The Shield

          The Shield

Come back with your shield,
or come back on it
for honor is not earned
through comfort or quitting.

The battle may tremble,
the night may roar,
but courage stands firm
where fear keeps score.

For some fight with weapons,
and some fight with prayer
yet both stand unbroken
because God is there.

So face every trial,
every valley, every test
not seeking the easiest path,
but choosing the noblest and best.

If you stumble, rise stronger
if you weep, let it flow
for victory isn’t just winning,
but refusing to let go.

So march with conviction,
with faith as your song
come back with your shield,
or come back carried true
but never come back wrong.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

Jesus Is the Reason for the Season

Amid the lights and holiday cheer,
Let us pause and make it clear,
The gifts, the songs, the joyful feast,
Point to the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Not silver, nor gold, nor worldly treasure,
But love eternal, beyond all measure.
A Savior born, a gift so pure,
For every heart, His love is sure.

The star that shone so long ago,
Guided the world to the love we know.
In a humble manger, a King was laid,
A promise kept, salvation made.

So as we gather this Christmas time,
Let His name in our hearts shine.
For all we celebrate, all we believe in,
Is because Jesus is the reason for the season.

MarkWaldrop

Once an Outlaw

        Once an Outlaw

I hunted down every outlaw
that crossed my line of sight—
chasing shadows of old memories,
restless days and sleepless nights.

The desert winds kept whisperin’,

“Boy, you can’t outrun your past,”

but stubborn hearts are slow to learn,
and trouble always rides in fast.

Nowhere left to turn,
no friendly trail to follow,
just dust beneath my boots
and pride that’s grown too hollow.

Most days I kept to darkness,
living quiet, laying low
haunted by the choices made
and the seeds I helped to sow.

But somewhere in the silence,
as the moon began to glow,
my soul cried out in tremblin’ words

“Lord… help me before I go.”

Because even the hardest drifter,
beneath the scars and grit and steel,
still hopes there’s grace enough for him
a place where broken hearts can heal.

So I stand here with hands open,
no guns, no lies, no show
just a weary man asking mercy…
Oh Lord… help me before I go.

MarkWaldrop

IN THE LAST DAYS



🕊️IN THE LAST DAYS 🕊️
by Mark C. Waldrop

The Lord is pouring His Spirit out
in these final, trembling days
and hearts once cold are burning,
and silent lips now praise.

Dreams are stirring in the weary,
visions rise in young and old
and the Gospel flame grows brighter
as the ancient words unfold.

Chains are breaking in the shadows,
truth is marching through the land
for the Spirit of the Living God
is moving by His sovereign hand.

Prodigals are turning homeward,
the broken lift their heads
and the thirsty find their filling
where His living waters spread.

Signs remind us time is closing,
but fear has lost its voice
for the Bride is being readied
and the heavens soon rejoice.

So let the trumpet echo softly
through every soul awake
The Lord is pouring His Spirit out
His promise no man can break.

And when the sky splits open,
and the King of Glory comes
every knee shall bow before Him,
and every tongue proclaim:

Jesus is Lord
forever the same.

Jol 2:28  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

Hallelujah

        Hallelujah

When the morning breaks with mercy,
and the darkness runs from light
when hope returns like sunrise glowing
after a long and restless night
Hallelujah.

When tears fall soft but healing,
and the heart begins to mend
when grace steps in and whispers,
“This is not where it will end”
Hallelujah.

When mountains finally crumble,
and chains fall to the ground
when freedom sings its victory
in a voice both soft and loud
Hallelujah.

When we don’t yet see the answer,
but we trust the One who knows
when faith stands firm in silence
as the unseen blessing grows
Hallelujah.

For every breath,
for every trial,
for the triumphs still in view
for the God who walks beside us
and makes all things good and new
Hallelujah.

Rev 19:1  “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

A Way of Life

           A Way of Life

Thanksgiving isn’t just a Thursday
with turkey, laughter, and pie
it’s a posture of the heart,
a way of living under God’s sky.

It’s not limited to one moment,
one prayer before we eat;
it’s found in quiet mornings,
and in every heartbeat.

