Would You Take 5 Minutes?

July 8, 2025July 9, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Have you noticed how every store and company lately is asking you to take a few minutes to fill out their survey? They sometimes entice you by saying your name will be entered for a “chance” to win a prize. I have often wondered if anyone “ever” wins. One definition of the word “survey” is to investigate the opinions or experiences of people by asking them questions.

I don’t think I am brave enough to send a survey to April, but if I did, I might get her to take five minutes and fill it out if I offered her the “chance” to go on a shopping spree. The survey would probably look something like this:

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is “Not satisfied at all,” and 10 is “Very satisfied,” rate Mark on the following issues. Please circle your response.

“How is Mark doing with helping out around the house?”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

“How is Mark doing with seeing your needs?”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

“How is Mark doing with loving you?”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

“How likely are you to want to stay in this marriage with Mark?”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

“How likely are you to tell a friend about how Mark is doing?”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

“Is there anything you would like Mark to do better?”
Comment: _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

“Please list anything you would like Mark to change.”
Comment: _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

“May we contact you concerning your responses?”

I don’t need to send April a survey. Over the last five, no wait, six years, I have noticed that when I am doing a good job, she sings around the house. She is more relaxed. She gets funny and goofy, which I love.

The other day, she was throwing items into our shopping cart as if they were basketballs. Then, when she wanted to verify that the item she wanted to purchase was the correct one, she opened the package in the store and said, “This is America. I can do this!” (You don’t open items in stores in the Philippines.) Both actions made me laugh.

So, today, I got it right. I loved on April enough to cause her to sing. It’s almost as if when I hugged her or squeezed her, joy came oozing out.

His anger lasts only a moment.
But his kindness lasts for a lifetime.
Crying may last for a night.
But joy comes (oozing out) in the morning.
Ps. 30:5 (ICB) [words in parentheses, mine.]

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly…singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Colossians 3:16

Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
James 5:13b

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2

Control

November 19, 2024November 2, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Accepting God’s gift of salvation is easy. “Even a caveman can do it.” (A line from a famous commercial some years ago.) What’s not so simple is giving God control of your life. It seems a lot of people still want to make significant decisions on their own. Then, when they find themselves in trouble, they wonder why.

After graduating college and landing a drafting job with the local electric company, I felt I was set for life. After all, as I was starting my career there, my uncle retired from the same company. But God had other plans. I was offered a youth pastor’s position in a small church 1,582 miles away. The problem? They couldn’t afford to pay me. Crazy right? Who in their right mind would take such a position? Believe me, I heard a lot of opinions from others who I knew were concerned for me. My father’s thoughts were the loudest, though.

After a lot of prayer, I did what God called me to. I was scared, but I felt assured that He knew what He was doing. It turns out He did, and all of my needs were met.

That experience taught me to seek God whenever making decisions about things like where to live, where to work, and where to spend money above and beyond living costs. Oh, don’t forget who to marry. These are the areas of life that most don’t even think to ask God about. Somehow, they feel these decisions are theirs. And some go as far as to tell God, “Hands off!”

Of course, God allows this because He gives us free will. But I can only wonder how much it aches his heart when the decisions people make hurt them. God wants the best for us, and He has the ability to see beyond the edge of the map. He knows in advance what decisions are good ones and which ones aren’t.

I would have to say that letting God have complete control of my life has allowed me to have a wonderful life and one of the most incredible adventures anyone could ever live.

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Eph. 1:11-12 (MSG)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this. Prov. 3:5-12 (MSG)

Cease striving and know that I am God; Ps. 46:10a (LSB)

Let Me Speak to Your Supervisor

November 28, 2023November 21, 2023 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I have been watching an individual live their life this year the way they want to. It has not gone well. They have been controlled by a game-playing, conniving, lying woman. That caused him to drink himself into a drunken stupor. As a result of spending time in the hospital to dry out, he lost his job. Because of not being able to pay his rent, he was evicted.

