God

Close Gifts

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

red-crossMary held him close enough to hear him breath.  To feel his chest move in and out.  To see every radiant color of his eyes.  Her heart melted when he smiled.  Just think what an honor it must have been to be that close to God.  To hold God in your hands.

Jesus said, “For the Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)  Mary held God.  Today, God can hold you.

When it hurts, when you’re scared, when you’re confused, run into God’s arms.  Because God gave us His son, His son gave us God.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

“You missed Christmas, Jack”

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

empty-mangerYou know it’s the season, you feel the rush.  You’re reminded the clock is ticking, but you say, “Hush.”  So much to get done, so many people to see.  Only a few days till Christmas, can it really be?  There’s family and friends, and co-workers too, so many to buy for, what do you do?

One way or another December 25th will arrive.  One way or another you will survive.  This Christmas will come and go, but at what cost?  This Christmas may go by, but what will be lost?  Will you take time to pause, or sit?  Or will your heart take a huge hit?

Will you unwrap the greatest gift that has ever been given?  The gift from God, the gift from heaven?  The gift of his son to set free your heart?  The forgiveness of sin on Jesus’ part?  Enjoy your friends, and family too, but don’t miss the real reason for Christmas, so here’s what you do.  Stop the craziness, resist the pressure, take in Jesus, He is a permanent treasure. Don’t be like Jack from the movie, “The Family Man”.  Enjoy this Christmas by having a Jesus plan.

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Regret?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments
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(Photo by Cathy Wang)

“Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve.”  We’ve all heard the phrase before.  I feel that phrase mostly applies to relationships.  Today I was thinking about some of the closer ones I have had over the years.  I know, and understand it takes two to get it right, but the one thing I have regretted over and over is when my response to the other person was less than perfect.

That lack of responding in the right, or best way has caused a lot of hurt, pain, and disappointment in some of these relationships.  The moment I realize I have wounded the other person is when regret starts to set in.

In some cases there has been a huge price to pay for not responding correctly.  Being very open and honest it would be easier if the other person passed on, but when they don’t you are forced to deal with the reality they don’t want to speak, or see you again, ever!  This is what can happen when one chooses not to forgive you.  We shouldn’t let regrets weigh us down, but rather learn from them and hope the next time we respond better.

I am so glad Jesus forgives us when our responses are less than perfect.  To me, “hell” would be the reality that God turned His back on me, and never wanted to see, or hear from me again, ever!

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Winning

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment

win-flagWe saw a pretty grand parade and rally this week in Chicago.  A party to celebrate the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series after not winning it in 108 years.  It was estimated 5,000,000 people were in attendance.  Yet that pails to compare to the party and celebration that will take place for those who call Jesus, “Lord”.  He hasn’t returned in over 2000 years.  You talk about saying, “Maybe next year!”

His return cannot come soon enough for me, but then I feel bad for those that still have not accepted him.  Knowing that when their game of life is over, when that final “out” is called, they could possibly find themselves on the losing team. Then spending eternity, instead of the off season, wishing they had accepted the offer from the other team.

Everybody “wants” to be on the winning team, but not all are willing to do whatever it takes, or willing to give up what it may require in order to be on God’s team.  They would rather live for themselves, or live for today instead of investing in where they could live in the future.

Mat 19:16-22   Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”  Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.”  The man asked, “What in particular?” Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”  “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.”  That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go. (MSG)

Be a winner.  Play on God’s team.  Accept His free gift of salvation by accepting His son, Jesus into your life.  Trust me, there will still be bad innings, strike outs, errors, but when the game of life is over you will be at a party like no one has ever seen.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Wisdom from God’s Word

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Work is tough.  Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and He told them that work would be hard, it has been just that.  I grew up believing in the American dream.  That a person could find employment doing something they enjoyed.  At first I did, but over the years things have changed.  Now, work is hard and it isn’t enjoyable at all.  There are good moments, but mainly those moments are on a personal level.

In these current times we, who try our best to be Godly, are often thrown under the bus, lied about, ridiculed, and mistreated even though some of the treatment goes against the business code of conduct.rev-1

If I had things my way I would be living in an RV, traveling across America, writing.  I want this kind of life.  I desire this life with everything in my heart.  Then I read Proverbs 16:9:

We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.

My faith in God requires that I believe this from God’s word.  More importantly, I live it.  The worst thing I could do is try to make the life I so desperately want happen.  I yield to the truth that if God wants it to happen, then it will, but in His timing, and in His way.  Hopefully doing so will help me to be wise.

What Have You Abandoned?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
abandoned-1

from Pinterest

I can’t explain it really, but I have this unusual attraction to places that once were.  A place that once was for fun, work, family, or God.  An old amusement park, an abandoned factory, a dilapidated house, but especially a deserted church.

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from Pinterest

I can understand an amusement park fails to draw crowds.  A factory used to make things that are no longer needed, or wanted.  A family leaves a house for any number of reasons, and the house never catches the eye of a new owner.  But a church?  Yes I know a church is truly its people, but there is something very sad to me when I see a church building that has been abandoned.

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from Pinterest

Did God fail to draw a crowd?  Did He stop providing what people needed?  Has He not caught the eye of a new convert?  The answer is, “No.”  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)  So if God did not fail then what happened?

Did the people that once entered its doors, and gathered inside abandon

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from Pinterest

God?  I hope not.  There are lots of things worth abandoning in life, but God?  Never.  A destructive life pattern, although it may be fun, yes.  A job that doesn’t fully meet your needs?  Yes.  A house you or your family have out grown?  Perhaps, but God?  No.  It is when you need to abandon other things in life, you need God the most.  To lead you, guide you, and help you.  I pray you never abandon God, for He will never abandon you.

 

To Know

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

To know unconditional love;
is to know God.
To know real forgiveness;
is to know Jesus.
To know perfect direction;
is to know the Holy Spirit.

To know pure laughter;
is to know true friends.
To know great joy;
is to know a child.
To know time;
is to know an elderly person.

To know gratitude;
is to feed the hungry.
To know security;
is to clothe the naked.
To know health;
is to visit the sick.

To know peace;
is to know contentment.
To know lasting hope;
is to know faith.
To know wisdom;
is to know the Word of God.