“Glad You’re Doing Okay”

November 7, 2025October 17, 2025 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I received an email the other night from an old friend. I had not seen them in several years. They said they had been thinking about me and wanted to know if I was okay. We exchanged emails and got caught up, somewhat.

I learned a little bit about their life since I last saw them. It was basic information. Their spouse is okay, their child is now nine, they aren’t working, and why. Stuff like that. Sadly, I got the overwhelming impression that they weren’t happy. In fact, they made the statement that their life was boring.

I shared how much I was enjoying my retirement years, that April liked her job, about the new church we started attending this year, and our involvement there. I also shared that I had finished remodeling the house and that we had new furniture that April had picked out, and how she had done a great job. I did mention how I didn’t like getting old, though.

I wasn’t exaggerating or embellishing, but just telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God. In their final reply, they wrote, “I’m glad you’re doing okay.”

Their comment got me thinking. Was I bragging? Was I trying to impress them? Why was my life doing okay?

I know in my heart that despite body aches and pains, some hiccups in life, some frustrations in our marriage, and working hard to pay off the bills, our life isn’t bad. Why? Because April and I have accepted Jesus Christ and have had our sins forgiven, and know that he is still forgiving us of our new ones. We both read God’s word, the Bible, regularly, and we tithe faithfully. We are committed to our local church and do what we can to help there, which has allowed us to develop relationships with real people who believe like we do. We also do what we can to share God and His amazing love with others as the Holy Spirit leads and gives us boldness to speak up. That is why we are doing okay!

I do realize some may say, “I do all those things and yet my life isn’t okay.” I honestly don’t have an answer as to why that is for some. But I know that April and I both invited God into our lives at a young age and have tried our best to surrender our free will to him. Perhaps that has something to do with it as well. God tends to bless obedience, and I know that faith pleases him.

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Heb. 11:6 (AMPC)

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jer. 29:11 (AMPC)

⁵Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Prov. 3:5-6 (AMPC)

If there were such a thing as a “recipe” for living a life pleasing to God, then this may be it. April and I enjoy our lives. We feel blessed because we are. It’s like living in a garden, and after all, in the beginning, isn’t that what God intended?

Are You Wearing a Costume?

October 31, 2025October 18, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Today is Halloween. A day where children, and some adults, put on a costume and either go Trick-or-Treating or to a party. Although for some, it is a very real day of worshipping Satan. I have written about that before, but I won’t here.

I think throughout time, people have enjoyed wearing a costume and, at least for one night, being someone they are not on a daily basis. They pretend. But what if they are wearing a costume all the time? Not of their favorite superhero, monster, or movie star, etc., but one that conceals who they really are or what they are facing.

Believe it or not, people may not be wearing a costume, but they may very well be wearing a mask! Hiding something. Perhaps the pain of life failures, a bad marriage, or maybe a secret sin. They don’t want to reveal their weaknesses or struggles. This is no way to live. And this isn’t what God wanted for us.

He wanted us to have life, an abundant life! That is why He sent us His Son, Jesus. (John 10:10) Jesus not only can forgive us of our sins but can be with us when we face difficulties. The Holy Spirit can comfort us when we are sad or suffering a loss. He can also guide us by still small whispers into our spirit. And of course, we can enter into the presence of God at any time through our prayers and praise to him.

There is no need to hide behind a mask. No need to be ashamed of our past lives. If you have accepted God’s gift of salvation, then you become a new person. Then the only thing you will be wearing is a robe of righteousness.

Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. 2 Cor. 5:17-20 (MSG)

Dreaming in Living Color

October 7, 2025September 17, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

For the last couple of weeks, I have had some really wild, dramatic, and sometimes unnerving dreams. Not nightmares per se, but ones that caused me to say when I woke up, “Boy, am I glad that was a dream!”

Last night’s dream took the cake.

“They’re poisoning you. Your mother and sister are adding poison to your food. I think they are trying to trick you out of signing over your inheritance from Uncle Bill to them, including his mansion,” said a person who was also being held captive. I started trying my best to eat only a little, but to move the food around on my plate to make it look as if I had eaten most of it.

