Speeding Ticket

April 8, 2025April 1, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I like what the author, Jane Rubietta (www.JaneRubietta.com), an excellent writer and even better speaker, wrote concerning the picture included in this post.

“The no-hurry sunrise is always on time. I love the speed limit sign and the streetlights arching over the road. Just waiting.”

The photo speaks a thousand words, but I will try to keep it to 350 or so. First, it reminds us that another day is coming. The troubles of yesterday may get us down, but God says his mercies are new every morning. I would also add his grace, strength, and comfort, amongst other things that we need.

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left. Lam. 3:22-24 (MSG)

The photo reminds us to slow down and not speed through the day. Last week, a guy got caught doing 125 mph in a 65 mph zone! Do you think he noticed any details in life? Or the State Trooper sitting on the side of the road? We need to pause or stop and look around. Notice God. See his hand active in our lives. Pay attention to the work He is continuing in your life to form your nature to be like his. One of love in all things.

Most of us, me included, get in a hurry for God to accomplish something in our lives.

There are times when the “journey” becomes more valuable than the end result.

God is active whether we see it or not. While you are waiting, see his handiwork with nature. It is Spring here in America right now. I don’t know the names of the trees, but some have been so beautiful! I told April, “Look. Aren’t they pretty? Enjoy them today because the blooms will be gone soon.” A few days later, they were. Okay. I have reached 350 words, so I will end this post. I think the message has been said.

Blessings!

(Okay, how many of you thought this post was going to be about me getting a speeding ticket?)

This Line Isn’t Moving

September 2, 2022September 1, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Waiting. The final frontier. To boldly go where no man wants to go. I don’t know about you, but I hate to wait on just about anything. No, I’m not that important, where I have to have everything right this second, but it would be nice.

Just today, my wife, April, is at the hospital waiting her turn to have a procedure done. They told us to be at the hospital at 10:15 AM, but they did not get her procedure started until 2:22 PM. As you know, one is not allowed to eat or drink after midnight before an operation, so needless to say, April was hangry! Yeah, that’s right, hungry and angry. I must say, she handled the delay a lot better than I would have. That’s because she is a very patient person. I, on the other hand, am not. It’s just not one of my finer qualities, although I desire it to be.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges (and traffic and lines that don’t move) come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (Words in parenthesis mine.)
Jam. 1:2-4 (MSG)

Waiting in a line of traffic is challenging, and in a line to be served at a restaurant can be worse. Both are excruciating experiences to suffer through especially when the line next to you is moving, but yours is not. I hesitate to pray and ask God for help because I am afraid, He will put me in more situations to practice. Something I am not a big fan of in the first place. James 1:2-4; What challenging verses to live out!

Probably though, the most difficult thing to wait for is for God to provide help with your finances or a healing. It’s a toss-up between the two. If you are in a similar situation at this juncture in your journey called “life,” be encouraged. It may take a while for God to get all things lined up or to get your heart lined up with his perfect will for you, but He will do it.

So, hang on, hang in there. Keep believing, keep trusting, be patient with God because though you may not see the line moving know it is, and you will not be in that same spot forever. You will reach your destination. After all, isn’t that the goal?

[Post note: The surgery went well, and April is resting and recovering now but prayers are always welcome! Thanks.]

“Now Serving Number 5”

February 8, 2022May 30, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

You hear the announcement, and yes, you look down at the number on the tag you pulled out of the dispenser when you walked in, even though you already know it wasn’t your number they called. You might as well be holding number “2275”.

Sad, but at least in America we are so impatient. We are spoiled. We are used to getting things now. Unfortunately, there are times when we take that attitude toward waiting for things from God. We make our needs known to God, and then we have to wait for the answer. Depending on the situation it can be extremely difficult. We wonder, “Did He even hear me?”

When we don’t see the answer we expect, and by the time we feel we need it, we can develop an attitude, toward others and even toward God. The truth is how do you know God isn’t working on it? What do you think He is doing? Here is what Oswald Chambers says:

“We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.”

I like how Chambers worded this issue. When we “ask” God, then our next step is to “trust” God. Know, be confident that He has heard you and that He “is” working things out in the way that is “best” for you. Keep in mind, God isn’t working on one request at a time, but on every request of everyone around the world who ask, all at the same time. He doesn’t take care of one request and then call the next number of whoever is line. Yes God is that omnipotent and powerful, but also so loving that He puts on every job a personal touch designed just for you. And that my friend is called, “Love”!

Looking For Jesus (Part 6)

December 18, 2020December 20, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Simeon. He was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

What the scriptures don’t share with us is how long Simeon had to wait for that promise to be fulfilled. Did he have days where he doubted if he had really heard God, or perhaps wanted something so bad to happen that he made it up? We don’t know, but we do know this, he never gave up.

Walking with God can be a challenging journey at times. Especially after receiving direction, a word, a promise from God. Day after day goes by and you lay your head on the pillow again with your heart feeling empty, because that day, wasn’t THE day what God spoke to you came true.

But know this; you are one more step closer!

I just paused from writing this post and sat in one of my favorite chairs and cried. I too am waiting. I know and feel your pain! I am waiting to be reunited with my wife. Due to slow immigration and now Covid we are separated. I told a friend, “It’s like knowing what you are getting for Christmas, but then all the clocks stop, and Christmas never arrives!” It’s been one year, 4 months, 15 days, or 12,048 hours since I last held my wife in my arms, smelled her hair, and felt the warmth of her love. But I know this; when we are together again, every one of those new embraces will contain that much more value. Instead of looking at what I don’t have yet, I choose to focus on what I do have, Jesus.

Okay. I got it together again, so lets go on.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple courts on the day Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to do what was customary to the law. Simeon took the child into his arms and blessed God saying, “Lord and Master, I am your loving servant, and now I can die content, for your promise to me has been fulfilled. With my own eyes I have seen your Word, the Savior you sent into the world. He will be glory for your people Israel, and the Revelation Light for all people everywhere!” Luke 2:29-32 (MSG)

Simeon was looking for Jesus, and before he died, he not only saw God’s son, but held him in his arms, and spoke a blessing over him. What an honor, to play an important part in the life of Christ. What role does God want you to play in the life of someone else?

I close this post with a link to Michael Card’s beautiful singing of this story from scripture. This holiday season, it’s not too late to look for Jesus. It’s not too late to take him in your arms and as this song says, “Your life will never end.”