Faith and Integrity

Meshing a pure heart
And a good conscience
Douses flaming arrows
Of evil existence.

The truth of the Law
Is our road map
To a destination
Away from the trap.

The grace of God
Provides the fuel
To get us to our
Crown and jewel.

Accepting Jesus
And then carrying out
The activities
The Spirit prods about.

In our daily prayers,
We are shown the Way
To overcome
The problems of each day.

Using the shield of faith,
Helmet of salvation,
Sword of the Spirit,
With grand expectation.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-19-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 1:18 through 2:7”

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Truth and Power

False doctrine taught
For personal wealth
Instead of the TRUTH
For spiritual health

Those who deceive
With own interest in mind
Gain for themselves but
Leave others behind

The TRUTH of the Word
Gives direction in life
The power to change
And overcome strife

A pure heart of love
Along with faith and hope
Gives much more than
Just how to cope

With the power of love
From Maker of nature
Let go of the past
And grab the future

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-12-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – 1 Timothy 1:1-17”

Our Hope

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

For the world can be
A corrupted place
Like a cancer
On the human race.

Awful relationships,
Neighbor against neighbor,
Child against parents,
Much to belabor.

But with the Light,
Old ways are wiped clean
And new improved ways
Come onto the scene.

Bringing more hope,
Optimism,
More believers,
Less atheism.

Bringing success
Over sorrows,
Providing for needs,
Brightening tomorrows.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 09-05-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 7”

Stepping On Cancer

The fight against cancer
Started years ago.
Inspired by a player
Who never went pro.

Freddie Steinmark
Is the players name
On the sixty nine
UT team of fame.

Six days after the
“Game of the Century”,
X-rays revealed
A brutal enemy.

A bone tumor caused
Leg amputation.
Twenty days later
He inspired the nation.

There on the sidelines
At the Cotton Bowl
Lifting up his team
And nation as a whole.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-05-2018
Image Source

This poem was inspired after watching the movie “My All-American” which is the true story of the University of Texas football player Freddie Steinmark who played on the national championship team in 1969. Six days after the “Game of the Century” against Arkansas, x-rays revealed a bone tumor in his leg. His leg was amputated but twenty days later, he was on the sideline with his teammates as they defeated Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl. He lived for another 1 ½ years until June of 1971. His fight against cancer inspired the U. S. Congress to write the National Cancer Act of 1971 which was signed into law and thus began the “War on Cancer”.

Please consider making a donation to my Relay for Life team “Stepping On Cancer” in memory or honor of someone. Here is the link.

https://www.facebook.com/384396825836333

Higher Standard

The world has low standards
But God’s standards are high
Coming down to us
From way up in the sky.

Spiritual assets
Take one far
Instead of a nice house
Or expensive car.

Worship the ONE true God
Accepting His mercy
With life changing power
To step ahead humbly.

Treating others fairly,
Doing things the right way
With kindness, respect,
And in what we say.

For the Creator
Of the beauty of fall
Made people his greatest
Creation of all.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-29-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 6”

Football Summer Camp

Putting in the work,
Getting stronger
To gain the edge
And withstand longer.

Discipline for winning
Takes some effort
But makes a team
Prepared for whatever.

To stick things out,
Going to great length
Gaining mental
And physical strength.

It wasn’t easy,
Not a retreat
In sending the team
Into sweltering heat.

Thirty eight survived
At this camp in Junction
And a close knit team
Was under construction.

The junction boys were the survivors of the Texas A&M football summer camp in Junction Texas under football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He wanted to toughen up the players so practice began before dawn and usually lasted all day in 100 degree heat.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-24-2019

Photo Credit – youtube.com

Something to Cheer About

The memory in the photo below was captured at a Carrie Underwood concert. She’s singing on a stage that looks like it is floating over the crowd. It took confidence to make that happen. Confidence in engineers and a production crew. As we embark on our voyage for the future, let us trust in our crew members and know that a greater power is steering our ship.

The King of kings
Cares for His people
Giving peace of mind
And making us gleeful.

Providing great strength
For our situation
With awe-inspiring
Devine intervention.

Stepping out in a new
Adventurous way
Powered up with
The Spirit today.

Courageous vision
And confidence
Where possible
Is no coincidence.

Even if trouble comes
Attempting to destroy,
Christ brings victory
And there is great joy.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-22-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 5”

Step Ahead Higher and Higher

Jacob’s Ladder on Abilene Christian University Campus

Step ahead higher
On the great adventure
Connected to heaven
And a more grand future.

Step ahead higher
With the Lord in control
So faith, hope, and love
Benefit the soul.

Step ahead higher
To an amazing day
When all are one
In Christ we pray.

Step ahead higher
Sister or brother
Living in peace
Helping each other.

Step ahead higher
Give it a try
On the stairway
Into the sky.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-08-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 4”

Led by the Spirit

Photo taken 06/04/2018 – Water Fall at Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs Arkansas

The actions of the past
Led down the wrong way
As many loved evil
And were led astray.

But life gave warning
And lessons were learned
So a new way was taken
And the old way spurned.

As the Word was read,
The Spirit did flow
And days became better
When evil was told no.

Battles were won daily
Without any limit
Fighting with the sword
Of the Holy Spirit.

By integrating faith
With a godly lifestyle,
The path was made clear,
The journey worthwhile.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-08-2019

Liberty Brings Victory

Always bring honor
To the Lord each hour
By speaking out against
Those abusing power.

For liberty, justice,
And equality
Received from the Lord
Give tranquility.

Defeat those who deceive
For together we can
By following the Word
The Lord’s game plan.

By fixing our mind
On what is honorable,
Right, pure, lovely,
And admirable.

Thinking about things
Throughout our days
That are excellent
And worthy of praise.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-1-2019