life

Irreconcilable Differences

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Being in a relationship can be challenging at times for a variety of reasons. When married couples find that changing, or compromising is harder than they think it is worth it they many times end up in divorce court claiming, “Irreconcilable Differences”.

I had to look up what those two words mean.

Definition of Irreconcilable Differences

Noun

  1. Differences of opinion or will that cannot be brought into harmony, or cannot be brought into an agreement through compromise.
  2. A relationship that has become relentlessly hostile.

One could make the case that God and Satan declared, “Irreconcilable Differences”! That God and Satan have a relationship that has become relentlessly hostile! Although there is one definite distinction; God had the final say-so when it came to the final judgment of their case. When Satan insisted on being a “god”, in his own eyes, and having the angels worship him God said, “No way! There is only one true God and it is me, and He was not about to compromise.

To this day Satan is working day and night trying hard to appeal God’s final judgment. He is even trying to use people to win his case. He tells them lies, half-truths that convince them of things like there is no God, there is no punishment for sin, or that there is no eternity. In other words, as he told Eve in the Garden of Eden, “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4) People believe him when he tells them, “There is more to life than what you currently have now, and you deserve more. You’ve earned it.”

It’s sad when they buy into his deception. If they are not set free with the Truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ then they will stand before God when they die and He will declare with them as well, “Irreconcilable Differences” and they will be forever divorced, separated from the presence of God, and that is called, “hell”!

Please, accept Jesus Christ into your life before it is too late. Ask for forgiveness of your sins, and wrongdoing. Read God’s word, “The Bible”. Learn about the love of God and come into harmony with Him. When all truth is revealed, and it will be, you will be glad you did.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

What To Do

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

A whole lot is going on these days in our world, in America, and most likely in your private lives. It would be easy for one to look at others and focus on what they are saying or doing. One may be invading a country another maybe ignoring that a lot of Americans are financially struggling, and a lot of people are more concerned about their own selfish rights than the life of a child who can’t yet protest their opinion of wanting to live.

I can just see the devil having a hay day laughing while so many people are running around screaming trying to get their view heard. He is behind these evil things, unjust actions, and selfish rights.

Instead of joining those trying to be heard I implore you to keep your eyes on Jesus! To keep a good, strong, and tight connection to the vine. Continue to bear, produce much fruit, the fresh fruit of God.

Psalm 1   The Message

1 How well God must like you—
    you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
    you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
    you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Marking Your Journey

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Do you mark your journey? I don’t, not in a physical way that is. Like by keeping a journal, or something. Perhaps I should because it is good to look back. We are usually caught up in the moment thinking and praying about today’s needs and tomorrow’s.

But looking back is a good practice. I tend to end each day by saying, “Well, God, you got us through today. The bills that were due today were paid. The needs were met today. We ate today, and there was gas in the car to go where all we needed to go, today. Thank you, God!” And the truth is this; last year at this time I was praying about the day’s needs and the future back then. Yet, I made it through and have come to this point one year later.

You could say my journey is marked with “Mile Markers”, yet others are marked with “Tombstones”.

A mile marker indicates how far you have traveled. A tombstone indicates your journey ended. A living person’s tombstones could be where their job ended, their marriage, or even their relationship with God.

The Israelites used to pile up stones to mark where God did a great thing for them as part of their journey.

“Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.” Joshua 4:5b-7 (MSG)

Be mindful of what God has done for you in the past, because the truth is, He is doing it today as well!

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

What Happened?

/ Mark Brady / 5 Comments

Have you ever wondered, where did it all go wrong? Or, how did they end up like this? I have. You look at someone’s life and you can’t quite figure out how they got where they are today.

I heard it said the other day, “I made a wrong turn on the way to church!” That kind of says it all. Somehow the individual took their eyes off of Jesus and looked instead at what was around them. Kind of like Peter when he was walking on the water. He let his circumstances disrupt his fixed gaze on the Master, on Jesus.

“Church” doesn’t save you, or even just “going to church” doesn’t either! I know a couple of women who “go to church” every time the doors are open, but there is no love of God in their hearts! As a result, people get hurt.

Back to the people who have strayed from the truth; they started looking at what Satan was offering them “now” that would fulfill that longing desire in their heart instead of waiting on God to provide something or someone pure, holy, and a part of Him.

The wonderful truth is this; it’s never too late to backtrack and take the right street to the church. In other words, it’s never too late to return to God. Most likely there is someone who is praying you would and God is sitting on the front porch staring down the road as far as He can hoping to see you come over the horizon toward him! He is waiting with open arms.

Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living
    and reorder our lives under God. Lam. 3:40 (MSG)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Despite What May Be

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

One of the hardest things on this journey we call, “life” is overcoming. It seems as if it will never happen. Either the hole of debt we have dug is too deep, or the struggle with the one we once loved hurts too much. Perhaps the sickness seems as if it will never get better. You know, all too well, what I am talking about, and so do I.

