food

The Food Man

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image generated via A.I.

I first heard of Jesus at the dinner table. Mom and Dad were talking about him. Really, everybody was. Here was this man going around the area teaching people how to live within the laws but beyond the law Moses had given us. He was also healing people, a lot of people. Word had it Jesus was coming to where I lived. This was amazing to me. I couldn’t wait.

The parts of his story that Mom and Dad struggled to believe I accepted. So what if he was born to a woman in Bethlehem? Isn’t that how everyone enters life? Besides, growing up here, he knew and understood how hard life was for us, especially for a kid, in these parts. In general, women were mistreated, but kids were treated even worse. In my culture, kids were the lowest of the pecking order. Some even considered us disposable.

On the day Jesus arrived, I packed a pretty good lunch for myself. My family headed out early. We wanted to get a good spot so we could see everything. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea. There were so many people there. I think the whole town must have closed up shop. I mean, there were at least 5,000, and that’s just counting the men. I don’t have any idea how many women and kids were there because we didn’t count, remember?

When Jesus arrived, he climbed high upon a rock so that most people could see and hear him. His teachings were like nothing I had ever heard before! At times, he would take a break from teaching and heal people. It was in those moments that everyone would really pay attention to what he was doing.

The next thing we knew, it was getting pretty late in the day. People were starting to listen more to their stomachs than to Jesus. I don’t know how in the world Jesus wasn’t hungry. He must have been in the spirit; therefore, he was not aware of the things of this world. He had been working hard for the biggest part of the day. It was about this time his disciples noticed the crowd stirring. One of them approached Jesus, interrupting his teaching. You could tell he didn’t want to do this, but either he was the boldest of the twelve, or he drew the shortest straw of grass. Later, I heard someone call him Peter.

I’m not sure exactly what Jesus said to him, but Peter gave him a look I had given my mother a few times. That look that says, “Are you kidding me?”  Someone behind me must have been able to read lips because he was telling people that Jesus had just told Peter to feed us. Hah! You have got to be kidding. No wonder Peter gave Jesus that look. Everybody who was realizing what was said began to laugh. I started thinking, “Well, if everybody gave some of what they had brought and we put it all together, everybody would get something at least.”

I watched as the disciples went around trying to collect food from everyone, anyone, but people were saying no or lying about bringing food altogether. I don’t understand this. I know people brought food. Why wouldn’t they turn it over? I heard a lot of grumbling and complaining. “I’m not about to give what I brought! It just isn’t enough!”  Another said, “Jesus must be crazy!”  One said, “Why doesn’t he just end this and send everyone back home?”  Still, another said, “It’s such a small amount. What could Jesus do with this?”

I started getting very upset with these people. I thought, “What’s wrong with them? They have just heard one of the best sermons. You’re telling me that they have already forgotten what Jesus said? And they haven’t even gotten dismissed yet! And what about the miracles they’ve just witnessed? Did that not stir their hearts or build their faith? This is the Son of God here, people!”

I told my mother I was going to give over the food I had brought. She patted me on the back and said, “Honey, you really don’t have to do that. Jesus will certainly understand.”  “But mom!” I replied. “This is Jesus.” She studied my face for what seemed like forever and said with such tenderness, “Then you go ahead.”

I think Thomas is the disciple who I handed over my food to. He looked at me, patted me on the head, and said, “Ah, thanks, kid, but I doubt this will help at all.” I looked at him squarely in the eyes and said, “Look, just place it in the hands of Jesus.” He just froze there for a bit and then assured me he would.

It seemed as if it didn’t take that long for the twelve to make their way through the crowd. The disciples handed over to Jesus what they had collected. He looked at it for a while as one disappointed. Disappointed, perhaps, because only one in the crowd, without understanding “how,” gave. Then Jesus instructed that the men were to be seated in groups of fifty. I didn’t think this was for Jesus’ benefit but for ours. I believe he wanted the people to know just how great this miracle was going to be.

Jesus then took the food, looked up to his Heavenly Father, and prayed over it. Then he broke it and handed it to his disciple. The disciple broke it and passed it on. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Pass the blessing on.” One man after the other broke the bread and the fish and passed it on to the next man. Finally, it made its way back to me. I smiled…  I knew Jesus was awesome, but to take so little and do something great with it, wow! After everyone had seemed to eat enough, not even trying to save room for dessert, Jesus commanded his disciples to gather the leftovers. Would you believe there were twelve baskets of food left over? You talk about “The God of more than enough.” it was then I noticed that those who withheld their food looked ashamed.

