Thank You All

Cedar Hill Lutheran Church,
Praise be to God. He has blessed me greatly with your friendship.
I humbly stand here today to praise God and to thank my brothers and sisters in Christ. My need was made known to you and you rushed to my aid.
We’ve heard it said that God works in mysterious ways. I say God works in AMAZING ways.
I’ve heard that if you didn’t like the way the world is you should change it. But being one man I thought I lacked the ability. It was only through prayer that I saw an answer. And that answer was not me but God.
God can and does still work wonders, as each of us can attest to, and we need not look farther than our own lives.
Each one of us is a gift from God to the world around us. As we reach out to one another, God strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between us. And as we reach out to the lost of the world, God changes lives before our very eyes.
God’s powerful love is at work in us and through us bringing change to the world one life at a time.
Glory to God and Praise to the name of the Lord!
Carl A. Gooch ~ 26 February 2008

Draws Me Near

Draws Me Near

When my heart is breaking,
And my eyes fill with tears.
He comes to clams my fears.
My sweet Lord draws me near.

With my body racked in pain,
And my mind filled with fears,
He comes and dries my tears.
The one who saves me He is here.

When my time on earth is over,
Yes, I will shed joy filled tears,
For my prayers the Lord hears.
God’s own Son draws me near.

Until that day when I go home,
I’ll serve Him without one fear.
For He is beside me right here,
His grace and mercy ever near.

When I’m called to walk with him,
With my last breath I will cheer.
There’ll be no more pain or fear,
When to my Lord I draw near.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 21 February 2008

Am I a Father?

Am I a Father

The woman I loved was giving birth,
And I was praying for all I was worth.
She was our first, I was happy and sad.
Did I really have what it took to be a dad?

Dear Father, am I making a mistake?
Do I really think I have what it takes?
Then I was filled with a voice from above,
What all children will need is your love.

My heart softened and the tears did flow,
If I did everything I could, then I’d know.
I knew it would take every minute of the day,
To protect, provide and instruct in everyway.

In the times when doubt clouded the mind,
I had the source where the answers I’d find.
This source is filled with examples of love,
It is the perfect love from the Father above.

I time of joy or need I call and He is there,
He wants to be in it all and His love to share.
He wants to be my strength as I go along,
And I want with all my heart to pass this on.

There is but one lesson I can try to teach, love.
There is but one place from which it comes, above.
Now, men it’s true you can easily plant your seed,
But ask yourself truthfully, am I a Father in deed?

Carl A. Gooch ~ 05 February 2008