“Dad, remember to tell people about how Jesus lived His life and how they should follow that example in the way to live their own lives. It will provide them with true purpose, and they would never consider choosing to end that kind of life. Thanks for listening”. – Braden
“Thanks for the reminder, son. By the way, we sure do miss you!” – Braden’s Family
The Internet is an amazing thing. From a practical standpoint, being able to search for most anything we need by simply asking Google, Wikipedia, or whatever search engine we choose is really unbelievable. Heck, we can even search for search engines!
Searches can be used to learn how to do something. Youtube DIY videos are awesome when you don’t know how to change a light bulb, for example (no offense to Texas Aggies). They can be used to share important messages like culture change. For example, readership of this blog is now active in 49 countries! Amazing! Very sadly, we can also use them for searches which can do harm. I won’t get into the debate of Internet usage. That’s possibly a later blog…
This is our fourth update. As mentioned in an earlier post, “Encouraged”, we have received so much favorable input, it’s overwhelming. Above, I shared the world-wide readership statistics of this basic blog. That’s not at all a brag. It’s not about the quantity of readership, but rather to acknowledge how so many people need more openness about the uncomfortable topic of depression and suicide. It’s epidemic, particularly with teens. That’s very concerning, while still it brings some hope in all this.
Today I feel led to share a post that is over due about clarity in our family’s purpose after the loss of our son. Specifically, it is about how our messages posted in this blog are derived. That is to say, the “Search Engine” we are using: The Holy Spirit.
Although the blog is called, “Braden’s Voice”, I don’t serve my role nor our family’s commitment properly without clarifying that the words you’re reading come from Christ, through his Holy Spirit. I’m simply the typist.
At 5:30AM on October 31, 2018 I ran out of tears for a brief moment. I said aloud (VERY aloud…. actually yelling), “Braden, what do you want me to do with this?” The answer didn’t come from Braden though. He was already enjoying the presence of God, far too busy being joyous to bother with the sadness of this world. The response clearly came from God. In that moment, I confessed having never totally surrendered to God’s will in my life, but that this loss finally broke me. Since I was completely incapacitated, I would grant God full access to the body He had created for His purpose rather than my own.
To me, “Surrender” means before stepping forward, backward, or side-ways, my family will search His direction FIRST. Then we will just do what we are told.
Through sharing openly, our prayer is for lives to be saved. Much more importantly we pray for lives to be MADE worth living in Jesus with a personal relationship which we should all strive for with one another:
Churches in our community have been the literal motion picture of the relationship described here. Too many stories and too many names to list, but if they are reading this: Our family has been changed by you. To our church shepherds who have “left the 99” to find one family of lost sheep, we are following Christ through you.
“Reckless Love” – Caleb Culver / Cory Asbury / Ran Jackson
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
You have been so, so good to me
You have been so, so kind to me
Prayer: God, we ask that you bless each reader, their families, and every shepherd looking for lost sheep.
Braden’s Voice 
Spot on Mark. I love it.
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I have a hard time being transparent in relationships. I do so appreciate when others are transparent with me. Thank you and keep writing.
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Break through what I call the thin, invisible, yet real veil called discomfort. When we do, there’s great and palpable purpose on the other side. Pray and try it. Guaranteed results. 🙏🏻
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These words are words we all need to hear. I’m so thankful you are listening to The Holy Spirit’s leading. ” He is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine according to His Spirit that is at work in us. ”
Ephesians 3:20
My heart is with you and your family every waking moment. And so is The Father’s! I know I can trust you to Him.
Love, Mom
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Mom. We’ve had many stories in my youth I can’t share here but know they made an impact on how we are moving through this. Thanks doesn’t say it. Thanks for holding my hand. 🙏🏻
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Mark, What your family is doing is beautiful. Thank you for sharing Bradens voice with us. God bless you all, Sherrie
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Thank you for taking a few minutes to read what is so deeply felt in this flawed vessel. Use it for good in whatever way you can. Tell your kids! 🙏🏻❤️
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