One Man’s Journey

June 20, 2025June 9, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I met a guy the other day who admitted he wasn’t a Christian. I think he said he wasn’t sure about the whole man needs saving from his sins thing and that the only way to heaven was through Jesus. His wife recently asked Jesus into her life because of the change in her father after he did and then the miraculous healing that took place in him. Perhaps I’ll share his testimony in some post.

As the guy and I talked, I kept saying to myself, “Don’t be weird, and don’t be ‘religious.’” I don’t think Jesus was when he had conversations with those who had not yet accepted him and had not started following him. I wanted him to see that some Christ followers are just regular people who love God because He first loved us.

The man was highly intelligent and extremely funny, although some of his humor was a little dark. Speaking of dark, he told me he tried to get his wife to put some kind of balls in her pockets when she was baptized. He said it would have turned the water black. He laughed, implying that perhaps she hadn’t bathed in a while. I thought about it, and I said, “She should have!” He looked at me with a strange look. “I said that would have been symbolic of what happens when one accepts Jesus and gets baptized. Their sins, their filth, are washed away, and they come out clean, forgiven.”

As we were ending our time together, I told him that it was okay, as he was on his own private journey to God. I also told him that we (the church) loved him. He was surprised and asked, “Why? You all don’t know me.” I replied, “True, but God does, and He loves you, so we love you.” The Holy Spirit whispered that line to me. I’m not that smart.

I hope and pray those last words will become like a pebble in his shoe. As he walks and continues his journey, the pebble, those words will not depart from him, but will be like a goad that leads him to Christ.

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]? It is dangerous and turns out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads [to keep offering vain and perilous resistance]. Acts 26:14 (AMPC)

Speeding Ticket

April 8, 2025April 1, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I like what the author, Jane Rubietta (www.JaneRubietta.com), an excellent writer and even better speaker, wrote concerning the picture included in this post.

“The no-hurry sunrise is always on time. I love the speed limit sign and the streetlights arching over the road. Just waiting.”

The photo speaks a thousand words, but I will try to keep it to 350 or so. First, it reminds us that another day is coming. The troubles of yesterday may get us down, but God says his mercies are new every morning. I would also add his grace, strength, and comfort, amongst other things that we need.

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left. Lam. 3:22-24 (MSG)

The photo reminds us to slow down and not speed through the day. Last week, a guy got caught doing 125 mph in a 65 mph zone! Do you think he noticed any details in life? Or the State Trooper sitting on the side of the road? We need to pause or stop and look around. Notice God. See his hand active in our lives. Pay attention to the work He is continuing in your life to form your nature to be like his. One of love in all things.

Most of us, me included, get in a hurry for God to accomplish something in our lives.

There are times when the “journey” becomes more valuable than the end result.

God is active whether we see it or not. While you are waiting, see his handiwork with nature. It is Spring here in America right now. I don’t know the names of the trees, but some have been so beautiful! I told April, “Look. Aren’t they pretty? Enjoy them today because the blooms will be gone soon.” A few days later, they were. Okay. I have reached 350 words, so I will end this post. I think the message has been said.

Blessings!

(Okay, how many of you thought this post was going to be about me getting a speeding ticket?)

Marking Your Journey

May 10, 2022April 30, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you mark your journey? I don’t, not in a physical way that is. Like by keeping a journal, or something. Perhaps I should because it is good to look back. We are usually caught up in the moment thinking and praying about today’s needs and tomorrow’s.

But looking back is a good practice. I tend to end each day by saying, “Well, God, you got us through today. The bills that were due today were paid. The needs were met today. We ate today, and there was gas in the car to go where all we needed to go, today. Thank you, God!” And the truth is this; last year at this time I was praying about the day’s needs and the future back then. Yet, I made it through and have come to this point one year later.

You could say my journey is marked with “Mile Markers”, yet others are marked with “Tombstones”.

A mile marker indicates how far you have traveled. A tombstone indicates your journey ended. A living person’s tombstones could be where their job ended, their marriage, or even their relationship with God.

The Israelites used to pile up stones to mark where God did a great thing for them as part of their journey.

“Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.” Joshua 4:5b-7 (MSG)

Be mindful of what God has done for you in the past, because the truth is, He is doing it today as well!

Tomorrow, March 03 by 7:00 P.M.

March 18, 2022March 20, 2022 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Journeys vary in length! Duh. Everyone knows that! But this particular journey took eight years. I’ll never forget how it started. My friend asked me, “What’s stopping you?” After much thought, I answered his question the following week. “Fear!”

