Can You Hear Me Now?

June 18, 2021June 17, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

When a friend of mine was in Tokyo, and getting ready to board a plane heading to Chicago, he looked out the window and noticed an airplane from Taiwan Airways. A few days later, he realized God was speaking to him about moving to Taiwan. A year later he learned no such airline existed. God used an open vision to help speak to him about his future.

Fast forward three years: my friend, now living in Taiwan, is currently seeing area codes of a particular major city in the United States. We were discussing this the other day, and I reminded him, “God doesn’t always speak to us in the same way every time. He loves being creative, and changing things up.”

God doesn’t get bored!

God is so creative. His imagination didn’t stop after creation. His designs of interacting with his children is genius, and can be fun as well. God also has a lot to say. He will share things with you if you ask him to, and if you take the time.

The devil can stir up trouble and emotions in us, and in our lives that hinder us from hearing God. Those are the times we need to focus harder on listening to him. God speaks to us in so many different ways. Through his word, the Bible, via dreams, through our pastor and friends. He can use anything that we see, hear, smell, touch, speak, or even taste.

“For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.” Job 33:14 (NKJV)

One of his specialties is using his creation to speak. A coworker, several years ago, was questioning if God existed. He went on vacation to the Grand Canyon where he sat on the rim, and found his answer.

One of the best ways to hear God is to get quiet. Many times it is when we are still we finally are able to hear his gentle Spirit whisper to our soul.

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Ps. 46:10 (KJV)

Remember; just because God has spoken to you before, or even several times in a particular way, it doesn’t mean he is this time. Nor count on him speaking to you the way he spoke to someone else. When a famous person preaches on how God spoke to them, or how God used them to accomplish something, or to receive healing, don’t run home and try to follow a recipe and expect the same result. Doing so and not receiving an identical outcome can cause you to get disgruntled with God.

So, when God ask, “Can you hear me now?” I hope your answer will always be, “Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”

What Does Your Sign Say?

January 26, 2021January 27, 2021 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

She’s 19 years old. Engaged to the man of her dreams, so she thinks, but the longer our conversation went it became obvious to me she’s marrying this guy to escape her mother’s prison. She’s not happy, not satisfied, and not fulfilled. I tried to, in a gentle way, point out the flaws in her plans,

but I had forgotten;

19 year olds know everything.

I was asked how my weekend went, and I replied, ”Good. I enjoyed it. How was yours?” “Oh, not so good,” said my friend. I was surprised. On the outside his life looks as if it is going well. Apparently it’s not. Who knew? Later I offered to get together and be a sounding post if he wanted to vent, or share. He said he appreciated that.

It seems, as if most of my life, others have shared with me what is going on in their lives. Especially when it is not going well. I was perplexed by this phenomenon for several years until one day I was told that it seems as if I have a shepard’s heart. I should have known for many people have asked me if I was a pastor. The truth is, I was supposed to be. I was on the path to becoming one when I took a wrong turn in that fork in the road of life.

I could have taken the road on the right, and kept going, but I didn’t, and, well, the consequences took me out of ministry, but it didn’t change my heart. I repented, and tried to get back on track, but it didn’t happen, but I digress.

I ask you today, “What message are you giving others?” When someone meets you what are you saying to them? Are you open to listening? Does your sign tell them that you are only interested in your plans and goals?

There are people all around us that need hope, light in their dark world, they might just need someone to listen, to know someone cares, or more importantly, they might need God.

I try to imitate the life of Christ, and one thing I noticed is this; he took time for people. I hope you do too. I hope the message on your sign says, “Welcome.”

The “Who’s” In Your Life

September 29, 2020September 29, 2020 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

“So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”

Do you recognize those words? The famous opening lyrics to the hit TV show, “Friends”. There are a lot of different people in your life. Some you choose and, well, others you didn’t, but we’ll ignore them for now. The ones you chose are your friends. You picked them and got to know them because you were like minded, for the most part, and yet even if their lifestyle and choices are different than yours, you enjoy being around them. They make you laugh, they make you feel important, and perhaps, even loved.

As I write this post I am recounting the past few days. I have had the privilege of getting to spend time with 10 different friends in different ways.

My friend Steve: He called me and we caught up. We laughed, we remembered, and we encouraged each other. He and I used to spend Saturday nights, after church, at McWillows talking, laughing, and wondering what to do with our love lives, or the lack of. It felt so good to hear his voice again. Steve is the man God used to get me writing. He simply asked, “What’s keeping you from writing?” Three days later I found the answer, and decided to take the risk.

My friend Roger: I worked with him on his current home remolding project. Blood, sweat and the prevention of tears. My friend needed help, and encouragement and I got to be there for him. There is nothing as satisfying as finishing a day’s work, stepping back and saying, “It is good.” I think God coined that phrase.