To the day I died, people called me “The Food Man.” I’m not sure if it’s because I went on to feed people through the food pantry I ran or because of the day I gave Jesus my lunch, but I never let go of the truth of putting anything in God’s hand, no matter how small and watch him do something mighty with it.

(The actual account can be found in the Bible. John 6:1-15)

If you have never had your own encounter with Jesus Christ, know that you can. He is waiting for you to accept his offer of forgiveness for your sins. With that begins a relationship that brings hope, encouragement, comfort, and guidance with the added bonus of eternal life. Along the way, you can ask for help with anything. Problems in life, relationships, and healing. Having a relationship with Jesus is the best thing you will ever do with your life. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are real. So are heaven and hell. There are no other alternatives. Encounter Jesus and change your life.

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Thankful?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image generated by A.I.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving this coming Thursday? Do you have the turkey and all of the trimmings? A pastor’s wife once asked me if I was going to join them for Thanksgiving. I replied, “Sure. I’ll be there.” She then said, “Oh good. Now we’ll have a turkey!” Hahaha, right?

A lot of people spend a lot of time preparing for the holiday. They prepare the menu, invite the guests, and make sure the house is presentable. Others begin packing their suitcases if they are going to be traveling far to celebrate with friends and or family.

I have to ask, though, “How many prepare their heart?” For the one who has been forgiven of their sins, through Jesus Christ, has a lot to be thankful for. Even if this life isn’t perfect and there are trying times, you still have God on your side. One of the best sermons I have ever heard lasted about ten seconds. The minister was sitting on a newspaper machine in Chicago. While the “Do Not Walk” sign was lit, he preached. He said, “I don’t care how bad life is. As long as you have God on your side, it will be okay!”

Because I am daily mindful of how much God has done for me and continues to do for me, I am always thankful! When I walk through the house, I feel blessed. This home has been a big blessing to me and April, and it will continue to be one after I am gone. (I am older than April by several years.) This house has the ability to rent out the second floor with no intrusion for whoever is living on the first floor. This will provide another stream of income for April.

Thanksgiving isn’t just an American holiday. It’s an ever-present attitude of the heart. Maybe you will be asked what you are thankful for this coming Thursday as you sit around the table. If you have a roof over your head, peace in your country, food on the table, good friends, and a family that loves you, a job that meets your needs and God, then you have more than most to be thankful for. And if you don’t have all of those things I listed, then turn to the God who loves you. Tell him. He’ll listen! And who knows, perhaps by the following Thanksgiving, you will.

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Mat. 7:11-20 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Standard

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I got spoiled and took it for granted. I love Chinese food! When I lived in the Chicago suburbs and worked in downtown Chicago, I had several excellent Chinese restaurants around me. Within a five-mile radius of my home I had five alone that were good! I didn’t realize how good I had it until I moved back to my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, after retiring from AT&T.

April and I tried another place today for lunch. I was excited, and my hopes were high. Let’s just say I tried to like it, but the taste fell far below what I wanted. I have analyzed the situation and realized the bar was set high when I lived in Illinois. There was one place where the head cook was known as “Grandma.” I would walk in and ask, “Is Grandma back there cooking?” If the answer was “Yes,” then I knew it was going to be good. In fact, when Grandma retired, the quality went downhill, and I stopped eating there. Grandma had set “The Standard.”

There are many “religions” around the world, and those who follow them will say they are satisfied with their choice of following that “religion.” My choice is Christianity, where I don’t follow a “religion” but rather have a “relationship” with the Creator of the universe, God Himself.

“Religions” usually come with a set of rules and spiritual practices that one must follow in order to achieve some kind of spirituality with the hopes of being “good enough” to make it into heaven. In my relationship with God, as long as my sins have been forgiven via his Son, Jesus, and the attitude of love resides in my heart, I am promised by God himself to live with him in heaven for eternity. In my opinion, what I have learned about other “religions” seems lifeless, burdensome, and demanding. God has set The Standard when it comes to being spiritual and Jesus Christ set the bar!

Jesus Christ is the only One who taught, walked, and lived out a life of perfection and love but then died and rose again to be with his Father in heaven. No other priest or teacher did that. Not Buddha, Muhammad, or any other person. They’re still dead!

