Without Him, I could do nothing
All I wanted was to be something 

The more I tried the worse it became
Deep within me, I could feel the flames 

I cried somebody help me and show me the way
 I heard a gentle voice say Jesus is on the way 

Please please hurry I'm at the end of my rope
I'm afraid what I will do I can no longer cope

Then a feeling of Peace came from within. 
I fell to my knees crying thank you again and again

I now live a life without despair
I know My Jesus cares 

June 14. 2023
MarkWaldrop 

As the Saints go marching in
I see the faces of those on the BFN 

The faces of my family and friends
The faces of the homeless that met their end

I see the faces of the little children he loved so much
The faces of those he gave a healing touch

No rhyme or reason to those who God touched in His season
Thank You, Lord I'm in that number marching in for no reason 

Thank you, Lord, for sending Your Son Jesus to Save us from sin
That when we hear the trumpet call we will be praising about Name as we March in

June 13, 2023
MarkWaldrop 

In the echoes of a fading day, we stood,
A bittersweet moment, a bond understood.
With heavy hearts and tearful eyes,
We gathered, as time bid its goodbyes.
Our childhood home, a vessel of years,
Embracing laughter, sorrow, and shared tears.
A sanctuary of love, sheltered and warm,
Now stood empty, stripped of its form.
The walls, once adorned with our youthful art,
Whispered tales of joy, etched deep in every part.
Each room a canvas, a story untold,
Where memories danced and secrets were hold.
A picture we took, on the back porch we stood,
A family united, a moment of brotherhood.
Yet tears welled up, a dam ready to break,
As our mother's words pierced, a heartache to take.
"It's all empty now," she softly sighed,
Her voice trembling, emotions implied.
And in that fragile moment, we knew,
A chapter had ended, a farewell was due.
Fifty-four years of life's tapestry woven,
Each thread a memory, a treasure unbroken.
The price we pay for love's sweet embrace,
Is the pain of parting, the ache we must face.
But hope springs eternal, in moments of despair,
As we turn to our Savior, our burdens to share.
We cry out to Jesus, with faith so profound,
To restore all things, where love knows no bound.
For the next goodbye looms, in the realm of time,
To bid farewell to parents, cherished and prime.
The tears may flow, like a river so wide,
Yet in Him we find solace, our hope shall abide.
In the tapestry of life, memories we hold dear,
May they fill our hearts, and banish every fear.
For the empty house is but a vessel of the past,
But love and hope in Him forever will last.
So let the tears fall, let them cleanse the soul,
As we navigate the journey, towards the ultimate goal.
For in our Father's arms, our solace shall be,
An eternity of love, where goodbyes cease to be.

June 13, 2023
Prepared by
MarkWaldrop 

Taken from Our Daily Bread
June 13, 2023

I found myself the other day
I didn't know I was lost I say

How do I know I found myself 
I'm much happier than yesterday 

Where does this Happiness come from you might ask
It comes from my maker. I was hiding behind a mask

When I met God’s Son Jesus the false face was stripped away
His Love flowed through me forever to stay 

June 13, 2023
MarkWaldrop

Thank you, Father, for giving me a home in Your forever family
That through Your Son Jesus I will live throughout eternity

Without Your Love, I would be forever doomed
To a life here on earth an eternity of gloom

Thank you for Your Love that lifted me out of the miry clay
That I might share Your Love with others another day 

June 13, 2023
MarkWaldrop

The lavish rolling hills bring memories of yesteryear
Wildflowers blooming the smell of new-mown grass recollections so dear

Times were much simpler then there seemed to be less trouble all around
Fewer frowns many  happier faces much happier sounds all around

Frockling between the flowers the feel of prickly grass between my toes
Lying on my back gazing at the clouds
my mind drifting afar to who knows

I felt much more satisfied and content back then
The feeling of being carried for, I had many friends

Remembering days gone by tears come to my eyes
The good outlast the bad
God made it that way for which I'm very glad  

June 12, 2023
MarkWaldrop

In the realm of shadows, where darkness resides,
A hidden solace, a light gently abides.

When sorrow befalls us, in depths of despair,
This gleaming radiance, tenderly it's there.

