November 3

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotion: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Psalm 32:5
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"

Reflection:
Psalm 32:5 is a powerful reminder of the importance of confession and the assurance of God's forgiveness. When we acknowledge our sins and bring them before the Lord, He is faithful to forgive us. This verse teaches us about the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father, who knows our weaknesses and loves us unconditionally.

Acknowledging our sins can be difficult because it requires humility and honesty. It means facing our shortcomings and mistakes, and being vulnerable before God. However, this act of confession is not about condemnation but about healing and restoration. Our Father knows our hearts and desires to free us from the burden of guilt and shame.

When we confess our transgressions, we experience the profound peace that comes from God's forgiveness. His forgiveness is complete and transformative, allowing us to move forward with a clean heart and renewed spirit. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on our perfection but on His grace and love.

This process of confession and forgiveness is a continual journey in our walk with God. It encourages us to live in honesty and openness before Him, trusting that He always knows what is best for us. As we bring our sins to the light, we can experience the depth of His love and the power of His forgiveness.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace. Help us to come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our sins and seeking Your forgiveness. Thank You for the assurance that You forgive and cleanse us from all iniquity. Strengthen our resolve to live in honesty and openness before You, trusting in Your perfect wisdom and love. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Confession brings freedom and forgiveness. Trust in God's grace and mercy, knowing that our Father knows best and desires to restore and renew us through His love.

Two Kinds of Peace

Posted on by
Reply 
There’s a peace that rests upon the skin,
A quiet calm, where life begins,
In gentle waves and soft repose,
A hush that through the body flows.

It’s found in silence, soft and deep,
In starry nights, in tranquil sleep,
A breeze that stirs the morning air,
A stillness free from weight or care.

But then there’s peace within the soul,
A sacred calm that makes us whole,
Not bound by sight, or touch, or sound,
A grace that lifts us from the ground.

This peace transcends the fleeting day,
It holds through storms that come our way,
A trust that quiets every fear,
A warmth that says, I’m always here.

One peace is felt, as breath drawn in,
A fleeting balm on weary skin,
The other, deep—a holy grace,
A shelter found in Love’s embrace.

Two kinds of peace, like day and night,
One seen, one hidden, yet both alight.
Together they bring hearts release,
The strength of flesh, the soul’s true peace.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 2

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:8-9
"Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

Reflection:
These verses from 2 Corinthians remind us of the eternal perspective we are called to hold as believers. Our true home is with the Lord, and this understanding fills us with courage and hope. It reassures us that our lives on earth, while temporary, have a greater purpose rooted in eternity.

Living with the awareness that our ultimate home is with God should transform how we approach our daily lives. Whether we are physically present in this world or spiritually united with the Lord, our primary aim is to please Him. This means aligning our actions, thoughts, and desires with His will, knowing that His plans for us are always for our good.

The courage mentioned in these verses is not just about facing physical death but about living a life of faith and purpose. It’s about trusting that our Father knows best, regardless of the circumstances we face. We can be confident that He is guiding us and that our efforts to please Him are not in vain.

This perspective encourages us to live with intentionality and devotion, focusing on what truly matters. It reminds us that our earthly journey is a preparation for our eternal home, and every moment is an opportunity to glorify God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope and courage we have in knowing that our true home is with You. Help us to live each day with the aim to please You, trusting that Your plans for us are perfect. Strengthen our faith and guide our steps, so that whether we are at home or away, our lives reflect Your love and purpose. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Live with the confidence that our Father knows best, and make it your aim to please Him in all that you do. Remember that your true home is with the Lord, and let this eternal perspective guide your daily actions and choices.

Huck and Jim in Their Final Years

Posted on by
Reply
Mark Twain & John T. Lewis
In a quiet place, Elmira’s hills,
Where Twain and Lewis rest so still,
Two friends, one white, one black, we find,
In the company of time entwined.

One born free, a farmer’s son,
The other born where rivers run,
Each path unique, yet crossing here
Bound by respect, and hearts sincere.

When Twain’s kin faced a runaway’s flight,
Lewis, unflinching, braved the night,
Saved them both, at risk of loss,
A soul undaunted, a friend embossed.

A bond grew deep through words and days,
Religion, faith, and simple ways;
Twain’s books inscribed with warm intent,
To Lewis’ hands each page was sent.

And when Huck’s tale resumed its bend,
Perhaps it was this faithful friend
That brought Jim forth, not fear or shame
A man, not just a shadowed name.

Years after, on New York’s street,
A black man, white man, calmly greet,
In Twain’s eye, no spectacle near,
Only respect, undimmed, sincere.

He’d pondered race, the frail divide,
How law and custom shaped its pride,
In Huck’s and Wilson’s tales so bold,
A truth laid bare, a fiction told.

Now here they lie, in Elmira’s fold,
Two lives interred as tales retold.

