life

Crossroads

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Are you stuck? Lost? Find yourself in the middle of nowhere or at an intersection, and you have no idea which way to go? It happens to all of us at one time or another. Life was going good as if on cruise control and then one day you woke up and thought, “What am I doing?” Or you may be at a juncture in your life you didn’t expect. Like after getting divorced, losing a job, or the death of a family member.

Newsflash: You do not have to navigate life alone! There is one who is ready and able to help you, guide you, point the way, and give you the encouragement and strength to get there. And his name is JESUS!

The word of God has scriptures that say He will lead us:

The very steps we take come from God;
    otherwise how would we know where we’re going? Prov. 20:24 (MSG)

By your words I can see where I’m going;
    they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
    from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
    put me together again with your Word.
Adorn me with your finest sayings, God;
    teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
    but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
    but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
    what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
    I always have and always will. Ps. 119:105 (MSG)

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. Ps. 37:23 (AMP)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Standard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The First Eternity

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Have you ever realized that there was an eternity before what we have now on Earth? Think about this: when God placed man in the Garden of Eden, it was perfect. There was no sickness, no hurt, no pain, no Washington D.C. (um-hum), and no death. I believe God intended for life always to be that way. Walking and talking with man and woman each day.

Then, Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God, and darkness entered the world, ending perfection.

Hundreds of years later, Light once again came to the world, and the hope of a perfect eternity was now obtainable by believing that Jesus is God’s Son and accepting his gift of salvation for the forgiveness of our sins.

God never intended for people to hurt or for them to deal with sickness and disease. He didn’t want them to suffer in any way, shape or form. God didn’t want anyone to feel hunger, the pain of war, or the sting of a broken family. He never wanted to comfort a parent having to bury a child. God only wanted his best for his children.

Not living with God is choosing to live in a dump! Darkness dumps on you, most likely every week, if not every day! Your Facebook posts constantly share the pain and heartache that you deal with on a regular basis. I’m not saying you shouldn’t post those things with us because it reminds me to pray for you. And I’m not saying life with God is perfect on this side of heaven, but it is definitely better than living in a dump!

Accept God. Learn to live his ways by studying the Bible, his manuscript for living life. Walk and talk with him daily. Ask lots of questions, for He is the only one who has the correct answers. You will enjoy the victories along the way until you reach the second eternity.

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 21:21- Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Romains 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

When You Stand Out

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April and I watched a great movie over the weekend. If you haven’t seen it, then you should look for it and watch it. It’s worth your time! Just go to Costo or Sam’s Club and buy a pallet of tissues first! The movie is “Wonder.”

“Wonder” is a heartwarming 2017 film based on the New York Times bestseller. The story revolves around August “Auggie” Pullman, a 10-year-old boy born with facial differences. Up until now, Auggie has been homeschooled due to his condition, but when he enters fifth grade at Beecher Prep, he becomes an unlikely hero. The film explores themes of compassion, acceptance, and the power of kindness.

One line from the movie caught my attention. “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out!” With his facial deformities, there was no way “Auggie” was ever going to blend in. There was no way he was going to be able to hide in the crowd. The young man had to find a way to deal with the cards life had dealt him. He had to change his view of the world, but in the process, the world changed their view of Auggie.

Jesus stood out, too, not because of any imperfections but because He loved. He showed people love, even those that others despised or had forgotten. Not much has changed since the days Jesus walked the Earth. There are a lot of people all around us that need to be loved on. You just have to slow down and see them. I enjoy helping someone who didn’t expect it, and when they ask me, “Why?” I love to come back with, “Because God wanted to love on you today.”

Sometimes, that will start a conversation when I can continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Loving on people, as Christ loves people, will make you stand out. The people you help won’t forget you or the words you shared with them. Sure, you could blend in and be like everyone else, but you were born to stand out.

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Mat. 23:11-12 (MSG)

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love.
1 John 4:7-8 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Light Switch

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Between the dark and the light
Between good and evil
Which will you choose?

You must choose one
There is no other choice.
What you pick will determine your future.

I know you may not like it.
I know you might say, “It’s not fair!”
That’s because you don’t understand it.

The darkness tries so hard.
To snare you in its hand
To forever extinguish your memory of the light

The Light stands in front of you
With his arms opened wide
And invites you to know Love.

Choose ye this day
Whom you will serve
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

This is How I Fight My Battles

/ Mark Brady / 3 Comments
Image by André Santana Design André Santana from Pixabay

It’s challenging to turn over to God a situation in our lives that we are deeply concerned about or even worried. We often feel as though we need to keep one hand on it, as if God needs our help. Some battles are so insurmountable. What could we do to overcome them anyway?

Last year, April and I faced a huge financial mess. We wound up one month away from being forced to sell our house to make ends meet. This house has been a special gift to me from God, so selling it would have been extremely painful. I’m sitting in the house tonight writing this post.

I have to confess it was one of the most trying times I have ever faced. I remember crying out to God, begging Him to answer my prayers and deliver us from evil. You talk about, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death!” Have you ever noticed it’s the “shadow of death” and not “death?” God didn’t make Ed McMahon show up with a giant check from Publishers Clearing House, and He didn’t give me the winning numbers for the current lottery. (Not that I make a habit of playing, anyway!)

