In battles fought, in scars they bear,
Veterans stand, a solemn prayer.
Freedom's price, they've truly known,
Their courage, a legacy sown.
Through wars and trials, they have stood,
A testament to brotherhood.
Our duty clear, to safeguard the gain,
For their sacrifice, not in vain.
Let gratitude be our heartfelt song,
For veterans brave, courageous and strong.
A pledge to keep the flame alight,
To honor them, both day and night.
MarkWaldrop
The greatness of a man, it’s not wealth or gold,
Not treasures amassed or fortunes bold.
But in the quiet strength he shows,
In the seeds of kindness that he sows.
It’s in his integrity, firm and bright,
A guiding star through the darkest night.
In words he speaks that ring with truth,
In wisdom shared with age and youth.
He leaves a mark on hearts, not things,
A legacy that compassion brings.
For riches fade, and fame grows dim,
But lives are changed because of him.
The measure of greatness is simple and clear,
In love that lingers year after year.
So may we seek not wealth or pride,
But honor that will long abide.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. " Bob Marley
You can’t love your country only when you win,
True patriotism roots much deeper within.
It’s holding fast through the thick and thin,
Through struggle and loss, through virtue and sin.
You can’t love your neighbors only when you agree,
When beliefs divide like a raging sea.
Love bridges gaps that words may not mend,
Reminding us all we’re kin, friend to friend.
In triumph or failure, in light or in shade,
The strength of true love never will fade.
For nations are built not on ease or consent,
But on unity forged from hearts unbent.
So stand by your country, your kin, your creed,
With love in the hard times—the times of true need.
For the greatest of honors, the noblest grace,
Is to love without judgment, to hold with embrace.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
2 Timothy 2:11
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;"
Reflection:
This verse from 2 Timothy offers a profound truth about our relationship with Jesus Christ. It encapsulates the essence of our faith: union with Christ in both His death and His life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we symbolically die with Him, putting to death our old sinful nature. This death is not the end but a transformative beginning, leading to new life in Christ.
Our Father knows that true life is found in Jesus. By dying to our old selves, we are freed from the bondage of sin and given a new identity in Christ. This new life is marked by hope, purpose, and a deep, abiding relationship with God. It’s a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth.
Living with Christ means embracing the fullness of His resurrection power. It means experiencing His presence in our daily lives and allowing His Spirit to guide and transform us. This new life is not without its challenges, but we can face them with confidence, knowing that we are united with Christ and empowered by His resurrection.
This trustworthy saying reassures us that our Father’s plan for us is perfect. He knows that through our union with Christ, we will experience true and abundant life. Our Father’s wisdom is evident in this divine exchange—our old life for a new, vibrant life in Jesus.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the profound truth that in dying with Christ, we are given new life in Him. Help us to embrace this new life fully, trusting in Your perfect plan and wisdom. Strengthen our faith and guide us by Your Spirit, so that we may live in a way that reflects Your love and grace. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
Embrace the new life that comes from dying with Christ. Trust that our Father knows best and has given you a life of hope, purpose, and joy in Jesus.
Some are headed home,
While others destined here to stay,
On Heaven’s wings, at sunset’s glow,
We rise, we soar, we drift away.
The skies alight with gentle grace,
A path beyond the end of day,
Where shadows fade, and sorrows cease,
And peace enfolds in soft array.
For those who stay, remember well,
In dreams and whispers, love remains
A silent bond, a sacred spell,
That bridges worlds, despite the chains.
But some are called, and some remain,
Each journey carved, each step our own,
Yet bound by heart, through joy and pain,
We walk apart but not alone.
So when the evening’s colors die,
And starlight graces dusk’s display,
Know that on Heaven’s wings we fly
Some of us home, some bound to stay.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Heaven is just a bark away,
A wagging tail, a joyful play.
Where paws leave prints in stardust skies,
And loving gazes never die.
A place where fetch goes on for miles,
And every day brings endless smiles.
A land where treats fall like the rain,
And old aches vanish, leaving no pain.
The fields are wide, the rivers clear,
With friends we’ve lost, now waiting here.
They run, they leap, they chase the day—
For heaven is just a bark away.
And though our hearts may ache with grief,
In memories, we find relief.
For love like theirs can never part,
It stays forever in our heart.
