Do you have a “spiritual thermostat” in your home? You probably have a regular thermostat, at least in America. Other than in the U.S., I’ve only lived in the Philippines for a few months, and we didn’t have one there on the wall, but the air conditioner we used had different settings on it.
So, what do I mean by a “spiritual thermostat?” Walking through our home today, I noticed an atmosphere of peace, joy, and love. It felt good and comfortable. I stopped long enough to think about it and figure out, “Why?”
I believe I have been open and honest about my struggle of being married for a second time. Learning to believe and trust someone can be difficult. Honest about how I have fought my fears concerning April and if I could trust her true motives. Needless to say, I have had to talk to God about it, like, a lot! I have complained, cried out, begged, and asked for answers and His help.
God heard me, and in His timing, He answered me. He has helped me be a spiritual leader in our home. He has helped me to believe April and has helped me trust her. He has also given me the strength and wisdom to be quiet and, when needed, to walk away. The result is that the “spiritual thermostat” has been adjusted and is now set to where it should be.
It doesn’t matter if April helps or not. It is my responsibility to do what is required or expected of me to lead us spiritually. I am thankful for God and his help. I like walking around the house feeling peace, joy, and love. And the greatest of those is love.
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual qualities such as love, joy, and peace, which are meant to be limitless and transformative in our lives. Gal. 5:22-23 (TPT)
The clock’s hands tremble at midnight, as if they too feel the weight of time’s turning. One breath, one heartbeat— and the old year exhales its final sigh.
We stand at the threshold, feet on the worn floorboards of yesterday, eyes fixed on the bright doorway of tomorrow. The air hums with possibility— like unopened letters, like seeds sleeping beneath winter soil.
The New Year is not just a date, but a soft invitation: to forgive what hurt, to carry forward what healed, to dream without apology.
In its first quiet hours, the world feels tender, as though it knows we are fragile too. We promise ourselves new beginnings, but perhaps the truest promise is to keep showing up— even when the days are ordinary, even when the light is slow to return.
So here’s to the year ahead: to the laughter that will surprise us, to the tears that will teach us, to the moments we will not see coming— and to the courage to meet them all.
May we step into this year not as who we were, but as who we are becoming.
(The above poem was written via AI.)
I have stated before that I am always hopeful for a new year. It’s like having the slate wiped clean and a fresh start to see if you can get this one right. Of course, it usually isn’t too long before I need forgiveness. I’m glad I never go into a new year alone. I know God is always with me. So, with Him, I can face whatever the new year holds for me. If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ into your heart or asked for forgiveness for your sins, I hope you will. Then, you too can have peace as you enter a new year. “Happy New Year!”
Ah, New Year’s Eve — that magical night when we collectively decide that next year will be different… right after we finish this last plate of nachos and questionable champagne.
Let’s be real: NYE is less about “new beginnings” and more about “trying to stay awake until midnight without turning into a pumpkin.” Here’s the unfiltered truth about the night we all pretend to have under control.
1. The Outfit Illusion You start the night in a glittery outfit that screams, “I’m ready for 2026!” By 11:45 p.m., you’re barefoot, your hair looks like you’ve been in a wind tunnel, and you’re clutching a coat that isn’t even yours.
2. The Resolution Roulette Everyone’s making resolutions like they’re auditioning for a self-help book.
“I’m going to run a marathon!” (…to the fridge.)
“I’ll stop eating sugar!” (…after this cupcake.)
“I’ll be more organized!” (…once I find my phone.)
3. The Midnight Countdown Chaos The countdown is supposed to be magical, but somehow:
The TV is on a 7-second delay.
Someone’s yelling “Happy New Year!” at 11:59.
You’re still trying to figure out where your champagne glass went.
4. The Post-Midnight Mystery After the hugs, confetti, and awkward cheek kisses, there’s always that moment of “Now what?” Do we keep partying? Do we go home? Do we just… eat more cheese? (Spoiler: it’s always cheese.)
