heaven

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I learned yesterday one of my high school classmates was stabbed and killed. One can’t help but think about their own mortality when news like this comes our way. I thought about mine while I prayed for the family and friends as they begin the grieving process.

We know from the word of God that it is appointed to each man once to die and then the judgment. That makes the act of dying a serious issue. We also know from His word that each of us is presented with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is then our free will to choose whether to accept Jesus and what He did on the cross, forgiving us of our sins. Therefore giving us the right to live forever in heaven after we die.

When we stand before God to judge how we lived our lives, Jesus will remind his Father that we accepted his gift of salvation and that our sins are forgiven. Some believe that once you accept Jesus, your eternity is fixed and you can live however you want to. But one should live God’s way. I feel we need to constantly ask God for forgiveness of our sins. Hence the wash, rinse, and repeat. Washed in the blood of Jesus. Rinse off the dirt of our lives and do it all again as needed. It’s not a religion but a relationship with the one and only God of the universe.

For me, that is daily. Every night, before going to sleep, I ask God to forgive me for my sins. I know I am not perfect, and I have no deception that I am. I do not blame wrongdoing on others. I take responsibility for what I do wrong. I do this because I do not want to die, be found guilty of unforgiven wrong, and be condemned to die for eternity in hell.

Hell is a horrible place! Time and gravity keep man grounded. In hell, neither will exist. It will be pitch black, so one will not see anyone else. Sorry, there will be no party in hell. And then there is the constant torment of being burned alive. This will all go on for eternity. With that truth, why would anyone willfully decide to reject God and his Son, Jesus?

You might be a “good” person, but everyone has sinned and has fallen short of the glory of God. God is so Holy that He can not be in the presence of sin. This is why there will be such a defined separation in the end. Heaven or hell? You decide.

27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb. 9:27-28 (NIV)

19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Rom. 1:19-20 (NIV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom. 3:23 (NIV)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Burning Man

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

If you are unfamiliar with “Burning Man” in a nutshell, it is an annual event where participants (Burners) are encouraged to express themselves freely. The event culminates on the 2nd to the last night with the burning of a tall structure shaped like a man. Some rules are based on philosophical ideologies.

  1. Radical inclusion – Everyone is welcome.
  2. Gifting – Items are gifted or traded for.
  3. Decommodification – No corporate sponsorships allowed. Only life and health services can be purchased.
  4. Radical self-reliance – Bring any and all items you will need during the event.
  5. Radical self-expression – Burners are encouraged to express themselves in many ways through various art forms and projects. The event is clothing-optional, and public nudity is common, though not practiced by the majority, although being scantily clad is common.
  6. Communal effort – Burners are encouraged to work with and help one another.
  7. Civic responsibility – Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants.
  8. Leaving no trace – We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather.
  9. Participation – We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through deeply personal participation. People are encouraged to participate rather than observe.
  10. Immediacy – Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

The Temple – Is a neutral, non-denominational spiritual space where everyone can gather to share in the experience of remembering the past, honoring or cursing the present, and pondering the future to come. The temple is burned on the final night of the event. One year, the temple was erected to look like a church and had one timber holding it propped up. Think of a box animal trap. The animal goes in and somehow knocks out the timber, trapping himself inside. The imagery itself says a lot!

“While the festival is clearly cotton candy for the eyes, it is also about really letting loose and feeling yourself in whichever form you’re in.”

anonymous

To go along with the definition of “effigy,” it’s as if the organizers are protesting “mankind” because they don’t like or agree with how most people expect them to live in harmony with others. Or, one could say they are angry with God and want to destroy his creation. This is also the goal of the devil.

`The thief doth not come, except that he may steal, and kill, and destroy; John 10:10a (YLT)

The burners believe, “If it feels good, do it!” This is humankind living life as he sees fit. This opposes what God says. He says come to me, through my Son, Jesus, and you will have your sins forgiven and find true life. The other part of John 10:10 says:

I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly. John 10:10b (YLT)

Interestingly, they burn the “temple” after the “man” has been burned. It’s like they say there is no need for a temple once man is destroyed. The devil likes to imitate everything God has done. By that, I mean the moment Jesus died on the cross, the veil that separated man from God was ripped from top to bottom. With the death of Jesus, there was no longer a need for a temple because, through Jesus, man has access to God anytime he wants.

“At Burning Man, nothing is impossible.”

anonymous

The truth is, only with God, nothing is impossible. What they want to believe at “Burning Man” is a fabricated lie. You may argue and not believe me, but one day, you will! You see, because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we need God to redeem us through his Son so we may live in heaven eternally.

