Is He Coming Back Soon? Let's Hope So...

It’s hard sometimes to not get caught up in the “worries of this world” isn’t it? I mean, who can ignore the pain this world puts itself through?

It’s also hard to argue that the stage is being set for the return of Christ. At least, that’s the hope we all have to cling to. The Bible makes it clear that in the end times two things will be happening at the same time; 1. the world will fall further away from Truth and further into darkness and 2. a revival like never before will sweep through the world.

In terms of the world getting darker I think it is clear that we are full-fledge into that process. Anybody with a brain would say it’s obvious. A recent walk through some recent headlines reveals the sad truth…

- Michigan woman gets 12 to 22 1/2 years for arranging for her boyfriend to rape her underage daughter. (Michigan)
- Cops Investigate Substitute teacher allegedly having sex with daughter’s boyfriend. (Wisconsin)
- Videotape supposedly shows suicide bomber 'graduation' (national)
- Man Molested 3-Year-Old At Grocery, Mom Says (Cincinnati)
- 130 Alleged Deadbeat Dads Arrested On Father's Day (Chicago)
- Trial date set for man who micro-waved baby (Galveston)
- Doctor sentenced to 58 years in prison for molesting stepdaughter (San Francisco)
- Officer left messages for mistress he buried in basement (Toronto)
- Woman charged with manslaughter after running over boyfriend with car (Anchorage)
- Priest sentenced for aiding rape (The UK)
- Woman convicted of taped sex with boy (Orlando)
- Police: Mom Stabbed Son, 2, To 'Kill Demons' (Florida)
- 5-Year-Old Hands Out Heroin At Day Care (Buffalo)
- Michael Moore’s bodyguard arrested on airport gun charge (New York)
- Paris Hilton Is Bored...With 6 Days Left Of Jail (California)
- Bill Clinton: $10 Million Haul for Talks (New York)

And, these were just the headlines from TODAY!

The problem is that event number two seems to be lagging somewhat doesn’t it? In other parts of the world the Gospel is gaining steam and sweeping through the area.

But, in America? Well, we’ve still got people like Michael Moore, Paris Hilton and Hillary Clinton taking center stage. Not a ton of talking going on about Christ and it makes me wonder what we are doing wrong.

Let’s all agree, if those three continue to dominate headlines, we’ve got issues. We need to step it up and take the headlines back. I’m tired of reading stories like above.

Jesus, please…send revival and let it begin with me!

Lord knows we need it!

“When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:31


© 2007 J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."

Something Must Be Done

People say that having a child is the most amazing experience in life. It is at that exact moment, as those little feet and hands wiggle their way into this world that love in every sense is felt, understood and embraced. Only then can one comprehend God and His love. Only a fool could say such an experience is simply the logical progression of science, evolution, void of a Creator and Designer.

I know for me those 18 seconds, the time it took for both of my little angels to be pulled out of my wife's womb, literally changed my entire realm of understanding and perception. I immediately saw God, friendship, family and my purpose in a new light. I will never forget it.

But experiencing the joy of seeing life begin and the excitement of beginning to direct the journey of that soul does not have to end there. Across the world there are literally millions of unwanted children being tossed to the side. Some handed over to uncaring caretakers, some murdered through abortion, many left in dumpsters, or on the ground alone.

According to a recent story posted on FoxNews.com Asian girls are literally being slaughtered. "There is a little-known battle for survival going in some parts of the world. Those at risk are baby girls, and the casualties are in the millions each year. The weapons being used against them are prenatal sex selection, abortion and female infanticide — the systematic killing of girls soon after they are born. According to a recent UN State of the World Population Report, these practices, combined with neglect, have resulted in at least 60 million "missing" girls in Asia, creating gender imbalances and other serious problems that experts say will have far reaching consequences for years to come."

If your heart aches after reading that like ours does, then you know something has to be done. Imagine a little, helpless baby...in need of a mother's warming arms, in need of someone to help them begin their journey...instead being murdered on the spot or sent away to some home waiting with abuse and pain. This is not some horror movie script. This is really happening in our world.

Jesus calls each of us as believers to certain tasks in terms of reaching out and helping the fallen aspects of our world. Those that are considered the outcasts are those He seemed to connect with. Those who need love the most. He was the master of doing just that and He calls us to do the same.

Reach out to a widow, she is lonely. Reach out to those in prison, he feels worthless. Embrace an orphan, she needs a family.

It is time we all consider doing one if not all of the above. It's one of the marks of our faith. He makes that clear.

There is a world out there of unloved, unembraced, unwanted children. Little boys and little girls who should be laughing, playing, singing songs while being loved on, kissed and told they're the best. Yet, that's not the case by the millions.

Sure, we can wait on the world to fix the problem. But the problem exists because of the world.

In some form or fashion we need to help and here are three main ways we can:

1. Consider changing the destiny of a child by being open to adoption. Many are stepping up and doing so in the last few years. Christian singers and artists, celebrities, pastors and average Joe's. It's a process for sure, but it's not your life that should be the concern.

2. Financially give to someone you know that is adopting or support a good adoption charity. It can be very expensive - to the tune of $15,000 to $30,000 - but this should not be a barrier to reaching out to those kids. Plus, it's a direct way of knowing you made a real difference.

3. Pray for the safety and adoption of those children regularly. Prayer changes things and prayer provides protection and provision. Pray for those adopting and pray for their new child. They will need it. And, above all, pray for those globally that need a home.

My heart was overwhelmed with joy when I first saw Sidney and Chloe. We can't kiss them enough.

Now our hearts break for those little babies never even kissed once.

We're going to do something about it. Will you?

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 (the Message)

© 2007 J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."

Worth Writing About

I truly believe most people miss out on the life our Creator intended for them to live.
Lives are lived and lives are ended every day.
People miss the mark. Their lives come to an expected or unexpected end with God's dreams for them dying with them.

The Bible makes it clear that we are called to live our lives like Christ. So here is the simple question to ask.

What kind of life did He live?

Was his life characterized by normalcy? Did he "just exist"? Did he lay low, live a quiet unassuming life, ended by a simple funeral processesion through his home town? Or, was his life one that was marked by all things extraordinary? I think we all know the answer.

Christ lived a life that in every way was far from normal. Sure, he did and had many things any normal person would have - family, friends, fellowship, a profession, a childhood -and he likely worked, paid bills and paid his taxes. But, still. That was simply the flour in the cake.

Christ gave us all an example. A blueprint. A formual.

And he also gave us a task.

Take a leap of faith and seek out what it is God would have you do to make a mark on this earth. Ask Him to show you what legacy he would have you leave. Don't settle for the norm. Strive to reach beyond.

Change a life. Give beyond your means. Do something great.

Go beyond the job, the house, the 2.5 kids and the dog. It may be the American dream, but that's normal. That's average. Strive for more. With God's help, you can do it.

Be the best employee anyone has ever known. Be the grandparent people talk about. Be the student people admire. Be the church member your Pastor gets emotional over. Be the parent every kids wants to have. Be the leader your community needs.

Adopt a child. Save a life. Serve the needy. Visit the jailed. Love the unlovable. Do what Christ would do. It's really that simple.

If we are called to live like Christ, it means we should all be living lives worth writing about.

God wrote about David. He wrote about Paul. He wrote about Moses, Esther, Ezra, Peter, Timothy, Mary and Martha.

And, my guess is He is ready to write about you.

Make sure, you've got a story worth writing about.


"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
1 Corinthians 9:24-25

© 2007 J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."