5. The Morning After You wake up on January 1st with glitter in places glitter should never be, a vague memory of singing loudly in public, and the comforting thought that you have 364 more days to get your life together.
✨ Final Thought: New Year’s Eve is like a sparkly, chaotic group project — no one really knows what’s going on, but somehow, we all pass. So here’s to another year of trying, laughing, and pretending we know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.”
The above words may certainly describe some of us. I think the last two years, I have been in bed by 10 PM only to be woken up at midnight by fireworks. “Happy New Year,” and then back to sleep.
Years ago, I gave up trying to make New Year’s resolutions. I usually broke them before January 1st was over anyway. Most people want to improve themselves. For me, that means learning to react to people with one of the Fruits of the Spirit. The one I need most often is “self-control.” But the truth is this: I can’t really make myself better without God’s help. I ask him to help me often. For where I am weak, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
This practice can make any year happier, whether it’s new or not. Happy New Year, everyone!
(Portions of this blog post were generated via AI.)
The holidays are magical — twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, and… plotting your stealth mission to the returns counter. Because let’s face it, not every gift is a keeper.
1. The “Ohhh… Wow!” Face When you unwrap something that looks like it escaped from a yard sale in 1987, channel your inner Oscar-winning actor. Smile big, nod slowly, and say, “This is… so… unexpected!” Translation: Where’s the receipt?
2. The Receipt Hunt Gift receipts are mythical creatures. Without one, you’re stuck with store credit — which is how you end up owning a lifetime supply of “Cinnamon Moose” candles.
3. Re-Gift or Release Some gifts are too bizarre to keep but too guilt-inducing to toss. Solution? The Re-Gift Stash — a secret vault where questionable presents wait for their next unsuspecting victim.
4. Return Counter Survival Skills Post-Christmas returns are basically the Hunger Games with shopping carts. You’ll need speed, agility, and the ability to answer “Why are you returning this?” without blurting, “Because it’s ugly.”
5. The Gift’s True Destiny Returning isn’t ungrateful — it’s matchmaking. Somewhere out there, someone wants that neon sweater with the 3D reindeer nose. And bless their festive little heart.
The best gifts never get returned. They are the ones where the giver knows the person well. Knows what they like and knows what they have need of. The best gifts are held close to the heart.
That is why God gave us His only Son, Jesus. He knows us and knew our greatest need was a savior, not a financial wizard or an educator, or anything else, but someone who could pay the price for our sins. (John 3:16)
When one accepts God’s gift, opens it, if you will, and tries it on, there is no doubt that after feeling the release of bondage, will not want to return it. God’s gift also comes with an instruction book, called the Bible, and I strongly recommend reading it from cover to cover. (It would be interesting if IKEA came out with its own version of the Bible. It would have no words but pictures only.) Don’t be like a typical man and put God’s word in a drawer and think that you can have a relationship with God without reading it. Technically, you can, but if you want to enjoy your gift to the fullest extent, then you will want to read it.
“Thank you, God, for the greatest gift ever, and Happy belated Birthday, Jesus! Love you,”
I know I had it at the age of four. Logic and problem-solving skills, that is. One day, my older sister and I went Christmas shopping with my mother. At Promenade Mall, we saw at least four Santa Clauses. Of course, none of them looked the same, or like the typical image we think of, and one was even a different race than me. This didn’t sit well.
Then there were all the other problems with Santa. We didn’t have a fireplace in our home, and even if we did, wouldn’t it be too hot for him to come down? And how he allegedly traveled the whole world in one night. I didn’t think so. Not to mention the issue of carrying all those toys. It just didn’t make sense to me. One such movie addressed these issues, but it wasn’t around when I was four.