Their philosophy that everyone is welcome makes me think no one wants to be in trouble alone. “Well, Jonnie did it, too!” We all grew up saying something similar. What started with 30 people on a nude beach in California has grown into a culture and a temporary city in the desert, northeast of Reno, NV., of 80,000 people. Attending “Burning Man” is popular if you want to be accepted. The Bible says, “Wide is the gate to destruction.” I would rather go to my local church and learn more about the loving God who has done all He can to keep me from burning for eternity.

If you have not accepted Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and salvation when you stand before God, He will judge you, and there will be no one to save you. It’s your choice to exercise your free will to accept God. If you don’t, the only man that will be burning, is you.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

The Walking Dead

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Watching shows or movies about zombies takes me back to watching horror flicks with my father. Late Saturday nights, we would stay up and laugh at the creative ridiculousness of such things as giant spiders or rabbits that killed people.

Recently, while watching a zombie show, I realized that even though zombies do not exist in real life, in real life, we have people all around us that are the walking dead. You see, the truth is that those who have not accepted God’s love and his free gift of his son, Jesus, are dead in their sins.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, Eph. 2:1 (NIV)

It’s eerie how like zombies, the walking dead who live in sin seem to want to bite and infect the healthy. The “healthy” are those who are alive in Christ Jesus. Those who have had their sins forgiven by accepting Jesus as their savior.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Eph. 2:4-5 (NIV)

As we get closer to the end of the world, the devil is working overtime to keep people from knowing the truth. One way is to get them wrapped up in the world’s issues so they focus on that instead of recognizing God’s love and relentless pursuit to bring them into the family of God. Another way is to keep their personal life in chaos.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2: 8-9 (NIV)

No one can save themselves from eternal destruction in hell. No one can be “good” enough. You still come up short, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) The ONLY way is to accept Jesus and to ask for forgiveness of your sins. Then, when you die, you will walk the streets of heaven alive.

Accept Jesus into your life before it is too late. Walk with and among the living. Life is better when you are truly alive.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Why Church?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

My earliest memories are sitting in the back pew of a church. I was four years old. I remember the minister preaching Truth hard and loud. Some would classify his sermons as “hell fire and brimstone.” He always explained that the wages of sin, is death. Eternal death in hell.

A few years later, I accepted Jesus into my heart. I can honestly say the pastor’s messages scared the hell out of me! Even at that young age, I knew I was a sinner. You see, I was a convicted cookie thief who would later lie about it. “Convicted” because I had been found guilty by my mother. I knew dishonoring my parents and lying were both wrong. They were sin. I had learned that in church.

We went every time the doors were open, it seemed. As a result, I witnessed many signs and wonders. People got healed, repented of their sins, and had significant reformations in their lives. I learned how to minister to people and how to witness to pre-Christians (unbelievers). I had friends who believed in God like I did. I got to know them through the fellowship events that were held. I saw the Spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore I saw the supernatural. I learned about tithing and what a joy it was to give.

The supernatural is to get people’s attention for what God wants to do next.

So, why church? Why is it important?

  • People can find God there and accept Him. (Jer. 29:13)
  • People can get prayed for and find healing. (Mark 16:18b)
  • People can find friends who will become a community with them. (Acts 2:46)
  • People can learn how to minister. (Eph. 4:11)
  • People can give their tithes cheerfully. (Mal. 3:10)
  • People can learn how God is relevant in their lives.

The church I wrote about in the beginning is still there and thriving. At least 56 years and counting. The church should preach the entire Word of God (The Bible). A good, balanced church will do and be all six things listed above. I should mention that by the time I was seventeen, I finally realized that it was about having a two-way relationship with God, and that was the real reason to accept him. Not just to have “Fire Insurance!” Meaning, not to only escape eternity in hell. Realizing this has made life with God an exciting adventure.

Do we still need churches? Yes! As long as they are doing the work of God, for God, by God’s power, for His Glory and kingdom.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Celebration of Life

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I have attended several funerals in my lifetime. I have noticed people are starting to call them “Celebration of Life” services. I attended another one this past weekend. (This post is being written on Dec. 21st.) It’s a nice gesture. Family and friends gather, quiet music is played, then there is a briefly given Wikipedia-type history of one’s life. A list of the loved one’s accomplishments, activities, interests, and community involvements. Then, again with music, photos are displayed.

The gathering I went to had a twist. The one being celebrated was still alive. He knows his days are numbered due to being terminally ill with stomach cancer. He told his wife he did not want a funeral but asked her to gather his friends and family to say their goodbyes in person. She did, and they came. Some traveled long distances to be there.