“I want my phone now,” I insisted. “Ha! No problem,” said my mother. “Your sister drained the battery.” She handed me the phone. I dialed “911.” Well, the joke’s on you. Phones keep a reserved amount of power for emergency calls.” I put the phone on speaker. “911, what’s your emergency?” I started explaining the situation as my sister took off. “You can run, but you can’t hide,” I told her.

I got out of the house and ran across the street to my uncle’s mansion. The next thing I knew, Uncle Bill’s brothers and sisters began to arrive. Then people from the community started coming in and snooping. “We always wanted to see the inside!” one proclaimed. Another exclaimed, “We’re looking for the stash of diamonds he had.

More and more people came pouring in. I would get one group out only to watch another one enter. I shut the doors, but they opened them anyway and came in. It was a wild scene. Loud and the people had on extravagant outfits. I finally yelled out, “Turn out the lights!”

That’s when I woke up with my heart racing, and I immediately proclaimed, “Boy, am I glad that was a dream!” Knowing God has the answers to every question, I asked him, “God, what do these dreams mean?” Sadly, I did not get an immediate answer, but I did get a sense that some live in constant drama and chaos, as in my recent dreams. Like they have so much going on in their life that they have no control over, and their heart pounds as they try their best to keep a lid on life.

But one who is in a relationship with God doesn’t have to live that way. I’m not going to tell you that life with God is easy or perfect, but it’s reassuring knowing that One who can control everything is doing life with you, and you can live in peace. The devil specializes in keeping your life in turmoil if you let him.

That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. John 14:27 (MSG)

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you! 2 Thes. 3:16 (MSG)

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. Jam. 4:7-10 (MSG)

Heroes of the Faith

October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Moses, Abraham, Joshua, David, Elijah, and many more. They could all be counted as “Heroes of the Faith.” But today, I would have to add another name to that list. A true woman of God, Margie McQueen. I sat and cried, and laughed a little, as we celebrated her life today. A life lived so well that she had to have heard Jesus say, “Well done, Margie, and welcome home.”

How do I know she heard those words? There is no doubt that Margie loved God and people. Many spoke loving words about how she had touched their lives and the lives of their families. She was a prayer warrior to say the least. She was a prophetess as God would show her things while in prayer, sometimes well before they came to pass. Many times, in a church service, she would be used of God to exhort, comfort, and encourage the flock. She definitely had and operated in the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are still operating in our days if we will only listen and be willing to be used of God. (1 Corinthians Chapters 12 & 14)

As others shared their favorite “Margie” moments, I couldn’t help but remember my own. When I was thirteen, the Carbondale Assembly of God church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hired me to mow the lawn. Margie was the pastor’s wife at the time. The property sat on ten acres and had a lot of grass, and Oklahoma summers can get extremely hot.

The pastor’s parsonage’s kitchen window faced the big front lawn of the church. I would be mowing and sweating. Margie would see me, and at times, would bring out the best chocolate shakes I have ever had, and probably ever will! They were so delicious and refreshing and full of love. In full confession, after the first shake, whether I knew if she was home or not, or watching me or not, when I was close to that kitchen window, I wiped my brow and acted as if I couldn’t make it in the heat unless I had a chocolate shake. Sometimes it worked, but not every time.

Thank you again, Margie, for the chocolate shakes, but more importantly for the love. And for showing all of us who were watching how to be a servant of the living God. Your daughter, Jeanie, said you liked to sparkle. Perhaps tonight, if I am outside, I will look up and smile as you do in heaven.

If God assigns me to mow grass in heaven, I’m going to ask to mow your lawn, Margie, and look for you smiling in your kitchen window. I know I thanked you for the shakes back then, but I don’t recall saying this when you were among us. “I love you, too, Margie.”

How Many Stories is Your House?

