The Narrow Way

Young or old, we leave this place,
But not all enter Heaven’s grace.
No angel’s wings are ours to claim,
For only through Christ can we find His name.

A father’s prayer, though deep and true,
Cannot bring Heaven’s gates to you.
A church’s roll, a baptism’s rite,
Won’t place your soul in eternal light.

No preacher’s words, no deeds of good,
Can earn the way, though we think they could.
The narrow path, the truth, the key,
Lies in the words of John 14:6, you see.

For Jesus said, “I am the way,
The truth, the life,” there’s no other way.
Repent of sin, believe, obey,
And walk with Him each passing day.

No treasures of earth, no worldly plan,
Can save the soul of mortal man.
But Christ’s strong hands can hold you fast,
And guide you safely home at last.

So cling to Him, His grace, His love,
And trust His promises from above.
Your journey ends where faith begins,
In Christ alone, forgiven of sin.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Jhn 14:6  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Always do Good

Always do good, let kindness lead,
Plant gentle actions like a humble seed.
Though you may not see the blooms today,
Goodness returns in its own sweet way.

A smile, a hand, a word of care,
Ripples of love travel everywhere.
What you give out will find its course,
Flowing back with a quiet force.

Believe it true, the circle spins,
Good deeds bring unexpected wins.
In times you need, a light will shine,
The fruits of goodness, a gift divine.

So sow your kindness, steady and sure,
Its blessings are bound to endure.
Always do good, it will come back through,
In ways unknown but deeply true.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Raging Fire

Uncontrolled fires raged close to me,
Flames consuming all I thought would always be.
I’m leaving it behind; I have to flee,
Grasping what matters most—my family.

Taking loved ones, pets, and treasures dear,
Praying through the chaos, trembling with fear.
The smoke is thick, the path unclear,
But faith sustains me, whispering, “I’m here.”

Dear God, thank You for sparing me,
For guiding my steps through what I cannot see.
Though ashes remain where my past used to be,
Open my eyes to the future You’ve planned for me.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Try Harder

Whatever you’re doing, try harder today,
Never be satisfied—bow your head and pray.

Walk a little taller, stand firm in His might,
For God gives you strength to fight the good fight.

Press on through the trials, no matter the length,
He never forsakes those who seek His strength.

When the road feels weary, lift your eyes above,
And trust in the power of His endless love.

So, rise every morning with courage anew,
For God walks beside you in all that you do.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Better Place

Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, in Plains, Ga. The 90-year-old Carter gave one lesson to about 300 people filling the small Baptist church that he and his wife, Rosalynn, attend. It was Carter’s first lesson since detailing the intravenous drug doses and radiation treatment planned to treat melanoma found in his brain after surgery to remove a tumor from his liver. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Jimmy Carter said with humble grace,
“I tried to make this world a better place.”
With quiet strength, he carved his way,
Through storms of night to brighter days.

A man of peace with steady hand,
He shown goodwill across the land.
From humble Plains to the world stage,
He wrote his name on history’s page.

He taught us kindness, the power of care,
To see each soul as someone rare.
He built with hammers, brick, and heart,
Giving lives and dreams a brand-new start.

A steward of justice, a friend of the earth,
He showed us all what life is worth.
Through decades long, his light has shown,
In every heart his seeds are sown.

Jimmy Carter, with faith as guide,
Brought hope where hopelessness would reside.
He tried, he said, and oh, indeed,
He met the world’s unyielding need.

So now we say, with love embraced,
You made this world a better place.
A legacy vast, a life well-spent,
Your name is carved in firmament.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

New Year Dawns

In battles fierce with vices, take your stand,
A warrior within, against the shadows grand.
Let peace with neighbors be your constant song,
Harmony that echoes, enduring and strong.

As the new year dawns, a chance to renew,
A better version of yourself, tried and true.
Forge ahead with wisdom, leave the past behind,
A journey of growth, in every step you find.

January 1, 2024
Mark waldrop

Created from a quote from Benjamin Franklin, in his December, 1755 edition of Poor Richard's Almanac.

Joy and Sorrow

Screenshot
In the glow of the twinkling holiday light,
There are hearts cloaked in shadow, longing for night.
For the laughter once shared, the love once near,
Now echoes in memories, cherished yet clear.

Some face the first of the holidays alone,
With aching hearts for the love that has flown.
Others, the last, with each moment they hold,
Precious as diamonds, more valuable than gold.

So as you revel in the season’s cheer,
Pause for the silent, the grieving, the near.
For joy’s bright mantle may not always show
The weight of the burdens others may know.

Be kind in your words, be tender, be true,
Give a smile, lend a hand, share what’s good in you.
For a small spark of love, a moment of grace,
Can light up the darkest, most sorrowful place.

This season of giving is more than a time,
It’s a chance to heal wounds, to soothe and to climb.
Together, through joy, through sorrow, we’ll find,
The strength in compassion—the heart of mankind.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Holiday Leftovers

After the feast, the table’s clear,
Yet leftovers linger, bringing cheer.
I thought I’d never eat again,
But hunger returned, as it always does then.

The turkey, the pie, the cranberry spread,
Flavors dance anew, though the meal’s long fled.
Somehow, they seem to taste better this time,
As if patience has seasoned them, oh so sublime.

Imagination turns scraps into treasure,
A casserole here, a soup beyond measure.
Thank You, Lord, for abundance and grace,
For meals reborn, no morsel a waste.

So here’s to leftovers, a second delight,
A testament to blessings, day and night.

Created by
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.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Man and the Birds

 The Man and the Birds 
(Inspired by Paul Harvey)

A kind and gentle man was he,
Full of love and honesty.
But the mystery of Christ’s descent,
To him, seemed strange and poorly spent.

“The incarnation makes no sense,”
He said, with logic as defense.
God becoming man to save,
Felt like a tale the faithful gave.

On Christmas Eve, his family went,
To church, in worship reverent.
He stayed behind with hearth aglow,
Unmoved by truths he didn’t know.

But then a sound, a frantic thud,
Shook his peace and stirred his blood.
At the window, again it came,
A muffled beat, a desperate aim.

He ventured out into the cold,
And there, a scene began to unfold.
A flock of birds, lost in the storm,
Shivered, seeking shelter warm.

His heart, so tender, swelled with care,
To save the birds from bitter air.
The barn! A haven, safe and dry,
He opened the door, the light held high.

But fear had gripped the fragile flock,
His human presence felt a shock.
He scattered crumbs, he waved them near,
But still, they fled in helpless fear.

“If only I could be like them,”
He thought, beneath the moon’s dim hem.
“To speak their tongue, to share their way,
And guide them to the light of day.”

Then from the distance, church bells rang,
A holy song the heavens sang.
And in that moment, truth took hold,
A story ancient, yet retold.

God became man, He stooped so low,
To guide the lost through blinding snow.
The man, now kneeling, bowed his head,
The bells’ sweet song, his spirit fed.

For now he saw what once was dim,
Why Christ had come to dwell with him.
Like the man and the frightened birds,
God showed His love through deeds, not words.

So on that night, beneath the star,
The man found God was never far.
And in his heart, a fire burned bright,
A newfound faith, a guiding light.

Created by
MarkWaldrop