I like the man’s approach, appreciation, and perspective on life. He knows that life is best with people. He expressed his love to each friend and family member. Stories were told, usually followed by laughter, and of course, food was shared as well.

The man is also ready for the moment he journeys from earth to heaven, where he will look up and find himself standing before God and then give an account of his life. I know he has accepted Jesus into his heart, and his life produced good fruit.

If you have not accepted Jesus into your life, and haven’t asked him to forgive you of your sins, now would be a great time to do so. My friend has an idea of when he will pass, but most of us don’t know. With that said, you should take care of this now! And what a way to start the new year but with a new outlook on your relationship with God.

So Happy New Year, everyone. May you be blessed by God abundantly and discover an exciting and adventurous life with Him. Go live life God’s way and celebrate every moment.

13 Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil. Ecc. 12:13-14 (NIV)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

It Happened Again

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It happened again. Yesterday. We learned that someone who seemed to have it all together. Someone who had a bright future. Someone who appeared happy committed suicide. Why? And people seem to be shocked.

It should go without saying that success, money, family, and friends are not enough to fill a hole in our hearts that can only be filled by knowing and accepting God. And those that are shocked by the sudden end of one’s life by one’s own hands, believe that real life is also found in having these things. They don’t understand because they don’t know the truth. They have bought into the lie(s) this world spreads.

Nothing but God can satisfy you. NOTHING! People struggle trying to do life their way on their terms. What happens is they wind up accepting Satan’s substitutes. Meaning a job that isn’t the best fit for them. A life partner of the same sex when they could have so much more! They fall for “Get Rich Quick” schemes instead of working hard for honest money. Or they believe the lie that fame and fortune will satisfy.

Jesus said in John 10:10 that Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But He had come to give us life and to give it more abundantly. God wants the best for you. That is why He gave us his only son and allowed him to die on the cross as a perfect sacrifice that pays for anything and everything WE do wrong. All we have to do is ask him into our life.

Humanity is nothing more than a mere pawn to the devil. He doesn’t care about you at all. His only interest in you is using you to get even with God. He hates God so much that he will say anything and do anything to destroy people and their lives. Jesus once said that Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44)

That’s what Christmas is all about. God did things His way, and it baffles the mind of mortal men. They would not have started their campaign of salvation with a baby born of a virgin! But you see, for Jesus to be able to say that He went through everything we have, then He even had to enter the way we do.

If you have tried everything else in life but submitting your will to God and accepting his son, Jesus, then you haven’t tried everything. You have to take that step of faith before you die. It’s too late to decide when you are standing before Almighty God, giving Him an account of your life. Your balance sheet will be in the red, meaning your blood will have to be poured out. Yet it still won’t be enough to pay for your sins. But if you have accepted Jesus, then the accounting of your life’s bottom line will say, “Paid in Full by Jesus Christ,” and you will enter into eternity forever more to live.

Don’t let it happen again. Don’t let Satan use you. Stop believing his lies. Stop accepting his substitutes for your life and go after what God has for you. Choose life! Choose heaven and not hell. You will never regret it.

Merry Christmas,
Mark

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Let There Be Light

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At least twice that we know of, darkness was upon the earth until God spoke. The first time was after God had created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.” A few verses later, He called it good.

Another time was right before Jesus was born. Theologians call the time “The Dark Ages” because God had not spoken for 400 years. Then the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35 AMPC)

Then during his ministry, “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.“ (John 8:12 AMPC)

There will be a future time when God will once again separate light and darkness as He did during creation. This time, He will judge everyone, and those who accepted “Light” (God’s son, Jesus) will enter heaven and those who didn’t will send themselves to hell. Hell is absent of light. Meaning the absence of the presence of God.

Light can come in different forms. One is in people. Last Saturday, I watched a little four-year-old boy while his mother was participating in a Bible study. The child was so precious and full of the love of God. His personality brought light into my day, and when he was leaving, he stopped, turned around, and returned to hug me. It was like being hugged by God himself. I needed it, too.

Even though it’s Christmas time in the city, people are living in darkness, possibly due to their life situation(s) or the mere fact they do not know Jesus. We can cast Light into their lives during this season and throughout the year. We can share with them the hope of Jesus Christ, and God will once again say, “Let there be light.”

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Close Enough

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I saw this photo on Facebook, and, like you, I laughed. But a moment later, I heard a whisper in my spirit. It said, “That is some people’s attitude toward God.”