So when the night is calm and still,
I feel a warmth, a gentle thrill,
A whisper soft, from skies so gray
Heaven is just a bark away.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
When I needed a hand, I found a paw,
Soft and steady, without a flaw.
In silence you came, with eyes so true,
A faithful friend when skies were blue.
Through quiet nights and weary days,
You stood by me in gentle ways.
With every wag, a promise made,
In your warmth, my fears would fade.
A tender touch, a nudge, a cheer,
You sensed each doubt, each hidden tear.
No words were needed, just your gaze,
Guiding me through life’s maze.
When the world felt cold and thin,
Your paw was there, inviting me in.
A comfort pure, no need to speak,
A bond unbroken, strong yet meek.
So here’s to paws that heal and mend,
To the truest love a heart can send.
When I needed a hand, I found so much more—
I found a friend worth living for.
Created by
MarkWaldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
Scripture:
Matthew 7:11
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Reflection:
This verse from Matthew 7:11 is a profound reminder of God’s loving and generous nature. Jesus uses the analogy of earthly parents to highlight how much more our Heavenly Father desires to give us good things. Even flawed human parents know how to provide for their children, so how much more can we trust in the perfect love and wisdom of our Father in heaven?
When we consider our requests and desires, it’s comforting to remember that God knows what is best for us. He sees the bigger picture and understands our needs far better than we do. Our Father is not just willing but eager to provide for us in ways that align with His perfect will.
This promise encourages us to come to God with our requests, knowing that He hears us and cares deeply about our needs. It’s a call to trust in His goodness and to have confidence that He will give us what is truly good for us. Sometimes, this might mean that His answers look different from what we expect, but we can be assured that His gifts are always rooted in love and wisdom.
As we pray and seek God’s provision, let’s do so with the assurance that our Father knows best. He delights in blessing His children, and we can rest in the knowledge that His plans for us are good.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love and generosity. Help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to bring our requests before You with confidence. Teach us to rely on Your goodness, knowing that You always give us what is best. Strengthen our faith and remind us daily of Your unfailing love. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
Trust in the goodness and generosity of your Heavenly Father. He knows what is best for you and delights in giving good things to those who ask Him. Rest in His perfect love and wisdom.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop
Scripture:
Colossians 2:9-10
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection:
These verses from Colossians remind us of the profound truth about Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him. In Jesus, the fullness of deity dwells bodily. This means that Jesus is fully God, embodying all the attributes and power of the divine. Understanding this helps us grasp the magnitude of His authority and love.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are filled in Him. This means that we are complete in Him, lacking nothing because we have the fullness of Christ within us. Our Father knows that in our own strength, we are incomplete and often feel insufficient. But in Jesus, we are made whole.
Jesus, who is the head of all rule and authority, has the power to guide and sustain us through every situation. Trusting in His supremacy and His presence within us gives us the confidence to face life’s challenges. We are not alone; we are empowered by the One who holds all authority.
Living in this truth encourages us to rely on Jesus for wisdom, strength, and direction. Our Father’s plan for us includes living in the fullness of Christ, experiencing His love and power daily. This perspective transforms how we see ourselves and our circumstances, knowing that we are equipped and complete in Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the fullness of Jesus Christ and the completeness we have in Him. Help us to remember that we are filled with His presence and empowered by His authority. Strengthen our faith and guide us to live confidently in the truth of Your Word. May we trust that You know best and find our sufficiency in Christ alone. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
In Jesus, we find our fullness and completeness. Trust in His divine presence and authority, knowing that our Father knows best and has equipped us with everything we need in Him.
When politics rise and tempers ignite,
Let us not rush to argue or fight.
For family and friends are treasures we hold,
Worth more than opinions or stories retold.
Let us listen with patience, speak with care,
Set judgment aside, and show we’re aware
That beyond every view, every stance, every side,
Is a heart, a soul, a love that abides.
Hold space for the thoughts that differ from yours,
As if opening gently a set of new doors.
For behind each belief lies a life and a pain,
A story unseen, a hope or a strain.
Let kindness be louder than points to be scored,
With empathy found in each gentle word.
Agree to disagree if that’s what it takes,
But honor the bond that no quarrel should break.
In a world that divides, let us build a way,
To love past the lines that words can’t sway.
For when all is said and opinions fade,
It’s the heart and the love that will always remain.
Created by
MarkWaldrop