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The Tale of Two Women

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
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Earlier today, I was doing our weekly shopping at Walmart. I ran into two different women, who had two different tales to tell. The first one made me laugh, but the second, the second one caused me to tear up.

The first one, Nancy, was shopping while carrying a new white, plastic step stool. I saw it and instantly knew why. I thought, if she was going to purchase it, then it would be in her shopping cart, but it wasn’t. That means she was using it to reach items on the top shelf that she wanted to purchase. I found her in the soda aisle.

I helped her by retrieving two two-liter bottles of Coke. Yes, I was tall enough to reach them, although I was standing on my tippy toes! I asked her about the stool, and she confirmed I was right. She mentioned that she had complained that they put items too high and that when her shopping was done, she put the stool back until next time. I laughed at her creativity.

The second one, Sharon (changed to protect her), works there. I see her most weeks. She always looks tired, and it bothers me to see a woman who looks as if she should be at home knitting, working. In the past, I have treated her with respect, as if she were the owner.

Today, she told me her daughter suffers from a mental illness and that yesterday, she had her committed to a facility. She said, “I’m her mother, but there is nothing I can do to help her.” I replied, “That is why you need God. He can.” Tears swelled up in her eyes as she asked me to be praying for her daughter,” I matched her with tears in my own eyes as I assured her I would. I asked for her daughter’s first name and explained that April and I have a board where we list people and needs to pray for.

Whenever you go out into the world, you never know who you will meet or see again. The ones that you see repeatedly, please, I hope you take the time to get to know them.  You never know when they will open up to you and share what is consuming them or their thoughts. A lot of people are hurting and dealing with heavy things in their lives. To them, the world is dark! We need to be there for them just as God is.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Mat. 5:14 (NLT)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

“You Give Love a Bad Name”

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You live life however you want to. It’s all about you. You are the only one that matters. Your opinions are always right. You build yourself up while putting others down. It’s your way or no way.

Have you ever met someone like that? I hope you aren’t married to one. It’s bad enough when you have one in your family. If you must deal with someone who lives like that, then you know firsthand how difficult it is. You also know how many times they have hurt you. I’m sorry if you have.

To make matters worse, they will lie about you and spread lies. Truth is whatever “they” believe. They tend not to have any true friends. And the ultimate insult is when they go to church and claim to have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. They give love a bad name!

I have known a few. Most people probably do, too. I have thought about one of them, in particular, standing before God. I wonder if He will say, “Depart from me. I never knew you.” Now, I’m not judging them, but it is biblical to judge the fruit of their life. And I gotta say, it’s sour!

When one accepts Jesus into their life, it should change them. They should trust him to help them deal with whatever demons are slow to come out of them. There may be reasons, valid ones, as to why they are full of hate, but after inviting Jesus to rule and reign in their life, they need to let those things go.

“Christian” means follower of Christ. If you claim to be a Christian, then you should strive to be like him, full of love. Loving people as you love yourself after loving God first. Reading his word, the Bible, learning what truth really is, and walking it out daily.

If you are one of these types of individuals, then I pray for God to help you and let him do a work in you. You can overcome anything going on now and anything that happened in your past that might be causing you to be resentful or, perhaps, jealous of others and their lives.

Don’t be a person who gives love a bad name. Be known as one who, no matter what, loves. And one who walks this planet with the presence of God about them, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit. If you do, you will probably find others wanting to be around you instead of avoiding you. He’s got this because He’s got you. Give love a good name.

16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Mat. 7:16-20 (NLT)

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor. 13:1-3 (NIV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Mat. 7:21-23 (ESV)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

God – No Matter What

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“They drove me away from the church because I was divorced.” — Kathryn Kuhlman

On one occasion, Kathryn Kuhlman was preaching in a church. Someone informed the pastor that she was divorced, which led the pastor to walk up to the front, grab the microphone from her, and apologize to the crowd for having a “false prophet” preaching. She was escorted by the ushers out of the church and ran out of town. SHE WEPT!

On a rare occasion when Kathryn would address her past, she made this comment about her peers during her crisis. “… You know, sometimes it’s a thousand times easier to die physically than to keep on living. You see, the Lord forgives, but people don’t. They’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in. And they’ll pierce your heart, and they’ll pierce it clear through.”

Kathryn Kuhlman Died! This was her popular phrase. She would go on to say it was the price she paid for the glory. Kathryn vividly remembers the days she died to carry God’s glory. “It’s much easier to die than to live, death to the flesh and the opinions of this world. Today, I feel it was part of God’s perfect will for my life.”

For Kathryn Kuhlman, her greatest anointing began to manifest from 49 to 59 years of age.

