You Should Go

Photo by Max Fischer

Many have heard of the scripture from Proverbs 22:6:

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (AMPC)

Perhaps more have placed a lot of hope in that verse. Hoping their wayward child, who is not living for God and not living up to who God has designed them to be, someday will. I am among them.

When I was recently praying for my children and reminding God of this verse, I noticed two words I had not focused on before. Those words are “should go.”  When I was training my children, I tried to live a life as a healthy example of one who exercises his free will to live for God. My children’s mother (my ex-wife) did not. Let’s face it, living by our flesh is easier.

God gives all of us “free will,” but the best life is when one lives with a good relationship with God. Then with his leading, uses the gifts He gave us or to the way we are bent. This is how all “should go.” There are other times when one “should go” as well.

One “should go” across the street to help a neighbor.

One “should go” apologies to their boss for making a mistake that cost the company money.

One “should go” to church and invite others who should also go with you.

One “should go” pitch in for an hour or two at the church. Only 10%, on average, get involved at a local church. The places and times one “should go” are endless. I know it is difficult to give up our free time or to make time for others or for God, but we should. One will never know the impact, until we get to heaven, of what our actions mean to someone else, and what in this world can change because we did go!

Of course, there are many places one “should not go.” I don’t think I need to list those, do I?

The key is in the “training.” I am convinced that it is never too late to train or re-train your mind in what it takes to live the life God intended for all of us but also specifically per our gifts and bent.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

How Long?

I once took a youth group to a cemetery, and as we walked around looking at the different tombstones, I asked volunteers to make up a story of the life of the one who lay before us. Of course, some lived a long time while others not so much.

We have all heard it said that what matters in life is what you do with the dash! You know,

Here lies John Doe
September 3, 1962 “–“  April 4, 2029

What does one do while living the dash?

For me, it’s always doing what I can to help someone and encourage them to grow in their relationship with God. The second part is the purpose of this blog. I want to borrow the words from Psalms 71 from “The Message.” I promise to return them after I am done:

I’ll write the book on your righteousness,
    talk up your salvation all the day long,
    never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
    I post signs marking his right-of-way.

You got me when I was an unformed youth,
    God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
    I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.
God, don’t walk off and leave me
    until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
    news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
    ways, O God.

I’ll keep at this until I am, “old and grey” and no longer have a way to love on people as God has shown me love. I guess I am trying my best to do what the wisest man on earth stated is our responsibility:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecc. 12:13 (KJV)

I hope and pray that you are too!

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Oh No, They Didn’t!

Photo by: Andrea Piacquadio

One of the most challenging things about life is having relationships with people! I haven’t been shy about my allergy to people. If given a choice, I avoid them, but that can be hard to do when you work, have friends, or have a love life. It doesn’t matter if that love is within a marriage or if one is dating.

I recently became aware of a person who is dating, and the relationship hit a major snag. I understand the feeling of being cheated on (I should insert here, not by my wife, April.). But when we get hurt by a relationship, what’s the appropriate reaction?

Should we curl up and die? Do we withdraw from life, turn off the lights and hide? Press the pause button?

Some might seek revenge and physically harm the other person or their property, or worse, hook up with someone else. That saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” is undoubtedly true.

Jesus was cheated on, betrayed, so He knows the pain you are going through or have gone through. We should look at how He reacted when his friend, Judas-Iscariot, his co-worker, hurt him. First, Peter got angry and went for revenge by cutting off the ear of one there to arrest Jesus. Jesus commanded him to stop, and then Jesus healed the man’s ear and went peacefully with them. (Matthew 26:47-56)

Judas no doubt knew that Jesus still loved him and forgave him but could not handle the guilt. And that is why I think he committed suicide. Sad! Loving and forgiving sets you free. It doesn’t tell the other person, “What you did to me was okay.” it does tell them, “I’m not going to allow your actions to stop me from living life!”

I, too, know it’s hard, and fair warning, it will take time to get over it. And you will have to make that decision many times to forgive and to go on living and loving. It’s not a “one-time” decision.

Keep in mind responding inappropriately can not only hurt you or put you in jail, but it can hurt those around you. How you decide to respond can have life-changing and long-lasting results. Forgiving and loving is best.


