HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To my  Brother-In-Law (Rev. Marvin Taylor)

This time of year, our expectations are high,
especially when we are young.
Family, friends and that special someone,
sharing in our special  day of fun.

We expect all sorts of things from
those who share our lives and space.
We sometime find ourselves reminiscing about
past birthdays in a quiet and isolated place.

It is always good to remember and reflect
on happy times and not the things  we dread.
You see the quilt of happiness and sadness
are woven with the same thread.

So don't be mislead by the melodious tones
of happiness portrayed as joy.
Beware of  the remnants of birthdays gone by,
the little boys dreams and big boys toys.

Always remember that the true meaning
of  your birthday is the gift of birth.
Experience it, share it, protect it and enjoy
it while you are on this earth.

Poetic Reflections By Gamaliel H. Gooding
Copyrighted 2000

A PREACHER'S LIFE

Their choice, that would be easy to say.
That is not the case in God's assignments.

True ministry requires God's intervention,
and must be blessed with God's consent.

Man's belief that fortune and fame
is acquired by his own power.

Religious ministry works only in God's name,
not in the hands of cowards.

What man fails to understand is that he
has no power of his own.

Thru the ages he has tempted God's hand,
but God's plan cannot be undone.

The devil knows that hell is his home,
he seeks to corrupt as many souls as he can.

In the end the devil and the corrupt stands alone,
the God of heaven and earth is still in command.

The preacher's journey is a perilous one,
their life is not their own.

Poetic Verses By Gamaliel H. Gooding
Copyrighted 2011