When Jesus taught the multitudes he would often direct their attention to nature to emphasize the point he was trying to make. He didn’t have a “whiteboard” or a “PowerPoint” presentation. He used what he had, and it worked!

To borrow this method from the great Teacher, let me show you some illustrations from nature about overcoming.   Notice this Ferris wheel will someday be totally overcome by this growth in nature. It has probably taken a few years to get this to this point, but what one might of once thought was impossible, has become possible.

Consider this pile of rubble. One may make the comparison that this mess is similar to their own life. I know I once did, after making, what I thought, was a mistake that would end my service to God forever. Turns out, I was wrong on that point. In the midst of my personal, broken pile of a mess life, He slowly began to rebuild me and make me useable to him and others once again.

Then there is this tree. It found life close to disaster. It lives on the edge. Some may consider that exciting, while others would find it nerve-racking realizing that at any moment, a strong storm could come and it would lose its grip. The tree seems confident trusting the hold it has on the unmovable rock.

One can learn from this tree that finds itself so close to falling, so close to going over the edge, from becoming firewood.  Burnt up and consumed, yet today, it stands tall. If we trust our “Rock and salvation” we too could stand tall no matter what storms may come.

Admire this flower. It bloomed and grew despite not being in a beautiful garden. It has no dedicated gardener to provide daily watering, plant food, or bend down and remove any weeds that may try to enter its territory. Yet it survives and fragrances the environment around it with a sweet smell.

Maybe you’re not currently living in a garden, and maybe you struggle to have your basic needs met. Take a lesson from this flower; bloom, grow and be a pleasant odor in your world.

With God’s help, you can grow and survive despite your past, or present situation. Regardless if you have a lot or a little. Make it part of your mind to be an overcomer. Set it in your heart and mind despite what may be today.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
James 1:2-4 (MSG)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Battle Plan

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Do you know who your enemy is? Do you know their name? I tell you this; it’s not the name of your spouse, your boss, a family member, or the name of your neighbor. For we wrestle not with flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) We see the people in our lives, and we can’t see into the spiritual world, unless God reveals it to us, or else we would be able to see the demonic forces at work behind the people we see. I’m not saying they are bad, or demon-possessed, but the devil can use them to get to us.

As Joshua, and the people of Israel were about to cross the Jordan River and enter into “The Promise Land” God revealed to them who their enemies were. In Joshua 3:10 the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. I know, those sound like diseases sort of. As they went to possess the land that God had given them, He also provided a different “battle plan” to defeat each one.

God has given you land to possess too! Your home, your job, your city. He wants you to claim your territory or like He told Joshua, “Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread.”

Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses. Joshua 1:3 (AMPC)

Also like Joshua, every battle you face in life will have a unique “battle plan” that will help you defeat, or overcome it. Jericho was inhabited by the Canaanites. They were wicked, idolatrous people descended from Noah’s grandson Canaan, and God did not want them to remain in the land because they could turn the Israelites away from Him. The same goes for you. When you do not defeat an issue in your life, it too could eventually turn your attention, your heart away from God. Jericho was defeated by the Israelites marching around the city walls. On the seventh day, the walls fell. A unique “battle plan” for this city, for this enemy.

Seek God. Ask him about certain people and or situations in your life. Ask him what He would have you do with them, or about the situation you find yourself in. How to eradicate it from your life. If you do this, you will have peace in your land.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

There’s No Other Way!

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It happened before I knew it. Facing a trying time, where facts were present regardless of having an understanding as to why, was very difficult for me. When you have to do another withdraw from your savings when in your mind you keep saying, “But, God, I know for sure we heard you!” I don’t understand why this venture has cost us financially, when it should have grown our finances.

By Saturday, while sitting in front of a warm fire, I realized I had not read from my current devotional, “Jesus Calling” all week. I went to get it. Ironically? No, but smacking me in the face was the overall theme for the week was, regardless of the circumstances, keep trusting me, and obeying also.

I needed to read that message every single day of this past week, but I wasn’t. Funny how quickly we take ownership of our situations in our minds. Then what’s odd is we seem to allow those situations to take ownership of us.

There are SO many good stanzas in this old hymn. Words that need to be taken to heart, and lived by.

“Father, I repent for taking my eyes off of you this past week. Please forgive me. I know and believe, that you are sovereign and you do know what you are doing in my life. I gave it to you. Help me not to take it back again. Thank you, God. Amen.”

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

What Does it Mean?

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Do you ever notice numbers? Like if you see the same number over and over? The other day I noticed there were “252” people who had visited a particular website. Then, the next day I had an offering to give. I was going to split the full amount of the offering with another person. The amount for each of us was “252”. The following day I wrote a blog post and it had, yep, “252” words in it!