In those days, she walked past people, and they collapsed to the floor because of the heavy presence of the Holy Spirit she carried. Healings and strange miracles never before recorded accompanied her ministry till death.

Even though Kathryn Kuhlman was out of public ministry for almost 8 years, when she hit the platform again, the glory of the latter house surpassed the former. Suddenly, all the churches that attacked her because of her divorce opened their arms wide like they weren’t the ones that almost drove her into suicide.

The anointing was always there. All it needed was activation and constant use. God’s grace is irreversible. He does not change His mind about what He gives. He’s not two-faced. Your perspective or mindset about Him may change, but he does not.

So many may have left the ministry because of one thing or the other. You may have stopped pastoring, holding meetings, or whatever form of ministry because of pressures, financial, marital, or personal issues, but know that God uses these pressures to bring out His best in us.

The Apostle Paul says, “8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Cor. 4:8-12 (NIV)

From Kathryn’s example, we have learned that no one is too far gone, no one is out of God’s use, and instead of driving the word of God against people who are under pressure, let’s help them heal. Let’s get them back on track. Handle that brother or sister with care. God does not just want some individual spiritual giants; He wants to build His body! God is not just interested in your denomination; He wants to build His Church!

HER LAST MEETING….

As everyone left the auditorium, Kathryn walked quietly to the end of the stage. She raised her head and slowly scanned the balcony as if she were gazing at every seat. It seemed like an eternity. Then, Kathryn dropped her gaze to the second balcony, following every row and every seat with her eyes. Then, she looked at the ground floor, studying every seat.

We can only imagine what was going through Kathryn’s mind: the memories, the victories, the healings, the laughter, and the tears. Was it possible that Kathryn knew she would never return to the platform? Was it possible that, at that moment, she said goodbye to her earthly ministry?

In just a little over three weeks from that November date, Kathryn passed on into glory in the Hillcrest Medical Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma, after open-heart surgery.

(The author is unknown, but I saw this posted on Facebook and wanted to share it.)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Other Side of Love

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You’ve heard it said, “There are two sides to every coin.” A true statement. But did you know there were two sides to love? Yep. It is easy to love those who love you. It is easy to do for them: go the extra mile and sacrifice because you love them, and they love you.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Mat. 5:46-48 (MSG)

But what if you figure out someone is taking advantage of you?
Go the extra mile. Do more than what they ask.

But what about when they hurt you?
Turn the other cheek.

But what if they hate you?

But what if they persecute you?
Bless them.

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. Luke 6:28-30 (MSG)

Doing what Jesus instructed is so difficult! You don’t want to. In fact, it goes against everything that is within your flesh. But we are called to live by the Spirit of God. A lot of us find it easy to love when loving the other person is easy, but those same people probably find it almost impossible (including me) to love those who hurt us. If you can do this, you will be close to becoming like Jesus in ALL ways.

Our goal, as Christ’s followers, should be to be like Jesus, who only did what He saw His Father in heaven do. So, we should be like God. And God is love—perfect love—to every person, no matter what! That is living “both” sides of love!

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

THE MEG

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It’s painful to watch someone be controlled by “fear!” It can eat them alive, destroy their life, or worse, their faith. The Bible says the things you fear the most will come upon you. I witnessed that verse play out. A mother once shared what her worst fear was, and it actually came to pass almost with the exact details she shared.

But what if one’s “fear” affects others? What if their acting in “fear” caused a divide, a riff, in another family? That is what happened last week in our home. One of April’s friend’s “fears” affected me, and I displayed my anger concerning the matter. I thought it was silly, and I, in turn, decided I did not want to be around that person. Then April got mad. Fear is like a shark attack. Many times, sharks don’t just take one bite and then leave!

It took a couple of days, but we worked our way through it. And the thing is, God controlled things so their “fear” wouldn’t come to pass anyway. They forgot about God. They forgot to give their “fear” to Him. Some allow their fears to get to megalodon proportions!

F orgetting
E verything
A bout
R edemption

Redemption means: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

Fear can rise in anyone at any time. Some fear is healthy. For instance, having a fear or respect for a poisonous snake can keep you alive. But when you allow your “fears” to control your behavior or, perhaps worse, control others, then it is wrong! People get hurt, including the one who manifested the “fear” in the first place.

Remember to give any and all “fear” to God. Be honest with Him and tell Him what is bothering you. Then trust Him by remembering that you have been redeemed and that He can protect you from evil coming upon you.