On the way home, the mystery of Santa Claus became clear. I was excited, so I blurted it out. My sister started crying and screaming, “No! No! It’s not true!” My mother almost wrecked the car trying to reach back and slap my legs out of anger. Then she yelled at me to shut my mouth and not say another word. It was a different time between parents and kids back then, so of course, I obeyed. The rest of the ride home was, can you say, “Awkward?”
After we got home, and my mother put things away, she entered my room. I knew she was still angry with me. She said, “You think you are so smart! If you want to ruin Christmas for yourself, then fine, but don’t you dare ruin it for any other child, including your sister!” (Notice I didn’t say what I figured out here, still keeping my promise to my mother some sixty years later!) I think she then went and told my sister I was wrong, and my sister continued to believe a few more years after that.
To this day, things still have to make sense to me before I can accept them. Having logic and problem-solving skills has served me well all these years. I thank God for those gifts. But one area of my life where I can’t always figure things out is with my faith. One thing hard to understand is how God’s love for us has no bounds. It never runs out, as if each person is allocated a certain amount. And then he gave us his only Son, knowing he would die a horrible, excruciating death on the cross that provides forgiveness for our sins. That blows my mind, and having a son, I’m not sure I could have done the same.
Of course, Jesus’ birth is the whole reason we have Christmas. Talk about divine moments, when the Holy Spirit moved upon Mary and she became pregnant with the Son of God. Wow! She must have felt so special, even though she didn’t understand it all, yet she believed. I’m sure she had more questions than answers. I know, at times, I do.
For instance, the way God does things and his timing. I would certainly like to have him help me figure out his timing. But as I have read his word, the Bible, I have come across scriptures that do help me, especially when things don’t make sense. Like, Isaiah 58:8-9:
“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (MSG)
The greatest gift one can receive in life is God’s Son, Jesus. Yes, it can be difficult to accept, but that is where God gave us another gift. “A measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) One doesn’t have to try to problem-solve their relationship with God. And it doesn’t even have to be logical or make sense first before we accept him. All we have to do is believe. Our faith is something we should blurt out to everyone.
God is real. Heaven and hell are real. For that matter, so is the devil. Satan doesn’t want you to believe in God. He tries so hard to keep doubt in your mind. He is the one who proposes questions in your mind that can hinder you from believing and then accepting God into your life. So, knowing what is real, start there. And if you struggle a little, it’s okay. Ask God to help you believe and then grow in your relationship with God. I assure you, it’s the best gift you will ever unwrap in your life.
Growing up, my mother would always ask my sister and me what we wanted for Christmas. She usually popped the question around the end of September, kicking off the magic of the season. My sister would soon deliver to my mother a rather long list of items. I felt as though we were somewhat poor, and I would be embarrassed if I asked for too much or something too expensive. So, I would tell my mother I didn’t have anything to submit.
On Christmas Day, I would be amazed when I opened my gifts. It seemed they would turn out to be what I secretly wanted in my heart or something better that I didn’t even know I wanted. I often wondered, how in the world does Mom do this every year? How does she know?
It wasn’t until I was a father that I learned her secret. She listened and she paid attention to what caught my eye in a catalog (that’s a book that would arrive in the mail with cool items for Christmas) or on TV. She knew. I started using the same technique with my own children. I have always found a lot of joy in giving someone a gift they didn’t expect.
Through my many years of walking with God, I have realized how true it is when it is written in the Bible that our Heavenly Father likes to give good gifts. (Matt. 7:11) Yes, there are times I tell him what I need, but the best gifts from Him have been the ones that surprised me.
One Christmas season, I was alone in the house, and so I went snooping. There, on the other side of my parents’ bed, was a big box. I had become a pro at slicing tape with an X-Acto knife and then replacing it with tape of the same kind and length. Under the wrapping was a 13-inch black and white TV. I thought Oh, wow! My sister is going to love this! It was the early 70s, okay?
On Christmas morning, I sat there and watched my sister open gift after gift while all I had in my pile was a new pair of jeans and a shirt. I thought perhaps I hadn’t been as good a kid as I should have, so I was okay with the disproportion of the take.