Soak, wash, rinse, repeat. After struggling, he managed to get his job back but then repeated the same pattern, the only difference being with a different girl. To add to the injury, he did all this while being separated from his wife and ignoring his children. What kind of life is that?

As I was thinking about his life, I realized one thing: he does not feel as if he is accountable to anyone! Not to his wife, his children, his mother and father, his girlfriend, his friends, his boss, his landlord, or God. No one. He is accountable to God, ultimately, but he fails to see that. You could say he has no fear of the consequences of his actions.

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Rom. 14:12 (NIV)

We should be accountable to people but especially live our lives accountable to God. You will make mistakes, but if you have accepted Jesus, you can ask for forgiveness. Then, it is also a good idea to ask others for forgiveness if you hurt them. Knowing you have to give an account of how you live will cause you to live differently, or at least it should.

“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” Mat. 10:28 (MSG)

Whether you admit it or not or live accordingly, you are accountable to people and God. If you are not living that way, you will continue to suffer. Did I mention he also totaled his car? So get with the program, or we will have to speak to your supervisor, God.

Why “MB4384?”

November 18, 2022November 19, 2022 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Our home WIFI was upgraded the other day, receiving a new gateway. “MB4384” was the name of our old network name, but for a specific reason, we could no longer use it. As I was getting all of our devices reconnected to the WIFI via the gateway’s default name and password, I told April we needed to come up with a network name and password. Of course, something easy to remember.

We discussed many options for both. We finally settled on “KUYA_MARK,” Tagalog for “Brother Mark.” We assumed no one in the neighborhood was using that for a network name. Then we came up with a password we could recall without having to look it up. Again, I reconnected all of our devices to the new network. That’s almost worst than having to turn all of your clocks backward.

“MB4384” became my company user name 17 years ago after SBC purchased AT&T. It took some time to get used to it. I had no idea how in the world they came up with that pattern of letters and numbers, but now I do. God had his hand in it!

Being extraordinarily vulnerable and transparent, getting married again after 24 some years of being single hasn’t been easy. There have been times I have wondered if I did the right thing. I know there were several events and moments of confirmation, but nothing beats what I am about to tell you.

As we were discussing possible names, April disclosed that she thought I changed my WIFI network name to “MB4384” after I met her. She didn’t know it was my AT&T user ID. I was confused, but I told her I used that name when I moved into the house five years ago. Thirteen months before I ever met April. Then I asked her, “Why did you think I changed it after meeting you?” She replied, are you ready for this? “Because that is my birthday.”

Yeah, that’s right. April was born on April 3, 1984, or 04/03/84 or 4384.

I teared up. Then I laughed as I thought about how funny God is. He knew 17 years ago (well, honestly forever) I would need another confirmation that no matter how hard getting used to being married again is for me, it is worth it because God ordained it. When you see that kind of love in action, it’s almost impossible not to trust that God knows what He is doing and that He has to have a purpose for us.

Thank you, God, for loving me.

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jer. 29:11 (MSG)

He Finished Well

January 11, 2022January 10, 2022 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Later today, I am going to the funeral of the man pictured here, a friend. I have known this man for probably 54 years. After I heard the news last Friday evening, I was latter on Facebook. A lady from his church posted his obituary and arrangements. Below her post, people who knew him, started remembering, and honoring him. They commented about his smile, his kindness, his servant’s heart, and his laughter. They were good words.

I begin reflecting on this out pouring of love, and thought about what kind of life one lives that moves people to respond as they were. It didn’t take long for the answer to appear in my heart.

First, and foremost, you love. You love God, and then love others. You chose to ignore what other people say about someone, and you love them anyway.

Secondly, you show kindness. You show it at work, at church, in your community, and at home. With customers, family and friends.

Third, you serve others, which really is “love” in action. One man posted how my friend came and got them after their car would not start.

You do all this, not to receive kind words spoken or written about you when you die, but because this is the example Christ demonstrated for us while he walked the earth. It’s simply the kind of life God calls us to.

