Wife of the Month

September 1, 2020August 29, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

090120 I would like to nominate April for “Wife of the Month”. For the month of September, she can use the special parking space. That is, if she was here in America, and if she could drive. She has completed the immigration process, but can’t take the final step because her country is still in “lock down” mode, so the U.S. Embassy isn’t doing interviews. Being separated is difficult, but I can see how God has used it for His glory thus far.

Last week, I sent her the following message, and though it is personal, she agreed to let me share it:

Baby, I love you! I simply love you, because you have God’s DNA in you, and it shows. In you is peace, joy, faith, hope and love. Of course the greatest of these is, love. Because love, never fails! Baby, when you look back over our short marriage, you can see a trail of love that has dripped over the mountains we have overcome, and across the ocean that separates us now. Without love, God’s love, we would not have come this far. The story of “Mark and April” would have been a short one, but as it is, our story, is still being written.

I couldn’t wait any longer Baby April. I know our 18 month anniversary isn’t until next week, September 1st, but I just had to let the words above out. I was unable to contain them any longer. So Happy Anniversary, April. I am so happy to be known as the American, who married April Joy Santiago Cruz, and has so far, survived. I am a lucky man who is blessed by God. He loved me so much that He hid you from the eyes of others, for such a time as this. I know two, maybe three of those men looked your way, but because of your wonderful faithfulness to God they gave up in their pursuit.

Our story, feels like it is taking forever to be written, but I know we are steadily moving every day toward his destination for our lives. Baby April, each day it gets easier to love you, because you, like God, are love.

To you April, the love of my life,
Mark

I am grateful for God’s love, and for his tender nudge to try marriage again, after checking the “Divorced” box for 24 years. April struggled with her singleness a lot, and most who knew her started believing “marriage” had passed her by. But God had a plan that took years to connect two individuals who were 8,149 miles apart. It’s like He set her on a shelf, so she would be available for me that one Friday afternoon, in October 2018, when I first saw her face on a Filipino dating site.

It’s hard to trust God, who doesn’t always share what He is up to, but when you do, it’s worth it! God is so amazing, and I am so grateful, He first loved us.

Do You Have God’s DNA?

August 28, 2020August 26, 2020 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

082820 2 God’s love, flowing over your soul is like a soft quilt. You feel warmth, and soothing comfort. There does seem to be a reverent amount of satisfaction in saying, “I’m a child of God.” Walking around as if wearing a robe, a mantle, when once seen by others they know immediately you are royalty. They respond either with respect, or jealously, envy. They put themselves in a position to help you, or fight you. People can sense your anointing. Some are drawn to it, yet others run from it. It’s not in your control, it just happens.

Pray for both. Pray that God will bless, lead, and strengthen the ones that are attracted to the anointing on you, and pray God will help align a proper attitude in the ones who resist you, reject you, and simply try to hurt you.

Bless others with your position of power. Do not use it to cause harm. Wear the ring which displays the family crest, as a symbol to all that in you, is the mighty, unfailing love of God. In you they see peace, they see joy, and they see in you a calming spirit despite the turmoil around us. A spirit of confidence as if you have looked around the corner and somehow you know what is coming next, yet you are not moved. They see a rock that protrudes out of the stormy waters. A place of solitude where safety can be found. You have what you are in need of. You may not have an abundance, but you have enough, and even some to share with another. You may stumble, but you do not fall. You walk with your head up, facing what comes your way, because you know where your next step is, and you take it without fear.

This is what it means to be a child of God, to have his DNA inside of you. If you can identify, then simply smile. If you can’t, then I pray you will be drawn to this kind of life. It can be attained with a simple request of God to come into your life, to make your heart right. Then, and this next step is vital, get to know your heavenly Father, because the things you want to become, are found in him. Jesus said, “I only do what I see my Father in heaven do.” (John 5:19-20)

Say His Name

August 25, 2020August 24, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

082520 A minister shared the story of his daughter, who was very young at the time, and in Africa, by herself. There was a native mother having trouble birthing her child. She was in great agony and screaming out. The village, female, witch doctor had her candles burning, incents smoking, while she recited “hocus pocus” chants. The young woman had enough and begged someone to go retrieve the American, who earlier had made her faith in God, known. The minister told us his daughter went there and surveyed the situation. She was barely 21 years old, and the only thing she could think of to do was sing the song, “In the Name of Jesus”. The witch doctor had a fit, and stormed out, at which point peace entered, the woman’s pain subsided, and she delivered her baby.