Prayer: Father God, if someone reading this post is currently living with this kind of pain or has and hasn’t dealt with it, then I ask you to help them. Comfort them, Father, and help them to ask you for assistance in dealing with the pain and respond in a forgiving and loving way. Help them remember your Son, Jesus, has “been there!” Assure them that life will go on, and they will be a survivor. Thank you, Amen.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Out of Order

Sermons can come in different forms and formats. Today’s came from the First Church of Hollywood. Yep, a movie. It was about a man who followed the rules and insisted others do. He would get upset when they took a “flippant” attitude toward them and dismissed him when he pointed out their misconduct.

Some got annoyed at him. For them, the rules didn’t seem to take on the same importance. The man often got frustrated. I can identify with the man who followed the rules and expected others to do so as well. The man found peace when things were in order and went as ordered. Like for me, it creates a sense of peace. I want to think I get that from my heavenly Father!

For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. 1 Cor. 14:33 (AMPC)

The man also suffered from the medical condition “Cardiomegaly.” I didn’t know either, but it means an enlarged heart. At one point, when one of his neighbors heard he had a big heart, she laughed. She and her family had been one of his violators.

As the movie played, the man realized that “order” was still good but that people were more important than “order.” He quit judging others as to why they didn’t have order in their lives or struggled to follow the rules. He stopped the condemnation, listened, and sought ways to help them. Perhaps he had a big heart after all.

No spoiler alerts here. I only give away the endings when begged to. I will tell you, though, that the Holy Spirit brought conviction upon me. I want “order” in my life, but instead of giving “orders” as to how others should live, I, too, need to focus on the person. I need to listen and find a way to bring peace into their life.

Prayer: God, help me to identify the needs of others and to have the compassion needed for the situation. Help me take the time to listen and find ways to bring “order” and “peace” into the lives of others. Thank you, Father. Amen


Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Desiring God

Last week, I witnessed a woman get married. She had known the groom for a very long time. Fifty-six years to be exact. Their friendship had grown all those years. She admired his kindness, humor, demeanor, and his temperament. She felt warm inside when he complimented her. She was not used to being shown such consideration. She desired him all those years. She wanted him in her life, but it was not to be until this past week.

The woman was married, not to a bad man but not to the man she desired. Over the years, her affection for this man grew. After she got divorced, she got to know him even more by going on trips with the man she would have liked in her life and his wife. She honored their marriage and kept her longing quiet, but those closest to her knew because they knew her.

You could hear it in the way she talked about him. The way she used flattering words to describe him. How she hung on to every word he spoke. She yielded to his ideas, plans, and ways. “Okay. No problem. Sounds good,” would be her usual response.

This past week, she finally became intimate with the man she desired. She is 81, and he is 87. His wife passed away months earlier. He missed his wife. He missed his friend, so he reached out for her companionship, and she said, “Yes.”

What would happen if people similarly desired God? If they hung on every word He said. Suppose they got to know his true character by spending time with him. What would result from their trusting him and going along with his plans, ideas, and ways? Can you imagine what could be accomplished for the glory of God if they went on trips with him?

We should desire and long for God like the woman above did the man for all those years. Fortunately for us, we do not have to wait for anyone to die before we can enter into an intimate relationship with God because his Son, Jesus, died on the cross, forgiving us of sin so we can be in a relationship with his Father. We can enjoy a loving relationship. We can feel warm inside as God encourages us and speaks words of life to us. Having the confidence to take him at his word and follow him anywhere, He directs us to go.

If you have not accepted Jesus into your heart, asking him to forgive you of your sins, you can. You don’t need to wait until you are 81. You can enter into a love relationship with God now. And you should because I tell you this; God has desired you your whole life.

1-3By this time a lot of men and women of questionable reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.

4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. Luke 15:1-7 (MSG)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Greatest Composer

Photo by: Ylanite Koppens

I can not read music, nor can I write it. I can only imagine how satisfying it must be to write a piece of music, especially a concerto. I could at one time read it but not anymore. One thing I recall, though, is that there are high notes and low notes, and when you put them all together, they make music. Hopefully, something that sounds good and is pleasing to the ear.

As we live our lives, there are high notes, and there are low notes. It seems as if we remember the low notes the most. Throughout my life, I have had several “low notes.” Some were flatter than others. (Get it?)

It amazes me how, when we surrender our lives unto God, how He can take “all” of our life, the high and low notes, and make beautiful music. One might even say, “A concerto.” It also amazes me how the almighty God, the greatest composer, can orchestrate every part of our lives while simultaneously the lives of others, and the result is of his good pleasure.

The other day, I was going to go outside and do some cleaning, but as I was about to go through the door, I got a phone call from a friend. I took the call, and we talked for about 38 minutes. Shortly after I ended the call, I went outside and started working. A man walking by started talking to me. As we spoke, he brought up God and then commented on being unsure if one could go to heaven.

