Answer to Questions

 The hate … mass shootings
 Suffering from disease
 Difficult days in the past 
 The future no breeze


For uncertainties
 Some have suggestions
 But Christ is the best
 Answer to our questions
 
   
 We think about things 
 Like why bad must happen
But get strapped in
For we have a captain
   

 We will make a climb
 Holding on to hope
 In order to endure
 And get up the slope
  

 Lord knows the plans
We can count on it 
 So be confident
 And never quit
   
 
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-21-2021
 Inspired by
 “This Day with God Devotional – Answer to Questions“
   

Ticket to Paradise

Photo Credit – Bing Images

 We face good times
 And some bad times 
 But there’s a way
 To make it all okay
  
  
 By receiving God’s love, 
 The love from above
 His amazing grace
 That we now embrace

  
 With confidence
 And as a consequence,
 There is potential
 Exponential

  
 A mighty power 
 For each hour
 That flows from up there
 That we all share

  
 So my friend … let’s pick it 
 For it’s the ticket
 To eternal life
 In paradise
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-14-2021
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Ticket to Paradise“ 

Refreshment and Energy

 Begin each day
 Asking what to do
 Accepting His love
 And starting anew

  
 For the race of life
 Like a long distance run
 Requires momentum
 For it to be done

  
 So use inspiration
 Learned from history 
 Of Christ’s sacrifice 
 To bring the victory

  
 Give Him the praise
 For what’s been done
 Spurred on knowing
 The battles’ been won

  
 Receive refreshment 
 All the day long
 With energy lasting
 To finish strong
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-07-2021
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Desolation to Restoration“ 

Desolation to Restoration

 Difficult days faced
 Going from desolation
 But things fall in place
 To restoration

  
 Because of the Savior
 I learn His ways
 To change behavior
 To give Him praise
  

 As I pray for help
 You will carry me
 To a place of joy
 And set me free

  
 In a sun-scorched land
 Needs are satisfied 
 Reservoirs of water
 Far and wide
  

 Like memories
 Of glorious scenery
 The power of grace
 Fuels my energy  
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2020
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Desolation to Restoration“
   

Ordinary Wise Men

 Ordinary Wise Men
 Looking up high
 Noticing a star
 Up in the sky.

  
 Experts in ancient text
 And astronomy
 Carrying out their job
 Methodically.

  
 Experts are good
 But take into account
 That God’s expertise
 Is paramount.

  
 Following the Way
 To align with God’s presence
 And receive instructions
 Towards excellence.

  
 By spending time with God,
 We stand under the spout
 Where the Spirit flows
 And blessings come out.
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2019
 Inspired by Sermon of Ryan Barnett – December 1, 2019
 Image Source - Bing Images 

Amazing Vista of Hope

   My hopes and dreams
 Have gone amiss
 So I climb higher 
 To this precipice.
  

 To a brighter future 
 Away from the cabal
 Where there is peace
 And joy for all.
  

 My thoughts proceed
 Away from all strife 
 For the Spirit indwells
 To change my life.
  

 For rather than
 A worldly legacy,
 I seek a personal
 Eternal destiny.
  

 Working each day
 To tell my story
 And focused on 
 Revealing God’s glory.
  

 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-17-2020
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Amazing Vista of Hope“ 

Make Every Day Count

 Victory is in sight 
 And we happily 
 Shout for joy
 Enthusiastically!
 
 
 The plans of God 
 Are forever 
 And with us always 
 In every endeavor.
 
 
 Abundant life now
 And forever
 In paradise
 For whomever. 
  

 Impacting our thinking
 Because there is a path;
 Momentum has shifted
 To overcome wrath.
  

 Stepping ahead
 With joy not sorrow
 As we follow the light
 Today and tomorrow.
  

 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-10-2020
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Make Every Day Count“
   

True Value

 His sacrifice 
 On the rugged cross 
 Did what the law couldn’t
 And there is gain not loss.
  

 A treasure forever
 That is spiritual
 With true value
 And not perishable.
  

 Taking away my debt
 I begin again
 With unlimited 
 Treasure to win.
  

 That is stable,
 More steady than the DOW
 For eternity
 And available now.
  

 Offering this treasure
 With a big grin,
 I share the riches
 Of this power within.
  
  
 Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-03-2020
 Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – True Value“
 Photo Source - "Bing." Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >. 

Final Victory

Thanksgiving is a time
For family and food
And an attitude
Of gratitude.
 

Football games are viewed
And our favorite teams
May not always win
But one team does it seems.
 

So be grateful
For this mystery
And how our Lord
Brings final victory.
 

Free from the demands
Of the written code
Because of the Cross
A new Way is showed.
 

Accepting this new Way
That God has provided
Doing the amazing
By being united.
 
 
By Mark Shields – © 11-26-2020
Image Source
 

Live Out the Good Life Today

Living out the good life
By accepting the Son
And looking forward
To all that can be done.
 

Accepting the fervent
Love of our Creator,
His amazing grace,
And unlimited power.
 

Celebrating today
With uplifting songs
Erasing yesterday
And righting all wrongs.
 

A fresh start today
Without criticism
Looking forward
With optimism.
 

A growing confidence
Beyond tremendous
For there is a power
Endless within us.
 

Poem by Mark Shields – © 11-19-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Live Out the Good Life Today“
Photo Source - "Bing." Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.