After all of the gifts were opened, and we started cleaning up the mess, my mother told my father, “Oh. We forgot one. Why don’t you go get it from our bedroom.” He did and set it down in front of me. Of course, I recognized it. I blurted out, “This isn’t mine!” “How do you know?” questioned my mother. She had her suspicion that I snooped or peeked at the gifts, but she didn’t have enough evidence that would have put me away. I said, “Because it’s so big.” “It’s yours,” said Mom. “Open it.” So, I did, and of course, I had to put on an act showing my surprise that would have won me an Oscar.
Now the gift exchange was over, and we all took our presents to our bedrooms. I couldn’t wait to get the TV out and plug it in. A few minutes later, I heard a commotion in my sister’s room. She was crying. My mother heard it, too. She heard everything in the house. She went in to investigate, and my sister confessed that she wanted the TV and didn’t think it was fair that I got one. My mother pointed out everything that she had gotten, and that she shouldn’t be jealous.
I unplugged the TV and carried it into my sister’s room. She was so happy, but my mother became furious and very firmly instructed me to take it back. I felt bad for my sister, and I didn’t totally understand then why she was acting that way. I guess we both could have used a Dr. Phil episode on siblings, in black and white.
A few years ago, my wife and I were in desperate need of about $1000. We prayed and asked God to provide. I looked at our situation, and I could not figure out a way to get that kind of money quickly. While praying again, as if God didn’t hear me the first time, I got a sense in my spirit to log into my bank’s app and look at our account balance. I did, but I didn’t expect anything to have changed from the last time I had looked at it, ten minutes earlier, but there it was. $1063.00 had been deposited into our account by my retirement fund company. I called them up and they said there had been an audit of my pension, and it found I was owed that money. I cried as I told my story to the man on the phone.
God does hear us. He encourages us to ask for what we need even though He already knows. Why? Because it demonstrates that we have enough faith in him to ask. We may not know how He is going to do it or if He will do it, but we should ask anyway. And there are times God gives us gifts that we may not need, but He wants to bless us anyway. And it doesn’t matter if the gift is big or small. Also, we should never get jealous of a gift that God gives to someone else. These days, I’m happy and thankful every time I pull back into our garage safe and unharmed after being out. Now that’s a gift! So, go ahead and give God your list even though He knows.
It’s me. Of course, you should know that because I’m probably the only one in the world who is praying right now. I’ve got a slight headache. Can you take care of that for me? Thanks. Oh, and my little toe, on my right foot, still hurts from where I stubbed it when I got up in the middle of the night to get a beer. By the way, I need help with buying groceries, too.
I’m thrilled to inform you that I’ve found the perfect truck for me. I know it will be a gas guzzler, but I really want it. I will look so cool driving around town. People will think I am so successful. Of course, to pay for it, I will probably need a new job, a better job, so can you work on that?
I need someone to work on my house, as well. Someone who will be understanding and not charge me much or not at all. You know how the roof is leaking and there are two broken windows, and I can’t use the bedroom door because I think the floor is unlevel.
And speaking of the house, it would be great if you could get a woman to marry me who would cook, clean, and buy the groceries. She should also be able to keep my bank account straight and do my laundry. Can you make her cute with a nice body?
Thanks, God. You’re the best!”
The Bible instructs us to make our requests known to God, but this guy is acting as if God is his personal genie! And is he really a prayer warrior? Not once did he pray or intercede for anyone else.
You can ask God to meet your “needs”, and He already knows the desires of our hearts. With that said, praying for yourself is okay, but then trust in God to handle things as He sees fit. Then, turn your attention to praying for others. Prayers do work, and prayers become more powerful when more people agree together and pray for the same needs.