September 19, 2025August 8, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“BREAKING NEWS! Man arrested for killing his wife and two kids. Film at 10!” Then you watch the story, and how many times do you hear, “I’m shocked! He was a quiet man who always helped his neighbors.”

Yesterday, we learned that a long-time city official, here in my hometown, was arrested for dealing in child pornography. And a few months ago, a story came out of a man held captive in his bedroom for decades. He finally set a fire so they would break into his room and rescue him.

My point is this: you never know what is going on in a house when the door is closed. But we do, “Stories.” Stories are being written. Some are good ones while others are bad, dark, and downright evil. Most of them aren’t perfect, and all of them are written with drama. Life doesn’t always end with, “and they all lived happily ever after.”

One can only hope for the best outcome, and for the believer in God, that usually happens if we rely on His help. If we practice life with the other members of the household, exercising the “Fruit of the Spirit” and God’s kind of “Love.” If we create an atmosphere of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And practicing God’s kind of love, which is not selfish, envious, boastful, or arrogant. It remembers no wrong. It hopes all things, believeth all things, and endures to the end.

The above words are difficult to live out, all the time, but if we try, then we can be sure that our stories, in our home, will be good ones. There will be laughter instead of crying. There will be building up versus tearing down. Members of the family will feel love and be prone to love back. So, I must ask, how many stories is your house and what kind? Remember to pray for your neighbors. They might wave when they see you getting the mail, but I dare say, you have no idea of the truth when they go back inside and shut the door.

Fruit of the Spirit = Gal. 5:22-23
God’s love = 1 Cor. 13:4-8

Take 2

August 29, 2025July 29, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

April and I joke whenever we see Liam Neeson in a new movie coming out. Before we know the real name of the film, we call it “Taken 27.” It seems Hollywood often creates sequels to successful movies. Seldom are the sequels even close to being as good as the first one, though. And the average movie buff perpetuates the problem by going to see it. The problem is they don’t know how to tap into the creative power of God, but that’s another blog post.

Maybe the movie makers keep doing the same movie until they get it right. I’m not sure. With most issues in life, there are no “do-overs,” “retakes,” or “sequels.” Well, on second thought, some people do keep repeating the same life choices and patterns. Sometimes, a person’s life choices can have detrimental results that can change one’s life forever. It is usually in those moments that they might say, “Boy. If I could just go back and change my decision.”

At the time of this writing, a corporate professional was recently caught on a “Kiss-Cam” with his arms around a woman who was not his wife. A day or two later, he resigned. You think he didn’t wish he could make a different choice?

Yes, life can be ruff if one makes a wrong decision. It’s also not very forgiving, and neither are people in general. When I worked for AT&T, there was a phrase that I always thought was rather odd: “If you do something wrong, people may not remember what you did, but they will remember your name.” It seems like those were the individuals who got promoted!

Living with regrets can be overwhelming. So may living with the results of bad decisions. I have certainly experienced both. You dwell on them too much, and it can bring about your demise. That is why I am so grateful to know God. He not only forgives us but remembers our sins no more. I figured if God can let it go, then why shouldn’t I? Why let my wrongdoing hold me back from being the best person I can be with God’s help?

When I screwed up and had to leave the ministry, I thought life was over. Like David, in Psalm 51:10, I cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Neither did I want God to cast me from his presence or to remove his Spirit. A few months later, a friend sent me a letter. No email back then. They wrote that God had given them a scripture for me:

I will build you up again, and you, (Mark Brady) Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Jer. 31:4 (NIV)

It has taken some time, years, but God has kept his word. I am still a pastor. It’s just my flock doesn’t meet with me in a sanctuary, and it’s small, but I have known for a long time, success in ministry has nothing to do with numbers. I am so grateful that God gives us second chances, or another take on life. “Thank you, Father!”

¹⁰he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Ps. 103:10-12 (NIV)

¹⁸Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

Your Story

July 22, 2025June 27, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I am reposting from Facebook. I tried to find the author and get permission to share, but I was unsuccessful. Yet the words should be shared, and I love the image that was used with the post.

