Catching Up

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A father and estranged son bond during difficult teenage years by purposely playing catch together like they used to.

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(Verse 1)
Weathered stands in golden light
Father, son, on weekend nights.
Hometown roar and crack of bats
Players wearing navy caps.

(Verse 2)
Young ambitions in his gaze
Dad’s guidance through those early days.
Learning pitches, grounders, runs
Practice fields beneath the sun.

(Chorus)
With a baseball, worn-in mitts
Sacred hours where love still fits.
Threading souls with every toss
Treasured times that can’t be lost.

(Verse 3)
Years moved on, the world grew loud
Obligations, busy crowds.
Distance settled in their space
Two hearts drifting, losing place.

(Bridge)
Mother’s voice cut through one day,
“Recall the joy of yesterday?
Grab that ball, go find the yard
Let laughter mend what grew so hard.”

(Verse 4)
Awkward tosses, nervous grins
Walls come down as trust begins.
Then the smiles, the tales retold
Connection warming what went cold.

(Chorus)
With a baseball, worn-in mitts
Sacred hours where love still fits.
Threading souls with every toss
Treasured times that can’t be lost.

(Outro)
More than sport—it’s mending wounds
Father, son, beneath the moon.
In their yard where memories grow
Finding grace in give and throw.

Shine as One

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
God made us for community relationship—to love and be loved. Jesus makes that possible by healing all that separates you from God and others. Trust in him and experience abundant, everlasting life.

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(Verse 1)
Like stars aligned in constellations bright,
Together we’re made to shine in the night,
God’s masterpiece, a tapestry of souls,
Woven with love, our unity extolled.

(Verse 2)
In marriage vows, two hearts merge as one,
Like rivers joining, flowing to the sun,
Families bloom like trees in the spring,
With roots entwined and branches abiding.

(Chorus)
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.

(Verse 3)
The church, a mosaic of tiles aligned,
Each piece unique, yet a single design,
Not meant to walk life’s path alone,
Together we’re better than on our own.

(Verse 4)
Communities rise like mountains grand,
Nations united, hand in hand,
A symphony of voices, rich and true,
Harmonizing life, both me and you.

(Bridge)
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,
He heals all wounds and ends all strife,
Trust in him, new joy you’ll discover
As he draws you close to God and others.

(Verse 5)
Like atoms in a diamond pure,
Our bonds should be steadfast and sure,
In God’s embrace, we find our place,
Living as one in him by grace.

(Chorus)
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.
God made you to love, and be loved,
To know and be known by him above.
Take Jesus’ hand, join his family
United with him for eternity.

You Paint My Sky

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Rejoice in those who encourage you and inspire you to be your best, then pass that on to others.

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(Verse 1)
Before you came, I walked in gray,
My dreams were whispers, far away.
You paint my sky with colors bold,
Turn my copper heart to gold.

(Verse 2)
When storms arrive and I can’t see,
You’re the lighthouse calling me.
Your voice cuts through the crashing waves,
Shows me I’m stronger than I’ve made.

(Chorus)
You’re the wind beneath my wings tonight,
The constellation guiding me right.
Every mile I run, every mountain I climb,
You’re the rhythm, I’m the rhyme.
Oh, you love me as I am today,
Not for trophies on display.
Take what I have, my heart I give
To lift you up to truly live.

(Verse 3)
When I stumble, miss my mark,
You’re the lantern in the dark.
Not a judge but gentle friend,
Teaching me to rise again.

(Verse 4)
My canvas filled with crooked lines,
You see beauty in the signs.
Where I see flaws, you see the start
Of my ever-growing art.

(Bridge)
You don’t measure what I earn,
You stoke the fire in me to burn.
Now I fan the flames I see,
In everyone who dreams to be.

(Verse 5)
Every victory feels more sweet,
When we’re dancing to life’s beat.
You’re the echo of my joy,
A melody that settles all noise.

(Chorus)
You’re the wind beneath my wings tonight,
The constellation guiding me right.
Every mile I run, every mountain I climb,
You’re the rhythm, I’m the rhyme.
Oh, you love me as I am today,
Not for trophies on display.
Take what I have, my heart I give
To lift you up to truly live.

