FLOW

March 10, 2018March 10, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

080412 335 A river flows downstream. Life in a boat, doing nothing, on that stream, comes easy, natural. It takes no effort, but to go upstream is another story. The mightier the current, the harder one must paddle, or use external power. You stop for one instance, or turn off the engine, and you begin going back down.

We can’t get to our destination upstream on our own. We must have the power from the One who has been in the boat. From the One, who has walked on the water. From the One who has made it to the other side. From the One who said, “It is finished!”

I desire to FLOW with God. I will do my part, but I will rely on Him for the power I don’t have in and of myself. Following His FLOW will take me where He wants me. The more I make this my life practice it will get easier, and become more natural.

Keith Hector, recently preached a message at my church on FLOW. He said flow is:

F aith
L ove
O bedience
W isdom

Flowing with God, and in God takes all of the above. It requires trusting Jesus. It demands following the Holy Spirit. God asks us to do things that are not natural to our flesh, so we cannot boast in and of ourselves. He also knows the joy we experience when we FLOW with Him. He knows the confidence we experience, and He knows it encourages us to go further.

Check it out: “My main attempt in this short life is to deeply love humankind. I long to love like Jesus: intentionally, authentically, and with no boundaries. So here I am, a messy 14 year old making art, learning to love, and writing.” Click: ~ ava lucia ~

What Makes a Good Bridge?

March 3, 2018March 2, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Bridge 2 “Look, I’m not hurting anything. I just want to sit here and rest,” he said. To his right my church had a sign that stated, “No Loitering”
“It’s okay,” I replied in a gentle voice.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“Yes.”

I went and got him a sack of food we keep for such occasions, and some water.

“Here ya go.”
“Thank you.”
“Your welcome. You mind if I hang out with you for a while?”
“Suit yourself,” he said as the sack crinkled while he checked out the food.
“What’s your name?”
“John,” he replied. His eyes, piercing, as if searching my soul.

The small talk started. It became clear he was a philosopher who didn’t have a place to hang his diploma. He also had a sense of humor. He shared he had made a mistake with his wife and kids, and she wasn’t willing to forgive. I felt that was my que to talk about God’s forgiveness. I tried hard to get him to come inside and sit in on the church service.

“I stink,” he kept saying.
“I assure you John, no one inside will care.” He was right about the odor too, but he insisted on attending the church service there on the sidewalk.

We talked for another 30 minutes or so. Before I left I offered to pray with him.

“You can do that in private, but not in front of me,” he said.

I didn’t understand, but respected his wishes. I’ve looked, but have never seen John again. Though thought of him often, I have prayed for him even more. I regretted not taking him to a restaurant to get something hot to eat. I also wish I had been brave enough to invite him to my house. He could have showered, I could have washed his clothes, and he could have slept on a soft, warm surface, even if for one night. I have consoled myself with knowing I did something, but I know I could have done more. Perhaps next time I will.

Since I have never seen an episode of “Bridge Hunters” on HGTV he replied, “One that has a flat surface to sleep on, and that isn’t facing into the wind.

Check it out: God never intended heaven to be served from earth. heartland church

Heaven Won’t be the Same Without You, But Hell Will

February 24, 2018February 24, 2018 / Mark Brady / 5 Comments

healing At the age of seven, I knew I was a convicted cookie thief! I went to a church, where the anointed man of God, my pastor, scared the hell out of me! He preached straight up sermons concerning what would happen if we died and had not accepted Jesus to forgive us of our sins. As a result, out of fear of going to hell, I choose God, and heaven.

Today, I realize, some don’t chose God, because they don’t have firsthand knowledge of the Holy. They don’t know God. They don’t know what makes him smile, laugh, or hurt. They don’t know He gets jealous when someone worships anything, or anyone other than him, and they obviously don’t know He is serious about only two places to spend eternity. They haven’t felt his great love. People then, believe more in themselves than they do him.

God created heaven for his followers. He created hell for Satan, and the fallen angels that followed him. When men started rejecting God, he had to expand hell to accommodate them.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). “Therefore Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it” (Isaiah 5:14).

Now, at my current age, I have experienced the love of God in such a way, there is no other place I would rather be, than in heaven with him. Therefore I feel commissioned, everywhere I go, to make myself available as God leads to share his great love with those who don’t know. I spoke the title of this blog to a very dear friend of mine, because it is absolutely true. If my friend chooses God, heaven will be better, but hell won’t change at all without him.

