May I Come With Thee

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

Jesus died on the cross,
A criminal on the right, myself on the left,
The weight of sin upon us, heavy and deft.
The other, blind to grace, did not see,
But in my heart, I cried, “Lord, remember me.”

I was drowning in sin, lost and bereft,
But He turned toward me as I drew my last breath.
With tearful eyes, I asked, “May I come with Thee?”
And His voice spoke gently, setting my spirit free.

“This day, you will be with me in Paradise,”
His promise lifted me beyond earth’s ties.
I bowed my head, with peace in my heart,
And as my soul departed, I embraced a new start.

No longer bound by the chains of my past,
I entered His kingdom, redeemed at last.
In the light of His mercy, I found my place,
In the arms of my Savior, embraced by grace.

Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Choice Within

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

     The Choice Within

Why am I lonely? Why am I sad?
Could it be my fault, that I refuse to be glad?
Do I hold on to shadows, cling to the night,
When all around me is yearning for light?

Is it the pain that I cradle so tight,
Keeping me bound, afraid of the bright?
Do I shut out the joy, turn from its call,
Building these walls that do nothing but stall?

What if the answer lies deep inside,
A choice I must make, a place I can’t hide?
To open my heart, let hope find its way,
To release all the hurt and welcome the day.

For joy is a seed that struggles to grow,
When watered with doubt, it falters below.
But with each step of faith, each moment I try,
I find that the sun is still there in the sky.

So why am I lonely? Why am I sad?
Perhaps it’s time to choose to be glad.
To loosen my grip on the sorrow I’ve known,
And let love and light reclaim their throne.

Created by 
MarkWaldrop

Moral Leadership

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

The question of whether it’s better to have a moral leader advocating causes you dislike or an immoral leader advocating causes you like touches on the complex relationship between ethics, leadership, and values. Here’s a breakdown of the dilemma:

1. Moral Leader Advocating Causes You Dislike:
• A leader with strong morals and integrity, even if their causes conflict with your own, can often be trusted to act in good faith, consider different viewpoints, and make decisions based on principles. While you may not agree with their stance, their honesty and ethical conduct might foster a more transparent and accountable leadership, leaving room for constructive dialogue or compromise.
2. Immoral Leader Advocating Causes You Like:
• An immoral leader, even if aligned with your views, may compromise ethical principles to advance an agenda, possibly leading to harmful practices such as corruption, manipulation, or disregard for others’ rights. While they may advocate for causes you agree with, their lack of integrity can undermine trust and lead to negative long-term consequences, even for the causes themselves.

Considerations:

• Ethical leadership is foundational to maintaining trust, stability, and justice in society. Without it, even causes you support may be tainted by unethical means.
• Ends vs. Means: Do the ends justify the means? Supporting a cause is important, but if pursued through immoral methods, it can lead to unforeseen harm or undermine the very values you hold.
• Sustainability: A leader’s lack of morals may eventually destabilize their ability to lead effectively, while a moral leader, though advocating causes you dislike, may foster a healthier, more robust political or social environment.

Ultimately, a moral leader is more likely to govern with transparency, fairness, and accountability, even if their cause conflicts with yours. An immoral leader, though advancing agreeable causes, may erode trust, potentially doing more harm than good in the long run.

Mark Waldrop

The Power of Sharing

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

Grief shared is grief diminished,
A burden lightened, pain relinquished.
In whispered words and tearful eyes,
The sorrow fades, the spirit flies.

For when we lean on those we trust,
Our hearts can heal, as hearts they must.
In every tear that others see,
A part of grief is set free.

Love shared is love increased,
A light that spreads and is released.
In every touch, in every smile,
It grows and stretches mile by mile.

For love, when given, does not fade,
But multiplies in bonds we’ve made.
The more we give, the more we find,
A love that blooms in heart and mind.

So let us share both grief and love,
For both are gifts from up above.
In sorrow shared, we find release,
In love, we find our soul’s increase.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

I’m Waiting for You

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

I’m the one who’s always waiting for you,
Faithful and true, no matter what you do.
Your car, it hums a tune I know,
A sound that makes my heart aglow.
In a thousand, I could pick it out,
My ears, they hear you without a doubt.

