"If we accept that God gives us the life He envisions for us --- Then I must accept that God is responsible for bringing three ex-wives into and out of my life." {you can start laughing now}

What is marriage? "Marriage is the earthly equivalent of a personal relationship with God --- You don't walk out when life takes unexplained and unexpected turns. It requires faith!"

"The strength of a marriage is reflected in the devotion to disciplines when that which is imagined or desired is not realized."

"Principled: The adherence by oneself to high and perhaps uncommon standards."

"Anything man can imagine, man can accomplish. For if it wasn’t possible, then it could have never first been imagined."

"Perversion is often in the mind of the beholder."

"Those whom are so quick to find fault and deceit in others…Are often the same whom seldom recognize such flaws in themselves."

"The more you try to control, the more you will find that you control little."

Sentinel’s Repose


“Bah! Humbug!” The old man did say,
“It’s much, much too cold outside.
So, don’t get out the sleigh.”

His song was rusty
And his story long decayed,
The great old elf’s tone soured
And his mood had turned gray.

Many a century had gone by
Since the origins of his craft shown
With a bright shining star,
And a newborn child’s throne.

“Papa! Oh, Papa!” His small friends had cried out,
“You must not despair.”
“The joy and spirit of Christmas,
Will soon fill the air.”

“Your wishfullness and hope
Are misdirected, little ones, I see.”
“There is nothing left but war, greed and selfishness in the world,
There is no longer room for me.”

It had been a long year
More difficult than most
The patron saint of children
Felt weary of playing host.

His spirit had sullen
And his step had grown weary
Without an appetite for Christmas
His cheeks were no longer cheery.

The sentinel years took their toll
He had felt their heavy charge before.
But this year was different
It was all too much of a chore.

What would come of Christmas
If there were no Santa to display
The wondrous gifts and dressings
Memorials to the blessed child born in the hay?

Then, reminded was he,
By his Mrs.’ scornful scowl
“The import of the spirit,” she said
"Is not imprinted on a towel.”

No, not by Santa
Or the congregation of a church
But by the blessed instant
Of our savior’s birth.

Santa mused,
Ashamed of his plight.
However, the error of his mood waned
As day turned to night.

Come morning he rose
With renewed spirit and glee
Santa set a shiny bright star
Atop his savior’s Christmas tree.

And so the true gift of Christmas
Present in the warmth of our souls
May at times be misplaced
Even at the North Pole.

Which reminds us, all
Of our sacred, holy vow
To thank our Lord God
For His gift who lay resting on a bough.

So let us now join together
And sing His praises on-high
This night of sparkling wonder
The eve and prayerful nigh’.

copyright/jrg

BOUNDLESS
Dedication: “For my grandsons, whom I carry in my thoughts daily."
 

Beyond the surly bonds I dream
Of origin and Genesis
The glimmer of angels' wings.

And of the day
My grandsons will see
The vastness of hope
And all God's eternity.

Nowhere in the heart and soul of man
May the deliverance of God's creation wane
But in the failure of men to act upon
Their greatest dreams that are their seed to claim.

Seek, my sons, your place in times unforeseen
For yours is a bright new destiny.
Dance amongst places yet untrod
Reach out and touch the face of God.

copyright/jrg

Dad's Poem to 'My Girl':

There isn't a day I don't think of 'my girl'
A week that goes by I don't miss her,
Not a month when I fail to see how she's grown
Or a year of pride undiscovered.

The seconds, the minutes, the hours that pass
Many days I cannot be with her,
An absentee father, life has made me
Yet, no less is our life together.

Our joys and sighs reach down deep inside
Gentle moments of holding on to each other,
The closeness we feel cannot be taken away
It is meant to be ours forever.

...With all my love!

copyright/jrg

I DREAM OF ANOTHER DAY


I dream of another day…

When people learn the meaning of trust
And the world is thought of as a whole, not bust.
When dreams turn to reality that build
And man’s only limit is the strength of his will.

I dream of another day…
When voices raise
In jubilant waves
…of hope.

I dream of another day…

When countries no longer collide
Taking their people for a dead-end ride.
When wars are history past
And fighting is thought of last.

I dream of another day…
When voices raise
In jubilant waves
…of peace.

I dream of another day…

When greed and lust are put aside
And men do more to swallow their pride.
When one differs not others’ race or creed
And oneness in humanity is what we believe.

I dream of another day…
When voices raise
In jubilant waves
…of love.

I dream of another day…

When man accepts the power of living
Without denying the strength of forgiving.
When the spirit of children is not aged to spoil
And wisdom in years is not lanced as a boil.

I dream of another day…
When voices raise
In jubilant waves
…of life.

I dream of another day…

When ears are not turned, lest we hear
And truth’s not suppressed, or pushed to the rear.
When that which we see is with eyes open wide
And integrity and honor are carried with pride.

I dream of another day…
When voices raise
In jubilant waves
…of truth.


There is something to be said for dreamers
They’re optimists, not schemers.
They dream the dreams that others deny
And seek to find the how --- not why.

So it is! I say to you
That this is not an uncommon view.
And when time comes to do, or deny
We must do more than sit and sigh.


I listen, I watch, I hope … I Dream of Another Day!


copyright/jrg