Through the stillness, a baritone calls, A voice that rises, and softly falls. With every note, a story unfolds, Of love unending, of grace that holds.
Then from the depths, a chorus swells, Two hundred pipers, their music tells— A tale of redemption, a hymn of might, A sound that pierces the soul’s dark night.
The bagpipes wail, their echoes soar, Through hearts and halls, forevermore. A haunting beauty, a sacred sound, That lifts the weary from earthly ground.
Amazing Grace, the timeless refrain, Of sins forgiven, of freedom’s gain. Its melody rings through the ages long, Uniting all in its holy song.
In unison, the pipes declare, The power of mercy, beyond compare. An ethereal power fills the space, A testament to God’s boundless grace.
And as the arena shakes with song, The hearts of many are carried along. For in that moment, heaven seems near, With every note so crystal clear.
A performance etched in time’s embrace, The sound, the spirit, of Amazing Grace.
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, 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.
A brand-new year, a hopeful start, Let’s embrace it with a joyful heart. Leave behind the weight of doubt and fear, For brighter days are drawing near.
With a positive mind and spirits high, We’ll spread our wings and touch the sky. Each challenge we face, a chance to grow, Through trials, our strength will always show.
Let gratitude guide each step we take, And kindness bloom in the choices we make. Together we rise, as dreams come alive, Hand in hand, let us thrive in ’25.
For every sunrise brings a chance anew, To build, to create, to follow through. With courage and love as our steadfast guide, There’s no mountain too steep, no ocean too wide.
So onward we march, with hearts so true, In ‘25, there’s nothing we can’t do. Let’s lift each other, and together we’ll strive, To make this the year we truly thrive!
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.
To live for the moment, to cherish the now, To savor each heartbeat, to make this my vow. The past is a story, its chapters complete, Its lessons are learned, its echoes retreat.
The future looms vast, with worries untold, A tapestry woven in threads of pure gold. But why should I fret for a time yet to be, When the present is waiting, as boundless as sea?
I’ll laugh with the sunrise, I’ll dance in the rain, Find joy in the simple, find peace in the plain. For life is a gift, too fleeting to waste, Each moment a treasure, too precious to haste.
So here’s my resolve, as the old year departs, To live for the moment—with all of my heart.
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.
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.
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.