I spoke and told him he could be absolutely sure and how. He didn’t seem to accept what I was saying until I told him how much God loved him. I told him God wanted to make sure that we met. I told him I would have been outside earlier if my friend hadn’t called me. I want to add that I could have ignored my friend’s call and called him back later. He would have understood. If that had happened, I wonder if the man I met outside would have missed heaven by 38 minutes. You see, it’s important to spend time with people. They matter. All of heaven is about people.

Live for God. Allow him to ordain your steps. Don’t take for granted those interruptions. They may seem like a low note to you, but God may be playing a high note. Either way, I assure you the resulting melody will be pleasing to the ear.

 
The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord,
Psa. 37:23a (AMP)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Living the Psalms

Photo by: Brett Jordan

At the beginning of 2023, April and I stepped out in faith to meet a need. We were excited about taking this step, especially April. She could use her gifting and trained skills to bless families. At first, things were going well. Then one by one, the families chose to go in a different direction. It was as if they were turning their nose up at what April brought to the table.

As I pondered these events, I compared the families’ actions to refusing filet mignon and, instead, choosing to go dumpster diving. In other words, God wanted to bless these families with a loving, faithful servant of his, and they were turning their backs on her. Their behavior reminded me of the Israelites, which will be discussed in another blog post.

April and I’s savings account took a huge hit making this opportunity possible. And with no one seeking April’s services, covering our added expenses month to month was like watching a gas pump running in reverse regarding our savings account. It was hemorrhaging. We needed God to perform a miracle.

About the same time these events began unfolding, I started rereading Psalms but this time from The Message version. What stood out to me was how much complaining there is about God and his behavior. Take the following verses:

Get up, God! Are you going to sleep all day?
    Wake up! Don’t you care what happens to us?
Why do you bury your face in the pillow?
    Why pretend things are just fine with us?
And here we are—flat on our faces in the dirt,
    held down with a boot on our necks.
Get up and come to our rescue.
    If you love us so much, Help us! Ps. 44:23-26 (MSG)

Asking, “What is causing these people to say these things to God?” one can only point to one reason, “Fear!” I have to admit, I could now understand these individuals. Watching our savings account dwindle, I, too, was asking, “What are you doing, God? Why won’t you help and rescue us in our time of need?

I was trying to think of any possibilities that would keep us from living on the street. I checked into one course of action, but then I sensed God’s Spirit whisper, “Don’t turn to men for what you are asking God to do.” Out of fear, I almost put our house on the market, but it didn’t feel right.

I enlarged my prayer circle. A friend told me that God shared with her, “The bigger the miracle, the bigger the group praying needs to be.” I sensed divine direction and followed it. I took action, and God answered one of my prayers three days later. I had to ask God, “What is it with you and three days?” Then I laughed. He did too. I think.

The following week we got another answer to prayer for April. You won’t find our home on Zillow.com, and in a few months, our savings account will return to a respectable level. God doesn’t sleep, and we are always on his mind. He knows when things are not fine in our lives, but it is always okay to express what we are feeling and going through to Him. It’s never fun going through the valleys of life. I’m not a fan of having my faith tested, but with that confession, let me wrap this up with two thoughts. Both, though tuff, brought me some comfort:

The tester wants you to pass. The tempter wants you to fail.

6 This makes you very happy. But now for a short time different kinds of troubles may make you sad. 7 These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold can be destroyed. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes again. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ICB)

Okay. One more:

16-18 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
2 Cor. 4:17-18 (MSG)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Disappearance (part 9 – A short story by Mark Brady)

Early the next day, Pastor Scott called Captain Peamont and the Mayor. He told them he had figured out the mystery of the disappearances. The Mayor called the governor and the media and said there would be a press conference in front of the First Baptist Church of Seneca at 10 AM.

***

Officers set up barricades on the road so the camera crews could set up safely in front of the church. There were news crews from all over America and several countries worldwide.

“Good morning. Thank you for being brave enough to come to Seneca. “I’m Mayor J.T. Bradford. This morning we will hear from Captain Peamont, who will recap what he and his team of officers have tirelessly investigated over the last several days. Then we will hear from Reverend Scott Freemon, who will read scriptures that will explain all of this. So here is Captain Peamont.”

Captain Peamont reviewed the events of the disappearances and what facts they knew. Then he turned it over to Reverend Freemon.