The worst of my fears has come true,
    what I’ve dreaded most has happened. Job 3:25 (MSG)

 There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
    I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isa. 41:10 (MSG)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (NIV)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears. Ps. 34:4 (NIV)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

If Only

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I have been listening to the same song over and over today, so I decided to share its lyrics. The song is “Christmas at Denny’s” by Randy Stonehill. It is sad and kind of haunting—at least some of the words are.

they got Christmas Muzak
piped in through the ceiling
and the refills of coffee
are always for free
and the waitress on graveyard
and the surly night manager
are wishing that all of us losers would leave

there’s a star on the sign
at the Texaco Station
like the star long ago
on that midnight clear
as I look all around
at these cold, empty faces
I doubt that you’d find many wise men here

and I’m dreaming about
a silent night
holy night
when things were alright
(Chorus)
once I had a home
and a wife and a daughter
had a company job
earning middle-class pay
then Lisa got killed
by a car near the schoolyard
and my wife started drinking
just to get through each day

I will never forget that little red wagon
turning to rust all alone in the rain
one morning I flagged down
a truck on the highway
I just couldn’t bear to go back there again
(Chorus:)
and I’m dreaming about
a silent night
holy night
when things were alright
and I’m dreaming about
how my life could have been
if only, if only, if only
well, it’s not just the blind man
who loses his sight
merry Christmas
it’s Christmas at Denny’s tonight

they say
life’s made of cruel circumstance
fate plays the tune and we dance
dance til we drop
in the dust and we’re gone
and the world just goes on

the cop at the counter
he’s the guardian angel
he watches these orphans
through dark mirrored shades
and the register rings
like a bell sadly tolling
for the fools we’ve become
and the price that we paid

oh when I was a boy
I believed in Christmas
miracle season to make a new start
I don’t need no miracle, sweet baby Jesus
just help me find
some kind of hope in my heart
(Chorus)
but I’ll still be here
at the morning’s first light
merry Christmas
it’s Christmas at Denny’s tonight

The song tells a sad story, and I would bet it isn’t too far from at least one’s true story. Life is about making choices in reaction to what is going on in our lives. In the above story, the man couldn’t get over his daughter’s death and then witnessed his wife’s slow demise into alcohol. Even though he mentions having knowledge of God in the past. If only you hadn’t cheated on your spouse. If only you hadn’t lost your job. If only you had not come down with cancer. If only you had been a better parent. If only your house had not been destroyed by fire. If only, if only, if only.

You can mess up or have bad things happen in your life but still keep your hope.

So what happens when one looks at the circumstances instead of God? They lose their faith. They lose hope. That is what Satan wants. For you to lose your hope, that is. Without hope, people die. Jesus is the hope of the world. Accept Him and survive anything that may come your way in life.

…in him will the nations find hope. Mat. 12:21 (ICB)

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13 (ICB)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Speak to Your Storm

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Image by Nature Nomad from Pixabay

April 27, 2024:  I live in “Tornado Alley.” The nickname is given to this part of America due to the fact that, historically, there are more tornados here than in any other part. If you have ever seen footage of the aftermath, then you know they can leave quite a trail of devastation, hurt, pain, and lost lives.

You know your life, home, car, and other belongings are at risk of being lost whenever you hear the tornado sirens go off. I have never actually seen one, but I have seen the atmosphere right before one strikes. There is this scary, aqua-green color in the skies. The clouds rotate above your head, and then there is a quietness right before the beast comes to life and roars. Most people have an intense fear of tornados. I respect them and take the proper safety measures.

On the night of April 27, Oklahoma had 24 tornados. One, an EF3 (winds between 158 – 206 mph), was headed for where I live. It had been on the ground for several minutes and got within 35 miles. When I saw this tornado’s forecasted track via a local weather station, I started praying, and then I spoke to the storm! I commanded it to stop and go away in the name of Jesus! After all, from reading the Bible, I learned that Jesus could control the weather, and he said that we, too, can do these things and more. So why not exercise my faith and take dominion over the earth?

The next thing I heard the weatherman announce was the storm front was moving in on that one tornado. When it did, it stole its energy, and the tornado dissipated. Thank you, God!

We have that kind of power in the name of Jesus. And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one putting into practice a principle that we have been given. Also, that was not my first time doing that. I have seen it work several times since moving back to this area.

I would then challenge, if we can speak to a physical storm, then why not speak to other kinds of storms that blow up in our lives? Cancer? A rocky marriage? Unemployment? Why not? Satan wants to use anything he can to destroy or devour us. He wants us never to have or to lose faith in God. If he can achieve this, he wins. Another fact is April, and I faithfully tithe. One of the promises from God Himself is that He will stop the devourer on our behalf. The Bible is true and should be read and believed. There may be parts you have trouble with or don’t understand, but there is no reason to throw away the whole book. You can seek wisdom and understanding from trusted teachers of the word of God.