There have been some very powerful, or influential people throughout history, and in current times. Some have used their influence for good, while others, not so much. Yet there is one, and only one who has affected the world like no one else. Who, you might be asking? Jesus Christ.

There is power in the name of Jesus!

One can be in the middle of any jam, any sickness, or any upsetting storm of life and call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, showed up on the scene at the right time, and still does today. It is important though, to believe, in the name of Jesus. The lyrics to the song she sang:

In the name of Jesus,
We have the victory.
In the name of Jesus,
Satan will have to flee.
Tell me who can stand before us
when we call on this great name
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, JESUS
We have the victory!

There are no hours limiting when you can call his name. There are no “Terms or Conditions”. No fine print to squint at before using his name. No shoes, No shirt? No problem, you can still call his name. You see, in a world where everyone tries to protect themselves with “agreements” that only benefit them, calling upon the name of Jesus benefits you. Jesus came along and shook things up. He showed, by example, there is a better way to do things. What is that way? Love!

God gave us his son, because He loved! Jesus chose to die on a cross for you, because He loved! Jesus is right there ready to step in when you invite him to, by calling his name, because He still loves!

Feeling Shipwrecked?

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

082120 It seems as if these days can be very challenging to hold firm to your faith. I think the devil and his crew are working overtime. It’s as if they are doing to their best to use the current circumstances to wear the children of God down. Have you wanted to quit? Throw in the towel? The thought has crossed my mind even, but does any of us know what serving God through hard times is really like?

The Apostle, Paul in his missionary journeys, suffered many hard times. He was shipwrecked more than once, bitten by a poisonous snake, beaten, falsely accused, and was imprisoned. If anyone living with God had a reason to quit, he did!

BUT HE DIDN’T!

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Phi. 3:12-14 (MSG)

^“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Phi. 4:6-7 (MSG)

^“So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.” 2 Thes. 2:15-17 (MSG)

“You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.” 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (MSG)

Paul revealed how he got through life with God, no matter what was thrown at him, and he wrote these words to encourage us to do the same. Learn these words. Remember them, but more importantly, live them.

Like Today!

August 18, 2020August 17, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

One of the hardest things, about walking with God, is knowing, “when”.

You are trusting God to do something in your life. You have asked for it more than a child asking for candy. Whether you are waiting for your spouse, or waiting for the correct time to start that business that has been brewing in your heart for 10 years. Or in my case, when am I going to win an Oscar award for the New York Times best seller I wrote? Some maybe hanging on to the promise that one day they will be debt free. We want to know “when”, and when we focus on the not knowing it distracts us from living today.

A father and mother knew they were taking their two daughters to Disneyland, but also knew there was no way they could tell them until that day had come. Why? Because those wise parents knew that every day before would be a disappointment to those girls if “that” day wasn’t “the” day they got to go.

Do you see now why God can’t tell us “when” what He has already commissioned to take place in our life will happen, because if He did it would ruin “today” if “today” wasn’t the “day” it came about.

If God told a man who his wife was going to be before it was time, that same man would most likely get a restraining order from that woman, because he would get caught stalking her simply because he wanted to see her, and get to know her. A woman’s business may fail because she opened it too early, or in the wrong place. Then she might be tempted to walk away from God, thinking, “Well God you said I would have my own business!” I probably wouldn’t enjoy writing any book if I only focused on, “Is this the one?”

I would rather be a mile behind God,
than one inch in front of him.

Enjoy the journey. Enjoy today. Like today! See God’s hand in your life today. You might be saying to yourself, “I haven’t seen God today at all.” My reply would be, “You woke up didn’t you?” Last year I went through a time of asking God for more money to pay the extra bills we had. I remember God asking me, “Okay, how much money do you need today?” I thought about it and realized the bills for the whole month had already been paid and “today” I didn’t need any. God could have said, “Well then shut up!” but He didn’t. He didn’t have to, because by his question I knew He had met all my needs for “today”.

TRUST will help you overcome the word, “when”. Trust doesn’t mean you throw your hands up and say, “I don’t have to do anything.” But it can calm you down knowing God will work it out when it is time.

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24 AMPC)

I Heard God

August 14, 2020August 14, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

081420 “The voice of the Spirit of God is as gentle as a summer breeze— so gentle that unless you are living in complete fellowship and oneness with God, you will never hear it.” – Oswald Chambers

I had two dreams, in the same night, several days ago that was kind of strange, and no, they weren’t brought on by late night pizza. In both dreams, I was being instructed on how to write this blog. I was told to make it more, “grunge”. What is “grunge” I asked myself. I had heard of it before. Webster says, “The untidy fashions typical of fans of grunge”. Okay, so how does that relate to writing my blog, I asked God. Is that writing wearing casual Friday clothing on steroids? I sensed as though it meant to write more “raw”, “revealing”, if you will. I draw from my life for inspiration or examples, but not always in detail that reveals personal feelings.