“Good morning. I, too, thank you for coming this morning. I started reviewing the list of names of those that have vanished here in Seneca. After praying and asking God for insight and wisdom concerning these events, I noticed that the ones on the list I knew personally were Christians. Then I turned to the following scriptures in the Bible.

From the New King James Version. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 16-18.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

This is from 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verses 51-53.
“Behold, I tell you a [a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Now, from the book of Luke chapter 17, verses 34 through 36.
I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”

“These scriptures tell us that people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will someday be caught up into the heavens when Jesus calls his church home. It has happened a little differently than the scriptures have stated, but I believe, without a doubt, this explains what has been happening in Seneca.

These scriptures explain why people have disappeared and, at times, right next to us. The scriptures talk about putting off mortality. That explains why their clothes and personal belongings stay behind. These scriptures are also why many in the Seneca Cemetary have also disappeared. We didn’t notice, but they were probably the first to disappear.

Why only Seneca? Well, I believe God is being gracious to those that have not accepted his Son, Jesus, yet, and He wants you to know that his word is true and these facts are real. I believe one day very soon, people from all around the world will disappear at the same time. This could cause many accidents in many forms.

Other scriptures tell us that no one knows when this will happen except God, the Father. Another scripture instructs us to BE READY!”

After he finished his talk, Pastor Scott Freeman disappeared in front of everyone with the cameras rolling.


Though this has been a fictional story based on scripture, the rapture is real and will take place. I, the author, have taken an artistic license to share not just a story but the Word of God about His plans. Another scripture tells us that the rapture will take place when things on earth are like they were in the days of Noah. Meaning people are doing what is right for them and ignoring God and morality. I certainly see these things happening. I strongly urge you to accept Jesus as your Savior. Ask him to forgive you for your sins. This is the only way to BE READY.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Disappearance (part 8 – A short story by Mark Brady)

“She’s gone! She was sitting right here, and then… then she just disappeared!” cried out a lady.

People were doing everything they could to see, although there was nothing but a pile of women’s clothing to see and a woman’s purse left in the pew. Some people started scooting away while a few others got up to leave.

“Hey! Todd Buchman just now disappeared!” People’s attention was turned to where the cry came out.

“Sue Roberts has now disappeared too!”

“Captain Peamont, what is going on? Are we safe? Where are they going? Do you think it’s aliens?” cried one of the attendees.

“Yeah! Are we safe?” asked another.

Captain Peamont raised his hand. “Calm down, everyone. Please, do not panic. There has to be some logical explanation, although we haven’t figured it out or discovered it at this point.”

“We all should leave Seneca! No one has disappeared from any other town around us. Only in Seneca!” yelled out one. “I’m leaving now!” The man scooted out of the pew and left the church.

“Me, too!” another added.

About a  hundred people also left.

Captain Peamont turned to the Mayor while covering up the mic and said, “Maybe to protect everyone, we should all leave town.”

“Abandon Seneca?” exclaimed the Mayor.

“Only until we find these people and figure out what is going on is all I am saying.”

“You really want to find the ones that came out of their graves?” asked the Mayor.

“They are missing.”

The Mayor was then approached by a TV crew covering the town meeting. They set up a small TV monitor and played back what they had recorded. Pastor Scott and Captain Peamont stood where they, too, could watch.

“Watch this, Mayor,” said the reporter. “You can see everyone in this shot, and then where the first one to disappear, I believe the lady, you will see a quick flash of light. You will also see the same phenomenon when the other two individuals disappear.” The Mayor gasped each time the flash appeared. Pastor Scott remained silent but asked for the footage to be replayed slower.

“What do you see, Pastor?” the Mayor asked.

“Not sure, but….”

Another scream sounded, “They just took my husband!” Now everyone started leaving the church as if it was on fire.

***

Pastor Scott went back home, where he spoke with his family and asked them if they wanted to leave Seneca. His phone rang.

“Hello, Darcy.”

“Are you all leaving?”

“We haven’t made a final decision yet. Partly because we want to be here if Tamera shows up again.”

“I understand, but something is wrong here in Seneca, and I’m leaving too.”

“But you love this little town,” he said with a smirk. He enjoyed teasing his cousin.

“And I still do, but not when it is acting out! Okay, you all stay safe. I’m out of here.”

“Be careful, Darcy. You take care, too.”

***

 Meanwhile, there was a traffic jam in Seneca for the first time in the town’s 154-year history. One officer was standing in the intersection of the town’s only flashing red light directing traffic while the other officers were working minor fender benders.

