An Hour Provides the Power

Photo Credit : specialgathering.wordpress.com

This day with God,
Give Him an hour 
And He will provide 
Amazing power.

To warm your heart 
For every day 
With a brighter future
Coming your way.

You may feel down,
You may feel worn out,
You may feel lonely
So give Him a shout.

You face many things
That create resistance
But this makes you stronger
To go the distance.

The next challenge,
Know it can be done
By handing it over
To the mighty ONE.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-13-2022
Inspired by
“An Hour Provides the Power”
Thought - The friends of the paralytic were so determined to relief his distress that they made an opening in the roof and lowered him down to Jesus. In what ways can you go the extra mile to help a co-worker, neighbor, or friend?
Music - Be inspired by songs like Unrestrained by Jeremy Camp and throw away the things that hold you back in order to gain the power to overcome the resistance. 

The Flowing Stream of Grace

The flowing stream
That springs from above
Comes to heal the soul
Out of His Love.

It is called grace;
The ever flowing stream
That keeps going,
Coming to redeem.

For everyone 
Is important
So never judge … even
Inadvertent.

Have a concerned 
Attitude for all
By encouraging
Towards His call.

Being led by mercy
Every day
And a mentor
Towards the Way.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 01-06-2022
Inspired by
“Flowing Stream of Grace”
Thought - Jesus took a big risk by helping the sick or needy. It shows how important each person is to Him and the concerned attitude we should have for those that are neglected by society.
Photo – the photo was taken at Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs Arkansas
Music - Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns

Sorting Out Priorities and Planning

Rise up early
Before the day begins
To know priorities
And seek some wins.

When thoughts are clear,
Concerns are sorted out,
Advice is given,
And there is no doubt.

To plan out next steps
And connect the dots 
Knowing the mission
By gathering thoughts.

To meet the challenge 
With a great defense
For the Lord is with you
Giving confidence. 

Insight received
With reliance
So step ahead
Against the giants.



Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-30-2021
Inspired by
“Sorting Out Priorities and Planning”
Thought - Christ rose early before the day began to ask for guidance, sort out priorities, and plan the day. This is something we should do so that our thoughts are clear and we step ahead each day in a positive direction.
Photo – the photo was taken at Carleen Bright Arboretum 
Music to add inspiration – Look Up Child by Lauren Daigle

All Belong

In our brokenness,
There is righteousness;
Something incredible,
Making us credible.

Overcoming strife
With a brand new life
And healing our heart
To give a new start.

With each breath of life,
We continue to thrive
And exhale praise
For His wonderful ways.

With eyes to peer
Ears to hear,
Patient in waiting,
Always observing.
 
Difficulties faced
Without haste
Within the stable
Where power was able.

As the impossible
Was made possible,
The supernatural
Made natural.

This amazing birth
From heaven to earth,
We can applaud
The power of God.

Birth of eternity
For all posterity;
Removing what’s wrong
So all belong.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2021
Inspired by Sermon Series “The Birth of Eternity”
Photo Source - "Bing." Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

Ordinary Shepherds

Shepherds keeping 
The flocks by night
And an angel appears
From the sky so bright.

Saying now is the time
To bring restoration 
And Good news for all 
In exultation.

Without hesitation,
They went to the manger
To find the Savior;
A real game changer.

Wrapped in swaddling cloth
In a humble place
Where all could enter
Like the throne of grace.

All were welcome,
There was plenty of room
To greet the ONE
Who could take away gloom!

For they came into
The smelly stable
Just as they were
But ready and able.

To share the Good News
And fill all with joy
Of God’s new plan
He would deploy.

So take courage this day
To share what you know;
Life experiences
And the light you glow.

Keeping your head held high,
Accepting His grace,
Giving glory to the ONE
That helps run the race.  

Continuing to do 
All the good things;
The things you always do
For the King of all kings.
 
Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-25-2019
Inspired by Sermon of Ryan Barnett – December 22, 2019
Image Source - Bing Images

Ordinary Joseph

Ordinary Joseph
Was used to fill a need
And with obedience
He would proceed.

For the Angel told him 
It was okay
To take Mary as wife
Even in dismay.

Joseph faithfully
Said yes to the call
Setting in motion
A plan for us all.

That God may dwell
Among us today
Emmanuel with us
Showing the Way.

More Blessings today
Ready to accrue
Because of God’s love
Saying yes to you!

Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2019
Inspired by Sermon of Ryan Barnett – December 15, 2019
Image Source

Ordinary Mary

An encounter 
Of the ordinary
Like Mary with God
Is extraordinary.

Giving more faith 
To keep on doing 
The impossible
In our pursuing.

To fulfill our life plan
Even when suffering
With fear or doubt
Starts to set in.

For the power
Initiated
In sending His Son
Has been activated.

In ordinary people
Doing uncommon things
By saying yes
To the King of kings.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-24-2019
Inspired by Sermon of Ryan Barnett – December 08, 2019
Image Source 

The Decision to Follow

Put on your shoes
And walk without excuse
Getting rid of the blues
By sharing the Good News.

Understanding the call,
Willing to install
Without any regrets
Vast spiritual assets.

Meeting with people
At the steeple
Or social distancing
But always witnessing.

Sisters and brothers
Sharing with others
Through music or art
And doing our part.

To escape the prison
Making the decision 
To follow and proclaim
In Jesus name.



Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-9-2021
Inspired by
“The Decision to Follow”
Worship Him today with the song Way Maker by Leeland. Jesus is the way maker, the promise keeper, the miracle maker, and the Light in the darkness. That’s who Jesus is and He’s here among us.

Patience During Difficulty

Facing the enemy
Who provides only strife
And sets me back
With hardships in life.

I never give up
Or become complacent
But just inspired
And always patient.

I keep on praying
And keep being spurred
As I keep on reading
God’s sacred Word. 

It keeps me going
With food for the soul
To meet my needs
And make me whole.

This day I take in
My daily bread
A resource forever
To help step ahead.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 12-2-2021
Inspired by
“Patience During Difficulty”
Thoughts – After being baptized, Jesus was subjected to the harsh environment of the wilderness and tempted by Satan for forty days. Knowing that Jesus underwent this prolonged experience in utter loneliness inspires us to be patient in difficulty.

From Simple to Amazing

Today is the first day
Of the rest of your life
So cut out the past
Using a sharp knife.

The Word of God
Is the sword to use
To pierce the negatives
You want to lose.

So organize
The lessons learned
To pass them on
And the tide will be turned.

To build up the nation,
Energize the people
Who gather together
Under the steeple.

Guided by the Spirit
With lessons engrafted
From simple to amazing
The plan has been drafted.


Poem by Mark Shields – © 11-25-2021
Inspired by
“From Simple to Amazing”
Thoughts – As Moses led the people out of Egypt, God guided them by a cloud much like the guidance of the Spirit. Today we have a chance to engraft the lessons of the Bible in our heart along with the experiences of life. We can take them, mix them with prayer, and step ahead to victory because of God’s plan for us.