“You missed Christmas, Jack”

November 26, 2016 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

empty-manger You know it’s the season, you feel the rush. You’re reminded the clock is ticking, but you say, “Hush.” So much to get done, so many people to see. Only a few days till Christmas, can it really be? There’s family and friends, and co-workers too, so many to buy for, what do you do?

One way or another December 25^th will arrive. One way or another you will survive. This Christmas will come and go, but at what cost? This Christmas may go by, but what will be lost? Will you take time to pause, or sit? Or will your heart take a huge hit?

Will you unwrap the greatest gift that has ever been given? The gift from God, the gift from heaven? The gift of his son to set free your heart? The forgiveness of sin on Jesus’ part? Enjoy your friends, and family too, but don’t miss the real reason for Christmas, so here’s what you do. Stop the craziness, resist the pressure, take in Jesus, He is a permanent treasure. Don’t be like Jack from the movie, “The Family Man”. Enjoy this Christmas by having a Jesus plan.

To Know

September 4, 2016 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

To know unconditional love;
is to know God.
To know real forgiveness;
is to know Jesus.
To know perfect direction;
is to know the Holy Spirit.

To know pure laughter;
is to know true friends.
To know great joy;
is to know a child.
To know time;
is to know an elderly person.

To know gratitude;
is to feed the hungry.
To know security;
is to clothe the naked.
To know health;
is to visit the sick.

To know peace;
is to know contentment.
To know lasting hope;
is to know faith.
To know wisdom;
is to know the Word of God.

Joy = Love + Laughter

August 20, 2016January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

by guest blogger Lydia Floren

Everyone loves to laugh. Why is that?

Laughter is infectious. If you are around someone who is bent over laughing (and also maybe about to pee their pants if they are a certain age), you immediately smile. And if they keep on laughing, even if they don’t say a word, you start to laugh with them, and try to get their attention to find out what is so funny, so you can share the joke.
Laughter, like a good cry, is soul cleansing –but unlike tears, laughter doesn’t usually leave you exhausted or melancholy. On the contrary, it is invigorating.
Laughter is bright. Not in an ethereal-luminous-sort of way, but in a blinding-flash-of-light kind of way. In fact, you could say

Laughter is audible sunshine.

Laughter is refreshing, especially when someone is laughing at themselves. It reminds you not to take yourself too seriously.

Laughter is a game changer.When your sense of humor is tickled, and you start to laugh, whatever foul mood, or pity party, you might be experiencing tends to evaporate.
Laughter is a gift from God. Think about it: God invented laughter, just as He did everything else we know and experience. He programmed us each with our funny-o-meter. And here’s an interesting concept: God laughs.

God laughs? Of course He does. In fact, I bet He laughs a lot. No one could create some of the amazing quirky creatures in our world without a lively sense of humor. He surely chuckles, as any loving parent would, at the many funny things we say and do. And He must certainly laugh – in that deep satisfied way – when his children step into joy.

You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16:11 NASB

Joy is the hallmark of a person who lives in God’s presence. Such a person loves. And smiles. And laughs.

You might say

Joy = Love + Laughter.

website = Belovedlove

Her mailing address is:
Belovedlove
3712 Trails Ct.
Eau Claire, WI 54701

What is Love?

February 14, 2016February 7, 2023 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

032115_12 Love, to me, is like riding a roller coaster. When you first encounter a roller coaster you have never been on before you are filled with excitement, wonder, amazement, and even a little scared. You agree to get on the ride, and the attendant helps you with the restraining device. The ride starts moving and you get a half smile on your face simply because you really don’t know what you are in for, and then comes the first hill.

At the top of the first hill is the least scary moment of a ride, but seconds later you will be screaming your head off, hanging on to that restraining device as if your life depends on it, and in reality, it does. There are twist and turns and ups and downs and tunnels of darkness, and even loops that can change your perspective, and it is about then you say to yourself, what was I thinking? You ride, you hang on, you go through all that commotion and then you are back into the station. The ride stops. It is time to get off. You stager to the exit, the contents in your stomach have been shaken, not stirred, and you certainly feel it, yet what do you proclaim out loud, “I want to ride it again!”

In a dating relationship one can certainly get off the ride, but there are some coasters you ride till death do you part. Now that would make an interesting sign above the entrance to a coaster. My kids and I love coasters. There was one Saturday at Six Flags Great America the park wasn’t too busy and we rode 40 times on roller coasters. The last coaster of the day we stayed on continuously for 16 times. We, as humans, are addicted to love. We like it, we want it, we crave it, and we need it.

The past couple of days I have listened to people on TV try to say what love is. None of them, even the ones with “PHD” after their names even came close. Real love is as described in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, and it takes this kind of love to stay in any relationship, from friends, to coworker, to family, and to spouse. Let me list a few here:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails. (NIV)

The real test to see if you are love is to replace the word “love” in the above section and insert your name. You can certainly insert the name of Jesus in there, for we know He is love. So if you are currently in any relationship let love be your restraint, and hang on.

Love? Or in Love?

September 22, 2014 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I met a woman today who was absolutely beautiful! As we talked I could discern this woman was also wise. While talking the subject turned to marriage. Her face lit up as she spoke of love, and marriage. She shared with me the great love of her life. You see the woman I was speaking to was a widow. She mentioned how it is a give and take of both sides. She said one has to give 50%, but at times you may have to give more like 70%, and one should be willing to, for a season. She told how a marriage takes work and lots of it! She mentioned how today too many take marriage so lightly. She said a lot of people “love”, but asked how many couples are “in love”?

Wow! My heart was stirred by how she spoke of love. I asked her if she would like to go out on a date. She asked me if I had my own car and could still drive? Oh, I guess I should mention this beautiful lady was 92 years old.

I’m divorced, and for the longest time feared of allowing myself to love again knowing I could get hurt again. If you want to be married you must first be willing to risk. If you don’t take the risk of being hurt or having your heart broken again then you aren’t going to live life fully! Sure, you can play it SAFE, but is that living?

Jesus risked all to love us. He gave 100%. He was willing to live among us in order to really love us. He knew his heart would be broken many times by the very ones he loved, yet Jesus is still “in love” with us.