As I watched today several customers come in to eat or pick up their orders, I asked myself, “If the food here isn’t that good, then how can this place be so busy?” Then the answer hit me. “Duh! Their standard of good quality Chinese food is low. They haven’t partaken of the best!” The same goes for the masses who have not accepted Jesus Christ into their life. Asking for forgiveness for their sins and then walking in a loving “relationship” with God.

Consider a “relationship” with God through his Son, Jesus Christ. That is why He died a horrible death for you on the cross! Even if you were the only person on Earth and you sinned and did something wrong, Jesus would have gone through the pain and agony of dying for you. That is how much He loves you.

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good;
How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Ps. 34:8 (AMP)

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Why Are You So Busy?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments
Photo by: Anete Lusina

Keeping up with life is complicated. It seems as if the days go by so quickly. I have found it even more challenging as I have gotten older. And I know it’s not true, but the days go faster. I have noticed how I can do one chore, and after it is finished, I am ready for a nap!

There could be many reasons, like not sleeping well, sickness, and disease. If you have a condition, that can certainly make you tired after exerting a little effort.

But I think there is a more severe, more hideous force behind much of it. It’s evil, and it doesn’t care about you at all. It does have a name, and that name is “Satan.” He wants nothing more than to keep you and your life so stirred up that you don’t have time to think about God or even to consider him. And forget about thinking of asking God for help. It never crosses your mind. You are most likely fearful and scared about your finances, job, relationships, etc. Anything but God! Ironically, God is what you need and who you need.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?

32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.

33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. Mat. 6:30-34 (AMPC)

Surrendering your life to Christ, asking him to forgive you of your sins, and to come into your life is the place to start. If you have done that but still resist letting God guide you, then you need to get to know him so you can trust him. He loves you so much!

Even now, while I am writing this post, I got a phone call that has caused me to stop and pray. I am asking God what He would have us do concerning our rent house. Our current tenant just called me and said they could not pay June’s rent, so they are moving out. I need God to help me figure it all out. And how we are going to pay our bills now. See that is how practical God is and how much He cares about our daily grind. But because I have known God for a long time then I know I can count on him to provide for us. I trust him.

25-28 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out.  Luke 12:25-31 (MSG)

Prayer: Father God, help us all slow down and consider you. Help us to talk to you and then trust you and help us believe that you know what we need. Help us to stop striving and let you be God.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Drive-Thru God

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Photo by: Jonathan Borba

Have you ever sat at a fast food establishment and watched how people interact with the staff? I have. In fact, I am doing it now. I’m writing some blogs here while eating breakfast and waiting for April’s women’s Bible study to finish up. The first thing I have noticed is who comes in. It’s the young and the old among us. The young are enticed by the toys that come with their meals. The seniors come in for convenience. Another meal they do not have to cook and no dishes to clean afterward.

In this place, the music is loud, and the air is cold, but that is probably how the workers like it. The average customer doesn’t seem to mind because they did not come here for the atmosphere! They want to place their order and get what they ordered fast! Very fast!

When I was in the Philippines, We went t what they consider “fast food.” There was nothing fast about the place! On one such visit, it took them twenty-five minutes to make and serve me my breakfast sandwich. The lines were typically long, and the service needed improvement. As I began to observe their process intently, I saw the flaws. This was certainly not a place of “best practices!” As I learned a popular phrase while living there, “What can I do about it?” If they had known me, they would remember that I hate waiting.

This order now and receive in 22.495 seconds attitude has transferred into our relationship with God. Fast food places added drive-trus to speed up service and convenience. This doesn’t help us either. I think most believers of God would love it if He added a drive-thru. He tells us in his word to make our request known. Most of us would love to pray from a menu board too.

“God, I’ll take a number 5 to go. Oh, and I want fries with that!

Wouldn’t it be fast and convenient? God knows me and knows I don’t like waiting but answering prayers quickly or quicker might improve his service rating, but He is not concerned about that. He doesn’t care about any reviews believers might post on Yelp, either! God will do what is best for his children when it is best. Nothing changes that. Complaining doesn’t work, or asking to speak to the manager either. Nor does threatening to go somewhere else.

If you are going to be in a relationship with God, and you should, you have to accept the way He chooses to do things. Like in the Philippines, “What can I do about it?” Know that He does care, and He wants us to trust him. We have to acknowledge that his ways are “best practices.”

God isn’t going to install a drive-thru anytime soon or a menu board. We must learn to trust and wait in a loving relationship with him. Your prayer request will be served up prepared his way and in his time, so please, don’t go anywhere else. You may think you are getting what you want, fast, but I assure you it will leave a bad taste in your mouth for a long time. Perhaps even for eternity.

