The Choice Within

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     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

October 26

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop 

Scripture:
Hebrews 10:23-24
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."

Reflection:
In life's journey, it's easy to become disheartened when we face uncertainties and challenges. However, Hebrews 10:23-24 reminds us of the unwavering faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Our hope, grounded in His promises, gives us the strength to persevere without wavering. Trusting in His wisdom and guidance, we can navigate through difficulties with confidence, knowing that He knows what is best for us.

Our Father’s plan is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires or understanding. His timing and purposes are beyond our comprehension, but His love for us is steadfast. This assurance should encourage us to keep our hope alive and unwavering, no matter the circumstances.

Moreover, as we anchor our hope in God's faithfulness, we are called to encourage and uplift one another. By stirring each other up to love and good works, we reflect His love and faithfulness to those around us. This mutual support and encouragement are vital in our spiritual journey, helping us to grow stronger in our faith and more resilient in the face of trials.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness and the hope we have in You. Help us to hold fast to this hope without wavering, trusting that You know what is best for us. Guide us to encourage and uplift one another, stirring up love and good works within our communities. May our lives reflect Your love and faithfulness, bringing glory to Your name. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Even when we don’t understand His ways, we can trust that our Father knows best. Let this assurance be the anchor for our hope and the motivation to encourage others in love and good deeds.

October 25

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Hebrews 10:23-24
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."

Reflection:
In life's journey, it's easy to become disheartened when we face uncertainties and challenges. However, Hebrews 10:23-24 reminds us of the unwavering faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Our hope, grounded in His promises, gives us the strength to persevere without wavering. Trusting in His wisdom and guidance, we can navigate through difficulties with confidence, knowing that He knows what is best for us.

Our Father’s plan is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires or understanding. His timing and purposes are beyond our comprehension, but His love for us is steadfast. This assurance should encourage us to keep our hope alive and unwavering, no matter the circumstances.

Moreover, as we anchor our hope in God's faithfulness, we are called to encourage and uplift one another. By stirring each other up to love and good works, we reflect His love and faithfulness to those around us. This mutual support and encouragement are vital in our spiritual journey, helping us to grow stronger in our faith and more resilient in the face of trials.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness and the hope we have in You. Help us to hold fast to this hope without wavering, trusting that You know what is best for us. Guide us to encourage and uplift one another, stirring up love and good works within our communities. May our lives reflect Your love and faithfulness, bringing glory to Your name. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Even when we don’t understand His ways, we can trust that our Father knows best. Let this assurance be the anchor for our hope and the motivation to encourage others in love and good deeds.

October 24

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture Reading:

Mark 1:27-28
"And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 'What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee."

Reflection:

In the Gospel of Mark, we witness the power and authority of Jesus as He begins His ministry. His teachings and actions left the people of Galilee in awe, especially when they saw Him command unclean spirits, and they obeyed Him immediately. This display of authority wasn't just about His power over evil but also about the truth and wisdom He brought into their lives.

When we consider the theme "Our Father Knows Best," these verses remind us that Jesus' authority is rooted in His divine wisdom and perfect understanding of our needs. The people of Galilee were amazed because they recognized something extraordinary in Jesus—His teachings were not just words; they were transformative truths delivered with divine authority.

In our lives, we may face situations that seem beyond our control or understanding. We might struggle with challenges that feel insurmountable or questions that seem unanswerable. During these times, it's essential to remember that our Father knows best. Jesus, who commanded even unclean spirits, is the same Lord who guides us with wisdom and authority today.

Our Father knows what we need before we ask Him. He understands the depths of our hearts and the intricacies of our situations. His guidance is always perfect, and His plans for us are rooted in His profound love and infinite wisdom. When we trust in His authority, we can find peace in knowing that He is in control, and He is working all things for our good.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of Your authority and wisdom. Thank You for guiding us with love and understanding. Help us to trust in Your perfect knowledge and to follow Your teachings with faith and obedience. May we always remember that You know what is best for us, and may Your truth transform our lives. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

In moments of doubt and uncertainty, trust in the authority and wisdom of Jesus. He knows what is best for you and will guide you with His perfect love and understanding. Allow His truth to lead you, and find peace in His divine plan.

Moral Leadership

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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

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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

October 23

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop 

Scripture Reading:

James 1:17-18
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

Reflection:

Life often presents us with a series of choices, challenges, and uncertainties. In our journey, we may find ourselves questioning the circumstances we face or the paths we should take. During these moments, it's comforting to remember that our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us.

James 1:17-18 reminds us of two profound truths about God's nature and His intentions for us. Firstly, every good and perfect gift originates from Him. Unlike the shifting shadows of this world, God remains constant, unchanging, and ever faithful. His blessings are tailor-made for us, designed to enrich our lives and draw us closer to Him.

Secondly, God's purpose for us is rooted in His eternal truth. He chose to bring us forth through His word, marking us as the firstfruits of His creation. This signifies our unique and precious position in His plan, reflecting His glory and goodness.

When we face doubts or challenges, we can rest in the assurance that our Father, the Creator of lights, knows exactly what we need and when we need it. His gifts may come in forms we do not expect, but they are always perfect and timely.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the unchanging source of all good and perfect gifts. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and timing, knowing that You always have our best interests at heart. Guide us by Your word of truth, and let us live as the firstfruits of Your creation, reflecting Your love and light in all we do. Amen.

Thought for the Day:

Whenever you doubt or feel uncertain, remember that your Father knows best. His gifts and plans for you are perfect, and His love for you is unwavering. Trust in His goodness and let His light guide your way.

I’m Waiting for You

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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

October 22

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Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop 

Scripture Reading:
A Revelation 4:11 - "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Reflection:
In our journey through life, we often encounter moments of uncertainty, challenges, and decisions that leave us questioning the best path forward. During these times, it's comforting to remember that our Heavenly Father, the Creator of all things, holds us in His hands and knows what is best for us. Revelation 4:11 reminds us of the glory, honor, and power that belong to God alone. It is by His will that all things exist, including us.

This verse calls us to trust in God's sovereignty and perfect plan. When we acknowledge His supreme authority, we can find peace in knowing that nothing happens outside His control. Our Creator, who designed the vast universe and the intricate details of our lives, is worthy of our trust and praise.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your boundless wisdom and perfect will. Help us to trust in Your plan for our lives, even when we don't understand the path ahead. Remind us that You are in control and that You know what is best for us. May we glorify and honor You in all that we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Action:
Today, take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where you need to trust God's wisdom more fully. Surrender your worries and uncertainties to Him, and praise Him for His sovereignty and care. Trust that our Father knows best and rest in His perfect plan for your life.

Your Vote is You

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You are who you vote for, they say it’s true,
In the choices you make, your values shine through.
With each name on the ballot, a vision, a voice,
Reflecting the world you see in your choice.

You are who you vote for, a mirror of heart,
A part of the system, you play your part.
In the hopes you cast, in the trust you invest,
In a future you dream of, the one you think best.

You are who you vote for, in silence or shout,
A whisper of faith, or a scream of doubt.
But remember, in the end, the vote is more,
Than just a decision, it’s what you stand for.

Created by
MarkWaldrop