Below are the scriptures I stand on because they are true:

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mar. 4:39 (NIV)

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NIV)

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
Mal. 3:10-11 (KJV)

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Gen. 1:26 (ASV)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

When You Don’t do Life God’s Way

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Image by 51581 from Pixabay

If people aren’t living their life according to God’s word, the Bible, then they are living life their way. God is okay with that because He gives us free will. The reason He gives us that is He desires to have a people who choose to love him back. Of course, God knows that living life his way is better.

I have a friend who says they love God and have accepted him but fails to attend church services, tithe, or other “religious” activities that would grow their relationship with God. Because of this, I think they do not fully understand how much God loves them! They post a lot about their life on Facebook. It’s usually bad news. Things are happening to them, their children, and other aspects of their lives. They’re a good person, so witnessing this breaks my heart.

This has bothered me for a while. Then, this week, a verse came to my mind that explains at least part of the problem.

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, Mal. 3:10-11a (NKJV)

Notice verse 11a. “Rebuke the devourer for your sakes.” It’s as if the devourer, Satan, has his way with my friend’s life. They take a step forward, and he eats away ground they had just gained. In other words, they are getting nowhere! Then, another verse came to my mind.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

Jesus taught that Satan comes to hurt you, and one way he does that is hurting your life. His intention is for you to blame God and keep you from accepting Him. Jesus continued his teaching to share that He comes to give you real life and lots of it!

This is what happens when you don’t live life God’s way. You will struggle in life, and most likely, you won’t be happy. Give up and give in. Accept God and His Son, Jesus, and start living life abundantly.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Where is God?

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Creation of Life Hands by Leonardo Da Vinci

The other day, a friend called and was catching me up on their life. He told me he had been dating a pretty girl and asked if I would like to see a photo of her. I said, “Sure.” As I looked at her, he shared that they were no longer seeing each other, and he repeated the hurtful words she said to him. Then he asked me, “Does she look like a devil to you?” I wasn’t sure how to respond when it came to me. “I don’t see God in her.”

Have you ever studied the face of a convicted, ruthless serial killer? Their eyes usually seem so dark and lifeless. This girl didn’t appear to be a killer, but there seemed to be an absence of life and love. Knowing my friend’s past and where he usually meets women, let’s say, not at a church social, I know this young lady is searching for Truth, life, and love from God, but she doesn’t know that is where she will find what will satisfy her. She has past hurts and disappointments and is looking for what she thinks she needs from a man. It’s a sad story for many.

The weekend before I wrote this post, I heard from a writer friend who still lives in the town I moved from in Illinois. I would run into her at church and occasionally at a neighborhood grocery store. It always felt good to see her, and as I texted her, I realized why. Whenever I saw her, I felt peace and sensed the presence of God. In her face, you could see life and the love of God.

I know this inner peace and love of God is what drew people, strangers, to Jesus. And perhaps their curiosity about a man, the weather, and even demons obeyed. Not to mention his power over sickness and death. So, I have to ask, “What do people feel or see when they encounter you?” Are you loving and full of life and hope? Or are you all business or more concerned about your rights and getting your way? I hope they see God and, therefore, know where God is because, whether they realize it or not, they are looking for Him.

19-21 What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

21 Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily. Gal. 2:20 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

But It Hurts!

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Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Sometimes it takes a while. Perhaps even years. But it always appears. You will eventually see it. The event(s) that causes it to appear can be different.

“I have taken care of her since I graduated high school. Now, forty years later, why she couldn’t understand that we had a personal tragedy in our family and that I needed to close my shop so I could be there for my family is beyond me. It hurts!”

The above was part of a conversation I had earlier this week. I tried to comfort my friend because I knew the person who was mean and evil. If I thought of how April would have said it, I would have. She would have said, “They showed you their face!” A Filippino expression that means they showed you who they really are. Again, it may take a while, but they usually do.

Knowing the offender very well, I shared with my friend what God revealed to me about them. I told them, “The spiritual eyes of their heart are closed.” Even though this person goes to church almost every time, the doors are open. Perfect attendance at church doesn’t mean they live a perfect life. A lot of people fall short of living a life of love, peace, and understanding.

When you see someone’s true face, and it hurts, usually, the only thing you can do is forgive them and pray for them. Respond in the most loving way possible, as Jesus Christ himself would. I read in a book by Dr. Henry Cloud (paraphrasing), “If it is someone who continues to hurt you, it’s okay to stay away from them.” Life is too short to live with unneeded or unwanted pain.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved