A thousand years of golden light,
Where pleasures flow and hearts take flight,
May soothe the soul, yet still remain
A hollow joy, a fleeting gain.

For what is wealth without His grace?
A shining mask, an empty place.
What is ease if He’s not near?
A whisper lost, a voiceless tear.

But one day’s pain beneath His hand,
Though hard to bear, is deeply planned.
For in the trial, faith is tried,
And in the fire, gold refined.

His love sustains, His mercy guides,
His presence never leaves our side.
A single day of trust and tears
Outweighs the wealth of endless years.

So let the world its riches claim,
Let kings and empires chase their fame,
I choose the path, though rough it be,
Where Christ alone walks close to me.

MarkWaldrop

Riding through the woods on a snowy day,
Nothing more pleasant, I must say.

The hush of winter, so calm and deep,
A world of wonder in slumbering sleep.

The trees stand tall in robes of white,
Glistening softly in pale daylight.

The soft flakes kiss my weary face,
Falling gently with tender grace.

Seeing my breath in the cold, crisp air,
My horse steps lightly with careful care.

He tosses his head, eager to roam,
Hooves crunching the path that leads us home.

Such great times to cherish and keep,
Moments that wake and moments that sleep.

The joy of laughter, the sorrow of years,
Memories linger with warm, salty tears.

MarkWaldrop

You can never hit a target unseen,
Wandering lost in places between.
A goal unspoken, a dream unclear,
Will fade like whispers we barely hear.

But set your sights, stand strong and bold,
Chase the vision your heart has told.
With faith and focus, take your aim,
Step by step, fuel the flame.

For arrows fly where eyes are set,
Through trials, struggles, and regret.
Yet those who aim with purpose bright,
Will find their mark in truth and light.

MarkWaldrop

"you can never hit a targer you don't even have"
Zig Ziglar

In every generation, near and far,
God chooses souls like shining stars.
He calls the faithful, strong and true,
To bear His light in all they do.

Through fire’s trial, they have stood,
Refined and tempered as He would.
The weight of Heaven in their hands,
A sacred trust—His perfect plans.

His Presence flows through purified hearts,
A flame that darkness can’t depart.
His Glory moves, a mighty wave,
Through those who live to serve and save.

The essence of Heaven, pure and bright,
Pours through their steps, a guiding light.
For they are chosen, tried, and true,
To bring His will to all they do.

MarkWaldrop

Go on ahead. I will catch up.
I’m not as fast as I used to be.
Time slows me down, but that’s okay—
I’m still plodding along,
Doing the best I can each day.

The road behind is long and worn,
The steps ahead feel slow,
But love’s not bound by time or pace—
It’s deeper than we know.

So go on, love. I’ll be there soon,
No matter how far you stray.
For love outlasts both time and space—
And I will find my way.

MarkWaldrop

I asked, “How do I break the chains,
Escape the dark, release the pain?”
The answer came both soft and strong,
“You’ve fought too hard, you’ve held too long.”

“In human form, we grasp and cling,
To every loss, to everything.
We fear to lose, yet fail to see,
Some weights will sink us in the sea.”

“Imagine now, your ship has sunk,
The ocean deep, your body drunk
On endless fights, on worn-out strife,
Still battling waves to cling to life.”

“But as the water pulls you low,
A whisper says, just let it go.
No more struggle, no more fight,
Just surrender to the night.”

“And in that stillness, peace is found,
The ocean sings, the fish surround.
The light above, a distant hue,
Yet darkness here feels warm and true.”

“No fear remains, just quiet grace,
As if in love’s most sweet embrace.
And when you wake upon the shore,
You find you’re whole, yet something more.”

“For in the depths where silence grows,
You touched the part that always knows—
The self untouched by past despair,
The soul that’s whole beyond repair.”

“The hardest step, to lose control,
Yet that’s the path to make you whole.
The fighter fights to stay afloat,
But freedom waits beneath the boat.”

“So trust the fall, release the past,
The storm will fade, the tide won’t last.
And in surrender, life begins—
Not in the fight, but what’s within.”

MarkWaldrop 

The soil is good for the soul,
A gift of life, both deep and whole.
With gentle hands, we sow and reap,
Harvesting blessings rich and deep.

The food it gives, so pure, so true,
Feeds the body, mind, and spirit too.
Golden grains and fruits so sweet,
A feast of love in every seed.

The rain may fall, the sun may shine,
But nature’s touch is most divine.
With every root and sprouting vine,
God’s own mercy intertwines.

So tend the earth with patient grace,
And you will find a sacred place.
For in the soil, both strong and free,
Lies the breath of eternity.

MarkWaldrop