Check it out: See helpful life keys. Beth Olsen

Can You Stand Naked before God?

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Photo by Michael Wall of Wall2WallFoto

Feeling uncomfortable right now? I know I did, at first, when I asked myself that question. Ironically, I was about to step into the shower when the thought came to me, but then my thoughts soon turned to my current reading in the book of Genesis.

God walked through the garden. He was looking for Adam and Eve. He called out for them. They hid after doing their best to cover up their nakedness. It wasn’t their bodies they were ashamed of. It was their sin. Adam and Eve had disobeyed God. You see, when the presence of God shows up the Holy Spirit convicts. What matters is how we react to the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

People still sin today. They still disobey God. They still try to cover up their sinfulness. They try to hide. But I tell you the truth, God searches diligently for you. He calls out your name. To point His finger at you and condemn you? No! To love you. To forgive you. To cleanse you, if you will let Him. You see, for Adam and Eve, God spilled the blood of an innocent animal to cover their nakedness. For you, He allowed His innocent Son’s blood to be spilled to cover you.

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. (Rom 5:8 AMP)

When you accept God’s forgiveness, there is no problem standing before Him naked, for you no longer have anything to hide.

Check it out: Exercise, and care for seniors: strongwell.org

The Other Side of Pain

February 10, 2018February 9, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

PAIN P ersonal
A nguish
I ntense
N umbness

N eeds
I llustrated
A wareness
P rovided

Beautiful songs are composed out of PAIN. Books, cards, and letters as well. When one hears, or reads words that were birthed in PAIN, it resonates, it feels familiar, and it comforts. It lets you know, “You’re not the only one who has felt this way.”

Respect PAIN, but don’t hang on to it too long. Place it in the hands of the One who has felt the very same thing. Jesus is there, waiting, loving, comforting. Saying to you, “You’re not alone in this.”

Then, look around you. There are people, who are a part of your world, who are hanging on to PAIN. You can see it in their eyes. For you saw it in yours, every time you looked in the mirror. Get beside them. Be Jesus in that moment to them, and say, “You’re not alone. Let me show you how to give it to Jesus.”

Check it out: Inspired, rich words: believemiraclesblog.wordpress.com

Call of Duty

January 6, 2018January 7, 2018 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

A hurt soul needs a mender.
One rejected needs acceptance.
A depressed one needs to be encouraged.
One feeling like a waste needs to know their value.
A person struggling with an addiction needs a cheerleader.
Someone down and out needs a break.
One near the edge needs hope.
A person ill needs healing.
Someone lonely needs a friend.

people The list, could go on. The truth is, these individuals need Jesus. Most do not think to turn to him, because they can’t see him, but they can see you. In a time, when our world is in so much pain, those who know Jesus, and has the hope he provides, needs to answer the call of duty.

God has placed you where he needs you. You’re the one, who can take the time, speak a word, or give a hug. You may never know the impact of taking a risk of faith to say, go or do, but one day you will. “Do not be afraid,” the angel of the Lord would say to you. The more you reach out, the more you say, and the more you come along side someone, you will find it strengthens you, encourages you, and increases your faith to do more. God will lead you, as you are his servant, saving lives.

Keep one thing in mind; there was someone, just like you, who took the time to be there for you, and shared the love of Jesus with you.

Check it out:
Touching, Spirit filled, sincere, encouraging words: https://tostrengthenamothersheart.wordpress.com

The Storm Whisperer

December 30, 2017December 29, 2017 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Sailing in a Storm by Frank Botello

“Son, let’s take the boat out for a nice afternoon of sailing.”

“Okay, Father.”

They boarded, pushed off, and stated enjoying their time together. Then, as if out of nowhere, the skies darkened, and a violent storm was upon them. The family boat was tossed around as if it was a canoe. The father struggled to steer in the mighty wind.

I’m a captain of large ships! I have sailed the oceans and have faced many storms. This one shouldn’t be a problem he thought.

Then a huge wave slammed the side of the boat knocking the father to the left where he hit his head and became unconscious. His son watched in disbelief while coward up in the bottom.

“Father! Father! What do I do? I’m scared!” He yelled, not knowing if his father could even hear him over the roar of the ferocious wind.

Many hours later the father lifted his head. He saw the seas were calm, and the sun was about to set. He also recognized the shore line, and realized they were close to home.

My son! Where’s my son? He got to his knees and then staggered to his feet. He turned to survey the boat looking for his son. Then he turned and found him in the last place he expected.