A week ago or so, I was feeling down, and depressed, because Covid has caused my wife and me to remain apart longer than needed. I haven’t held her in my arms for over a year now, and that hurts. With the current conditions, I could not see a path for us to be together any time soon. We are done with the immigration process, and she just needs her medical exam and her interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Then she would get her Visa and come home. It is difficult to be apart from one you love, and even harder when that person loves you back. I have tried everything I could, even emailing the embassy to see if they would do a “tele-interview”. They said, “No.”

I cried out to God, I begged, and I pleaded. To make things worse, He wasn’t saying a thing, or if He was, his answer was so soft I couldn’t hear it. Then, I confessed my attitude to a friend, who listened and didn’t just quote scriptures I had heard so many times before, but he assured me God knew and then he prayed for me.

An hour later, as I was writing a blog, I came across a scripture in God’s word, and I realized God was speaking to me and to my circumstances. My smile came back, and my heart felt like a ton of bricks had been unloaded, the heaviness was gone.

God does hear us, and yes he cares about what his children are going through, but it is so reassuring to hear his voice. He can speak to us in many different ways, like through his word, dreams, through others, blog post, and that still small voice inside, if we calm down enough to hear it. God also knows what we have need of, before we even ask. (Matthew 6:8) Remember this: If you aren’t hearing God right now, it has nothing to do with him loving you less. He’s just waiting for the right time, for when it will make sense.

Has God miraculously made a way for my wife to come to America? No, but now I have understanding as to how He plans on using this for his Glory., I’m okay with that. My friend called me back a few days later and I told him, “Through a scripture, I heard God, and I am good now!”

I Want to Speak to the One in Charge

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 / Mark Brady / 8 Comments

071120 “I demand a new pair of jeans,” said the man holding a pair of Levis.

I had to ask, “What’s wrong with those?”

“Their flawed. The fabric has come apart. See?” he replied.

I looked at the spot he was pointing to. “Sir,” I responded, “Those are ripped. You must have gotten them caught on something.”

“I did no such thing,” he insisted as he started stomping around displaying his anger.

I was about to enlighten this man that when denim rips, it does so in an “L” pattern, like the one on his blue jeans. But before I could get the words out of my mouth I heard, “Mark, I’ll take it from here.” The words were spoken by the store manager, Jim.

Jim looked at the jeans. His fingers rubbed across the ripped area feeling the loose strings. He then looked at the tag over the right back pocket taking in the waist size and the length. He looked at the man square in the eyes, and said, “One moment.” Jim walked over to where we kept the Levis and he retrieved a brand new pair. When he returned to the sales counter he placed them in a shopping bag and handed them to the man. He smiled at him and said, “Here you go sir. Thank you for your business.”

I didn’t understand and started to ask Jim, “Why”, but Jim said to me, “Wait.” After the man left the small clothing store, in the small town, Jim turned and said to me, “Sometimes it is better to give a customer what they want, even when you know they are lying. You see, that man is satisfied. He knows he made a mistake, but he didn’t want to pay for it. He will return to do more shopping here.” I stood there, letting the words sink in, and then Jim said, with an old, wrinkled smile on his face, “And besides, I can send those jeans back and get refunded.” Jim was the man in charge, and Jim knew what could be done, and when.

Here’s the thing, all of us have made mistakes we don’t want to pay for. Some even deny it. God is the one in charge of everything. He will run his finger over the rip in your life feeling the loose disconnected strings. He will walk you over to a shelf where your new life sits. He will smile and offer it to you. You may be wondering how you can pay for it. Will your good deeds be enough? No, so how can you take it?

God will tell you how he gave his only son, Jesus to die on a cross and how his death pays for your new life. Then he will encourage you to accept this free gift. So if you are feeling lost, depressed, forgotten, or hopeless ask to speak to the one in charge. Receive his free gift of salvation. After doing so, I assure you, things will look up, and you will feel satisfied.

I Need the Rainbow

August 7, 2020August 5, 2020 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

080212TB 228 This year, 2020, has proven to be one big storm that won’t stop. It has harmed so many people, in so many ways. Interview them, and you would hear different versions of the same story, “Hurt”. Whether it’s a lost job, drowning in debt, the death of a loved one due to Covid, keeping family and friends from gathering as they once did, or new challenges no one saw coming. When will it end?