9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2 Pt. 3:9 (NET)

6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NET)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

He Knows (cont.)

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke the words above. He was trying to teach the people in his day and us today not to worry. A lot of people do worry today. They live in fear of many things. Will their job last? And if they lost their job, how would they pay their bills? As an adult, I went through unemployment twice. It’s not easy, and it’s not fun at all! It’s hard not to fall into the temptation to worry.

It’s understandable with inflation, supply chain issues, and the war in Ukraine. We just came through the Coronavirus, and our nation is divided. But can any of us control these things? Or other items not listed?

This is why we need to place all of our trust in God. He can control all things even when He allows humankind free will. He does know what we have need of and wants to make sure we have those things and more. He is a good Father who loves us so much and wants to give us good gifts. He wants to see all of our needs met so that we have enough and am able to bless others out of our abundance.

The key to this life of trusting God is seeking him first. Pursuing the things of God, especially his character. His most remarkable character is love. Everything God did and everything God does is out of love. It is out of this love that He knows.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

But the Menu Board is Lit

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know April and I went to Louisville, Kentucky, for Christmas. April’s sister had to work the day shift at the hospital, so she wasn’t hosting Christmas lunch, and her family had prior plans with a friend. So after we left the church, we had no place to go for dinner.

There were several eating establishments by our hotel, but none appeared to be open. Then I noticed cars in line at the drive-through for McDonald’s. We both looked at each other and said, “Nothing else is open!” We took our place at the end of one of the split lines. We started reviewing our choices on the lit-up menu board. Then I noticed no muffled voices were speaking to the people in the cars ahead of us. I commented to April, “I don’t think they’re open.” She replied, “Well then, why are cars in line?” “Because the menu board is lit,” I replied.

Apparently, when McDonald’s closed, they forgot to turn off the menu boards. I have noticed Americans will get in a line even if it is not the right line. I know I am guilty of that. I recall what my senior year English teacher, Ms. Tibbs, once said, “Drive your own bus! You don’t know where someone else driving their bus may be going.” I think she was trying to teach us not to follow the crowd.

We got out of the line, went next door to a gas station, and bought some noodles. But on the way back to our hotel, we noticed Waffle House was open. We went in. Being there on Christmas day reminded me of Randy Stonehill’s song, “Christmas At Denny’s.” Considering it was the only restaurant open, the food was outstanding! Later that night, we had dinner with April’s sister and family. On our way there, we noticed new cars in the drive-through line at McDonald’s. Yes, the menu board was still lit!

Tragically, too many people mindlessly follow the crowd. Whatever the multitude is doing or just bought, they too must do or have.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Mat. 7:13 (NKJV)

Sometimes it may feel you are alone if you have chosen to accept God and His gift of forgiveness for your sins. But you aren’t alone. Don’t fall into the temptation to be accepted by being a part of the crowd. You can ask God to help you stand alone if needed, and He will. Jesus went to the cross alone. He knows what it feels like to be rejected, despised, and hated. The menu board may be lit up, but you don’t have to place an order. Doing so could cost you where you spend eternity.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

My First Christmas in America

/ Mark Brady / 6 Comments

by April Joy Brady (Mark’s wife)

This is my first Christmas in America.  My previous ones have been in my home country of the Philippines.  People’s attitudes here toward Christmas are a lot different than there.  It seems as if some of the people are forgetting the real reason for Christmas.  Some even go as far as to remove “Christ” from the word Christmas with “X-mas”.  It makes me wonder if they have removed Christ from their hearts as well.  I’m not trying to be judging, it would be difficult not to be that way growing up here in America, with constantly being bombarded with TV ads and popular culture.

This season here seems to be more about parties, gifts, and where to spend the holiday.  When in the Philippines, where resources don’t flow so freely, Christmas tends to be much simpler, and we are happy to get to see family and share a simple meal, and laugh.  There is a lot of laughter back home.  I imagine Jesus’s first Christmas was simple as well.  Mary and Joseph adoring their new born son, lying still in a feeding trough with some hay, and perhaps an animal’s covering over him.  A far cry from a beautiful wooden crib from Ashley Furniture with blankets from Macys!

I think I have been blessed to have my previous life and Christmas’ in the Philippines.  I hope in the years to come I do not stray too far from my roots, especially when it comes to the attitude of what Christmas really is, or supposed to be about.