Word of the mysterious disappearances in Seneca had caused people to stop doing business there. No one was coming into town for any reason, not even to visit friends and loved ones. Fear had set in, not just in Seneca, not just in the surrounding area, but worldwide.

***

Pastor Scott went to his study to pray.

“God, people are scared here in Seneca. Bring peace to this town among the people. If they are leaving, help em to be calm and careful. Give me understanding, Lord. Please show me what is going on. Why are people disappearing? Why did my daughter disappear? Where is she? Where did she go? Where have the other people gone? What do we do, Lord God? What do I do? I need you, Father.”

He saw the list of people who had vanished before the town hall meeting sitting on his desk. He picked it up and started reading the names. He recognized some of them.

Hey, this guy went to the church. I preached at his funeral. And here, Sister Elona. She was in charge of our children’s department.

He now looked at the list in a different light.

I think I know what this is!

…To be continued…

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Disappearance (part 7 – A short story by Mark Brady)

Captain Peamont rolled upon the scene Officer Dawson reported to be at. He got out of his cruiser, looked around, and approached Dawson’s vehicle. Officer Dawson just sat there staring forward. The Captain opened his door and asked, “Are you getting out?”

After a long pause. “Sir, I have never been so shaken up or scared in all my years as an officer.” Then he turned and looked at his Captain. He was shaking.

“It’s okay, Dawson. You stay in the car, and I will check things out.”

After a few minutes, the Captain returned to his cruiser and radioed the station.

“Dispatch, this is Captain Peamont. I need an available officer to assist me with an investigation.”

“Hi, Captain. This is Rogers. Sara needed a personal break. Where are you? What’s up?”

“I’m at the Seneca Cemetary. We have several opened graves.”

“Are they on the Oklahoma side or the Missouri side? You know, the state line runs right down the middle of the cemetery.”

“Not funny, Rogers, but both sides. Get here as soon as possible and help me out, please.”

Captain Peamont put on gloves, grabbed some evidence bags, and put them behind his belt. He checked in on Dawson, who was still frozen in his car.

“You okay?”

“I will be somehow. Please, Captain, don’t ask me to look into those graves.”

“I won’t. Rogers is on his way.”

The Captain walked over to the closest grave and looked in it. He wondered if he was to open the casket if there would be garments inside. He didn’t want to know but knew he had to. He dropped down into the grave and found the casket unlatched. He opened the lid and saw a man’s suit but no body. He took some photos with his phone and then climbed out.

“Oh my goodness! You scared the crud out of me!” Officer Rogers proclaimed.

The Captain laughed, sort of.

“Rogers, start documenting the names and ages of the opened graves on the Oklahoma side. I will start on the Missouri side. Take pictures if you see anything odd as if this entire incident isn’t bizarre, sick, and twisted.”

The two of them got busy recording the information. It took them several hours. Dawson was released to go home and try his best to relax and calm down.

***

Back at the station, the Captain decided there were just too many names to add to the board, so he wrote, “Seneca Cemetary = 561” He decided to have Sara type all of the names onto a form, though. He then learned that the Mayor had called a town meeting tonight to be held at the First Baptist Church. He also learned from Officer Dawson that another seventeen residents disappeared while he was at the cemetery. That brought the total to 585. Officer Dawson and a trusted friend helped him bag the articles of clothing and record the names.

***

People poured into the church. The officers had to direct traffic. They were letting cars park in any space they could fit in the neighborhood surrounding the church. Inside, a similar situation. People were looking for any place to sit or stand.

Pastor Scott opened the meeting. “Where are all of you on Sundays? It would be my biggest crowd if I preached right now!” Some people laughed. “Hey, just trying to ease the tension. Since humor didn’t do it, let me pray. God…Seneca needs you right now. I need you, God. Too many of our loved ones have disappeared. We ask you, Father, to bring peace in this troubling time. We thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Next, the Mayor stepped up to the pulpit. “Thank you all for coming out tonight. We have a crisis on our hands. I should let you know that I am now communicating with the governor and the FBI. I am bringing in resources and help from wherever I can get it. These organizations will assist our local police department, which has done the best it can, and we appreciate the job they have done. Nothing like this has ever happened anywhere in the country. These disappearances have stumped everyone so far. Now our police captain will share with us what facts he has.”

Captain Peamont took the microphone and shared the facts that his department had listed on the board back at the station. His officers handed out papers listing the names of those who had disappeared. Even the names of those in the cemetery.

All of a sudden, a lady in the sanctuary screamed.

…To be continued…

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.