Tag: prayer

Gods and Idols

Mark Speed2 Comments

“Choose your worship wisely for there is only One worthy.” – Paul (paraphrase)

This has proven to be the most difficult writing since we lost our son, now seven years ago. Still, remaining true to the purpose of this undertaking, truth and transparency are vitally important to others still hurting and searching for answers. Through our loss, we remain convinced the only true God, discussed here can provide lasting fulfillment and healing.

I began the following post early last Sunday and later that morning, the preacher spoke on a similar topic. When the apostle, Paul first entered Athens to share his testimony, he noticed the streets were lined with sculptures of gods and idols. Ironically, those statues had been built by the people he was there to tell about his God. The one who had radically changed his own life.

Just two days after I had begun writing this post, our church shared devastating news involving the pastor, whom we love and call our friend. This message had suddenly become less coincidence than providence. Although the news at church was shocking, extremely painful, and damaging, it has become much too familiar. Specific details, however are not what is needed today. The story is far less important than its moral.

Grief is a palette of emotions. Ours is currently a blend of sadness and anger. Tomorrow, I’m sure will be mixed with something else. Hopefully, a little more compassion. In the days ahead, our family’s prayer is that today’s sadness will eventually be shaded by forgiveness.

Let’s face it, although many people deny the existence of God, we’re all worshippers.

The Bible tells the ancient story of a community of foolish Israelites who were lost for 40 years wondering in the wilderness. We’ve read about their repeated habit of creating man-made idols whenever they yearned for something to fulfill their needs. As their respected leader, many of those people probably idolized Moses. They became anxious when he left them even briefly. With neither Moses nor God visible, their faith also vanished.

Desperately needing something to fill their emptiness, they destroyed their blessings and formed them into what I call “little ‘g’ gods”. They chose to believe those man-made objects could somehow provide what they were missing. Ironically, such idols are as empty as the people who built them. Being impatient, selfish, and short-sighted, those Israelites were unwilling to simply trust, listen, and wait for God’s timing. Wow, that sounds too familiar.

Most readers of this famous story consider those Israelites idiots because God was clearly showing them signs of His presence and power throughout their journey. I can imagine God saying, “Hey, I just parted the ocean, isn’t that enough proof? How about this pillar of clouds to lead you, or the food delivered daily, dropped straight from the sky?” I once pridefully thought I would have been different but the sad truth is, without seeing God face-to-face, I would have been an idol-builder just like them. Heck, I probably would have been a sculptor.

What amazes me though, is even knowing how weak and selfish we are, God always remains ready and willing to forgive. That’s the “amazing grace” we sing about. He simply seeks an unconditional trust relationship without small print exclusions or exceptions. This intimate relationship is the only “worship” He seeks and which simultaneously fills our human longing. Those Israelites could never put such a God on a pedestal or inside a box. He’s too big. This God is The Creator, The Counselor, and The Savior, clearly evident yet only seen when we stop building or buying worthless idols.

When Paul had a personal experience with this God, it turned his life downside – up. He had been killing believers, yet in an instant, he became willing to die to save them. I’m certainly no apostle, but we do share some common ground. Each day of this life will be used to build up the “big ‘G’ God” I met seven years ago. He’s the One who doesn’t lead me to destroy my blessings but rather to count them… among those are my family. More lasting however is grace, hope, wisdom, love, peace, assurance, forgiveness, and eternal life.

In retrospect, when Paul noticed all those idols on the streets of Athens, might he have blindly looked past the one reflected in the storefront windows of himself? Yes, his legacy was world-changing, but he was just a man, passionately telling others about what God had done in his life. Over my years of company relocations and church shopping, I’ve come to learn we should never choose any human as our idol. More likely than not, most are good hearted and well intentioned. However, they all have one thing in common. They aren’t God.

Reader: You may have been distracted or even damaged by some idols you’ve chosen. If you feel empty and in need of a god worthy of worship, I can personally recommend the One who saved my life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for patience in our foolish ways. We worship the wrong gods which are all around us and yet You wait patiently for each one of us. We and thousands of others are praying for those harmed by recent events. Instead of reflecting ourselves, may we show others the image of God that Jesus showed to us. It’s in His name we pray. Amen


‭‭“You must not have any other god but me.” Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬ ‭‬‬

Unstuck

Mark Speed5 Comments

“Pop, I’m so glad you finally accepted the invitation… Welcome HOME!” – Braden

“I’m going to be in heaven with you!” – Braden’s Pop

Reader: There have been occasions when I’ve wanted to share about our dad’s life, but I respected his wishes for privacy. Now that he’s gone, perhaps the time is right. I’ve tried to condense these words while not diminishing their value. I’ve done my best and that’s all my father ever asked.

