly wisdom to get my point across.

So mush so, I could be labeled as a “Grumpy Old Man”! I don’t want to be known that way. When I hear that phrase, I think of the old man in the Disney movie, “Up”. And now that I think about it, there was a movie titled, “Grumpy Old Men”.

So I am now in the process of transforming my mind. Training it to “capture” every thought of negative, grumpy, stinking, old criticism and renewing it to handle what I see that bothers me in a “gentle and quiet” way. I may actually find that technique gets more people to hear what I am saying.

“Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be changed within by a new way of thinking.” Rom. 12:2 (ICB)

No Way!

February 19, 2021February 16, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I was sitting here at my desk waiting on direction from God on what to write, while looking out the window. We have a lot of snow right now in my city, and the sun is out. It looks beautiful outside, like you would want to be there, but it is only 5 degrees with a negative degree wind-chill. A couple of thoughts came to mind:

When we are forgiven of our wrong doing, our souls are as white as snow.

“Take away my sin, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Psl. 51:7 (Int. Children’s Bible)

2. How on the outside of a person, everything may look beautiful, but once you enter into their world, you discern the flaws, or hurts behind the public image.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Sam. 16:7 (NIV)

But what really got my attention, was a squirrel going out to the very limits of a tree limb. There was another tree that looked to be several feet away. I was in the process of thinking, “There is no way he will try to jump. It’s way too…” and before I could finish he started running and leaped into the thin, cold, air and landed on a limb, on the other tree. Now his form was excellent. I gave him a “9.5”, but the Russian judge only gave him a “6”. Perhaps because he wasn’t a “Red” squirrel. Witnessing this “leap of faith” triggered another thought:

The squirrel knew he would make it. He was so confident that he ran vigorously with no plan “B” in mind. There was no backup plan.

If only we, who walk with God, could be so bold and sure of Him that we live with astounding assurance. We can, by knowing the God we serve.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
Phi. 1:6 (NKJV)

God has a purpose, a plan, and a path for each one of us. We can, via several means, determine what God has for us and then walk it out with confidence. As George Zimmer would say, of “The Men’s Warehouse”, “I guarantee it!” So go ahead and take that leap of faith! The Russian judge may not give you a good score, but the angels will and that great cloud of witnesses in heaven will root you on.

Which Way Do I Go?

February 16, 2021February 15, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Direction. We seek it a lot, especially for those who have a strong and thriving relationship with God. We want to go in the correct direction and not waste time or resources. I sure messed up the other night. I live in a city that doesn’t receive huge amounts of snow that often and as a result the city doesn’t have the equipment to remove it as say, Chicago does. So when the meteorologist were predicting 6, 8 to 10 inches of snow, and hyped it up, I left where I was sooner than I needed to in order to get home safe.

I realize now I could have asked God for direction on when to leave, but I didn’t. I acted out of fear instead. At times, it’s hard not to. There is something innate about us that wants to be moving. This inward motivation makes it difficult to sit and wait, and when it comes to waiting on God for direction it is even harder. Do we not trust Him? We should! We have His word we can go to and read of His promise to guide us:

^1–2I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help.
But then I realize that our true help and protection
come only from the Lord,
our Creator who made the heavens and the earth.
³He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall.
God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me.
⁴He will never slumber nor sleep;
he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel.
⁵Jehovah himself will watch over you;
he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence.
⁶He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night.
⁷He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity
as he continually watches over you.
⁸You will be guarded by God himself.
You will be safe when you leave your home
and safely you will return.
He will protect you now,
and he’ll protect you forevermore! Psalms 121 (TPT)

I was having a conversation this morning, with a friend, about this very topic. He has been asking God for direction when it comes to finding his spouse. There are a few potential mates and he has been trying to discern God’s will on the matter. As we continued to speak, it became obvious to both of us that he needs to stay in “neutral” right now. If you think about the gear shift on a car from neutral you can go forward or backwards, but you can move in an instant. Your only other option is “Park”.

A parked car doesn’t need to be steered,

because it isn’t going anywhere!

So I challenge you, if you find yourself needing direction, guidance from God, be patient and be willing to sit in neutral for a while. Keep your foot on the brake. You are ready to move, and you will, when the time and direction is right, therefore not wasting either time or resources, and when it comes to matters of love, possibly not suffering another heartbreak.

This Side of Heaven

February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I was “Two Way Journaling” this morning, a spiritual practice I don’t do enough of. It’s writing out your conversation to God, and then waiting to hear in your spirit what God would say to you. I was thanking him for using me to be his “Man on the street” if you will. In other words, it seems as if whenever I am out in public I come across a soul that needs encouragement, acceptance, love, or to be introduced to God.

It humbles me knowing that God would work with me, or I should say through me for I don’t do life in a perfect manner all the time. I think one reason He does reach people through people is to put a physical dimension to the encounter the person is having, for after all, we are made in God’s image, and I strive to be made in his nature.

I often think about those God directed me to, and I wonder, how is their relationship with God now? Are they closer to accepting Truth? Have they learned to take God’s hand and overcome with him their struggles? Below is a comment from one of my faithful readers of this blog, and what she said about a woman God directed her to in a coffee shop. (You can also get to her blog posts by clicking on the link.)

From seekingdivineperspective:

“Thanks for taking the time to write, Mark, and especially for praying. We’ll probably never know this side of heaven what happened to that young woman, but God knows, and I hope we will meet her when we all get there.”

There are a few times we do get to know how things turn out, but those are seldom. For instance; did the lady at a Quick Trip get reacquainted with God and go back to the church her grandmother took her to, or is she still living with the guy she was with that day, hoping for real love? Will a woman at work accept God and his love and allow him to comfort her in the loss of her mother? Did the gentleman I talked to while sitting on a cold sidewalk give God a chance to restore his life and his relationship with his wife and kids?

So it’s important to not hurry out there to run our errands and then hurry back home, or to just go to work and only do what is expected of you,

but while living life, look for opportunities to give life.

For as Life Church declares all the time,

“Whoever finds God, finds life.”

You may not know the results, this side of heaven, but something will happen, and one day, when you get to that side of heaven, you will know, and if the results were good you will probably tear up, and give thanks to God for using you, and be thankful for the work God did in the life of the other person.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

Author: Mark Brady

Road Construction

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

He Did it For Me

“Dad, why are you so angry? You’re not afraid of snakes,” I said.
“Are you kidding me? I hate those things. I am horribly afraid of them!” he replied.
All those years I had no idea. My father faced one of his greatest fears. He did that for me.

“Life” – The Ride