(Outro)
You paint my sky with colors true,
My heart beats in thanks to you.
In your eyes I see my worth,
A glimpse of heaven here on earth.

Build Bridges

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Look for what unites us as people made in God’s image, rather than focusing on what divides us.

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(Verse 1)
We draw our battle lines in sand
Race and wealth keep us apart.
Culture, age, and schooling divide,
While pride closes down our hearts.

(Verse 2)
Your victory’s not my defeat,
There’s room enough to thrive.
The sun that warms your morning face
Is the same that keeps me alive.

(Chorus)
Let’s tear down walls and build bridges,
Span the chasms between our hearts.
Pour out God’s love that first found us,
By his grace let unity embark.

(Verse 3)
It’s easy to judge from our towers,
Or covet what others possess.
These paths lead to futile kingdoms
Built on envy and bitterness.

(Verse 4)
The harder road calls us higher,
To see the good in different eyes.
To celebrate gifts not our own,
And beauty in diverse disguise.

(Bridge)
Each soul shares equal sacred worth,
Though wrapped in different skin.
Your tears fall just as wet as mine,
Let’s join with God to heal our land.

(Chorus)
Let’s tear down walls and build bridges,
Span the chasms between our hearts.
Pour out God’s love that first found us,
By his grace let unity embark.

(Outro)
By faith we bear our Maker’s image,
Loved by him to live as one.
As we draw near to God as Father,
We help each other find our way home.

Mended Sails

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Like a ship getting off-course and headed for danger, friendships can start to deteriorate. Both can be saved by addressing difficulties when they arise.

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(Verse 1)
Sun-dappled waters, laughter in the air
Two souls in rhythm, without a care
Trading secrets under starlit skies
A friendship sailing smooth, faithful allies

(Verse 2)
Then clouds gathered, we didn’t see them form
Silent tensions brewing into storm
Words like lightning striking without aim
Our vessel trembling, nothing quite the same

(Chorus)
We’re off course now, drifting toward the rocks
The hull is creaking, water through the cracks
Can we turn this ship around before we sink?
The lighthouse calls us back from the brink

(Bridge)
It takes two hands to hold the wheel steady
It takes humble hearts to avoid what’s petty
We must choose to weather this together
Patch these broken boards with something better

(Verse 3)
Sacrifice the cargo of our pride
Forge forgiveness on the rising tide
By kindness like stars we chart our course
Renewed trust is our current’s force

(Verse 4)
This vessel scarred but stronger than before
Sailing farther than we dared explore
What nearly broke us made our friendship true
These mended sails will carry me and you

(Outro)
We turned course now, steering from the rocks
Sealed the leaks and reinforced the cracks
Smooth waters ahead and a sky so blue
I’m blessed to journey this life with you.

Missing Pieces

A teenage girl wonders what happened when a close friend abandoned her for no apparent reason.

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(Verse 1)
You walked away without a word,
Left me standing in the cold.
I haven’t moved, I’m still right here,
Wondering where you’ve gone.

(Verse 2)
I texted twice, then three more times,
Asked what I did, what went so wrong.
Silence echoes in my phone,
So many questions, no reply.

(Verse 3)
I saw you laughing in the hall,
Surrounded by your brand-new crew.
My feet felt heavy, heart like stone,
You looked right through me like a ghost.

(Verse 4)
The radio played our favorite song,
That indie band we stayed up for.
I had to pull the car aside,
And cry until the music stopped.

(Verse 5)
I baked chocolate chip cookies alone,
The kitchen felt too big, too quiet.
Remember when we burned our first batch?
Laughed when your dog snatched the rest?

(Bridge)
Now rain is tapping on my window,
Gray clouds match the weight inside.
We used to build big jigsaw puzzles,
On days like these, side by side.

(Verse 6)
I hope you’re happy where you are,
And truly, I want you to shine.
I just don’t know why I can’t fit in,
So I sit alone, still missing pieces.

(Outro)
The rain keeps falling, soft and gray,
Like all the questions in my mind.
Where did I go? Where did you go?
How did we become strangers here?

Breaking Away

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A teenage girl realizes she needs to choose worthwhile friends who are doing something with their lives, who lift her up, and who help her move forward.

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(Verse 1)
She sits in silence, bored and glum,
As shallow friends waste precious hours.
Their laughter rings, but she feels numb,
What’s meant for fun, can quickly sour.