Before our childhood home vanished from time and decay, it stood in a cotton field on the South Plains of Texas. Our family recently gathered near that home last week to say goodbye to our dad, Merlin Speed. On August 27, 2025, their wedding anniversary reunion became a celebration of 70 years of marriage, a sad goodbye, and a tribute to our father’s life.

We will all likely occupy multiple houses over a lifetime, but to most people, “home” is considered that of our childhood. Those formative years serve as a lens on our worldview and can serve as a helpful source to later draw upon if our home was healthy. However, too often the lens is distorted by trauma, dysfunction, or abandonment. That was the case with my dad.

Dad began life in a converted chicken pen with no electric power and no plumbing. Their family moved within a few years, but the address changed more frequently than the calendar. He certainly wasn’t blessed with the kind of childhood home he would dedicate his life to providing. Although our home wasn’t fancy, I felt blessed. In dad’s passing, we aren’t as mournful as we are thankful.

The past few days have been full of remembrances. Memory Lane is so congested with stories, it’s difficult to enumerate them much less do justice in their telling. One sticks in my mind that now seems timely to share.

Farm kids learn best by watching and doing. We did a lot of both. After every rain storm, the routine was to jump in dad’s truck to go “check the farms”. It was less a matter of looking at the rain soaked fields than feeling a sense of hope for a successful harvest. On these crop tours, dad often considered it necessary to leave the pavement and venture down ungraded county roads or directly into the muddy cotton fields. Both options met with impassable paths only suitable for tractors or road-maintainers. Such roads were certainly not made for a Ford F150 pickup truck.

I watched in fear as his steering wheel would begin turning from a reasonably navigable road into a treacherous mud field. We all were thinking but never saying, “Why?” With few exceptions, we would become stuck to the bumpers with the tires spinning futilely in the red mud. Then, we’d watch in awe as dad gunned the engine forward and reverse, holding his mouth just right, occasionally using some choice words, and finally gaining traction. First it would move inches, then a few feet, and finally we’d be unstuck, able to continue the tour.

His truck never once became so buried that dad couldn’t clear it with sheer determination, effort, and inventiveness. He never recruited nor accepted help. Watching him do this enough times, I learned the unstuck skill and even recall my own son’s amazed admiration when I freed us from a mud slick while shooting guns on the outskirts of Prosper. A street sign now marks that spot at the intersection of Braden Lane and Legacy Boulevard.

I always respected dad for his abilities to “fix” broken things and his resilience in overcoming his childhood experiences. However, success in overcoming extreme hardship can have a devastating side effect called self-reliance. Much of his life, he leaned entirely on his own strength, abilities, and knowledge. At least he thought so. Fortunately, many friends, neighbors, and family saw hope and potential in our dad. Along with our faith-filled mother, an unknown number of others refused to leave him stuck. While he was spinning, they were praying.

For years, my own prayer was that God would speak to dad in words only he could understand. We’d all encouraged his acceptance of Jesus’ invitations, but pride is a thief and it stole a lot of his life. On October 22, 2023,, I received an unexpected but overdue call. I can’t recall the exact time but will never forget dad’s words. “Son, I woke up this morning and heard a message I can’t even explain. The words weren’t new, but their meaning was clearer than ever. It was like someone speaking directly to me”. Through his tears my dad rarely revealed, I heard him say, “Son, I’m going to be in heaven with you!”

The conviction in his testimony was certain and I’m fully convinced my father had finally been freed. He spoke of only one regret in having remained “stuck” so long in his pride. It had taken our father all his life to finally become unstuck, but he didn’t do it by effort. He had surrendered. Many had extended a hand to pull or push him through, but ironically, it was in giving up that finally moved him forward.

Our father’s view had finally become cleared from the distorted lens he’d worn so long and he was finally able to see Jesus. I’d give anything to have been there to witness their meeting, but I’m joyful in knowing our son watched it. In awe, I can imagine him reunited with his Pop who had finally become unstuck.