Isaiah 61:3 The Passion Translation

to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes,
    the oil of bliss instead of tears,
    and the mantle of joyous praise
    instead of the spirit of heaviness.
    Because of this, they will be known as
    Mighty Oaks of Righteousness,
    planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.

You see, the only way to get through the storm, to silence the thunder, to calm fear when lightning flashes, is to look up, see God, and put on the mantle of joyous praise. Praise him with full throat. A friend, who lives in Taiwan, said he was singing praises to God while riding his scooter the other day. Not caring who heard him, but unless they knew English, they probably didn’t even know what he was saying anyway.

The last few blogs have had this theme, of looking only at God, so I know this is the message of heaven to all for this time, but especially to those who love God. The storm will end and when it does people will come out to survey the damage, and even if they see what harm has come upon you, but then look at your face they will see peace, love, God. They may ask, “How can you still love God? How is it you can still smile?” Your answer will be, “I’m a tree planted by Yahweh as a living display of His glory!”

The storm will end, and when it does, I hope you are still standing, and still looking up, because only then will you see the rainbow. The symbol from God, signaling, the storm is over.

Don’t Look Away

August 4, 2020January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Why are people changing because of what is going on in the world? Does that make sense to you? Who you are before hard times should only strengthen during those times.

Why let circumstances alter your relationship with God for the worse? If it is going to change at all, it should grow and get stronger, but as I have heard from several others in the last few days, that is not happening with some. As reported, a lot of people are turning away from God in these times, and the lifestyle that once fostered their relationship with God is being discarded.

“As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.

We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (TPT)

God’s word (like above) encourages us not to look at what is happening around us, but to keep our focus on God if we want to be an overcomer.

How Did it Come to This?

July 31, 2020July 27, 2020 / Mark Brady / 8 Comments

I haven’t said much concerning the attitudes of the people protesting everything these days. To be honest, I have a hard time relating to them, or even beginning to understand them. While watching the news this last week, I think I had some revelation to where they are coming from, but first, we have to look back.

In 1983 I visited a reproduction of the “Mayflower” ship in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where I saw a sign that stated, “In pursuit of religious freedom.” So America was founded in having a deep belief, and relationship with God, and our society was established on His principles of living.

Back then, most people went to church. If a husband passed away, the church community would support the widow, and if children lost their parents, the orphans would be looked after until they were adopted into another family. There were other benefits as well, for if one had a sickness, or other life event their immediate needs would be taken care of. Doing life together with people you knew is what Jesus taught and the disciples lived out in the early church. This meant there was no need for social security, welfare, or other government involvement.

But at one point, some Americans begin to determine what was good and evil for themselves. Others formed another brand of religion because they didn’t agree with the one they were in. Before they knew it, there were at least 150 different kinds of churches and most lost sight of the importance of having a relationship with God and put an emphasis on rules, made up by them, trying to be good enough (works) to make it into heaven.

More and more got tired of failing on the “rules” and became disillusioned with God and turned away seeking happiness in making money, and spending it. Those individuals had children who never had the opportunity to know God the way He intended, and they grew up not seeing a need for Him.

Several years later, like June 25, 1962 they even got prayer removed from school. And on January 22, 1973 made it legal to kill babies still in the womb. Their religion was, “Do whatever feels right to you.” These days, it’s also “I have rights!” There were a lot of other issues where people departed from God’s word. As the years went on people who were not part of a church family still needed help and the government stepped in. Now, government is too big with people who do not have a relationship with God, or don’t even know God and churches are too small and being too quiet, most likely too afraid of offending someone.

So you see, the people protesting and like wanting to defund the police, aren’t stupid or ignorant, but totally deceived by Satan. Now people are a god to themselves, and don’t want to hear about the one true God and the wages of sin, because to them, there is no sin. Everything they do is right in their own eyes. None of this is a surprise to God, for it is in his word, the Bible:

3 But you need to be aware that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce and difficult for the people of God. ²People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly.

³They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right. ⁴With brutal treachery, they will act without restraint, bigoted and wrapped in clouds of their conceit. They will find their delight in the pleasures of this world more than the pleasures of the loving God. 2 Tim. 3:1-4 (TPT)

These days, true believers are being separated from pretend ones. The current times are making one reveal what, and who they believe in. It is important if your life is based on God, and his words, then continue to focus on him, and talk to him more now than ever. Doing so, you will be found a good and faithful servant and endure till the end.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

Wife of the Month

Do You Have God’s DNA?