water

Get Dirty

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I’ve wanted a tree in the front of our house since I bought the place six years ago. I haven’t gotten one yet because the ones I want and the size I want are expensive. I had never thought of planting a tree from seed, though. Yeah, I had heard of Johnny Appleseed, who went around planting apple trees, but still, the thought never crossed my mind. Where do you buy tree seeds anyway? Oh, I know, “Dollar Tree!”

So when I found three maple trees growing in April’s flower bed, I was surprised. I’m not sure how they got there, but I am excited they are. God has truly been blessing us this year and meeting our needs and even some wants. Things that we talk about and even some things that are secret in our hearts. Before something can be manifested, someone has to plant it. Sometimes, planting a thought is enough.

Two years ago, I was asked to pray about how a particular property could be utilized. April and I went back to our lodge room and did just that. One of the things I sensed God say was, “Have a writer’s conference.” It seemed overwhelming, but I wanted to obey. I found a person who believed in what God had spoken as well, and we formed a company and did just that. In March of 2022, we held a writer’s conference. There were only ten people who showed up.

After it was over, we talked about our future. She wanted to host another writer’s conference. After praying about it, I didn’t feel the same. I left the company and started helping writers by coaching them and editing their works. In June of 2023, my ex-business partner held another writer’s conference with forty-two participants. Four times the previous year.

Reflecting on her success in numbers, I felt a sense of joy and accomplishment. You see, even though I had nothing to do with this year’s conference, I planted it. She watered it, and it grew! This practice is Biblical, and it is all for God’s glory.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1 Cor. 3:6 (KJV)

So the next time you feel prompted to plant, or start something, be bold. Be willing to dig in and not be afraid to get dirty! Whether it’s a conversation about the love of God, an encouraging word, volunteering in the children’s group at church, or a writer’s conference. Get God’s timing on it and do it. You may never know on this side of heaven what the results of your obedience will be. If God lays it upon your heart to water what someone else has planted, then do that too. We are all co-laborers for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are indeed many parts but one body.

For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God
1 Cor. 3:9a (AMPC)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Are You Making People Thirsty?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The other day, I witnessed a lady at the grocery store, who knocked a large bottle of wine off the moving belt and onto the floor where it crashed and made a big mess.  I had the urge to run over and pray that the “wine” would turn into “water”, so it would be easier to clean up.  I didn’t.

There is different kinds of water out there in nature.  There is clear water, mineral infused water, which looks yellowish, and there is also yukky water called, brackish.

In John 4, Jesus talked about water:

10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”

11-12 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”

In a way, she was asking, “Who do you think you are?”

13-14 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

After the above conversation, Jesus shared with the woman the details of her life.  They had never met, so in that moment she became thirsty for his kind of water.

Through Jesus’ death one can have life, living water, and that water can nourish you for the rest of your life.  So what does this have to do with us, who have drank this water?  Wherever we are around other people, our attitude can affect the atmosphere.  At times, our personality can draw others to us, because of the love of God in us.  It can actually cause people to inquire why we are so different than others they have met before.  This happened once with my neighbor, who he and his wife wound up accepting Jesus Christ.

So I ask, what kind of water are you serving others, in your community, your workplace, or in your home?  Is it clear, refreshing, or is it yukky?  Does it quench those around you, or leave a bad taste in their mouth?  I hope, for their sake, they will desire the water you are serving up.  If it needs to be different then try using a “Jesus” filter, which infuses love into your words and actions.

Copyright © 2020 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved. 

Can You Endure?

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

050120Jobs have disappeared,
God is now worshiped online,
but Love endures.

401s have dried up,
social clubs perhaps have gone viral,
but Love endures.

School, now taught at home,
what jobs remain, are in the room next door,
but Love endures.

Hairstyles have changed,
celebrations have too,
but Love endures.

Handshakes are what?
Careful, stay six feet away,
but Love endures.

N95s are worth more than gold,
liters of water cost more than gas,
but Love endures.

Can’t go here,
can’t go there,
but Love endures.

All of this, because of an unseen villain.
Yet another unseen villain is denied to exist,
but Love endures.

As all the world is fighting Corona,
the other villain has already been defeated,
because Love endured.

Yes, Corona has come and will go,
as will Satan, you should know,
because Love endured.

When Jesus died upon the cross,
he became the perfect sacrifice for us all,
Because Love endured.

There is life after Corona coming soon,
there is eternal life after death if you accept Love, Jesus,
because Love endured.

Satan was defeated, by Love,
Because Love never fails,
and Love endured.

You too can endure to the very end,
by believing, and trusting in Jesus,
Because Jesus endured.

Hebrews 12:2 The Passion Translation (TPT)

2 We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

Copyright © 2020 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

God, Help!

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 8978Should it turn left or right?  Come to think of it, I have never turned the water off at the street.  The valve was hard to turn as well.  I got frustrated, and while looking down into the dirty, yucky, spider enticing hole in the ground I said, “God, I need help.”  I literally looked up, from the hole, and down the street, about three houses away, was a city water department truck.  I tell you the truth, the truck was not there when I started the task.  I walked to the truck and the employee drove down to my house and helped me.

Then, with the water turned off, I was ready to remove a leaking valve in the bathroom.  I could not get the valve to come off.  Again frustrated, “God, I need help again.”  I called a place, I trusted, to get a number for a plumber they trusted.  No one could come out that day unless it was after hours which would have cost a lot!  Then, the woman on the phone transferred my call to what I pictured was a grey haired pipe wrench turner wearing blue denim overalls.  I explained my situation and he told me what type of plumbing I had and how to fix it.  It worked.  No charge, even though I called back and offered to pay for their knowledge.

God does know you, and He sees where you are, and what you going through, but more than that, He cares.

He wants to help you, and He wants to bless you.  What loving father doesn’t want to do good things for their children?  If you have accepted him, then there should nothing holding you back from asking for help in your time of need, even for every day stuff.  Here is a scripture of God’s promise to us:

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” Psalm 91:14-16 The Message (MSG)

“Hey God, Thanks!”

Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.