Was That an Angel?

June 27, 2025June 19, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed.” The writer of Hebrews encourages us to show hospitality. “Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!” (Heb. 13:2)

Many years ago, I was the best man at a friend’s wedding. I’m sure there were many better men than me there, but that was the title and role I was asked to serve. Having a small amount of authority at the event, it was brought to my attention that a man was seen stuffing cake into a napkin and placing it inside his pocket. I approached the gentleman and started the interrogation. “Friend of the bride or groom?” I asked. The man put his head down and said he would leave quietly.

As I convinced him he was okay to stay, I soon learned he was homeless and hungry. The wedding and reception were ending, and I asked him to stay put while I completed my duties. He did.

I told him he could spend the night in my apartment. On the way there, we stopped at a Burger King. He ate as if it was his first time eating in months, and perhaps it was for a hot meal. After getting home, I realized he needed his clothes washed and a shower. I offered both to him, and he accepted. Then I found out that those were his only clothes, so we went into my closet, and he picked out a shirt and a pair of pants. The only problem was he was much taller than me. So, after he went to bed, I let out the hem as much as possible.

I slept on the sofa, and the next morning, I fixed him a hearty breakfast and packed a lunch. I invited him to my church, but instead, he asked to be dropped off in town. I did. Later, I started crying as Matthew 25:36 came flooding into my mind.

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,

Ever since that night, I have wondered if I indeed entertained an angel. Never once did I fear for my life while that man was in my presence. Instead, I felt good for helping someone in need.

Being able to help someone with resources means living within your means. That way, you can meet someone else’s needs. One of the reasons April and I got the upstairs of our home remodeled was so we could offer a safe, warm place to one who needs to feel full, comfortable, and secure.

Yes – Yes – No Pizza

May 2, 2025May 1, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A woman told the man who was abusing her that she was going to order a pizza. Instead, she called “9-1-1.” The dispatcher caught on quickly as the woman said, “I would like to order a pizza, please.” The operator asked, “Are you in trouble?” “Yes,” the woman replied. “Does he have a gun?” “Yes.” “Has he pointed the gun at you?” “No.” “Okay. Stay as calm as you can, and the police will be there soon.”

People you know are talking to you. You understand the English words they are saying, but you are not hearing them. They are ordering a “Yes, Yes, No Pizza!” They are talking in code. They’re trying to tell you something. Perhaps they are lonely, scared, or hurting.

Hearing people requires real listening and reading their body language. It means not being a narcissist and asking about them. Then, not just taking a casual answer like “Fine.” Of course, it helps when the Holy Spirit whispers a clue to you. Last Sunday, while in church, the Holy Spirit spoke into my spirit, “Pray for the man in front of you.” After the service, I said to him, “I hope this doesn’t seem weird, but I sensed the Holy Spirit told me to pray for you this week.” “Oh, thank you,” he responded. “Our family is going through a lot right now.” I had just met him as it was their first time attending our church.

If you come across a person who is ordering a “Yes, Yes, No Pizza,” I hope you pry enough to see how you may be able to help them. Don’t just say, “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ll be praying for you.” If you can’t help personally, then help them find a person or place that can help them.

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thes. 5:11 (AMPC)

Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. Gal. 6:2 (AMPC)

Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Phi. 2:4 (AMPC)

Two Can do More Than One

May 12, 2020May 11, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

051220 Considering the challenges, it’s understandable why my wife and I had a difficult time in the beginning adjusting to each other. An American who didn’t understand Filipino culture, and a Filipino who wasn’t used to a man making decisions. My wife’s father left the family when she was young.

We had several, heated discussions to say the least. Many times, either of us wanted to say, “Forget it!” But one thing kept us trying to figure it out. We both had to admit there was no doubt God wanted us to be together. There were too many strong confirmations this marriage was being formed in heaven.

The one line that always got us to stop fighting and take a breath was this,

“We can’t let Satan win!”

It seems as if we were battled by fierce forces unseen, and the truth was, we were! Satan wanted to put asunder what God had joined together. “Asunder”, means interfere.

Today, we are doing great. My wife has only messed up once in the last three months. Did I say, “My wife”? I meant me. The other night we were talking, and I said something about helping others, more than we currently are. It was then, my wife opened up and shared her dream of helping lives in tangible ways ever since she was a little girl. I had no idea. We then dreamed about what that would look like.

The next day I had the opportunity to help a young father, who had relocated to Tulsa from the Covid hot spot of Boston. They arrived in an old vehicle with only the things they could pack in it. After he pulled away I was moved to tears as I thought about the shoes he walks in, and I was thankful I was not wearing them. I don’t have a lot of “extra” right now, as our own budget is tight, but the things he really needed, I had. It was while thinking on what had just transpired, I said to myself, “Two can do more than one.” Walking out my wife’s dream had just begun.

I am thankful to God for his many blessings, and I look forward to seeing what and how God will do more through us together as his Spirit leads.