Pop and Braden

Reader: If this story rings familiar, we pray Jesus’ standing invitation is one you’ll consider accepting. Our dad’s story is testament to the fact that it’s never too late. A relationship is all He seeks and it’s completely free. Praying for those stuck today.

Alone Together

Mark Speed1 Comment
Hope Walk

“Our Father created us for relationship. Help people understand how vital they are to God and to one another.” – Braden

The Mom-Daughter getaway wasn’t on our family calendar because Caitlin had planned it as a birthday surprise a few weeks ago. These involve the standard girl activities with spa treatments, dinner, a chick-flick binge on Netflix, and overnight at a local hotel. Cait’s been excited, but I admit feeling some guilty pleasure upon hearing it was happening this weekend. After a busy few weeks at work, it would be good to have some peace and quiet. In moderation, I think being alone can be a healthy thing. For me, it might be the rare chance to do some mindless movie binging of my own, watching shows my girls don’t care to see.

Speaking of binge TV watching, my brother put me onto a series called “Alone” where contestants are flown into Alaska or some other remote location where they’re left to live alone with no one to help them. The show awards the winner a huge money prize for out-surviving the others. The producers only provide the most basic starter supplies and then leave the person in complete isolation. Each contestant is required to film and self-document their stay which can last a few weeks or several months. At any point, they can opt out by calling it quits which means they leave the show with nothing, but can return to civilization. The filmed vignettes are later compiled and edited to entice the viewer. If “bingable” is a word, this show fits the definition. It can be difficult to watch yet almost impossible not to watch.

Each person applies their own approach to surviving the harsh elements and without exception all begin their challenge with great confidence they, alone will outlast the others by relying solely upon their own abilities, strength, experience level, and intellect. Each person’s journey is certainly interesting, but one story stood out to me.

It was a father whose son was autistic. As this father’s personal story developed, I kept putting myself in his boots. We learn that his goal from the outset wasn’t to gain glory by winning the contest, but rather to get the funds needed to best help his child. As the weeks become months, the man outperforms the others and sustains very well physically. Then he begins to grasp what he’d been missing all along. Even more than money, his son needed his father. In the end, he finally learns that their relationship was far more valuable than money or anything else. Although it wasn’t shown, when the son saw his father finally arriving home, I can only imagine their reunion.

Recently, our local school held a district-wide event called the “Hope Walk”. Students from every school from elementary through high school joined together for a rally around a program called Hope Squad. No matter where you may live, if you parent a school student, work in a school, or have concern about school culture but haven’t heard about Hope Squad, you should. This is a uniquely impactful peer-to-peer program. It came to our district through the efforts of parents of children who we’ve lost and by the willingness of district leaders who are determined to proactively help stem the growing crisis of mental health in our youth.

When I woke that Saturday before the Hope Walk event, Caitlin was sick so Cathy had to stay home. I hesitated to go but something told me it was important. Honestly, I didn’t look forward to seeing the bright eyed and thriving teens. I tend to superimpose Braden’s face on theirs which brings a too familiar sting. Still, somehow I owed it to our son to be there in support of such a good thing. When I saw those teens that day, it was through different eyes. This time, they weren’t crying from grief, but with joy and sincere gratitude to God for delivering on His promise.

When I arrived at the football stadium that morning, I had been prepared to walk alone, but during the opening presentation, I noticed a neighbor standing nearby who was attending along with their two young kids. Later, I learned one had been elected to the Hope Squad in his school. Years prior, this family had accepted our invitation to walk with us for a similar community event and this time, they invited me to walk with theirs. It was amazing to see the turn out that morning but especially confirming to observe and to hear stories about how this program continues to benefit other kids. I think Braden may have actually been walking alongside me that morning, but if he was too busy in heaven, I am certain he would approve!

Learning about Relationship: We’ve learned a few very important lessons along our walk through this journey. Maybe these can be put to good use as parents and as people. Here are just a few of the big ones:

1) We ALL feel alone at times which is a normal part of being human. Being alone can be healthy, but isolation over time begins to rob us of what God intends. We can lose our way without others to walk with and to help us navigate life.

2) A healthy balance is important but finding, forming, and maintaining relationships with others (even just one) is a crucial piece in the puzzle of what is impacting today’s mental health crisis.