Some only attend a church service at Christmas and Easter. Others might go every time the doors are open, but neither put much more effort into their relationship with God than that. Lucky for us, God doesn’t take attendance! For the record, going to church alone doesn’t mean you will live in heaven for eternity after you die. And the only thing that can guarantee your final destination is believing in Jesus Christ and accepting him into your life and heart.

Having a good relationship with God goes further and much deeper. One must be intentional about spending time with God, which doesn’t mean being “religious” about it, like getting up at 5 AM every morning to pray and read the Bible. It means talking to God all the time about anything and everything. Your ups as well as your downs. And then taking time to see if there is anything, He would want to say to you. It’s like having a conversation with your best friend. It also means reading his Word regularly. This whole blog/website was started to encourage people to grow in God.

Having a close connection to God means having a full, adventurous, fun, and exciting life. Having an “abundant” life, as Jesus said, is one reason He came to this world.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
John 10:10b (MSG)

“Close enough” really just doesn’t cut it. You will find yourself lacking and still in want. It may not take much effort, but it is not satisfying, just as those Christmas lights in the photo wouldn’t be as well. So try harder. Be purposeful in developing your relationship with God. Your efforts will be rewarded, and now is a great time to start. God accepts you as you are and loves you more than you will ever believe.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a (NKJV)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

When Ephesians 6:12 Gets Flipped

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I am writing a book titled “Ask, Flip and Invite, The Power to Learn, Change and Influence Your World.”  I have read, written, and preached about the scripture verse Ephesians 6:12 several times. But the other day, I saw this same verse in a new light. (In its original version:)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Eph. 6:12 (NET)

After reading it, for the first time I saw what this verse will look like in the future:

For there will be no more struggles against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens because God will have defeated them once and for all and have sentenced them to their eternal judgment and will have established His world rulers of Light. They will all be spiritual forces of love in the new heavens and on the new earth.”

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (From the book of Revelation, Chapter 21 [NIV])

Yes, Ephesians 6:12 will get flipped!

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Is This Heaven?

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Today has been downright frustrating! First of all, I didn’t sleep much last night. That’s never a good way to start the day. I took April to the dentist and then I went to the gym. Shortly after picking her up, I got frustrated because she couldn’t tell me why the dentist pulled one of her teeth. That was not in the treatment plan for this visit or any of the four.

Fine. Silence the rest of the way home. A little bit later while I was trying to get some sleep April texted me that she was supposed to pick up a prescription. I don’t like having to get back out after getting home when I’m tired. We talked a little bit and then decided it was best to call the pharmacy to make sure it was ready before driving over there. It hadn’t even been called in.

I called the dentist’s office and informed them. They apologized and said they would call it in, but asked us to give the process an hour. Fine.  We gave it two hours. We stopped to get a small lunch and April a shake on the way. We were told the ice cream machine was being cleaned. What? Who does that during the lunch hour? We left. Trying to exit their parking lot we almost got the front of our car taken off by a big truck where, I guess, the driver never saw us. We went to another restaurant next door but decided to go to a different place. While making that decision in the parking lot a lady pulled in next to us and when she opened her door she dinged our car. I honked, but she never looked at me or cared to apologize.

We went on to the pharmacy without eating. When we arrived we learned the prescription had not been called in yet. What? I called the dentist’s office again. More apologies and was assured this time it would be done. It was.

We made our way to another franchise hoping their ice cream machine wasn’t being cleaned. It wasn’t. We ordered our lunch and April’s shake. We wound up getting a free drink of our choice, I got water, and they accidentally made two chocolate shakes and so they gave us the second one free. I felt so guilty!

During all those prior frustrating moments I complained, a lot! I know I expect too much out of people, too often, but I would hope they would be safe and apologize when they wrong somebody. When someone is rude and cuts in front of us April will say, “Their V.I.P.” I guess in their mind they are!

We got back home and I finally now was lying down and almost asleep. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Yep, the kid next door decided to play basketball. I hate the constant pounding of a basketball on concrete. It not only prevents me from sleeping but at times will cause a headache. So I got up to write this blog.

“Yes, there will be frustrating days, but I have come to give you peace,” Jesus said. At least in the MAB Translation. (Mark A. Brady) I had a little taste of peace and heaven while eating lunch and being blessed, but the rest of the day was anything but heaven!

I read a friend’s Facebook post where she talked about surviving a big home remodeling project and the only way she said she got through it was to die to herself. Hum. Perhaps I need to remember to do that on days like this. Help me Jesus to do so while submitting every day to you.

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.