(Verse 2)
They prowl the mall with aimless feet,
Harassing clerks for cheap delight.
Their words sting like winter sleet
Instead of inspire like summer light.

(Chorus)
True friends lift you higher than before,
False ones leave you empty on the floor.
Choose those who help your spirit soar,
Who work toward something worth living for.

(Verse 3)
Their talk is gossip, and belittling,
A poison slowly seeping in.
She feels helpless to intervene,
Yet her patience is wearing thin.

(Verse 4)
Sneaking through the theater’s door,
Guilt weighs heavy on her heart.
She slips away to search for more,
A higher path to embark.

(Bridge)
Wandering the mall, she finds
A boy from school working at a stand.
As they talk, she sees he’s kind.
They share thoughts and hopes, and summer plans.
Her friends arrive and mock his role,
His glasses, uniform, and dreams.
She knows their cruelty takes a toll.
And persuades the group to leave.

(Verse 5)
Later outside, the boy’s bike has a flat.
Again, he’s their target for disdain.
But in her heart, she rejects all that,
And escapes their toxic refrain.

(Verse 6)
She turns away from her hollow friends,
To offer a ride, kind and sincere.
Her choice to break becomes a choice which mends,
As better days draw sweetly near.

(Chorus)
True friends lift you higher than before,
False ones leave you empty on the floor.
Choose those who help your spirit soar,
Who work toward something worth living for.

Better with You

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Appreciate those around you who make you a better person and work toward lifting them higher, as well.

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(Verse 1)
In the soft light of morning, your smile greets the day.
Like a brushstroke of sunlight, it chases shadows away.
With your hand in mine, I find strength anew.
Every step is lighter when I’m walking with you.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me, thank you so much.

(Verse 2)
When the world weighs me down, you’re my pillar of grace.
Your laughter’s a melody that puts joy in its place.
In moments of doubt, your faith sees me through.
I’m braver, I’m stronger, when I’m standing with you.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me, thank you so much.

(Bridge)
Your sacrifice moves me to give all I can.
Your wisdom guides me to be a better man.
In your eyes, I see the person I long to be.
Together we’ll climb, to heights we’ve yet to see.

(Verse 3)
As seasons turn gently, our love only grows.
Like a garden we tend, every day it just shows
That the best is yet coming, our future’s so bright.
With you by my side, everything feels so right.

(Chorus)
You make me better, in ways big and small.
Your love lifts me higher, helps me stand proud and tall.
With every kind word, every gentle touch
You inspire the best in me.

(Outro)
You make me better, in all that I do
Each day I’m committed to loving you, too.
You make me better.

Then There Was You

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
A tribute to the hospitable and loving people who make outsiders feel welcome.

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(Verse 1)
Moving to a new town, full of doubt,
Wondering if I’ll fit in, or be left out.
Anxious thoughts swirling, a constant refrain,
Will I find understanding, or face disdain?

(Chorus)
But then there was you, a beacon of light,
Who welcomed me warmly, made everything right.
Your hospitality, your open embrace,
Showed me I belonged in this strange new place.

(Verse 2)
Starting a new job, unsure of my role,
Feeling unfit, a square peg in a round hole.
Fears of rejection, a heavy weight to bear,
Will anyone reach out, does anyone care?

(Chorus)
But then there was you, a guiding hand,
Who took the time to help me understand.
Your engagement sincere, you came alongside.
Helping me find my footing, my peace of mind.

(Verse 3)
Navigating halls of a new school space.
Longing for connection, a welcoming face.
People pass, without even a glance.
I eat lunch alone, unseen on the grass.

(Chorus)
But then there was you, who lifted my burden,
You made me feel accepted, like I truly belonged.
Your empathy shining, your kindness so true,
Inspire me to help others, to see them through.

(Bridge)
For people like you, who go above and beyond,
Whose warmth and compassion, we can always count on.
You make this world brighter, one person at a time,
And for that, dear friend, this song of thanks is mine.

(Outro)
So here’s to the hospitable, the loving, the kind,
Who make outsiders feel included, and ease our minds.
May your example inspire us, to bring about ways,
To welcome those we come across each day.