1 Timothy 2:1(ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
Ephesians 6:18(ESV) Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Philippians 4:6(ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 John 5:14(ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
You’ve seen the games. The ones where there is a themed list of words to find inside a rectangle of individual letters that are spaced out. Like in the included photo. Sometimes it can be challenging. Especially when the word is running backwards, or at an angle.
Another place to do a word search is in the Bible. God’s word. There are a lot of differences, though. God’s words are not hidden. They are right there between the front cover and the back one. Unlike the game, His words are not running backwards or at an angle, but there is a common theme throughout, and that is His love for us. Even in the Old Testament, He helped the Israelites defeat their enemies. He did so because they were wicked individuals who practiced ungodly things like human sacrifices. The reason God wanted them all gone is so they would not influence his children and lead them astray, because He loved them so much.
The same goes for us today. God may not destroy an individual because our battles are not with flesh and blood but with principalities that rule over the area you live in. (Eph. 6:10). But with that said, He doesn’t want you to become entangled with those who may lead you astray.
We must find a way to make reading God’s word a spiritual practice as an active part of our lives! His words to you are not hidden, and when you read something you don’t understand, ask me. I’m kidding, but you can do an internet search for a commentary on that portion of the scriptures.
A guy in my church, who has read the Bible all of his life, says he still comes across areas that are difficult for him to fully understand. He said last Sunday that he has been asking “Copilot” and that so far, it has provided answers or insight that have agreed with his spirit.
I go to “Bing.com” a lot and type in the search bar what I want to know. For instance, the other day I typed in “What did Jesus mean when he said, ‘greater judgement’ in Mark 12:40?” The answer was insightful and answered my question.
So, read God’s word, the Bible, regularly. Search out the truths that you can apply to your life. He wants you to be informed so the majority is easy to understand, and the truths are not hidden. The parts of the Bible that one may find difficult, I assure you, have nothing to do with you going to heaven or not.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right. 2 Tim. 3:16 (ICB)
God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than a sword sharpened on both sides. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined. It cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. And God’s word judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. Heb. 4:12 (ICB)
Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my way. Ps. 119:105 (ICB)
I have been open and honest about being grumpy and having a temper. Especially lately, when I wrote the blog post: “Meany Flowers.” I don’t like myself when I act out! When it happens, I probably should be told to go sit in the corner and think about my behavior. My mother was always “hands-on” if you know what I mean. As in, her hand on my bottom, so I don’t know if time-outs really work or not.
I know I am thankful that God is slow to wrath, or else I’m sure I would have been smitten down by now! (Exo. 34:6-7a) With all of that said, I try my best to work on how I react to people, especially April. I know some may categorize my suggestion for a new fruit of the Spirit under the “Self-Control” fruit. But somehow, what I am going to mention is different.
I don’t want to be like one of those annoying ads on Facebook that keep talking “around” something and never really get right to it. For instance, “Doing this every night before going to bed will help you lose 25 pounds in two weeks!” So, without further ado, I propose the new fruit of the Spirit, “Silence.”
With God’s help, I am learning to remain silent when I get upset. And if I think it will help, I will walk away as well. It’s difficult for me because I believe in communication. As in, they should know I don’t agree or I don’t like their behavior. Instead, it seems to be more powerful to look at them and say nothing. And if I walk away, then as soon as I can, go to God in prayer. For me as well as for them. Who knows? There could be some underlying reason why they said or did what they did.
In no way am I trying to admen the scriptures, but in the MBV (Mark Brady Version), I may have to include “Silence” as one of the fruits of the Spirit. I’ll put it in Gutlations 5:22-23 because it just feels right in my gut to respond that way. Thank you, God, for always being there to help me become more like Jesus, and for not taking me out as soon as I act out.
