He Will Carry You Through

       He Will Carry You Through

Don’t be angry at God for the storm you face,
He’s not the cause—but your refuge, your grace.
The weight you bear, the tears you cry,
He sees it all—He hears each sigh.

When life feels cruel, and hope seems small,
He’s still your strength, the Lord of all.
Though answers hide and pain runs deep,
His promises are yours to keep.

He doesn’t promise skies of blue,
But He’ll walk each darkened mile with you.
Not every valley is meant to last,
But faith will guide you through the past.l

So lift your eyes, though the way is rough,
His grace is gentle, His love enough.
Don’t let your heart turn cold or blind
God’s not behind you… He walks in time.

Trust in Him when the night feels long,
He’ll turn your sorrow into song.
You’re not alone in what you do
Hold on, dear soul… He’ll carry you through.

Isa 43:2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For God's Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

What Must We Do

      What Must We Do

Violence begets violence—so cycles repeat,
Old wounds reopen on every street.
Anger returns where love once stood,
And peace is buried beneath what “should.”

What must we do in a world torn apart,
To mend the flesh and heal the heart?
We cannot strike and hope for calm,
Nor shout and pray for quiet balm.

We must begin where hatred ends
With open hands and listening friends.
With courage not to raise the fist,
But build a world where none are missed.

We teach our children not with fear,
But with the truth: all lives are dear.
We speak for those who have no say,
And walk with those cast far away.

Forgiveness is a heavy stone,
But it can raise a brighter home.
Justice wrapped in mercy’s thread
Can weave new paths where blood once bled.

So what must we do? We choose to start
With softer voice and braver heart.
For peace is not a passive dream,
But fierce and real—andours to redeem.

MarkWaldrop

“Don’t Be Sucked In”

“Don’t Be Sucked In”
by Mark C. Waldrop

Don’t let the little things steal your peace
Not every storm demands release.
Some battles fade with silent grace,
Not every slight needs to take first place.

This world is loud, with endless spin,
But we don’t have to be sucked in.
For though it’s soaked in sin and pride,
We walk with One who’s by our side.

The headlines shout, the tempers flare,
But truth still whispers in quiet prayer.
If we would pause and kneel and pray,
God will show us the narrow way.

Not in the chaos or the crowd,
But in His Word—clear, strong, and loud.
So guard your heart, keep spirit still,
And trust His timing, trust His will.

Don’t major in the minor things,
Or clip the grace your patience brings.
Fix your eyes on things above
Faith, endurance, hope, and love.

Let mercy win, let kindness lead,
Let go of every lesser need.
He’ll calm the waves, restore your view
Just listen close… He’s guiding you.

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

June 6

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
1 Samuel 20:42 (NIV)
“Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’ Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.”

Reflection:
The friendship between Jonathan and David is one of the most remarkable examples of loyalty, love, and faith in the Bible. Despite the fact that Jonathan’s father, King Saul, sought David’s life, Jonathan remained steadfast in his loyalty to David, knowing that God had chosen David for a great purpose. Their bond was so strong that they made a covenant before the Lord, entrusting their futures to God’s hands.

This moment in Scripture is a powerful reminder that true friendship is rooted in faith and loyalty, not circumstance. Jonathan and David’s trust in the Lord allowed them to part in peace, even as they faced uncertain futures. They trusted that their covenant, sealed in the name of the Lord, would extend to their descendants, showing us that God honors relationships built on love and faithfulness.

Our Father knows best, even in the midst of difficult separations and challenges. When we put our trust in Him, we can face life’s trials with the assurance that His will is greater than our own. Just as Jonathan and David parted in peace, trusting in God’s plan, we too can find peace in trusting that God will guide us through whatever challenges we face, protecting and blessing the relationships that honor Him.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of true friendship, grounded in faith and love. Help me to build relationships that reflect Your will, and teach me to trust You with the future of these bonds. Like Jonathan and David, may I always place my faith in You, knowing that You are the witness of all that is done in Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Application:

1. Reflect on Your Friendships: Consider the friendships in your life. Are they rooted in faith and mutual love for God? Take time to thank God for the friends who bring you closer to Him.
2. Strengthen Bonds in Christ: Just as Jonathan and David made a covenant before the Lord, seek ways to honor God in your friendships. Pray with and for your friends, and encourage one another in your faith journeys.
3. Trust God with Your Relationships: Even in times of separation or challenge, trust that God will protect and guide your relationships, just as He did with Jonathan and David.