Through tears that fall like raindrops in the night,
A glimmer of hope, a flicker burning bright.

For in the gloom, where sadness casts its pall,
A beacon emerges, embracing us all.

In moments of anguish, when hearts are torn,
The light draws near, its brilliance reborn.

It whispers softly, like a gentle breeze,
Guiding our steps with a comforting ease

It dances within us, a fragile flame,
Dispelling the darkness, naming no blame.

Its warmth touches wounds, healing pain's cruel sting,
Illumining paths where resilience takes wing.

For in the depths of our darkest plight,
A profound truth emerges, shining so bright.

That sorrow and sadness, though heavy they weigh,
Can lead us to grace, to a new kind of day.

In trials and tribulations, we find our might,
To rise from the ashes, to reclaim our light.

For in the depths of despair, we discover,
A resilience within, a spirit to uncover.

So let us not fear the shrouds of the night,
For the light of redemption is our birthright.

In sorrow's embrace, we'll find the strength to cope,
And emerge stronger, with hearts full of hope.

For truly, it is in the darkness we see,
The light that resides within you and me.

In sorrow's embrace, we discover the way,
To shine with a brilliance that never will sway.

June 10, 2023
MarkWaldrop
Respectfully submitted for Doc Holiday’s Sunday School Class 
June 11, 2023

Welcome to Arizona, The Grand Canyon State,
Where nature's marvels await, both early and late.
With landscapes so vast, breathtaking, and grand,
Come explore the wonders of this desert land.
In the heart of the Southwest, where sunsets ignite,
The colors of the desert, are a mesmerizing sight.
Crimson canyons carved by the hands of time,
Revealing secrets ancient, majestic, and prime.
The Grand Canyon is vast, a masterpiece of art,
A chasm of beauty that captures every heart.
From rim to rim, its vastness stretches wide,
A testament to nature's enduring pride.
Saguaro cacti, guardians of the land,
Their arms reaching skyward, as if to command.
They stand like sentinels, steadfast and strong,
As if whispering tales of Arizona's song.
Venture further, and you'll find Sedona's embrace,
With crimson-hued rocks, an ethereal space.
Vortexes of energy swirl and enchant,
Inviting all seekers to meditate and chant.
In Tucson, the saguaros continue to thrive,
Where the desert thrums with a vibrant drive.
With museums and gardens, a cultural domain,
Where history and art interweave, leaving a lasting stain.
And don't forget Phoenix, a metropolis of light,
A desert oasis, bustling, both day and night.
Skyscrapers soaring, against the desert's backdrop,
A blend of modern and ancient, an exhilarating hop.
From the Monument Valley to the Petrified Forest,
Arizona's wonders are boundless and flawless.
With painted deserts and a lot of  canyons to explore,
A playground for adventurers, forevermore.
So welcome to Arizona, where dreams come alive,
In the vastness of canyons, where spirits thrive.
A land of endless beauty, an adventurer's delight,
The Grand Canyon State is a true desert paradise.

June 11, 2023
Created by
MarkWaldrop 

My heart and soul are memorized with the Grand Canyon State
From the Desert to the Mountains Glorious scenes await

No matter where in the State 
The Presence of God awaits

From the Saguaro Cactus in the southern part of the state
To the Grand Canyon in the North, where Heavens Gate awaits 

The Red Rocks of Sedona is a sight I could never imagine 
A visit to God’s Creation certainly changed my passion

The Painted Desert with its multicolor shifting sands
The vibrant colors of the wildflowers 
my love commands

In no other state can you bathe in the sun at noon
Skiing on the slopes of the Snow Bowl or Sunrise by the light of the moon

No better place than I had rather be
Than the confines of Arizona for me

June 11, 2023
MarkWaldrop

Trust God in every which way
and continue to pray every day

To form this habit all through life
Will bring you close to God with less strife

Pray continually and listen more
This will reveal God’s Plan evermore

With God’s plan in plain sight
Your heart will be full of delight

Thank You, God, for sending your son Jesus
That Your Love sent through Him will save us. 

June 11, 2023
MsrkWaldrop