Fear paralysis a lot of people before their journey actually starts sometimes, and that is sad. There is greater joy in overcoming than in feeling scared. The other thing I had to overcome on this journey was when someone extremely close to me asked, “What makes you think you’re a…” It hurt, a lot, and I almost believed them I wasn’t. Then, God put in front of me a wise, spiritual man who simply said, “Mark, you are.” And those words I did believe, and so my journey took off. I went from baby steps to running.

I came up with lots of excuses why my journey was taking so long. I stumbled when another person’s own hurts and past were projected onto me. This person should have supported me and guided me while setting their own issues aside. I understand, now, but back then, I didn’t. I did stop the journey for two months, and blamed them. Then God got tired of me feeling bad for myself, and whispered, “Mark, no one can finish this, but you. Because I gave it to you to do.” I heard him, and started my journey again.

My journey is getting longer and taking on more of an influence, but one key part of it is ending Tomorrow, March 03, by 7:00 P.M. My first novel, Kill The Preacher Man is being delivered. I am beyond excited.

This blog is being written on March 02, but it won’t post until March 18^th, which happens to be part of that growing influence. When you read this, I will be in the middle of hosting my first writer’s conference with my business partner. I hope by the end of it I too will have been used of God to empower someone else on a journey, to believe they’re a writer.

You can check out the book at bradymarka.com/books

What Does it Mean?

March 15, 2022March 2, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you ever notice numbers? Like if you see the same number over and over? The other day I noticed there were “252” people who had visited a particular website. Then, the next day I had an offering to give. I was going to split the full amount of the offering with another person. The amount for each of us was “252”. The following day I wrote a blog post and it had, yep, “252” words in it!

I thought, “Wow! This is amazing.” Not the first time this kind of thing has happened to me, but this time it seemed more amazing and meaningful. So I looked up what the spiritual number “252” means? Here is the definition:

“252 symbolizes diplomacy, harmony, respect and acknowledgement. It also symbolizes uniqueness, individuality, creativity, unconventionality, and curiosity.”

Another connection is this; last year I started the business “Experience Writing, LLC” with my neighbor, another writer. Our first writer’s conference starts this Thursday. Our core values for the business are:

Out of the box
Unique
Individual
Creative

Do you see it? Three of our core values are contained within the meaning, “252”. It would be all four if you considered “unconventionality” as “Out of the box”.

So what am I to do with this knowledge and awareness?

Not start looking under every number for meaning. Not depend, or rely on seeing number patterns for direction, or guidance. Doing so would become a “religion”.
I am to know, be confident that I am at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. Just another special delivery from God. It delights the soul as well.

As for the first meaning of “252”; in the spirit of diplomacy and harmony, I have learned to respect and acknowledge the special gifting of my business partner. So I am not going to get hung up on seeing “252”, but I am going to give thanks to God for the confirmation I am on the right track in my journey with him.

Recovery

March 4, 2022February 25, 2022 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I have a friend who got severely injured at the end of last year. Satan most likely tried to take her out! Why? Because he attacks those who do what they see their heavenly Father do. Like he took out Jesus, who always said, “I only do as I see my Father in heaven do.” (John 5:19) Satan doesn’t need to bother, or attack those who are content just “going to church”!

I was praying for my friend’s recovery the other day, and the thought came to me, “Perhaps there are other types of recovery?”

The recovery of lost items.
The recovery of forgotten things.
The recovery of time to do the things that got laid aside in the past.
The recovery of an old friendship.

I’m sure there could be many more. Healing is a funny thing. I know, and believe God can heal instantly, but there are times He chooses not to. God always knows what He is doing, and what He wants to accomplish in our lives. That’s why trusting him is so important! Maybe He wants us to slow down, or perhaps know what it is to ultimately trust him on a minute by minute basis? To taste and see that He is God, and blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8)

It would be a good practice to ask God what is his desire for us while we are “recovering”? You may just see a side of your loving, heavenly Father that you have never been able to before. You most likely still won’t like what has happened to you, but you will know when you get to the other side of it, you will be better off.

He Forgot

September 24, 2021September 23, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

He was driving his young, observant, daughter to school. The sun shined bright in the early morning causing sharp glares all about them. While waiting for the light to turn green his daughter announced, “Daddy look,” as she pointed up in the sky toward the western horizon, “God forgot to turn the moon off this morning after he used it.” A rule her father most likely preached in their household.