I thought, “Wow! This is amazing.” Not the first time this kind of thing has happened to me, but this time it seemed more amazing and meaningful. So I looked up what the spiritual number “252” means? Here is the definition:

“252 symbolizes diplomacy, harmony, respect and acknowledgement. It also symbolizes uniqueness, individuality, creativity, unconventionality, and curiosity.”

Another connection is this; last year I started the business “Experience Writing, LLC” with my neighbor, another writer. Our first writer’s conference starts this Thursday. Our core values for the business are:

  • Out of the box
  • Unique
  • Individual
  • Creative

Do you see it? Three of our core values are contained within the meaning, “252”. It would be all four if you considered “unconventionality” as “Out of the box”.

So what am I to do with this knowledge and awareness?

  1. Not start looking under every number for meaning. Not depend, or rely on seeing number patterns for direction, or guidance. Doing so would become a “religion”.
  2. I am to know, be confident that I am at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. Just another special delivery from God. It delights the soul as well.

As for the first meaning of “252”; in the spirit of diplomacy and harmony, I have learned to respect and acknowledge the special gifting of my business partner. So I am not going to get hung up on seeing “252”, but I am going to give thanks to God for the confirmation I am on the right track in my journey with him.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

This Isn’t What I Expected

/ Mark Brady / 3 Comments

Are you living the life you once day dreamed about?  I’m not! I’m not saying it’s bad or anything, but there is room for improvement. Especially if it is going to be like what I desired. I wanted a large family for myself. A real “Brady” bunch if you will. I love children. But after I saw the price tag for two my first wife and I decided that was enough. I wanted to marry into a large family. I did, but it wasn’t long before the realization of how one bad, sour fruit hanging on the family tree can spoil relations.

After I divorced it was many years before I dared say, “I do” a second time. And once again I found another sour fruit on the family tree. Then in my own family, yep you guessed it. Some of the sourest fruit you have ever been exposed to. So the dream of “one big, happy family” has never manifested.

I could be downright depressed about it, and at times I have been. I have prayed, asked, griped and complained. Eventually, God began to give me knowledge and understanding concerning the bad actors in this cast. That has helped. It certainly is better than giving up and running away, or doing everything and anything to avoid them.

I saw the sign in this photo and realized that’s what I’m doing, but hadn’t labeled it. God is helping me know that all I can do is make sure my attitude is right, and pleasing to him when it comes to family. I can enjoy the life I have with April, and make the most of it. I’m happy being retired, and writing books now. And next week I and my business partner will be hosting our first writer’s conference, held in the setting of an old west town. (see expwriting.com) Then my first book is coming out soon. A modern day novel, “Kill The Preacher Man”. I am extremely excited about that. So really, life isn’t what I wanted, but it’s not bad either! Thank you God for taking all of my messes, and making something that can be pleasing to you.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1 Thes. 5:16-18 (MSG)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

“I Got You Babe”

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

“Oh I am so excited about today!” the man’s wife said as she arose from the bed.  He immediately begun scratching his head trying to remember if today was a special day in her life, or their life.

Her happiness continued as she prepared their breakfast and sent him off to work. As he drove he questioned, “Is it our anniversary? Her birthday? I don’t think so, but she was so excited I don’t want to screw up.” So after getting settled in to his office he ordered her some flowers to be delivered. At lunch he ordered a balloon boutique. On the way home he stopped and picked her up a box of chocolates.

When he walked through the door she greeted him with a smile and said, “Wow!  I can’t believe all that you have done for me.  This has been the greatest “Groundhog Day ever!”

That really is a true story, and tomorrow is “Groundhog Day.” I have no idea if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not. I believe we will have six more weeks of winter whether he does or doesn’t. If you have seen the movie, by the same name, then you know Bill Murray relieves the same day over and over. Every morning his alarm goes off at the same time to the same song playing, “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher.

There are times when real life feels that way. As if you are in a rut and can’t get out. The days creep by one after the other. To what avail? But there is more to life than sitting around waiting to die. There is life with God. You surrender your will to accept his and then follow his leading to living the most exciting life one could ever imagine.

 I said, “Not my will, but yours Lord” a long time ago. I haven’t always gotten it right every step of the way, but it has been an exciting life. One I would certainly do again in a heartbeat. I love witnessing firsthand how powerful God can be, and how gently he can show his soft love. Realizing he has been working out intricate details of your life without you even asking him to. When provisions show up unannounced, or he leads you to be a blessing to someone else. Acting like my heavenly Father is a privilege.  Seeing the face of someone when they become aware they have been in the presence of almighty God, even if via one of his servants, there is nothing like it.

 It certainly isn’t the life depicted by the movie, “Groundhog Day” at all. A life “with” God and “for” God is the best kind of life one can have.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.