⁷I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course with all my might and I’ve kept my heart full of faith. ⁸There’s a crown of righteousness waiting in heaven for me, and I know that my Lord will reward me on his day of righteous judgment. And this crown is not only waiting for me, but for all who love and long for his unveiling. 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (TPT)

In the above verse, Paul compares living life on earth as a race. It’s not a competition though with others to see who finishes first, second, or third. And unlike youth community sports programs, not everyone will receive a participation trophy! It’s about reaching the finish line, with God, and in my friend’s case, he finished well.

He Speaks

October 22, 2021October 21, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Or, God might get their attention through pain…” Job 33:19a (MSG)

God has a hierarchy to many things, and not to be old fashion but that applies to marriages as well. Why? And what does that mean? In any type of union, marriage, business, ministry, etc. there has to be one individual who has the final say so. BUT, that one individual is also the one who is accountable for the results of making those decisions, and the one they are accountable to, is God.

In a marriage situation when the man steps into his role of leadership, and as the one who is accountable, his spouse is then under an umbrella of protection, EVEN if she disagrees with her husband. But, when the woman tries to fulfill the role of the man, people get hurt! I have witnessed this first hand.

In the course of one year, I had to go through two very hurtful situations. In both cases, the husbands allowed their spouses to cause great pain in my life, and they wouldn’t say anything to them about how wrong they were. You see, those husbands have allowed their wives to fill their roll. “Head of Household.”

I wound up praying for the couples and asked God to deal with the men and to speak to them. There’s no reason why people should continue getting hurt, and then I distanced myself from them. Later that year, I found out that both of those men were down while they were recovering from knee replacement surgery. I wondered if God allowed that to happen attempting to get them on their one good knee to pray and seek him concerning how things are going in their marriage, in their life.

In any marriage, business, union, and especially ministry, if God has given you the keys to authority, then don’t give anyone else those keys. Who you give them to is not the one who will stand before God and give an account for the results, you will.

This isn’t about equal rights, equality, or glass ceilings, but about order, accountability, and individuals not getting hurt.

If your ministry, union, business, or marriage is “Out of Order” and isn’t working then go to God and ask Him to show you. God will speak. He probably has been for many years, but you haven’t been listening. Each time you get hurt and there is not instant healing, perhaps its God trying to get your attention through pain.

The Power of Praise

June 29, 2021June 28, 2021 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Okay. I’m going to go all Steven Furtick on ya now:
You think you are all ALONE, but God is right there with you!
You believe the lie that your MARRIAGE is over, but God says, “Commit it to me!
”You think your JOB is going nowhere, but God wants to show you why you are there!
You were promised a PALACE, but you are in a PIT, God says, “Its part of the journey!”

Yes, LIVING is hard, but God is greater!
Yes HEAVEN seems so far away, but it is closer than you think!
One way to overcome life is through the power of praise. It works. It lifts your spirit, it strengthens your faith. Whether you simply praise God with just words, or if you add music.

From the song, “Praise Him”
Let praise be a weapon that conquers all anxiety
We sing your name in the dark and it changes everything
Let it rise, let praise arise.
We’ll watch the giants fall

Fear cannot survive when we praise You
The God of breakthrough’s on our side
Forever lift Him high
With all creation cry,
God we praise You

Oh, we praise You, oh

Let faith be the song that overcomes the raging sea
Let faith be the song that calms the storm inside of me
Let it rise, let praise arise

This is what living looks like
This is what heaven sounds like
We praise You, we praise You

Try praising God despite what you see, or hear in the natural. Then witness the power that comes with it, or through it, for yourself. You will be glad you did.

The Unexpected Sermon

May 11, 2021May 10, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“It’s okay. It’s all in the past,” said my great niece as she waved her hands back and forth down low by her side. She had gotten caught doing something that turned out okay, but would not had been sanctioned by either of her parents.

We laughed as my mother shared the story of the incident with my wife and me, but later in the week my wife quoted my great niece after doing something I did not appreciate. Yes it’s true, I’m a recovering control freak, and I always argue that I like things done a certain way, because to me it seems like the fastest and easiest way to accomplish that task. I know, there are many ways to doing some things, and there are times when someone would rather do it their way.