I will enjoy the time spent with my husband and the gifts he has bought for me as well as the other gifts from friends and coworkers, but in my heart I will be in Bethlehem, humming, “Away in the Manger”.

Merry Christmas everyone.  May Christ fill your hearts with his love.

April

Copyright © 2021 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

The Cook Was Sick

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The other day, while at a restaurant, I commented, to my wife how the beef and broccoli wasn’t as good as it normally is.  She replied, “Well, maybe the cook is sick.”  I laughed and thought she was just being silly.  She’s often funny like that, but she went on to explain how that phrase was a real thing in the Philippines.

I was intrigued and thought about this.  So what she was saying was. The food wasn’t at its best, because of sickness.  Isn’t that like us at times, servants of God?  When we allow sin into our life we are not at our best.  We do things, small perhaps, but they allow sin into our lives, and sin, is sickness, which can, if ignored, lead to death, spiritual and even physical. We miss opportunities to speak of the love of God.  To testify of his glory.  We miss experiences with others that can lift someone up, or encourage them.

A “diet” is defined as: the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats, or a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons. 

It seems as if some people restrict God from their life, and boy, do they ever pay for it.

Those who live by their own rules, not God’s, can expect nothing but trouble,
    and the longer they live, the worse it gets.
Every little sound terrifies them.
    Just when they think they have it made, disaster strikes.
They despair of things ever getting better—
    they’re on the list of people for whom things always turn out for the worst.
They wander here and there,
    never knowing where the next meal is coming from—
    every day is doomsday!
They live in constant terror,
    always with their backs up against the wall
Because they insist on shaking their fists at God,
    defying God Almighty to his face,
Always and ever at odds with God,
    always on the defensive. Job 15:18-26 (MSG)

Even though they may look fine on the outside, things are not healthy on the inside, and just like your body, it will manifest.

As God can be restricted, so can sin, but it’s a choice.  When we encounter an opportunity to sin we can call out to God to help, for when we are weak, He is strong, therefore we are strong. (2 Cor. 12:9)

Just as maintaining a healthy diet and saying, “No” to things we shouldn’t partake of helps us continue to be strong, we should maintain a healthy balanced diet built on God.  A diet of prayer, reading God’s word, and taking action to serve God as he directs.

It would be a shame for someone to encounter us, and leave with a bad taste in their mouth, because we were not at our best.  Remember this; as children of God, we are always reflections of our Heavenly Father.  And people do watch us constantly, looking for a reason to not accept God.  Their favorite excuse is this, “If they are a so called Christian, then that’s not for me, because I don’t want to be like them.”  Yes, it’s true we are forgiven, but they do not understand such things yet, for they have not experienced that forgiveness for themselves.  So be careful, every day.  Stay healthy, and stay good.

Copyright © 2021 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Home Cooked Meals

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

HotpotIn the last blog post I mentioned a friend living overseas who had not found a church yet where he is getting a steady diet of spiritual nutrition.  Not that he hasn’t tried.

We are very fortunate here in America to have many churches where the pastor feeds the people the word of God, and we can turn on the TV at any time of the day and find religious programming.  Now hold on, I agree there are some that are much better than others.  In fact there is a very small list of who I will give my time to.  There is also opportunity to see some speakers of God’s messages on YouTube as well.

My approach in preparing to speak publicly is this, I pray and ask God what He wants to say.  I call this process getting the meal plan.  Then I want to get God’s recipe for the items He wants to serve.  In other words, I don’t want to say the same thing the way I would, but I want to say those things the way God would if He was standing in front of the people himself.  This step is my studying.  Then, when I speak I serve God’s meal, his words, to the people.

Your pastor feeds you every week.  When a guest speaker talks, it’s like eating out!

After more discussion with my friend, he got revelation that he needed to stop relying so much on others to feed him, and start preparing home cooked meals.  We aren’t talking about TV dinners that you heat up in 4 minutes either.  He is going to get back into God’s word.  He is going to study.  He’s going to pray.  He is going to cook his own meals as God directs.  He may have to eat alone, but then he can eat as much as he wants, and after he is full he can then go out and feed others.

Dietitians have been telling us for years that eating healthy foods, prepared at home is good for us.  There is nothing wrong with eating out.  There is nothing wrong with going to church and eating with others.  There is nothing wrong with ministers on TV or via social media, as long as they are preaching the word of God, but remember to have a balanced diet.

“He poured great draughts of water down parched throats;
the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.” Psalms 107:9 (MSG)

Copyright © 2020 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.