3) Since relationship is key, there is no suitable substitute for a personal and intimate relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ. He visited this world purposefully modeling the importance of relationship and by inviting us to know Him. He promised that if, instead of trying life alone, we choose to follow Him, we’ll find the only way to real and lasting truth. Most importantly, He will provide all the nourishment we need to have an abundant life.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

All We Have to Give

Mark Speed4 Comments
Lee and Sherry Sims

My friend wasn’t a millionaire but I always perceived him to be wealthy. He was fortunate to find a frugal help mate and blessed that she accepted his marriage proposal. Throughout their life together, Sherry worked to keep his spending in check, but he considered money as a tool primarily to be used for enjoyment of life and to help others in need. I could take a lesson from my friend. Ultimately, he gave others everything. Maybe that’s why I considered him to be rich.

I first met Lee in 1996. His friendship was just one part of a package deal. Before I met Cathy, she had a group of very close friends in the Kingwood, Texas area. They had been more like family to her and after we married, they would become the same to me. I found this group to be refreshingly strange. Something I’d never experienced. They were deeply connected (even the husbands) and equally committed to being there for one another, no matter the circumstances nor distance. They were fully transparent about life’s struggles yet unconditional, respectful, and supportive of each other. Very rare. I found it novel that when they gathered for a party or other occasion, instead of drinking, they prayed together. I came to soon realize how I far preferred their variety of parties to those I’d experienced in the past.

The most unusual thing I experienced with them was a shared sense of real faith and clear purpose… to reflect Jesus to others. They have certainly been a reflection on my own life. All to say, Cathy’s “family” was a package deal and an unexpected gift. That’s how I met my friend, Lee.

Over the years of career moves, we often lived on opposite sides of the state. Lee and I were both too busy providing for our families to connect as much as we later came to regret. Still, I knew Lee treasured his family more than anything in life. He kept his priorities of faith, family, and friends so tightly bound together, they were impossible to separate. Recently, he and Sherry had moved into a newly built home and they were blessed to spend time together with their whole family on a trip to Europe (compliments of Sherry’s brilliant way of managing things). That trip was only weeks before he left on a different trip. We recently saw Lee for the last time at his church where we joined with others to say our temporary goodbyes.

Before leaving us, Lee gave everything he had. Ultimately, he even gave his life while on a mission to help the Georgia hurricane victims. Following a planning meeting with several community and church leaders, he had been eager to finally catch a plane home. He excitedly called Sherry to update her about what God was doing and the plans he saw unfolding to build temporary housing for those left homeless. He told her that he would never say no when God needed him to do anything. He was determined to hear the words, “you have done well” by his Heavenly Father.

Before he reached the airport, a service truck also providing help for the hurricane relief, suddenly crashed into his rental car. Lee never reached the airport that afternoon and sadly, he wasn’t able to return to their beautiful new home. My friend had taken an unexpected detour to a far more beautiful Home.

In service to others, my friend had left behind a wife and two beautiful children, Ashley and Stephanie. As we hugged them, I noticed a familiar strength and determination in their eyes. I’d seen this in the eyes of my wife and daughter just six years earlier when we lost our boy. Knowing it ourselves, we encouraged Lee’s family to hold fast to their faith. We’re confident they will rebuild their lives stronger and will continue the legacy of serving others with even more determination. Lee spent his life on a mission for a higher purpose and those closest to him can hold confidently to the knowledge that they’re only apart for a short time. They are certain of a joyful reunion.

I’ve struggled to understand when I first heard of the loss of my friend why I didn’t feel sad. I was certainly shocked, but strangely I wasn’t sorrowful. This isn’t something I’ve wanted to admit, but it’s important and I’ve really struggled to understand. All my life, I’ve heard it said at funerals, “They’re in a better place” but to be honest, I’ve harbored questions about it, considering it to be a nice thing to say in an awkward moment.

It’s been six years now since we had such a loss and each day in my mind, I’ve considered the question, especially losing a child: “When we die, do I really believe we go to Heaven?” Through these years of hurting and healing, our family has only survived one day at a time by drawing closer to faith, not as a crutch to lean on but rather as a foundation to stand. I can’t effectively convey to anyone how confident and strong God has confirmed that foundation and His answer to my question. Heaven is indeed more real even than this world.