When you die, don’t worry about your body. Your relatives and funeral staff will do it. I know this firsthand. I’ve done it myself. They will take you out of the house and deliver you to the funeral home of your family’s choice. They will take off your clothes. They will wash you. They will dress you up. They will even apply makeup to make you look presentable. Many will come to the funeral to honor you. Some will even cancel their plans and ask for leave to go to the funeral.

Your things, things you hate to be borrowed, will be sold, donated, or burned. Your keys, your tools, your books, your CDs, DVDs, games, your collections, and your clothes.

The world won’t stop and cry for you. The economy will continue. You will be replaced at work. Someone with the same or even better ability will take your place. Your property will switch to your heirs. And don’t doubt that the small and big things you have done in your life will be spoken of, judged, doubted, and criticized.

People who only knew your face will say, “Poor thing!” Your good friends will cry for a few hours or several days, but then they will laugh again. Your pets will get used to their new owner.

Your pictures will be hanging on the wall for a while, then they will be put on furniture, and finally stored at the bottom of the box. Someone else will sit on your couch and eat from it. Deep pain in your home will last a year, two, maybe ten… Then you will join the memories, and then your story will end. It will end among people, end here, end in this world.

But your story begins in a new reality… in your life after death. The things you once had will lose their meaning. You cannot bring your earthly possessions here. The beauty of your body, last name, property, loans, working position, bank account, the house, the car, academic titles, classmates, trophies, friends of the world, man/woman, the kids, the family.

In your new life, you will only need your soul. The only property that will last is the soul. The big question is: Do you know where your soul is going after this life is over? Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The Bible is clear that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3). John 3:18 explains in the simplest terms who will go to heaven and who will go to hell: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” So, those who go to hell are specifically those who do not believe in Jesus’ name.

Simply, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, by grace alone, through faith alone, you will spend eternity in heaven. If you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will be eternally separated from God (Matthew 25:46).

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We can choose to trust in Jesus’ payment for our sin, or we can choose to pay for our sins ourselves—but we must remember that the payment for our sin is eternity in hell. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31)

God’s Hardware Store

July 15, 2025June 21, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The other day, I had to fix April’s closet bi-fold door. It fell off and landed up against April. She wasn’t hurt, but it did scare her. The problem was the hole that holds the support bolt got too big after I cut the door off because of the carpet. The door was dragging.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to fix it. As I usually do, I prayed and asked God to help me. I needed an idea of what kind of hardware to use to hold the bolt in and still let it do its job.

I went to my garage’s hardware store. In the box, I keep miscellaneous nuts, bolts, odd parts, and leftover hardware from previous purchases. Maybe it’s a “guy” thing to say, “I can’t throw that away. I might need it someday.”

As I rummaged through the container, I saw a thin piece of metal that had a 90-degree angle in it and four holes. I looked at it and saw potential. I put it in the vice and applied a lot of pressure. I was able to change its shape and now was able to change its purpose. It worked! At least so far. The door has not come off again.

“Okay, Mark. You were resourceful, and you fixed April’s closet door. Big deal. What’s the point?” You might be thinking. While I was working on the door, I realized God does the same thing. He needs someone to go somewhere they have never been before and do his will. You may not have ever thought of doing that before. And others may say, “You can’t do that.” Or “You’re not qualified.” And the worst disbelief, “You weren’t made for that.”

God hears such comments and laughs. He sees potential. True, He may have to apply some pressure to get you to be the shape He needs you to be, in order to get you to fit and work out. God knows what your true purpose is, and He is waiting for you to take his hand, trust him, and get about advancing his kingdom.

Be willing to be used by God, however He needs you. Be available and okay with him shaping you so you can become even more powerful. Doing so may reveal your true purpose.

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Phil. 2:13 (ESV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt. 6:33 (ESV)

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Ps. 138:8

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:2

No Aprils were seriously injured in the making of this post.