“Son! I can’t believe it. How?”

“Father, when you were knocked out, so was my hope of surviving. Then I crawled to the wheel, and used it to pull myself up. I gripped it tighter than I had ever hung on to anything before. I was so scared. You had taught me how to sail, but not how to survive a storm. Then, I recalled the story in the Bible where Jesus calmed the storm after the disciples woke him up. So I prayed. Well, more like yelled for his help, and he answered. It wasn’t immediately, and I wasn’t even sure he had heard me, but eventually Jesus got us through the storm.”

I assure you, 2018 will present its own set of storms. I have started giving mine names like they do hurricanes! The true story is found in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus had told His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side.” If Jesus wants to take you to the other side then guess what? You will make it! Have faith. And when Jesus answers your cry for help, in the midst of a storm, he will cause the wind to run out of breath! Don’t try to get to the other side on your own, no matter how many storms you have been through before. You still need the Storm Whisperer.

Check it out:
Entertaining, thought provoking poetry: https://franksolanki.wordpress.com/

EVOL

December 23, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

LOVE 105 Would you recognize LOVE if you saw it? Are you sure?

Joh 3:20 Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure.
Joh 3:19 “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.
Joh 3:18 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.
Joh 3:17 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.
Joh 3:16 “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. (MSG)

If you could only see God’s LOVE for you. His LOVE for you, cannot be measured, for there is no unit of measurement adequate. His LOVE is so vast one cannot see from one side of it to the other. His LOVE for you is so powerful. His LOVE can conquer all! His LOVE never fails.

Also, God uses His people, all around the world, to show you His LOVE for you the best they can. Know God’s LOVE, for it is perfect. Seek it out as if it’s the greatest treasure on earth…for it is! Ask God to help you recognize it. Start now, for tis the season. For God’s LOVE, Jesus, came to you in Bethlehem. Born in a manger.

Look for God’s LOVE as if your life depends on it, for it does.

Check it out:
Caralyn says, “We are all recovering from something.” https://beautybeyondbones.com/

Do You Know the Jesus of Christmas?

December 16, 2017December 16, 2017 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Christmas Card 1 After Jesus was born to Mary, Satan used King Herod to kill all the boys in the land under the age of two. It was a shotgun attempt to kill Jesus, the Son of God. For Satan heard the same stories and rumors others did, but he didn’t know for sure who, or where Jesus was.

In the movie, The Young Messiah there is a line spoken by young Jesus. Jesus looked at Satan and said, “You don’t know who I am do you?” I’m sure Satan saw glimpses of Jesus, but probably too, couldn’t believe that God would send His son, to earth, as a child.

Satan didn’t know who Jesus was until Jesus was baptized. For when Jesus came up out of the water there was a loud voice from heaven saying, “…this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mat. 3:17) Afterwards, Jesus went into the dessert to fast and pray for 40 days, then Satan tried to tempt Him. If Jesus had given in, God’s plan would have been killed.

Your whole life, God has been trying to reveal His Son to you. Do you believe it? Have you accepted God’s plan? Your whole life Satan has been trying to kill God’s plan for you. It’s true.

Please, take a moment this Christmas. Get quiet, and look at the Christmas cards around you. It’s more than a holiday. It’s more than a story. And it’s definitely more than a time to go into debt! It’s the beginning of a love story. God’s love for you. Accept the Jesus of Christmas.

Check it out:
Fresh, anointed, honesty shared here: https://tatianaketchum.wordpress.com/

The Right Wood, Nails, and Man, Became the Perfect Savior

December 9, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

20171209_162330 Jesus, being the son of a carpenter, learned all about wood. How to pick out the right kind perfect for its intended use. He was shown by his father how to cut it, sand it, and assemble it so it could serve its purpose. Jesus also became acquainted with nails. Where to put them, and what size was needed.

When Jesus grew up, he didn’t continue in his earthly father’s business, but being the Son of God, changed over to his Heavenly Father’s business. He didn’t get away from wood, or nails. In fact, He needed them. When he saw the cross, on which he would soon die, he recognized it was perfect for its intended purpose. Then he saw the nails, “They’ll hold.”

In the process of dying, Jesus returned to being a carpenter. In his death, he became the Savior. Through the use of wood and nails, he built a connection, between God and man that would hold for eternity. Jesus did that for you, out of LOVE.

Col 1:22 But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. (MSG)