My friend John: It had been a while since I had spoken to John, who I used to work with, so I called him. His company is closing his department and I was concerned about his future, but he informed me he will be okay as he is transferring to a new department that supports the State Farm Insurance Company and my friend will now be known as “Jake, from State Farm”. I asked him what he was wearing. If you are aware of the TV commercial then you are laughing.

My friends Andrew and Debra: I met Andrew on the commuter train that ran in and out of Chicago. After very little communication, I saw his wrist band, and asked about it. Since that day the communication hasn’t ended. God used Andrew to help me learn about opportunities where my skills in writing could grow. I later met his wife Debra. This past week they came to visit me where we applied Covid safety. We had a great time catching up as I had not seen them in four years.

My friend Michael: The next day Michael made a stop with his friend as they are exploring Route 66. Michael was a summer intern at AT&T some years ago, and we became friends. Again, it was good to catch up and spend time together while respecting Covid.

My friend Chris: We are staying in touch, especially after he fought a hard bout with Covid and with God’s help, won! Chris is a good man who cares about others.

My friends Russ and Ginger: I received a letter (a piece of paper written on and then folded and placed in an envelope, addressed, and stamped, then placed in the mail) from them that caught me up and touched my heart.

My favorite friend: Every night, I get to see and talk to my wife via Messenger. Lately, we have gotten excited about our future and we have been dreaming concerning how it will work out. So many things are coming together that were once a mystery.

A man who has good friends is rich beyond measure.

The friends mentioned above have been so helpful, encouraging, and uplifting over the years, each in their own way. Jesus is also our friend and He will stay with you closer than a brother. That is if you have invited him to be one of the Who’s in your life. Having good friends requires you be a good friend. Some friends may come and go in and out of your life, but the good ones stay and are there for your day, your week, your month, or even your year. And this year has proven to be one that requires good friends.

I’m Not a Gardener

February 12, 2020 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

Charlie 021220 1 You might not be a gardener if you purchase annuals thinking it will save you money by not having to buy more flowers next year. Yes, that really happened. As I was planting them, my neighbor watched for a moment and then she said, “You don’t know what you’re doing!” “I know,” I replied, “but I’m having a great time!”

A few months ago I heard, “Every relationship has a gardener and a flower.” In some of my relationships I know I’m the gardener. Just like planting those flowers, I don’t always know what I am doing. I do know one thing though, flowers are fragile and when around them, one must be very careful. As the gardener, you should show love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit of the Spirit of God. (Gal. 5:22-23)

The most common way to water a relationship is with words, but the ones chosen should be selected with wisdom. Do not speak to someone about issues in their life with a heart half listening. You like them, don’t you? Listen with intent. Pay attention. Be focused on them and please, I repeat, please do not look at your phone.

Realizing time is a valuable gift, giving it to someone can cost you so much. We, ourselves have so much to do and to get done. It seems as if there just isn’t enough time.

Don’t let them see the price tag attached to your time, and be extravagant!

Whenever I don’t know how to do something, or what to say to someone, I turn to God and ask him to give me words, or instructions. God loves us so much and is always available to talk to us. He gives you all the time you want, and he knows what to say.

God waters you enough to allow you to grow at the right speed.

He also knows how much to shine upon you. God, is a good, good gardener. Oh, and as for the price, his son, Jesus paid it for you.

Trust the master gardener to show you how to feed, and nourish someone else. I have come to recognize I enjoy gardening, in the spiritual sense. So I guess I would have to change the title now to, “I’m a Gardener”.

Spiritual Heart Murmurs

July 28, 2018July 27, 2018 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Doctor: “Sit up straight and breathe normal.” The doctor moved his stethoscope across my chest, and then around my back. “Deep breaths.” He listened. For what? Did he hear anything out of the ordinary? Perhaps a murmur? Was there reason for concern?

God: What if God did that? Listened to our hearts, and actually He does. What would He hear? A murmur? Would there be any reason for concern? So what would be a spiritual heart murmur? Hatred? Un-forgiveness? Idolatry? Lying? A hurt? Someone wronged you?

Search me, O God, and know my heart: (Psa 139:23 KJV+)

Us: What if we, God’s people, were walking around with spiritual stethoscopes? Meaning; if we were talking to someone, we would take time to listen to their heart. To actually hear if and what is causing them pain. Then, what if we prayed with them right there, or promised to at a later time, and actually did?

Ask God to help you detect murmurs. Your clue to stop and ask, “What’s wrong?” Or, “How are you really doing?” Doing this simple act might reduce the number of walking wounded around us. Even better, would be to detect the problem early enough to prevent more serious heart damage. Will you try? Doing so, would show the other person you care, because God cares.