Gale

by Mark Greenelsh ©2017, 2024
Like the mystery of the wind, we don’t always know where people have come from or what they’ve been through that leads to them to be difficult or destructive. As God has done for us, we should extend them grace.

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(Verse 1)
I say goodbye as I caress your face.
I must move on, can’t stay in one place.
Through your hair I pass a final comb.
I’ve never known an actual home.

(Verse 2)
Reluctantly I’m on my own again.
Meeting strange faces, hoping for friends.
Freely I travel by land or sea.
No country has ever apprehended me.

(Chorus)
Remember how often I’m good, not bad.
To be welcomed again would make me so glad.
Some call me Gale, Zephyr, or Wind.
But all I wish is to be called a friend.

(Verse 3)
I know I can be a terror at times.
Especially when mad, I’m hard to confine.
I can strip rich land or destroy a town.
I can incite a fire or bring great trees down.

(Bridge)
Fortunately I’m not always that way.
I can be soft and gentle, wouldn’t you say?
I like to fly kites, and sail fine boats,
Give rides to birds, and whistle some notes.

(Chorus)

For the Sake of Others

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
A father and son sacrifice to care for each other. Love is costly, but worthwhile. Put others first.

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(Verse 1)
In a world of wonders, a circus on the go,
A father and his son, their love would show,
Through joy and suffering, they faced the cost,
Of choices made, to ensure the other was not lost.

(Chorus)
Love, oh love, life’s priceless bond,
Personal sacrifice, to right what’s wrong,
With joy despite suffering, choose to stand beside,
Or carry another, to bolster and guide.

(Verse 2)
The son, born with a burden to bear,
A physical ailment, causing despair,
Bullied and insecure, he doubted since birth,
But his father’s love, taught him his worth.

(Bridge)
The father inspired, with patience and care,
Helped his son find strength, beyond compare,
Yet as the boy grew, his dreams took flight,
To leave the circus, his own story to write.

(Verse 3)
The father, though saddened, understood his son’s quest,
He chose to let go to further his son’s best,
With tears in his eyes, he bid him farewell,
Would he see him again, only time could tell.

(Chorus)
Love, oh love, life’s priceless bond,
Personal sacrifice, to right what’s wrong,
With joy despite suffering, choose to stand beside,
Or carry another, to bolster and guide.

(Verse 4)
Years passed by, and the father grew old,
He broke his back and lost his job, his hope grew cold
Made aware of the need, the son dropped all
He gave up his dream to answer love’s call.

(Verse 5)
The son cared for his father, hearts joined by grace,
He returned boundless love, that had once filled his space,
For love humbly serves, and puts others ahead,
The son took over where his father once led.

(Outro)
The son cared for his father, hearts joined by grace,
He returned boundless love, that had once filled his space,
For love humbly serves.
For love humbly serves.

Time Well Spent

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
A good friend is a blessing from God. Any time with them is well spent.

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(Verse 1)
When life becomes a whirlwind wild,
You bring me peace that stays awhile.
Your company heals like gentle rain,
I’m never walking through alone.
When challenges come crashing down,
God’s the bedrock where we’re found.
We laugh together, hearts open wide,
Sharing thoughts from deep inside.

(Chorus)
Each morning brings me joy anew,
God led my footsteps straight to you.
My heart is filled with thankfulness,
Our friendship blooms with every breath.
In highs and lows, you stand beside,
In you, I’m glad I can confide.
I treasure every moment spent,
Building memories heaven-sent.

(Verse 2)
Mountain pathways, sandy shores,
Earth’s wonder shared and so much more.
Canvas, brushes, colors blend,
Creating magic, friend with friend.
Parenting stories fill the air,
Helping each other improve our care.
Pages turned and chapters read,
A kinship that will never end.

(Bridge)
When storm clouds gather all around,
Our friendship is where sun is found.
One in spirit, true and fair,
You’re a gift from God, an answered prayer.

(Chorus)
Each morning brings me joy anew,
God led my footsteps straight to you.
My heart is filled with thankfulness,
Our friendship blooms with every breath.
In highs and lows, you stand beside,
In you, I’m glad I can confide.
I treasure every moment spent,
Building memories heaven-sent.

(Outro)
One in spirit, true and fair,
You’re a gift from God, an answered prayer.