Take 2

April and I joke whenever we see Liam Neeson in a new movie coming out. Before we know the real name of the film, we call it “Taken 27.” It seems Hollywood often creates sequels to successful movies. Seldom are the sequels even close to being as good as the first one, though. And the average movie buff perpetuates the problem by going to see it. The problem is they don’t know how to tap into the creative power of God, but that’s another blog post.

Maybe the movie makers keep doing the same movie until they get it right. I’m not sure. With most issues in life, there are no “do-overs,” “retakes,” or “sequels.” Well, on second thought, some people do keep repeating the same life choices and patterns. Sometimes, a person’s life choices can have detrimental results that can change one’s life forever. It is usually in those moments that they might say, “Boy. If I could just go back and change my decision.”

At the time of this writing, a corporate professional was recently caught on a “Kiss-Cam” with his arms around a woman who was not his wife. A day or two later, he resigned. You think he didn’t wish he could make a different choice?

Yes, life can be ruff if one makes a wrong decision. It’s also not very forgiving, and neither are people in general. When I worked for AT&T, there was a phrase that I always thought was rather odd: “If you do something wrong, people may not remember what you did, but they will remember your name.” It seems like those were the individuals who got promoted!

Living with regrets can be overwhelming. So may living with the results of bad decisions. I have certainly experienced both. You dwell on them too much, and it can bring about your demise. That is why I am so grateful to know God. He not only forgives us but remembers our sins no more. I figured if God can let it go, then why shouldn’t I? Why let my wrongdoing hold me back from being the best person I can be with God’s help?

When I screwed up and had to leave the ministry, I thought life was over. Like David, in Psalm 51:10, I cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Neither did I want God to cast me from his presence or to remove his Spirit. A few months later, a friend sent me a letter. No email back then. They wrote that God had given them a scripture for me:

I will build you up again, and you, (Mark Brady) Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Jer. 31:4 (NIV)

It has taken some time, years, but God has kept his word. I am still a pastor. It’s just my flock doesn’t meet with me in a sanctuary, and it’s small, but I have known for a long time, success in ministry has nothing to do with numbers. I am so grateful that God gives us second chances, or another take on life. “Thank you, Father!”

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Ps. 103:10-12 (NIV)

¹⁸ Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.