Rich Man, Poor Man

June 24, 2025June 27, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“People don’t know how expensive it is to be poor!” From the movie “Straw.” It is hard for me to relate to the above quote. I’m not privileged or from a wealthy family, but compared to 99% of the rest of the world, I am rich.

None of us get to choose who and where we are born. If given a choice, most of us would pick a wealthy family in America so we would have opportunities. The movie Straw portrayed a side of life that a lot of people deal with every day. The movie was good, but the language was very rough. Honestly, it was difficult for me to relate to, but I feel for anyone who is struggling financially.

There are situations where individuals struggle due to their own issues and decisions. There are usually ways out of your current situation and ways or means to better your life. I’m sure doing so is a huge fight and it probably feels like trying to climb Mt. Everest, almost impossible. But there are stories of people who do it.

Struggling financially is certainly not the life God had wanted or planned for people. He placed Adam and Eve in a garden. And Jesus said in John 10:10 that he had come to give people life and to give it to them more abundantly. The one word that determines abundant living is “contentment.” Someone who is just barely making ends meet might say they are content. They have a warm, safe place, food on the table, and reliable transportation. For one who has limited resources, if any one of those needs more and they don’t have more, that is when they can get into trouble.

They can quickly find themselves without a place to live, struggling to put food on the table, or having a vehicle they cannot afford to maintain. They may suffer a physical illness that they can’t afford, or if they can’t get to work, they could lose their job, and that might cause them to lose where they are living. I can understand why someone would get depressed and potentially snap.

Living a life that is surrounded by sin and that is open to demonic influence doesn’t make life easy either. In the first part of John 10:10, Jesus tells people that Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan wants to influence people to the point where their lives are ruined!

I contribute what I have to God. He has guided me in making good decisions. I’m not bragging because it was God, and I am not a financial genius, but I was able to retire at the age of 55. I have a home that has increased in value by $134,000 from when I bought it eight years ago. I live within my means, and I tithe on the income I have. God upholds his end of the tithing thing. He closes the mouth of the devourer. (Mal. 3:10-11) I do drive an old, beat-up car that is 15 years old, but it is dependable. I give God all the credit and the glory.

Do life WITH God. Accept Jesus, have your sins forgiven, and get on a road that leads to contentment. Learn how to live life abundantly.

Life, When Not on Stage

June 13, 2025June 3, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Most people share their “happy moments” on Facebook. Smiles and friendly hugs. Love and happiness. But what do snapshots of their lives look like when they are not intending to post on Facebook? When they are not on stage?

I tend to be a private individual unless being open helps me minister to someone. But other than those times, I would rather keep my struggles, weaknesses, and bad thoughts to myself! Our pastor admitted last Sunday that he hates getting behind people who walk slowly. And that he had just spent several days the previous week at the Magic Kingdom. Probably the capital of people who walk slowly. He said he doesn’t wish them harm but like a virus to come upon them that would prevent them from being there.

I get it. I used to fuss in my head about senior citizens being at the grocery store after I got off work. I just wanted to run in, grab what I needed, and get out, but “No,” I had to deal with them in front of me. I used to think you had all day to be here. Why now? Now that I am counted among them, I understand how hard it is to get out of bed, get dressed, and get motivated to leave the house.

And that’s the kindest of my evil thoughts. I have worse ones than that. And sometimes those thoughts lead to bad actions that I certainly wouldn’t want posted on social media.

Whenever we encounter a situation that we don’t like, a bell will go off, and our first thought is to respond out of our flesh. But if we can pause just long enough, a second bell will go off, and we can choose to act in a spirit of love, demonstrating one of the fruits of the Spirit. Or multiple ones, in my case! The challenge then becomes reducing the amount of time between the bells going off.

The truth is this: we are always on stage before God. He sees our actions, hears our words, and knows our darkest thoughts. We should strive to always walk in love and by the Spirit. In my case, if I did, fewer people would get hurt. Knowing how difficult that is, I pray and ask God all the time to help me represent him well.

²and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. Eph. 5:2 (NET)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal. 5:22-23 (NET)