Your steps ring out like a magic bell,
Each footfall casting its gentle spell.
Your voice, a melody soft and clear,
It’s the sweetest sound I ever hear.
When I see your joy, I feel it too,
For every smile, I’m smiling with you.

Your scent, to me, is the very best,
It lingers like a warm embrace in my chest.
Your presence stirs my every sense,
In your wake, there’s no defense.
Your waking up brings life to me,
A bond, unspoken yet heavenly.

I watch you sleep, in quiet awe,
To me, you are without a flaw.
Your look, a beam of radiant light,
Fills my world with pure delight.
Your hands on me bring peace so sweet,
In your touch, love is complete.

When you leave, my heart grows cold,
A void that only you can hold.
But I’ll wait here, day after day,
For your return, come what may.
For I am the one who will wait for you,
Today, tomorrow, my whole life through.

I am your dog, forever true.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

At the Potter’s House

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

“Go down to the potter’s house,” the Lord once said,
To Jeremiah, in his spirit led.
For some lessons in life, we must descend,
Not in our heights, but where we bend.

Down to the place where the potter molds,
Shaping murky clay with gentle holds.
For in our lows, we are made to see,
The work of the Potter in you and me.

The clay He chooses, though flawed and weak,
Is pressed and pounded, soft and meek.
For the Potter knows, with every strike,
The cracks will form, but He makes them right.

Are you being pressed against the wall,
Feeling broken, shattered, small?
Fear not, the Potter’s hands are sure,
He works with love, so we endure.

In our impurities, we often break,
But the Potter never makes a mistake.
With patient hands, He starts anew,
Forming vessels strong and true.

We are not thrown away, despite our flaws,
The Potter’s love obeys no laws.
With mediocre clay, He forms with grace,
Vessels to adorn His holy place.

Are you broken now? Rejoice and know,
In His hands, your beauty will grow.
Glazed and shining, you’ll stand one day,
A perfect vessel, shaped His way.

Created by 
MarkWaldrop

Taken from words of my friend
Ramon Tristani

The Christian Voter’s Guide

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

The process is vast, with the world in debate,
But God’s saving grace does not hinge on the state.
Parties seek power, they care for your vote,
Yet Christ’s love and mercy, they barely take note.

The pursuit of control can cloud what is right,
For the Christian’s calling is love in the fight.
Do not trade the Sermon for influence or gain,
For in that exchange, there’s little but pain.

If politics tempts you to judge or to hate,
Turn down the volume before it’s too late.
Bring salt, bring light, in this heated divide,
With grace, let the love of your Savior abide.

For splitting the Body over policies grim,
Is a wound far greater than any party win.
Vote with conviction, your conscience, and might,
But remember, it’s love that defines what is right.

More precious than victories, more lasting than fame,
Is a soul filled with love, glorifying His Name.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

God’s Prisim

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

Through the prism of faith, pure and bright,
God’s Light shines forth, a beacon of might.
Three sides reflect in perfect form,
The Father, the Son, the Spirit reborn.

God the Father, eternal and wise,
His love pours down from heavenly skies.
Creator of all, His hands did mold,
A world of wonders, both new and old.

God the Son, the Savior, so pure,
In His sacrifice, our hope is sure.
Through the cross, His mercy flows,
His love a light that forever glows.

God the Spirit, gentle and true,
Guiding us daily in all that we do.
His presence within, a whisper so near,
A flame of comfort, dispelling all fear.

As light passes through, the colors break free,
A spectrum of grace for all to see.
Through this prism, God’s glory is shown,
Reflecting His love, making it known.

In the Father, the Son, the Spirit’s embrace,
We reflect His light, His boundless grace.
Through us, His truth and love take flight,
Shining forever in radiant light.

Created by
Mark Waldrop

Life is a Poem

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Mark Waldrop

Life is a poem, I learned today,
In God’s rhythm, I do sway.
Each step I take, each word I say,
A part of His grand, divine ballet.

In God’s will, His rhythm I hear,
Drawing, drawing me ever so near.
A gentle melody, soft yet strong,
Guiding my heart as I move along.

As the pendulum swings back and forth,
So goes my life, from south to north.
Marching to time, a dance so true,
A song of love, composed by You.

In every beat, in every line,
Your grace, O Lord, does intertwine.
Life is a poem, pure and bright,
Written by You, my guiding light.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

The New Normal