How to Train Your Wife

June 17, 2025June 6, 2025 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

PLEASE READ IN IT’S ENTIRETY BEFORE FIRING OFF EMAILS!

There is a new movie being advertised, “How to Train Your Dragon,” and for some “old-age” reason I heard, “How to Train Your Wife!” I know, right? I have no idea what caused such a brain fart to occur. I mean, is that even possible? And God help the husband who dares try! He will probably be speaking soon to the law firm of “You Dumb Butt” and “It’s Over!”

But seriously, what if your spouse needs “tweaking?” How does one go about it?

Our spouse is our helpmate, but if you cannot agree on an issue, what do you do? April allows me to be the head of the household. When it’s the other way around, people get hurt, and not just in the immediate family. She knows if we cannot agree, I will make the final decision. Now, this is not to lord over April, but she knows that I am accountable to God for the decision that was made. A position not to be taken lightly.

A few years ago, she revealed her secret as to how she gets (sometimes) what she wants or what she thinks is best for us. She doesn’t get mad, kick and scream, or give me any attitude at all. What she does is, she prays. She goes to God and appeals to him to speak to my heart. She asks Him to guide me and lead me as I do my best to lead our family. She knows that I know how to hear the voice of the Lord, and when I do, I have no problem changing my decision. And I certainly want God’s help. I know I definitely need it!

April commented the other day, “I pray every morning for God to change me.” What she meant was to help her in the areas of life where she struggles sometimes. I replied to her, “Maybe God likes the way you are or the way He made you?”

If there is a way to train your wife or husband, I would say it is through prayer. It’s a loving, gentle approach to changing someone. I have heard several testimonies of women praying, sometimes for years, without giving up for God to change their husbands. Don’t quote me on this, but I think Miss Kay of Duck Dynasty fame is such a woman. Not only did God change her husband, Phil, but his change also affected an entire family and perhaps countless others!

Thank you, God, for praying wives. Perhaps I should change the title to “How to Train Your Husband.” Encourage us all, Lord God, to pray without ceasing when the person or situation requires change. I, for one, am so grateful for change.

^13b-18Live together in peace, and our instruction to this end is to reprimand the unruly, encourage the timid, help the weak and be very patient with all men. Be sure that no one repays a bad turn by a bad turn; good should be your objective always, among yourselves and in the world at large. Be happy in your faith at all times. Never stop praying. Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. If you follow this advice you will be working out the will of God expressed to you in Jesus Christ.
1 Thes. 5:13b-18 (PHILLIPS)

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. Jam. 5:16b (AMPC)

You Should Go

June 2, 2023June 2, 2023 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

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.

Zone, Free of Judgement

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“I can’t believe they are wearing a hat in church!” said one man. “You should be glad they’re here,” I replied. I wanted to say, “The Pope wears a hat in church”, but I didn’t. “How dare they wear shorts in the sanctuary,” another person commented out loud. “Perhaps they would have missed church altogether if they had stopped at home to change first.” “All they do is sit there while the pastor is speaking and play on their phones,” one griped. “Were you aware that many people have a “Bible” app on their phones these days and they are following along with the pastor as he reads the scriptures?”

I have recently joined a gym. Their slogan is, “Judgement Free Zone®”. And I have seen all types of individuals in a variety of shapes and sizes there. Some good and some, well, like me out of the proper shape. But true to their slogan, no one has ever judged me. They are just glad I’m there.

Shouldn’t the church of God be a zone, free of judgement as well? After all, who are we to judge anyone?

for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Rom. 3:23 (KJ21)

Not everyone who enters the church doors is in the best “spiritual” shape just as those who enter the gym are not in the best physical shape. April says, “I’m still the same woman you fell in love with. I’m just a different shape now.” It is best if we smile, greet them, make them feel welcome in the church, and be ready to help them if they ask. They need to develop a spiritual workout that is best for them. One that meets them where they are.