6 The Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows mercy and is kind. The Lord doesn’t become angry quickly. The Lord has great love and faithfulness. 7 The Lord is kind to thousands of people. The Lord forgives people for wrong and sin and turning against him. Exo. 34:6-7a (ICB)
Post Note: I wrote this blog post in a quiet corner of a restaurant. At least it was until a young woman who looked to have several issues sat near me and proceeded to watch some video on her phone without using headphones. I was trying to write another blog post, but the noise was distracting. I looked over at her twice, but she acted as if she had no idea why I wasn’t happy with her behavior. I kind of laughed to myself as I thought, “Way to go, God. Make me practice what I write.” I packed up my stuff and walked away, and didn’t say anything.
I honestly feel as if I had said something, she would have vented her anger on me, and that would have made me feel worse! Perhaps her acting out was a way of saying, “Please talk to me.” I’m not sure, but in the moment, it was all I could do to operate in the fruit of the Spirit, “Silence.” I may have been able to help her, maybe not, but one thing I do know is I didn’t hurt her.
This is a true story, but the woman’s real name has been changed.
Josephine was born in a poor country. Her family struggled to make ends meet, especially after her father left them. That is when they moved in with her grandparents, but still, life was difficult.
Josephine’s grandmother was strict, and she demanded a lot out of her. Due to her grandmother’s fears, she was not allowed to leave the house except to attend school. When she heard that a local church handed out cookies and Kool-Aid after the service to the children, she and her sister started attending. She heard about God, his amazing love, and about his Son, Jesus. She accepted Jesus into her life and learned how to live God’s way. It was then that she committed herself to be his servant.
Her family looked down on her because she struggled mentally. They said she was stupid, dumb, and only good for serving them. This hurt her tremendously, but she continued to live with the knowledge that God loved her and that she was special to him.
As Josephine got older, she finished high school and then went to college and got her teaching degree. After teaching elementary students for a few years, she quit to be the full-time caretaker of her grandmother. She started getting up in age, and because she had not married, the neighbors were beginning to call her an “old maid.” She wanted to be married and dated a few men, but found their motives were not pure, and one broke up with her when she said she was committed to God and to doing life his way.
After beginning to think she would never find a man who believed in God the way she did, she gave up and turned it over to God. Three days later, an American man contacted her via a dating website. They began talking, and he soon married her, and they started the process so she could “legally” come to America. She found employment, started attending her husband’s church, and found a group of ladies from her home country that she could meet with regularly.
It didn’t take long for family members back in her country to start contacting her for financial help. Even the so-called “head of the family,” the one the others had considered the wealthiest and the most powerful. She even contacted Josephine and asked for financial assistance, promising to pay it back, but she never did. Even Josephine’s sister asked for money, and she, too, promised to pay it back, but never did.
God had promoted Josephine to a position of wealth and power. Because she had submitted all her ways to Him. She worked hard at her job to become a valued employee and always tithed on her income. She was faithful to God, and God was faithful to her. Several others in her family do not share her commitment, and they don’t submit to God. Who is dumb or stupid now? The one they once looked down on and thought would never amount to much is now using her income to help them with life’s expenses. She is there to provide and lovingly support them. Always giving God the credit for what she has and trying to point them to Him.
Josephine’s story reminds me a lot of the Biblical story of Joseph. God destined him for greatness, where people’s lives would depend on him. His brothers hated him, looked down on him, and wanted him dead. But even through one injustice after the other, he remained faithful to God and His ways. Then God promoted him, and his family eventually honored him.
14 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right 2 The Lord looks down from heaven[f] at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise[h] and seeks God. 3 Everyone rejects God; they are all morally corrupt. None of them does what is right, not even one. 4 All those who behave wickedly[m] do not understand— those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out to the Lord. 5 They are absolutely terrified, for God defends the godly. 6 You want to humiliate the oppressed, even though the Lord is their shelter. Psalms 14:1-6 (NET)
When God promotes you, it is a significant moment that reflects His trust in your abilities and character. Embrace the preparation process, remain faithful, and be open to the unexpected paths that may lead to your divine elevation. Trust in God’s timing and guidance, knowing that He has a purpose for your life that is greater than you can imagine.
brady, mark a. 