neighbor

When It’s Hard

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Photo by: Schäferle via Pixabay

Life is tough on a good day, but it is downright brutal when things aren’t going as they should! You know what I am talking about. When your boss is riding you. Making demands and requests of you that are near impossible. Or when you have a co-worker, you can only hope they will get sucked into the shredder one day. Don’t get onto me; you laughed because everybody has at least one at work.

What if it’s your spouse or some other family member? Or a neighbor? Not to mention dealing with the dilly-o that makes driving downright dangerous. Perhaps you have more bills than money. All of it, or any of it can get you down.

Do you have the urge to take the next exit ramp of life? Well, don’t do that. I assure you, there is hope. As long as you are alive, there is hope.

If you already know God, and have a relationship with him, then turn to Him. He knows what you wake up to every day. And He cares because of His incredible love for you. Turn to His word, the Bible. I am currently reading “The Message.” It is a modern-day language translation of the original text.

I also highly suggest your read from the book of Psalms. Within the pages are countless words of people calling out to God. They remind Him of His greatness and His unending love for His people. There are encouraging passages about what God does to those who make life hard on you. God doesn’t like it when those who love Him are hurting.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Ps. 5:11-12 (NIV)

There is only one catch; you must believe it. Then you have to ask for His help and then trust that He will. The solution may not be what you wanted or expected, but it will work out if you let God do what He does best, and that is, be God! And when the answer has come, be sure to thank Him. He deserves the recognition and praise. You may find yourself walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” right now but know this; it is only the shadow of death. It’s not death! You will make it. You will live.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

You Should Go

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Photo by Max Fischer

Many have heard of the scripture from Proverbs 22:6:

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. (AMPC)

Perhaps more have placed a lot of hope in that verse. Hoping their wayward child, who is not living for God and not living up to who God has designed them to be, someday will. I am among them.

When I was recently praying for my children and reminding God of this verse, I noticed two words I had not focused on before. Those words are “should go.”  When I was training my children, I tried to live a life as a healthy example of one who exercises his free will to live for God. My children’s mother (my ex-wife) did not. Let’s face it, living by our flesh is easier.

God gives all of us “free will,” but the best life is when one lives with a good relationship with God. Then with his leading, uses the gifts He gave us or to the way we are bent. This is how all “should go.” There are other times when one “should go” as well.

One “should go” across the street to help a neighbor.

One “should go” apologies to their boss for making a mistake that cost the company money.

One “should go” to church and invite others who should also go with you.

One “should go” pitch in for an hour or two at the church. Only 10%, on average, get involved at a local church. The places and times one “should go” are endless. I know it is difficult to give up our free time or to make time for others or for God, but we should. One will never know the impact, until we get to heaven, of what our actions mean to someone else, and what in this world can change because we did go!

Of course, there are many places one “should not go.” I don’t think I need to list those, do I?

The key is in the “training.” I am convinced that it is never too late to train or re-train your mind in what it takes to live the life God intended for all of us but also specifically per our gifts and bent.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The movie, “A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD” comes out tomorrow, starring, Tom Hanks.  I wrote a post about Mr. Rogers in April 2018.  In honor of the movie, which I heard was good, I am re-posting it.

FILE PHOTO Fred "Mister" Rogers Dead At 74

Some of us, old farts, have no problem remembering Mr. Rogers on TV.  Below, are the lyrics of the song he sung, at the beginning of each episode:

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
It’s a neighborly day in this beautywood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So let’s make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we’re together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you please,
Won’t you please,
Please won’t you be my neighbor?

Did Fred Rogers, get it right?  Did he fully understand the 2nd greatest commandment of God?  Lev 19:18  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Most people do love themselves, and sometimes it shows by how they act and treat others.  There are several other scriptures that warn about only loving those that are lovable, but God is commanding we love everyone as much as we love ourselves.  To love him first, and then everyone else second.  Why?  Because love never fails.

It’s hard to hate and love at the same time.  Yes, one can mistreat someone who is loved, but if the love is real the issue gets resolved rather quickly.  Can you imagine saying to your worst enemy, “I’ve always wanted a neighbor just like you”?  That is what we, who love God, are called to do.  Love, overcomes all, overlooks all, and let’s go of all wrong.  Love, is so generous, it causes you to share your resources.  Love, encourages you to get your hands dirty by helping.

Yes, Fred Rogers got it right.  Mr. Rogers wanted you to be his neighbor so he could love you, as he loved himself.  So I ask you, “Please won’t you be my neighbor?”

Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady, All rights reserved