Because of Love

Because of Love

My Lord, most gracious to us, you have richly blessed us.
You have smiled upon us, it is in you we will place our trust.
You came and made your ways are known to all the earth.
You lived, died and rose from the grave to give us new birth;

The message of your salvation has spread to the nation.
The wise will build their lives upon your firm foundation.
May your children praise your name, may we all praise you.
May our lips tell your story, may we speak your word true.

Let every nation be glad, and with a joyful heart sing,
May every mouth confess you are our Lord and King.
In you who created us all, let us seek our direction,
For in your loving rule, is our example of perfection.

In your guide, the harvest will abound in the land,
And the truth of your loving promises we understand.
May your children praise your name, may we all praise you.
May our lips tell your story, may we speak your word true.

The Lord God continues to bless us day and night,
He calls out of the darkness and into His Holy light.
He places His desires in our hearts and makes us one,
Not because of ourselves but by what He has done.

When we are troubled and filled with fear and doubt,
Remember His story and long on His love think about.
The anguish and suffering He went through on the cross,
Was because of us, but because of love He paid the cost.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 28 February 2010

You are my God

You are my God

O Lord, you are my God, I intently seek you;
My body hungers And my soul thirsts for you.
I grow weary from the attacks of the adversary;
It is in your forgiveness that I seek sanctuary.

I wander in these barren and hostile lands,
Yet I praise your name with lifted hands.
With singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Deliverance is in your loving promise true.

You are my help, my soul soars on eagles wings,
When evening falls I pray, as I rise to you I sing.
My soul clings to you; your mighty hand holds me.
You open my eyes so wondrous beauty I may see.

Your sword protects me from the jackals of night,
Your word guides me showing wrong from right.
The tongues of the serpents lay quiet and still,
The storms of life’s days bow to your mighty will.

Though I be weak and weary unable to stand,
By your strength and mercy I take your hand.
You who sat the stars, and know them by name,
You Lord, will not let your child be put to shame.

From north to south, east to west I will proclaim
Your glory; for you have given me your Holy name.
You who were before time, my wounds did mend.
O Lord, you are my God, your love will never end.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 25 February 2010

Through it All

Through it All

The mornings chill is in the air,
The birds are singing everywhere.
Sunlight glistens on the dew,
As I sit and mediate on you.

My mind is filled with this sight,
You have broken the chains of night.
Before me the blessings of the day,
Behind lays the sins you took away.

My heart beats fast within me,
Amazed at all my eyes do see.
As we sit and talk as friends do,
I plead that I may walk with you.

You grant me ease of mind,
For in your promises love I find.
I feel your presence all around,
Reading your word peace is found.

Your desires have become mine,
Because of your love so divine.
I will rise your praises and sing,
Marveling at the journey you bring.

The sun rises cloaking me in its’ glow,
Warmed in the you I’ve come to know.
I know winter, summer, spring and fall,
You are here with me through it all.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 23 February 2010

Sweet Reward

Sweet Reward

With all my heart and soul I will praise the Lord.
to sing and proclaim His praise, is sweet reward.
Forever I will praise you, my Lord God, my king,
You are the provider of my life, my everything.

No one can fathom the greatness of your love.
From beginning to forever you rein from above.
The children of my children will know your mighty acts,
For the fathers of my father have spoken of those facts.

My lips will speak of what my heart knows to be,
The wondrous work and the splendor of your majesty.
They will tell of your awesome works and great deeds,
That all may know the truth of the bases of my creeds.

From hilltop to hilltop I will sing of your mighty power,
In song I will reveal the blessings on me you shower.
Your ways are right and just, your love rich and true.
All you have made praises, and your saints exalt you.

My tongue delights in praise of your Holy name.
Of your glory and might may I forever proclaim.
My Lord you meet each need with grace and mercy,
Use me My Lord so your glorious splendor all may see.

Your kingdom everlasting, your dominion endures,
I know Your mercy forever, my salvation ensures.
I am blessed upon blessing to know God’s own Son,
Joyfully I now Belong to Him for what He has done.

Wondrous and great these gifts you freely give,
the price paid that now in you we truly can live.
With all my heart and soul I will praise the Lord,
To sing and proclaim His praise, is sweet reward.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 18 February 2010

You Lord

You Lord

Lord you have searched me and know my heart.
You’ve blessed me with your love never to part.
You see my actions and know my every thought,
Before I can move my lips to speak you hear each word.
When my spirit is down you lift me up and I soar like a bird.