What He did do was give me a plan. A plan to eventually, after several months, help us recover from a near financial disaster.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

This is how I fight my battles,
It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You.

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God. Ps. 42:5 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Four Insatiables

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Three things are never satisfied,
    no, there are four that never say, “That’s enough, thank you!”—

hell,
a barren womb,
a parched land,
a forest fire.

Proverbs 30:16 (MSG)

A freeloader has twin daughters
    named “Gimme” and “Gimme more.”

Proverbs 30:15 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

That Girl Can Sleep!

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April has a hidden talent that few know about. She can fall asleep within three minutes, and it doesn’t seem to matter where she is, either. Needless to say, I am envious! I suffer from OMS these days. “Old Man Syndrome.” That means if I wake up in the middle of the night, I am usually awake for hours before I can attempt to go back to sleep.

The other day, April fell asleep in the car while I was driving us home in heavy traffic. I was thinking, “How in the world can she sleep?” I don’t make a good passenger. I find it difficult to trust others and their driving skills. And sleep while they are driving? Forget it!

Then it hit me: April trusted me and my ability to drive. She knows I am going to get her home safely. She felt safe and secure.

Isn’t that how we should feel when we are walking with God through life? We pray and then trust Him to address our needs and act on our behalf. Doing what is best for us. If we do that, we can “rest” and perhaps find the sleep we need that otherwise escapes us.

Nothing and no one is holy like God,
    no rock mountain like our God.
Don’t dare talk pretentiously—
    not a word of boasting, ever!
For God knows what’s going on.
    He takes the measure of everything that happens.
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,
    while the weak are infused with fresh strength.
The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,
    while the hungry are getting second helpings.
The barren woman has a houseful of children,
    while the mother of many is bereft. 1 Sam. 2:2-5 (MSG)

“Trusting God” isn’t simply a statement of faith but a way to live. It will show, too, if your life reflects your speech. Many know the right things to say or scriptures to quote, but few will act them out daily.

Look at Luke 8:22-23 (MSG): “One day he and his disciples got in a boat. “Let’s cross the lake,” he said. And off they went. It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize. They woke Jesus: ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’

Getting to his feet, he told the wind, ‘Silence!’ and the waves, ‘Quiet down!’ They did it. The lake became smooth as glass.”

This passage has been preached so many times! It is usually pointed out that the disciples who walked with Jesus should have known they weren’t going to die. If Jesus had said, “Let’s cross the lake,” then they would have made it to the other side.

If April had been in that boat, she would have been asleep as well, along with Jesus! Let your request be made known to God. Lay them on the altar and then walk away, leaving them there. Then, walk with boldness and the confidence that things will work out.

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

“That’s Enough!”

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“Take shelter now!” warned the weatherman. I think I wrote about the tornadoes we recently had in Oklahoma in another post. On the night of Monday, May 6, 2024, there was an “F4” that struck Barnsdall, Oklahoma. I grew up here and am somewhat used to tornadoes and their weird, strange behavior. I have heard several stories, and some of them will make the hair on the back of your neck stand straight out.

 I heard of a family that found a box in their family room. It had gotten there via a tornado, and the box had made its way through the roof. When they opened the box, they found fine china, but none of it was broken.

One family had just sat down for dinner, and as soon as the prayer was said, the sirens went off. They went around the corner of the dining room, and all of them crammed into an inner closet. They heard the noise of the wind, debris, and destruction. After the tornado had passed, they exited their shelter, unharmed, from the storm. Their house was gone! But when they went back to the dining room, they found the table and chairs still in place. Even their dinner was still on the table. Even the paper napkins hadn’t moved with the silverware.

Tornadoes have been known to totally destroy one house and leave the next one on the street untouched as if it bounced over it. And it might have as the twisters spin like tops.

A few years ago, one of my cousins was in her car driving into town to pick up an order of pizzas for the celebration of her oldest son’s high school graduation. The monster tornado came up from behind her. Debris broke the car windows out and sucked her right out of the car, and threw her body. We know this because when they found her car, the seatbelt was still fastened. A sad story, for sure. But when they had her funeral, the fire marshal showed up and said the church was over the capacity limit. So, the church set up speakers outside, and the overflow stood in the heat to pay their respects. One by one, people got up to share how she had helped them with a practical need, and then she shared the gospel with them. Her husband confirmed that more than once, she emptied their savings account in order to help someone else. In their storm, she walked like Jesus did.

On May 6, 2024, the Barnsdall tornado didn’t destroy a local Catholic church but did break out some windows. The pastor described that debris was all over the sanctuary up until the altar. Behind the altar was a cross with Jesus hanging on it. The pastor said it looked as if Jesus had held out his hand and said, “That’s enough!”

We all face personal storms in our lives. Some turn out well, while others not so much. There will be times when Jesus will be walking through it with you. And at other times, He may hold his hand up and say, “That’s enough!”

Whenever there’s a storm, Jesus may already be in the boat with you, or He may walk on water to come to your side. (Luke 8:22-25) (John 6:16-21)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved