Forgive Me 10-28-07

I give you this - because I'm sorry,
for something that I've done.
I'm no angel. I'm not God,
nor perfect like His Son.

I am sorry. Please forgive me.
There's nothing I can pray.
Please believe me, I am sorry.
There's nothing more to say.

So many times - I've made mistakes.
And I've hurt you a lot.
From this I ask forgiveness from -
though I deserve it not.

I turn my eyes, on Jesus now,
I feel His loving grace.
Beneath the crown, between the nails,
I see His precious face.

My only hope?  You'll see in me,
what Jesus saw in you,
as He prayed "Father, forgive them for
they know not what they do."

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

In His Image 10-15-07

Before the birth, Father prepared Him a bed.
He then was born, as God created.
The young Boy played. Father gave Him drink and bread,
And nurtured Him, as He created.

This young Man grew. Father taught Him every thread,
And trained Him up, as He created.
This Man had served. Father's love was widely spread,
to the masses, as He created.

This Man was tried. Father's love had never fled,
from His people, as He created.
This Man was whipped. Father held Him as He bled,
and to the cross, as He created.

His Son was hung. Father's wrath was on His head,
first became last, as He created.
Dead and buried, Father lifted Him instead,
Last became first, as He created.

Yet now I live. Who knows my road ahead?
Those questions cry, as He created.
So I take up my cross - and am faithfully led,
in His image, as He created.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Genesis 1:27 (KJV)“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”

-------

Focused Faith 10-10-07

.

I had the 'gift' but through my pride,

Rampant my thoughts - Heaven's gates wide.

Your grace saved, unlike the world, this wretched soul from sin.

I didn’t know – what are these voids within?

Forgive me, Lord! Please hear my cry,

But can I forgive? Do I comply?

If clouds would open up a bit and I could see this Heaven,

Would I now forgive - to seventy times seven?

Lord, I believe! In You I've heard,

Studied Scripture, memorized Your Word.

I don't speak as those Pharisee’s of old,

But firm on theology, has my love grown cold?

Increase my faith I cry, oh God!

I seek perfect peace - is that so odd?

But deaf and blind, clouds Your everlasting love.

Can I not see - or fix my eyes above?

Oh, ye of little faith neglect,

Heaven's things - but you, the earth reflect;

And you worry, to gain your Holy birth,

Focused not on Godly things, but rather things of earth.

Then humble me, dear Lord I pray,

To Your cross, draw me nearer – lest I wayward stray.

Dare I take up my simple cross and also teach,

During tribulation - find other souls to reach?

Through this small truth, I now can see,

And my ears hear the still, small voice of Thee;

I see You faithful on that cross. Love in voice I hear.

So may my body die of self - and focused faith run clear.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

FREEDOM 10-08-07

We are either slave or free. There is no in-between.
Freedom is not tangible, but surely it is seen -
seen on every human face, residing in the heart -
free from any slavery - when we all do our part.

Who can be part master - or be a part time slave -
or sometimes be a little wimp - at other times be brave?
Does freedom have a light switch that we turn off and on,
or is it the foundation that this Nation’s built upon?

Let no one now deceive us - as freedom must be pure,
for if it cracks or crumbles, then slavery is sure.
And let us not be selfish, but protect both young and old -
the innocent from anywhere - marching bravely, bold.

The world forgets so quickly - one man’s deceptive lie ,
who stole the lives of millions - who wouldn't hear their cry.
Many bury deep their heads while terrorists still stalk,
but there’s no time for politics. It’s time to walk the talk.

Jesus' talk was often bold and later He was nailed.
 He 'walked' in service to the cross, but freedom had prevailed.
  Freedom from satanic grip - though wars there'll always be -
until the wars in souls end, the world can't be free.

-----

Innocent children, women and men continue to be enslaved, tortured and killed.

Through sacrifice, support FREEDOM for all. Through America, let's build.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

My Shattered Heart 10-8-07

Something bad has happened,
I cannot shake this pain.
My heartache never goes away.
My actions are in vain.

There is no single answer.
Pain pierces to my core.
Math contains no formula.
Nothing helps me anymore.

When life has lost all purpose,
deceit lays waste my cause;
and lies have cursed true meaning,
I sit in thoughtful pause.

God, give me one last miracle!
This anguish weighs a ton.
Can the sun reverse a bit,
to turn back what I’ve done?

Everything submits to God,
His intelligent design.
Time is very precious -
and I know it isn’t mine.

I can’t retain a month or week.
A day can't be postponed.
An hour can't be purchased.
One second can't be owned.

