My Part of the World

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Mark Shields

The take away for me in the recent local news in my own community is how things change in such a short time. I guess change can be okay if it is for the better but sometimes it’s a little sad when the places we went to and created great memories are no longer there.

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After over six decades of Baylor University playing their football games at Floyd Casey Stadium, the main part was imploded last Saturday morning. Here is a link to an article about the stadium.

Also in recent news, Waco’s own reality TV stars, Chip and Joanna Gaines has bought the Elite Café. Here is the article: Magnolia buys historic Elite Cafe. The restaurant near the Baylor University campus was recently shut down after serving the community with fine food for many years. Elvis Presley ate there in the 50’s.

Finally, here is a cinematic vision of Waco, Texas: Waco Tourism Video Link. My neighbor was asked to direct, produce, shoot and edit this video. 



The take away for me in the local news in my own community is how things change but that’s okay if it is for the better. Even though the old stadium was imploded, Baylor has…

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Gratitude – The Password to God’s Presence

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Mark Shields

The seventh message in the sermon series titled “Never-Never Land” was presented last weekend at the church I worship at. The title of the sermon was “Never Complain”.

Complaining makes one feel bad; leaving no room for God. It is incredibly contagious and is always self-centered. There is a difference between complaining and groaning. All of creation groans for there is death, pain, sorrow, and sickness but gratitude is the password to God’s presence so we can notice what is right with the world.

To see the worship service live each Sunday morning, just click this link: Worship Service on Facebook. Then look for the latest post where it says Sermon Live. To watch a sermon anytime or place, type in “Sermon Live” in the “Search for posts on this Page” box on the upper left side.

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Truly Important

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Mark Shields

The night before going to a concert with my daughter, I had a major project due and really didn’t know if I could finish and be able to make it. It was just a matter of putting it into God’s hands. Many years into the future, I will not remember the project but I will remember the concert that I went to with my daughter. Time flies by and this song puts everything in perspective for what is truly important: Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman.



Teach us to number our days aright. That we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

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Delegation

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Mark Shields

Moses had left his wife and sons with his father-in-law Jethro while he had been in Egypt. Reading in Exodus 18, we get the impression that Moses had great respect for his father-in-law. When the Israelites were camped nearby, Jethro was determined to see Moses so he brought his daughter and the two sons with him to see Moses. It was a very happy occasion as Moses was glad to be reunited with his wife, children, and father-in-law.

There were over 600,000 men with their wives and families who were uprooted from their home and traveling through the desert. Many disputes had to be dealt with and Moses shared with his father-in-law about serving as judge for these people. Jethro was concerned that this would put too much of a strain on Moses so he suggested that Moses appoint a group of trustworthy helpers to serve as judges. Moses took his father-in law’s advice and decided to delegate the simple cases. This freed up more time to spend on the more complicated cases.

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Lord, as we take on more responsibility, sometimes we get overwhelmed with work and in the passage today, a lesson has been learned about delegation. Many people working together is better than just one person because there is greater creativity, stability, and durability. Thank You Lord for great people that we can surround ourselves with and can count on to help handle the challenges we face throughout life. Amen.

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Stepping Ahead Steadily Towards Victory

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post Developing the Right Attitude, the people still did not get it. They were thirsty in the Desert of Sin and complained to Moses; even ready to stone him but Moses prayed and God told him to hit a rock with his rod and when he did, water came gushing out for them to drink.

Later in the passage, we are told how they overcame their enemy in war. Moses lifted his hands toward God and as long as his hands were above his head showing total dependence on God, the Israelites were victorious.

Each of us face trials in life. There may be times when projects are due, bills are due, or for a business … payroll must be met. Many go into panic mode, but followers of Christ have developed a different attitude.

Followers of Christ just keep stepping ahead steadily towards the victory because they have developed the right attitude; the attitude of “been there, done that” and constantly relying on God’s guidance. The challenges in life are handled victoriously on a regular bases because of their faith.

Followers of Christ know that the King of Glory; Jesus laying down His life for our freedom brings victory into each of our lives. Here’s a video that inspires this thought: This is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham.


See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. – Colossians 2:8 

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