It may seem silly, but my four year old great niece preached with conviction a sermon I needed to hear, but more than that, live out! I have spent the last several days practicing to let things go and not to mention that my wife may have done or said something that turned out okay, but not something I would have done. And you know what? Our marriage is better for it!

In those times when we mess up, do things that God would rather we hadn’t, and we go to him and ask for forgiveness, he always says, “Its okay. You’re forgiven. It’s now in the past.”

God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said. (Psalms 103:6-18 MSG)

Forgiveness is not a license to go sin more, or even again, but it lifts the burden of guilt off of us, and allows us to go on, living life in peace.

Be Like God

May 4, 2021May 3, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Most of her life she heard, “You’re so stupid.” “You can’t do anything right.” “You’ll never amount to anything.” “Why can’t you get this? It’s not hard.” She heard messages that she wasn’t good enough and that she never would be. One negative message after another, and the worst thing happened…she believed them.

Thirty some years later, after thinking that life was just okay, and it couldn’t get any better, because she was taught not to expect anything special, it happened. She moved away from those she loved, and into the arms of man, who loved her, but more importantly, loved God. After a while he recognized her insecurities, but he knew how to reverse the years of damage and pain done to her.

He begin being gentle with his deeds, and especially with his words. He had to make sure he didn’t expect perfection out of every task, as he had been raised to. He needed to find the capacity to let her do things her way, and then to compliment her on a job well done. She needed to know he trusted her, and believed in her. He had to speak love to her and to speak life. He would hide notes and things around the house for her to find that reinforced what he was verbally telling her.

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (Prov. 18:21 MSG)

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. (Prov. 15:4 MSG)

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. (Col. 4:6 MSG)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (Eph. 4:29 MSG)

Over time, because he will be like God to her (and not “a god” over her) she will heal. Her mind will be cleansed of all of those negative comments. Each day, she will grow in confidence. She will soon stand up straight and hold her head up high. She will begin to believe that she is a child of the most high God and that He loves her, and she will start acting like she knows it. She will seek out God’s plan and design for her life and purse it with strong conviction. One day she will be God, or be like God to someone else who is currently walking where she once did.

There is More Than This

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

How much effort does it take to “hope”? Hoping for a life that is better than the one you are currently living. I think most don’t say, “I hope I …”, but instead they say, “I wish I …”.

Hope definition is – to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true

Wish definition is – feel or express a strong desire for something that is not easily attainable; want something that cannot or probably will not happen.

Do you see it? Do you see the difference in “wishing” and “hoping”? “Hoping” comes with anticipation, because it can actually happen! This is why “hope” is so powerful. Hope can restore a marriage. Hope can lead to someone getting their health back. Hope can get you a better job. Hope causes things to happen.

God’s word says, “These three remain: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13) I like what “The Message” translation says, “Trust steadily in God (that’s faith), hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.”

Hope, can help you go from where you are to the kind of life God intended for you all along. I mean seriously, he started man and woman out living in a garden. It’s a lie from hell to accept, “Well, this is as good as its ever going to get.” NO! You can have what God wants for you. How? Ask for it. Ask God to help you achieve that life. Believe it can happen. Start today renewing the way you think, for what you think is what you believe, and what you believe is what you say, and what you say comes to pass for words have a lot of power.

Every time you speak, generally, you are speaking life, or death. Start listening to how you talk, and pay attention to the kind of words you use the most. Especially those words you say to other people. Those words matter, but also what you say to yourself in your mind. Changing those words can change your life.

God loves you, and wants you to have his best. He doesn’t want you living in a dump, but in a garden. He wants you to live above your current situation. He wants you looking up, for something better, for there is more than this, and when you are looking up he can see you smile. God wants so much love, happiness, and joy for his children, who love him, and He does work “all” things out for good, for those who love him. (Rom. 8:28)

brady, mark a.

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