If I soar to the heavens, you are there.
If I lie down in the depths, you are there.
On top of the highest mountain, you are there.
In the deepest valley, you are there.
There is nowhere that your presence are not seen.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.
If I rise on the wings of dawn or cross the sea,
I know you will be there to comfort and guide me.
You hold me up with your hand and will always be.

My foes come in the darkness to slay,
But with you night shines like the day.
In the face of their attack, I can sing,
For the light of truth is in my inmost being.

You have call me out and I am yours,
Your love and promises to me assures.
In my morning you did not reject me,
But held me close and comforted me.

When I come to the alter of my Lord,
You fill me and my spirit is restored.
In you my Lord is my joy and delight,
You are the one that gives me sight.

My strength is in you, and you alone.
I am powerless, helpless on my own.
You are truly my Lord God and King,
And with you I need not want for anything.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 16 February 2010

Trust in Him

Trust In Him

In times of trouble, in times of distress;
You can turn to Him, He will give you rest.
Perfect peace the Lord will give to you,
When you trust in Him, He will see you through.

Those who call on His name He will not reject,
But in His love and mercy He will protect.
So praise the Lord for being your guide,
A true and loving heart He will not deny.

In the dark night His teaching fills your mind,
In His loving promises a refuge you can find.
You can look to Him in your time of fear,
When you call on His name He will hear.

Be alert and firm in your faith, brave and strong,
When you follow Him He guards you from wrong.
Let the Lord be your guide, let Him lead you,
Let Him dwell in your heart, He is always true.

Some may trust in silver, some may trust in gold,
But they will be left out, shivering in the cold.
Some will trust in treasures, some in fame,
But you can always rest assured in His Holy name.

Trust the Lord to lead you, He is the way.
He will teach you, He gives you the words to say.
When someone attacks you, calling you odd,
Lift high your banner in the name of God.

It is the Lord that make us strong and grants us peace,
That we may know from sin’s grip we have our release.
It is the Lord whom we depend on to guard and protest.
When you cry out for His mercy, He does not reject.
Praise be to the Lord most High.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 16 February 2010

Noble Theme

Noble Theme

My heart is filled with the noble theme,
Of reciting the words of my Lord and King.
His promises are for both old and young,
They please both the ears and the tongue.

Grant O’ Lord my plea that my lips excel,
That all who hear your story of love I tell.
May I speak of your splendor and majesty,
That in these words you give, all may see.

Let your mighty hand touch the hearts,
To know the truth your words imparts.
Open the eyes so all may see and know,
That you are with us wherever we go.

Opens our hearts and let us songs employ,
For you have anointed us with oils of joy.
No longer the bitter tear do we need,
For we are victorious in your great deed.

No longer to stumble in sins dark night,
For now we walk with you in your holy light.
Once poor, lonely and without a place,
You made us royal members by your grace.

The righteous rejoice and the wicked flee,
As your power is displayed for all to see.
Trouble will come, then go away again,
But you paid the price for all our sin.

So let us all stand together a body of one,
And praise the name of God’s own Son.
Let us lift our voices together and say,
Jesus my Lord, the truth, the life and the way.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 12 February 2010

Serving My Lord

Serving My Lord

I sit and stare at a page as blank as my mind,
Searching here and there hoping words to find.
But even before I type one word on this day,
I get quiet and listen as a little prayer I say.

Lord, I do not need riches nor claims of fame,
But grant me the words to share your loving name.
Help me to stand firm and strong, proud and bold,
telling the world the truth of you as it should be told.

Lord you gave me a gift to use for your glory,
And your love to me is a never ending story.
Come now Lord, guide heart, steady my hand,
Grant me a way to help them, your love understand.

Lord, you stood in my place and paid the price,
And with love you gave yourself as a sacrifice.
But more than this, you rose from the grave,
So that from sin and death, I may be saved.

I, just like the farmer, can but plant the seed,
And it is on your grace and mercy we feed.
Lord, it is you that prepares the fertile field,
Your word and sacraments nourish till yield.

Lord, I come to you on my knees in prayer this day,
That those who read these word will see your way.
May they know the truth of your promise and love,
Let them know Lord, that it comes from God above.

The loving words you gave to me are strong and true,
Let me use them to show others how much I love you.
If these words be a service to you, then that is my reward,
For nothing brings me greater joy than serving my Lord.

Carl A. Gooch ~ 08 February 2010