Oh, to go back just this once,
and start anew again.
All has passed - forever gone.
I can’t erase the pen.

I hold my sad and shattered heart
in pieces 'til I die;
but His hands hold the nail scars
and hold me when I cry.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

A Moment To Smile 10-5-07

(A true story from southern Wisconsin - 2006-07)

Deep into the woods in my truck I seemed lost.
The brisk, chilly breeze was still holding the frost.
Because it was dried up and totally dead,
I decided to cut down this big tree instead.

The ants had been busy all over that tree,
before my big chain saw had made them all flee.
The noise and vibration and all the turmoil,
(had it happened to me, would have made my blood boil).

But they simply scattered if off to the races,
to other safe havens - to other safe places.
My muscles all ached from my head to my feet,
but I felt so content - with my job now complete.

It seemed that my actions were merely a bump,
to ants now so busy inside that tree stump
I wondered which one, if any, had won -
the ants or myself as I thought my job done.

As I sat on the gate of my rusty old truck,
loaded down heavy with logs - was now stuck -
and realized then that it's sometimes worthwhile,
to sit back a moment, a moment to smile.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

The Servants Love 10-5-07

.

I always keep my promises - if not, would be a crime;

Help me through it, through those “keeps”,

Time after time.

Bad news visits often. That's why you see me cower;

Help me through it, through those “visits”,

Hour after hour.

My employer wants me - yells, "HEY! HEY!! HEY!!!"

Help me through it, through those “wants”,

Day after Day.

The infants scream, when us they seek;

Help me through it, through their “screams”,

Week after Week.

Eleven people need my time. Everyone a tenth;

Help me through it, through those “needs”,

Month after month.

My health is failing. You know my greatest fear;

Help me through it, through all “failures”,

Year after year.

This funeral now - just for myself, will put me in a hole;

I know You'll love them through it all,

Soul after soul.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

As Your Son 10-4-07

.
I know You loved me from afar,
and lifted me, this soul from tar;
But I'm confused - so prove just how,
a Christ so GREAT - can humbly bow?

I smell the fragrance of Your world,
it excites me so - I've twirled and twirled;
Emotions shoot me up so high,
then drop so far - please hear my cry.

I taste the freedom from my sin,
I feel Your wonders deep within;
In life I've tasted fields' wheat -
to taste Your honey - is so sweet.

I hear Your voice in all I touch.
that still, small voice loves me so much;
You hear my cry from all sins mourns,
and find this rose - among the thorns.

I feel You knocking my hearts door,
I feel it pounding even more.
I've opened up, a little bit,
though faith is lacking - isn't it?

I see Your hand - the nail print,
I've cracked my door. Give me a hint.
A soul so lost, so dead - now free,
You gave me eyes - that I might see.

Should I go out and witness more,
beyond my house, beyond my door?
For if, by grace, the cross You won,
make me as faithful as Your Son....

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Matthew 26:42
He went away a second time and prayed,
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.

Matthew 26:44
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time,
saying the same thing.

-------

The REAL MAN 10-1-07

Some think that they are very tough

and know a thing or two.

They draw attention to themselves

so others notice too.

Some think that they are very tough

with muscles bulging out.

They flex for their own sole desires

so they won't go without.

Some think that they are very tough.

They think that they're so smart.

Enslaved to things they cannot keep,

raw anger finds their heart.

But some day they will sit alone -

to think about their clout.

The first is last, the last is first -

that's what it's all about:

But, through the cries of hate and lies

from "he-men" that are hurled,

A REAL MAN takes up his cross -

the hope above this world.

Yes, some will get so angry when

a REAL MAN loves truth.

A REAL MAN loves children,

their innocence and youth.

While others aren't responsible,

a REAL MAN won't hide.

A REAL MAN's humility -

will overcome all pride.

When others start to steal

a REAL MAN's own shirt,

A REAL MAN will turn away.

A REAL MAN will hurt.

A REAL MAN won't start a fight.

A REAL MAN's not weak.

A REAL MAN must feel the whip...

then turn the other cheek.

When others tear and gouge his flesh,

a REAL MAN won't sway -

for he will love his enemy.

A REAL MAN will pray.

A REAL MAN will bear the nails.

A REAL MAN will cry.

A REAL MAN will bear his cross.

A REAL MAN may die.

But a REAL MAN's forgiven

despite all he's denied -

and they can't kill the REAL MAN,

the REAL MAN inside.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

-------

Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

Mark 8:35 (KJV)

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.”