In fact, my confidence in the reality of Heaven has become so strong that my first thought about my friend wasn’t sadness, but joy (and to be honest, a little envy). Lee had lived a life starving to give everything he had for the Kingdom which I now know to be a real place. When those two vehicles met on a rural Georgia highway, I visualize Lee barging into Heaven with his face radiating with more joy than he’d ever humanly imagined. The first words I bet he said? “I’m home! How can I help?” But the reply, I believe was something he’d wanted to hear and nourishment to his hungering heart: “Welcome Home, child. Your work is done my good and faithful servant”.

Trey, Ashley, grandbaby Jackson, Sherry, Stephanie, and Lee

I thank God for giving me the unexpected and undeserved gift of friends like the Sims family and the package deal of many like them in our world. We’re blessed by those who choose to serve as a reflection of Jesus to others who need to meet Him face to face. They help assure those of us who have been lost that when we leave here, there’s a far better Home awaiting.

Readers– We can make a difference in our world by giving all we have to someone in desperate need. The opportunities are endless and the return on such an investment can never be matched.

Prayer– God, thank You for the Lee’s in this world. Please take care of those who are left behind while temporarily separated by death and renew our hope of an unimaginable reunion. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭

““His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭21‬

Fore-Giving

Mark Speed2 Comments

We all sometimes face perceived injustices or mistreatment by others. Our human nature is to appear unharmed while pridefully hoping for revenge. The Bible says we’re supposed to pray for our enemies and by so doing, we heap burning coals on their heads. Isn’t that just some kind of righteous revenge, though? I don’t know exactly what the coals are about, but hurting others can’t be what Jesus intended. Yes, we were probably done some injustice and momentarily it would feel satisfying to see the wrongdoer hurt, but would that jolt of justice bring about any good? Revenge only brings more damage. The Bible talks a lot about fire serving to heal or to cleanse. Maybe that’s where the “coals” come in? I really don’t know.

I have learned something too long misunderstood about Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, though. This word always meant just moving on and living with the injury. Being hobbled by a low blow yet standing up as if healed. I’ve come to realize that healthy forgiving is about “fore”-giving… before (or in most instances, without) the wrongdoer asking for it. In time and with practice, we can learn to “give” these perceived wrongdoings to God. Justice is His job, not ours. His concern, and His perfect plan will attach any justice if owed. “Fore-giving” in such a way is a wise, healthy, and humble choice. Forgiving in this way certainly kills pride. And wasn’t it pride that was the problem all along?

One of my daily prayers is for full healing. Not just physical but mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. I’m finally learning that to forgive fully, the role of “justice enforcer” isn’t mine. This job has to be delegated to God. Didn’t Jesus show this kind of love to the world on the cross that bloody day when He died be-fore we were even conceived? He knew our sin would otherwise be unforgivable. Betrayed by his closest friends, falsely accused and executed, yet completely innocent, Jesus chose to sacrifice not only His pride, but his life for ME. With His final gasp for air, Jesus was begging fore-giveness for us! That’s so amazing and beyond our capacity.
Most of our perceived harms are minuscule by comparison. Still, what would our lives, our families, our marriages, our communities, and the world look like if our prayers were FOR our enemies rather than AGAINST them? Check the daily news. Our way certainly isn’t working. Maybe His Way is worth a try.

PRAYER: God, help us learn to forgive like You showed us through your Son. To love those who do wrong against us. Help us shift our motivation from prideful revenge into unselfish healing. As we lead our families and live out our lives, help us model this so those watching can follow by example and learn that we must be both “fore-GIVEN” AND “fore-GIVERS”. Amen

Time to Heal

Mark Speed3 Comments

For readers who missed our most recent post, we’ve decided to take a slightly different direction. The purpose of this blog remains unchanged, but since faith in God has sustained our family through one of life’s most difficult experiences, it’s important to begin sharing more from this perspective. We believe this change to be a “next phase” in God’s bigger plan, not only for our own healing but hopefully for others in need. Posts will always be as honest and transparent as possible and some will certainly be difficult to share. As always, our prayer is that someone who is feeling no hope might find some here.