Mark and John, side by side, rest
In friendship’s bond, forever blessed.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Taken from an article written by
Harlow Arquette
Member of Strange and Curious Things, Facebook

Peace in the Middle East

Posted on by
Reply 
What will it take, this fragile dream,
To calm the lands, let silence gleam?
Where desert sands and rivers flow,
Will seeds of peace find room to grow?

Years of sorrow, voices lost,
What price remains, what human cost?
Borders drawn by hands long gone,
Yet hearts still beat, and life goes on.

It takes the courage to forgive,
A chance for all to simply live.
To see beyond the lines and hate,
To let compassion navigate.

It takes a strength to pause and say
Let’s end the bloodshed here today.
To build a world where children play,
Not fearing bombs or endless fray.

The leaders’ hands, the people’s hearts,
Must work as one to make new starts.
With every prayer, each tear that falls,
The earth cries out, a voice that calls.

What will it take? Perhaps we know:
The will to stay, the strength to grow.
For in the soil of pain and loss,
May hope take root, and peace emboss.

So let us dream, and let us dare,
To plant the seeds with endless care.
For peace is more than just a cease
It’s every step toward lasting peace.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Few Times like This

Posted on by
Reply
Art by R. S. Riddick
I’m happy to say, as a kid I knew,
A few times like this, skies wide and blue.
Different hat, a dog at my side,
A horse beneath me, with nowhere to hide.

The world stretched open, quiet and grand,
With reins in my grip and dreams in my hand.
No rush, no noise, just hoofbeats’ song,
The sense of right where I belong.

I can still feel it, that gentle thrill,
The peace that held the air so still.
Exhilaration, pure and light,
A memory etched in morning light.

Different times, but the feeling remains
Freedom’s whisper across open plains.
Just a kid, yet knowing this bliss,
I’m happy to say, I’ve known times like this.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

Two Choices

Posted on by
Reply 
There are two choices that must be made,
God chose every soul that He laid.

To walk in His light and grace so true,
We must choose Him, as children do.

With a heart so pure, and eyes that trust,
We embrace His love, for it is just.

In every moment, with each breath we take,
Choosing His path, for His love’s sake.

For blessings flow from Heaven’s gate,
To those who choose Him and patiently wait.

So with the innocence of a child’s embrace,
We choose His love, His mercy, His grace.

Two choosings made, both tried and true,
God chose us first, and we choose Him too.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

November 1

Posted on by
Reply 
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 2:9
"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'"

Reflection:
The verse in 1 Corinthians 2:9 is a beautiful reminder of the unimaginable blessings God has in store for those who love Him. It speaks to the incredible depth and breadth of God's plans, which far surpass our human understanding and imagination.

Often, we find ourselves caught up in the worries and limitations of our daily lives. Our vision is constrained by what we see and hear around us, and our hearts are limited by our experiences and understanding. Yet, God’s plans transcend all of this. His preparations for us are beyond anything we can conceive.

This promise encourages us to trust deeply in our Heavenly Father. Even when we cannot see the path ahead or understand the reasons behind our circumstances, we can have faith that God is preparing something extraordinary for us. His wisdom is perfect, and His love for us is boundless.

Reflecting on this verse helps us to let go of our fears and uncertainties. It invites us to place our trust fully in God, knowing that He is orchestrating everything for our ultimate good. Our Father knows best, and His plans are full of hope and future glory.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible promises You have made to those who love You. Help us to trust in Your perfect plan, even when we cannot see or understand it. Strengthen our faith and remind us that Your preparations for us are beyond our imagination. May we rest in the assurance that You know what is best for us. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
God's plans for you are beyond anything you can imagine. Trust in His perfect wisdom and love, knowing that our Father knows best and is preparing extraordinary blessings for you.

The Road Ahead

Posted on by
Reply 
It’s not where you’ve been, but where you’ll go,
The dreams you chase, the seeds you sow.
The past may shape, but cannot bind,
For forward lies the road you’ll find.

Footprints fade on trails behind,
Their lessons stay, but don’t define.
Each sunrise brings a brand-new chance,
A step ahead, a forward glance.

So lift your gaze, let shadows fall,
It’s where you’re going, after all.
The journey’s yours to rise and steer,
A future bright, a path mad clear.

Created by
MarkWaldrop

The Ways We Choose

Posted on by
Reply 
There’s the way to do it, clear and right,
A path well-lit, in steady light.
A careful choice, a thoughtful turn,
Where wisdom guides, and lessons earn.

Then there’s the way not meant to be,
A winding road, no clarity.
The steps unsure, the outcome blurred,
A path where doubt and fear are stirred.

And then, the way you took that day,
The choice you made, come what may.
Looking back now, wish you’d known,
How seeds of regret could be sown.

But every way, each step we tread,
From things we wish were left unsaid,
Becomes a lesson, sharp and true
A guide to show what next to do.

Created by
MarkWaldrop