It’s waking with gratitude
for breath we didn’t earn,
for lessons wrapped in hardship,
for the wisdom we discern.

It’s giving thanks for family,
for friends both near and far,
for every simple blessing
that reminds us who we are.

It’s praising God in sunshine,
and trusting Him in rain,
it’s finding joy in laughter
and purpose even in pain.

For Thanksgiving is not a calendar date
not something that appears then disappears;
it’s a daily offering of gratefulness
carried throughout the years.

So may our hearts stay thankful always
in every season, calm or strife—
for Thanksgiving is not one day a year…
it’s a way of life

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Here’s a poem for that beautiful thought:

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

🤍 HUGS🤍

            🤍 HUGS🤍
Helping Us Grow Spiritually

A hug isn’t just arms around shoulders,
or warmth for a passing day
sometimes it’s heaven whispering gently,
“Child, I’m with you—come what may.”

For hugs can come through people,
or prayers we never hear,
through friends who step beside us
when the road is steep or unclear.

They lift a heart that’s weary,
they calm a trembling soul,
they remind us we are treasured
and that God can make us whole.

When life feels heavy and lonely,
and the journey seems too long,
a hug speaks what words cannot
“You’re seen, you’re safe, stay strong.”

So may we give them freely,
to the broken and the blessed,
for in loving one another
we do what Jesus taught best.

Because hugs aren’t just comfort
they’re ministry in disguise;
they’re grace wrapped in kindness,
and love no heart denies.

So let every embrace remind us,
in joy or adversity
that God uses simple moments
to grow us spiritually. 🤍🙏

Jhn 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

A Place for Jesus

🦃 A Place for Jesus 🦃

Whether you gather as one
or twenty-one around the spread,
whether the table is simple
or filled with pie, blessing, and bread
there’s something far greater than turkey,
far sweeter than pumpkin or rolls:
it’s the presence of Christ at the table,
the One who nourishes souls.

For Thanksgiving isn’t the number,
or how fancy the china may be
it’s hearts that remember God’s goodness,
and voices lifted gratefully.

Some homes echo laughter like music,
some sit quiet in peace and grace,
but every home becomes holy
when Jesus is given a place.

Set Him a seat in the center,
not just the edge of the day
invite Him into the moment,
into the meal, into your praise.

For blessings feel fuller with Jesus,
and gratitude deepens and grows
when the Giver is honored first gently
before the blessing flows.

So whether your home is crowded
or you hold this day quietly still,
let Thanksgiving be more than tradition
let it be worship
and God’s will.

Because the table is never empty
when Christ is invited to stay
and the heart is forever richer
when Jesus is honored
today.

For God’s Honor and Glory

Mark C Waldrop

Not a Hoof Left Behind

Not a Hoof Left Behind

Pharaoh tried to shake my faith,
to make me fear, to hesitate.
He thought his power could confine
what God had promised would be mine.

He tested strength, he tested will,
tried bending truth with threats and skill.
But when the Lord’s command aligned
I left not one small hoof behind.

For when God speaks, His word is sure,
His plan is mighty, strong, and pure.
No piece forgotten, no heart resigned
no sheep, no ox, no hoof behind.

So now I stand with faith restored,
trusting fully in the Lord.
For victory comes when hearts combine
with God, we leave no hoof behind.

Exo 10:26  Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the LORD our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.”

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop

Stand Still



Stand Still

Stand still and let the world grow quiet,
let busy thoughts no longer riot.
For in the calm, when noise grows odd,
you’ll see the wondrous works of God.

Stand still and watch the sunrise bloom,
soft colors breaking morning’s gloom;
the mountains holding ancient sod
silent witnesses to God.

Stand still beside the ocean’s roar,
where waves have kissed the timeless shore;
each one obeys His staff and rod
a rhythm written out by God.

Stand still and let your heart agree:
there’s more than what your eyes can see.
In every breath, on every sod,
is proof of wondrous works of God.

So pause, be still, and lift your praise
for all His goodness, all His ways;
and let your awe be your applaud:
Stand still and honor God.

Job 37:14  Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

For God’s Honor and Glory

MarkWaldrop