Over the past few years, some have asked what we’ve learned about healing. Certainly, there are many ways to cope with trials but most of them are unproductive at best and at worst, unhealthy. Having tried several of these methods, I can promise they don’t heal anything. They only do more harm and dull the pain for awhile. I did find one sure solution though. I can’t think of one practice more helpful in the last few years that has better served towards peace, comfort, and personal growth than through daily conversations with God. After all, how can any relationship exist much less thrive without communication?

Some people roll out of bed onto their knees to pray. I can’t quite manage that but I do head straight for a quiet place with a cup of coffee and a devotional of some kind. Bible apps are a great way to get the process started and early morning is best before the day gets busy. When we lost our son, I was off work for several months and my company was gracious enough to allow this time. It afforded the luxury of days without distractions or obligations. Some days I spent hours but over the years, life resumed and free time began to wane. Today, this quiet time can still be a couple of hours, but it’s usually around 15-45 minutes. It does require determination, but I’ve come to realize the intentional investment of this time first thing in the morning has yielded a huge return. So much that it makes keeping this daily routine much easier.

At 5-6AM, a daily reminder on my phone pops up as, “Time with God”. Some time ago after reading and praying, I began writing several “Foundational Prayers”. These do apply to my own life but they’re also universal. Each day, I read one or two of them silently or aloud. Speaking words may seem strange or feel awkward, but it helps to keep focused. These foundational prayers have yet to fail in helping me so I’ve decided to begin sharing them. Maybe a reader who needs some peace may find a little of it through these prayers. I sincerely hope so.

A Prayer When Life is Out of Control

In the healing process, it brings peace to remove myself from daily situations which are beyond my ability to manage. First, I ask God for the wisdom to realize when I’m taking back control because this tends to happen subtly over time. Secondly, I ask Him take my place in whatever the circumstance may be. He never has failed once to provide instant peace when I acknowledge that I’m finally ready and wanting to surrender by saying (and meaning it), “Father, not my will, but Your will be done”. I hope you’ll try these suggestions because they will help you, I’m certain.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today we pray against the Enemy’s lies. Pride is the most effective weapon used to steal and destroy what You made us to be. We willingly surrender control to You. Please direct our steps in life’s trials. Make our lives reflect less of us and more of You. Amen

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” – Mark 1:35

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬ ‭

A New Direction

Mark Speed5 Comments

Lost and Found

Although born with a natural sense of navigation, until about five years ago I was very lost. Too prideful, self-reliant, or lazy to read the map, I was searching for the right answers in all the wrong places. Sadly, it finally took losing everything to find it.

I’d make a lousy teacher, but on a Halloween night in 2018, in the shadows cast by the lighted window of our son’s empty bedroom, I had come to the end of myself. After a long war, a defeated fighter had become a willing learner. Over the years following that experience, I’ve been absorbing life like a dry sponge, re-learning how to stand again, now on a different and firm foundation. What began as a crawl became a walk away from one of the darkest places this world has to offer.

Seeing life through new eyes, not only do I more clearly see the results of many of my own foolish and destructive choices, I’m better able to recognize others whose paths seem all too familiar. They remain lost yet desperately looking for their way. For this reason I have felt led to serve if even for one of my fellow “searchers” through this blog.

A Change for the Better

We began journaling in December 2018 to benefit mutual healing for our family and others experiencing grief through messages of encouragement, hope, or help. I’m thankful for several friends who wisely encouraged our writing as it has also served tremendously in the healing process. Amazingly, to date over 90,000 readers around the globe have taken time to read and/or follow BradensVoice.blog. Thousands reside in distant places we never knew existed. Still, our target was just one person or family if it helped at all. Their name probably wasn’t Braden or Speed, but it could be.

Though our purposes for this blog and our nonprofit “BradensVoice.org” remain unchanged, readers may have noticed the content subtly shifting more towards renewed faith in God which has become our family’s sustenance. I’ve noticed this shift myself yet it hasn’t been done intentionally. More likely, it has happened by God’s design. After all, healing has been His desire and our prayer from the beginning.

I’m sure some readers have opted out by now as the messages may have become less palatable to them. Sadly in today’s world, Faith has become the only “F” bomb people seem hesitant to use. Still, I’ve come to believe faith to be the only real solution to every single problem we all face. Posts will be very honest and rooted in experiences of recovery. A map to The Way if that makes sense. Also, the hope is to become more of a two- way forum to share thoughts and experiences between writer(s) and reader(s).