A Lesson Left Behind

   A Lesson Left Behind

In a quiet restaurant, a son brought his father,
An elder man, weak, yet no burden to bother.
With trembling hands, his meal he ate,
Spilling crumbs that time would create.

The crowd around them whispered and stared,
Faces twisted, but the son never cared.
With patience and love, he bore no disdain,
For he knew honor blooms where kindness remains.

He led his father to cleanse and refresh,
Wiped food from his face, smoothed wrinkled dress.
He combed gray hair with a gentle hand,
Restored the dignity of this cherished man.

Returning to silence, the room stood still,
The son paid calmly and cleared the bill.
But as they turned, an elder arose,
A stranger with wisdom the moment chose.

“Don’t you think you left something behind?”
The son replied, “Nothing comes to mind.”
With a smile, the stranger softly spoke,
“A lesson, my friend, in every heart woke.

You’ve left a hope for fathers to see,
And taught sons what honor truly can be.”
The room, once loud, grew solemn and still,
A truth resounding, a moment fulfilled.

For what greater tribute can a child impart,
Than to care for the ones who first gave them heart?
The elders who sacrificed, who paved the way,
Deserve our respect every step of the day.

So cherish the hands that once held you tight,
For in their care lies a beacon of light.
A timeless bond, a love so true
What they gave to us, we must return too.

MarkWaldrop

To Fathers here and Above

      To Fathers here and Above
Father’s Day Tribute

To the dads who guide with steady hand,
Who teach us how to love and stand
Your strength, your grace, your quiet might
Reflect the Father’s holy light.

And to the One who reigns above,
Who fathers us with perfect love
We lift our thanks, our hearts, our praise,
For all You’ve given, all Your ways.

On earth or gone to Heaven’s shore,
A father’s love lives evermore.
So here’s to each, both near and far
A gift from God, a guiding star.

𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓒. 𝓦𝓪𝓵𝓭𝓻𝓸𝓹

 I Painted God a Picture Today

   I Painted God a Picture Today

I painted God a picture of my love today
And gave it to HIM for Fathers Day

I was embarrassed
It did not have as many colors as others I’d seen

He said
That’s the most beautiful picture that’s ever been
It made my heart gleam with joy

He said
You are such a loving little Boy

As time grew by and I grew older
My pictures have more color now

But the answer is always the same
That’s the most beautiful picture that I’ve ever seen

May 30, 2021
Mark Waldrop

The Giver of All

       The Giver of All

We often cling to what we claim
Our time, our treasure, even name.
We build and hoard, and plan with pride,
While God stands gently at our side.

We say, “This harvest, I have grown,”
Forgetting none of it’s our own.
Each gift we guard, each breath we take,
Is lent by Him—for Heaven’s sake.

He gives so we might pass it on,
To light a soul, to lift the dawn.
And when we yield with open hand,
He multiplies what we had planned.

It’s not the gold or grain we sow,
But love that makes the blessings grow.
The Spirit whispers, soft and true:
“There’s someone there—this gift’s for you.”

So let us walk with eyes aware,
Of need and sorrow, pain and prayer.
And trust that joy will overflow,
When grace through giving starts to flow.

Not ours to keep, but ours to share
The riches of His loving care.
For everything is His above
And He repays with joy and love.

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop

The Desert Yard

       The Desert Yard

Each morning, I pass that barren land,
Once green and soft, now scorched and tanned.
A yard that knew the bloom of spring,
Now silent, dry—remembering.

Why did the watering cease one day?
Did time slip in and steal away?
Did busy hands forget the care,
Or did despair hang in the air?

So too, the soul, if left unfilled,
Grows parched and weary, hope unspilled.
It doesn’t die—but turns to stone,
A silent ache, a hollowed tone.

Yet even hearts as dry as bone
Can drink again what Heaven’s shown
For mercy rains in steady streams,
And grace revives our buried dreams.

No soul’s too far, no ground too cracked,
For living water to bring it back.
So let us tend what lies inside,
And water well where love may hide.

For hearts, once hard, can bloom again,
With just one drop of Heaven’s rain.

For God’s Honor and Glory
MarkWaldrop