The little girl made a cute declaration, but we know the truth is; the moon is always on. And just like the moon, God is always there too. There are times we may not see him though we are desperately looking for his presence. At other times we may only see a sliver of Him in our lives. I think our favorite times are when we see God big, and bright, and fully present in our lives.

But the real test of our faith is moving forward in the darkest times of our lives. Perhaps proceeding slowly, reaching out, grasping for something familiar so we know where we are and where we are going. Knowing full well God is there even though we may not see him. It is in those days that our faith is on exhibit for all to see. Others are most likely watching to see how we cope with a lost job, a lost loved one, or a less than favorable medical report.

Those dark days are not the days our faith is grown, but relied upon to get us through the storm.

Hopefully we filled up our faith tank before this journey begin.

Something that is done by spending time with God in the “things are going great” days. Talking to him on a regular basis, learning his nature, and his character. Being confident He is always there.

³⁸So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles,^[a] fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. ³⁹There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Rom. 8:38-39 (TPT)

The little girl will continue to grow, and learn. She will study astronomy, and realize the moon is not an object that is turned on or off, but forever present, used, and needed somewhere around the globe. And hopefully she will learn about God, and that He doesn’t waste anything, especially the people He makes.

Where Am I?

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 / Mark Brady / 3 Comments

We are spoiled. We have access to all kinds of technology these days, but my favorite is “GPS” (Global Positioning System). No longer are we dependent on paper maps or atlases to tell us where we are. I recall traveling across America and pulling into a rest stop, and looking at the big state map on the wall and searching for those familiar, reassuring, words, “You are here”.

It’s nice to know where you are. It’s also good to know where you are going, but God doesn’t always provide one, or the other, or both. “Blind faith!” But there are times when you can look back at where you have been and at what you have done, and project a path toward the future. Doing so may provide some clue as to what God is up to and what He may have for you. It’s kind of like solving a mystery.

As much as we may want to know where God is taking us the important thing to remember is to be obedient each and every day. In other words, do today what you know is the pleasing and perfect will of God. Taking each step, each day will lead you to the destination, action, or even the provisioning God has for you.

The challenge is to keep going, to not get discouraged, but to keep putting one foot in front of the other. That process is how individuals have done amazing things, so why wouldn’t it work in your journey with God?

I find Paul’s words encouraging. I hope you do as well:

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

I suppose, in some way, you could define “GPS” as “God’s Positioning System”. I also find it comforting that although I may not know what God is doing in my life, or where He is taking me, He always knows, “Where I am!”

“God is Good”

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Every time a friend of mine hears that statement he responds, “All the time!” And you know what? He’s right. “Good” is part of God’s nature. He can’t help himself but be good. When I was in Africa I learned, they also respond in the same way.

Why is it important to remember this part of God’s nature? Because we live in a world that tries to tell us who and what God is, yet they don’t even know him. Some have never even made his acquaintance.

“Pinpointing precisely how many religions there are in the world today is next to impossible, although some estimate the number exceeds four thousand. The vast majority of those faiths are contained within a handful of major religious groups.” (By Mary Fairchild, updated 03/22/21)

It’s this kind of “I know how to get to God” that has caused mankind to create over four thousand “religions”. What is a religion? In a nut shell, its man’s way to God, but technically;

“Religion can briefly be defined as a specific belief system about God or gods expressed through a code of conduct, ethics, forms of worship, and rituals. Religion includes social, ethical, and ceremonial elements combined with the belief in an unseen world and often a deity.”
Mary Fairchild

This is why it is important to know and accept “God’s way to man”, which is through “relationship”. It is through his son, Jesus. By accepting that He is God’s son and asking him to forgive you of your sins, wrong doing, and then inviting him to live and dwell in your heart. All that means is live like Jesus did.

To love on people like Jesus did. To value, and spend time with people like Jesus did. To walk with them in life and show them there is a better way to live. That, it is possible to have life, now on earth and to have it abundantly!

God is good, and in recent days He has shown himself extra good to my wife and me. He has lead us to a ministry that we are excited about, and we are getting in on the ground floor. But even in the valleys, and the days seem so dark, and so long, God is still good. It’s in those days we have to lean in a little closer to him, and ask him for help. To get to your destination you have to travel. Some journeys take you through some pretty rough neighborhoods, over rough terrain, or stormy seas, but none of that diminishes God’s goodness.

Wife of the Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

To you April, the love of my life,
Mark

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

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