After a lot of prayer and consideration, we believe this is the direction Gods wants to take. We are absolutely certain Braden would welcome this change for the better by using his voice to reflect healing instead of hurt. Our prayer going forward in this blog is that even one person who is lost and searching may be helped to leave their way and to find “THE Way”.

May God bless His searchers… there are so many.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭

Reader Participation

This is a new direction but we want it to serve actively. Your suggestions, comments, questions, or feedback are encouraged and privacy will be maintained. You may also prefer to submit anonymously. Please use the options available on this site or through email.

Email: Mspeed777@yahoo.com

Questions About Healing

Mark Speed3 Comments

“Keep asking God for what you want but then listen and thank Him for providing exactly what you need. Love you.” – Braden

Several months ago, a family friend suddenly experienced a seizure in the middle of an active and otherwise typical day. Soon after being admitted to the hospital, she was diagnosed with advanced and inoperable brain cancer. Prayers from the community poured out and following a relatively brief sequence of treatments our friend was deemed cancer-free. An awesome answer to prayer!

Sadly though, another friend was recently going about a completely normal day while spending time with his family. He began to complain of a severe headache and within a brief few hours he was gone, leaving a young family devastated and alone. When these events happen, our response is often the same. First come the waves of initial shock and disbelief. Then, soon to follow are the inevitable questions.

Why would such terrible things happen to such amazing and faith-filled people? How could someone so healthy and strong be taken in an instant? Both friends were living what many would consider to be the “perfect” lives. Successful careers, beautiful families, strong faith, very good health, and promising futures. How could they have such starkly different stories?

I could share many more personal experiences like these. Some prayers answered as hoped, but others seemingly ignored. Thankfully, I’ve witnessed my older brother, Randy’s healing from terminal cancer but sadly experienced the loss of our son, Braden to depression. Both were covered with the same quantity and sincerity of prayers, yet the outcomes were tragically different. We’re currently dealing with ongoing chronic health issues with our daughter who has lived a brief but faith-filled life, striving to recover emotionally from the loss of her only sibling. It’s not that anyone “earns” having their prayers answered, but if anyone was deserving she would certainly be on the list.

Admittedly, too often I rush to squeeze in a morning prayer time, listing mostly my own desires. I tend to scrimp on investing the time to slow down and listen. This week I took a few days off work for Spring Break which has allowed time to reflect and have conversations with God. I’ve arrived at a little more clarity as to why sometimes bad things happen to good people. By no stretch do I count myself as a good person but the question remains. Perhaps what I’ve heard this week in my prayer time may serve to help a reader or two who have their own questions about healing.

We humans were designed with imperfect bodies and a limited lifespan so sickness and death are inevitable. In this fallen world, God’s word says we’re ALL broken and in need of healing. Though some of us are really good at masking it, the weak spots are there and over time, they will inevitably begin to show. This broken condition has a name. It’s called being human. We are ALL born with it.

Even with their brilliance and extensive research, doctors are often at a loss as to what is happening with this human condition. Their efforts to heal are futile when the problem isn’t resolved with a pill or procedure. The Bible tells us God is The Great Physician but He doesn’t always heal our physical or mental illnesses even though we beg for it. In every Biblical story where healing occurred, not once was medicine a factor. True healing only occurred when God personally connected with the individual’s spiritual condition rather than the human condition through His son, Jesus.

When Jesus touched the broken, several of them threw away their crutches and others’ eyes were allowed to see again. Still there were a few who remained physically unhealed. In each case however, when the person fully trusted and accepted what Jesus offered, a new and abundant life instantly began. In each case (even when the person remained “disabled”) the way Jesus healed people served to reflect upon Him rather than upon them. Every story about Jesus healing brought glory to God no matter what the broken person’s circumstances. Now, that’s true healing!

Whenever I’ve witnessed physical healing of others around me, my faith has been confirmed. However, when I’ve observed lives which have completely been transformed, my faith is strengthened far more. It may be wise to re-think our questions about healing. Maybe by allowing our own brokenness to be used for God’s purposes, others might be drawn closer to finding the real healing they need. Rather than asking of God what we want from Him, we should instead be asking God what He wants from us?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we ask for YOUR will to be done rather than our own. May we serve to reflect You in this broken world. Please provide true healing for all of us who are broken. In Jesus’ name, Amen

”He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