The Shepherd

The shepherd must walk where the sheep have trod,
Through valleys low and meadows broad.
He cannot lead from heights afar,
But stays beside where his people are.

The shepherd must smell like the sheep he tends,
Their cries, their wounds, their needs he mends.
For if his heart stays clean, untouched,
His flock grows wild, unled, unloved.

Through tangled thorns and muddy ground,
The faithful shepherd will be found.
Not clothed in pride, nor standing tall,
But stooped to lift the weak who fall.

For leadership that’s true and deep
Requires the smell, the touch of sheep.
To walk among, to bear their pain,
To guide them gently home again.

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

           Long Lines

Long Lines, what awaits at the end?
Is it worth the time and effort, my friend?

The answer to the question is both yes and no. 
For some, they would wait all day. 
For others, walk on by without delay. 

For Eternity, there is no line either way. 
Reservations are made way before the day. 

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

     I Love to Listen

I love to listen, soft and still,
To catch the whisper of God’s will.
The more I listen, the more I learn,
As hearts unfold and voices turn.

In quiet moments, wisdom speaks,
Through silent tears or joy that peaks.
Each story shared, each truth revealed,
Becomes a wound that’s gently healed.

I love to listen, to hearts and souls,
For every voice has deeper goals.
The more I listen, the more I see,
The thread of grace in you and me.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

If You’re Not Making Mistakes

If you’re not making mistakes each day,
You might be standing still, I’d say.
For those who try, who dare, who do,
Will sometimes fall—but rise anew.

Mistakes are proof you’ve stepped outside,
Beyond the fear, beyond your pride.
They mark the path where growth begins,
Where failure ends and learning wins.

So take the risk, embrace the fall,
For doing nothing costs us all.
But every stumble, every break,
Is just another chance to wake.

If you’re not making mistakes, it’s true
You’re missing life and all it grew!

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

    Greater Than That

Whatever the burden, the battle, the pain,
Whatever you carry in sunshine or rain,
Whatever the mountain too steep or too flat—
Remember this truth: God is greater than that.

When doubt starts to whisper and hope feels so small,
When fear builds a wall and your back’s to the wall,
When questions are heavy and answers seem thin—
God’s strength begins where ours wears thin.

For faith that’s untested may sparkle like gold,
But it’s fire that proves what the hands truly hold.
It’s storms that reveal if the roots have gone deep,
If your soul clings to promises God longs to keep.

So lift up your eyes when the valley seems wide,
You’re never alone with the Lord by your side.
Whatever the problem—no matter how vast—
God is still greater, He’s first and He’s last.

Trust in the testing, rejoice through the strain,
He’s shaping your heart through the trial and the rain.
And when you emerge with your faith shining bright—
You’ll know it was forged by His love and His light.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

My Soul Yearns for You
(Inspired by Isaiah 26:9)

My soul yearns for You in the hush of night,
When stars bear witness to Heaven’s light.
In quiet hours, when dreams take flight,
My heart still seeks Your truth and might.

At dawn’s first glow, I rise and pray,
For You, O Lord, at break of day.
My spirit longs with holy ache,
To walk the path Your footsteps make.

When justice flows upon the land,
And nations tremble at Your hand,
The hearts of men, both great and small,
Are taught to rise, and kneel, and fall.

For in Your ways, the righteous grow,
Like rivers cleansed by melting snow.
And in Your judgments, pure and wise,
We lift our eyes beyond the skies.

So in the night and morning too,
My soul will ever thirst for You.
Until the earth and all confess—
The Lord is Light, and Righteousness.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

What’s the most needed medicine for the soul?
Not found in bottles, nor in man’s control.
No earthly cure, no healing art,
Can mend the wounds that break the heart.

But there is One, both true and bright,
Who brings the soul from death to light.
The Spirit of Jesus, pure and true,
Will heal the soul and make it new.

No bandage binds, no potion heals
Like love that lifts and grace that feels.
He bore our pain, He took our place,
And fills our hearts with saving grace.

So ask not what the world can give—
Only in Him can the soul truly live.
The Spirit of Christ is healing’s goal
The only cure that makes us whole.

For His Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 

Pope Francis gave his all,
Mustering strength to heed God’s call.
Through humble heart and shepherd’s grace,
He bore Christ’s light in every place.

He walked with those the world cast low,
And taught us how God’s mercy flows.
With open arms and prayerful voice,
He made the weary soul rejoice.

Serving to bring Peace and Love through every land,
He urged the world to take a stand
To lift the poor, to mend the wrong,
To live with hearts both kind and strong.

Thank you, Pope Francis, for showing the way,
For leading with hope, come what may.
Your time on earth was deeply blessed,
Now in the arms of Christ, you rest.

Rest in Eternal Peace—your race is run.
Your crown awaits with the risen Son.

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop