Gone But Not Forgotten 8-27-09

Again I do not have a choice -
none seem to understand,
that I will never hear your voice,
nor hold your velvet hand.

Those little things I'll cherish,
your favorite coffee mug,
your habits and your special wish,
that firm and steady hug.

Now I weep when lonely,
for granted, you I took.
Too many times I thought of me,
I miss that special look.

I cannot change the past and no,
this future cannot change -
for you are gone forever past
an endless mountain range.

This awful grief tears inside-out,
It hurts more than they know.
I feel lonely, I must shout!
I feel so very low.

Oh, if over, I could live,
somehow I'd do it different.
I'd cherish you and always give
and follow - where you went.

So foolish I, when younger,
correct - or so it seemed,
but oh, the joy you gave me -
I could have never dreamed.

You were wise and right on track,
and you I'll always miss.
I look back - remember now
and miss your special kiss.

You're gone but not forgotten
for I still hold our love -
yet none will ever understand
this bond that I speak of.

You proved your love with unique charm.
I cry for quite awhile -
until reminded, in His arms -
you're there, so I can smile.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Ephesians 5:25 (NASB) "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her..."

Much More Than I 08-25-09

Do I claim allegiance as my faith grows,
or deceive myself before the cock crows?

Do I always admit, when I am dead wrong?
Have I always stood, where I belong?

Have I always held, ill thoughts from my tongue?
Have I always served, the meek and young?

Have I always loved, or my temper lost?
Have I always forgave, at any cost?

Have I always kept, that special diet?
Have I known truth, but - then kept quiet?

Have I always thought to say the word please?
Have I always helped the least of these?

Have I ever made, the least little fuss?
If so, where's my faith, to follow Jesus?

If I can't correct the littlest things -
then how can I claim the King of all Kings?

If I can't improve a few little flaws -
then how can I live, for greater cause?

Oh, would my faith weaken and die inside -
if burned at the stake, or crucified?

I must remember - should I ever cry -
that He suffered more, much more than I.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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When All Doors Close 8-23-09

Dominion over land and sea,
God granted this to you and me.
We all can sit here and complain,
or use our feet, our hands, our brain.

Faith, He measured, gave to all.
Will He excuse if man does fall?
So tell me what am I to do?
Are my good fruits long overdue?

As Enoch, Job and Noah knew -
have I both brains and body too?
Were grumblings heard with snide remark -
when Noah worked to built the ark?

Is my mind quick to always judge -
my firm opinions never fudge?
Question: Is God's harvest done?
Am I a Christian on the run?

Or do I see my wayward walk?
Or do I study, only talk?
And though I judge as others 'crawl' -
am I now ready, should God call?

In my tall building, many floors,
and God has opened several doors.
Oh, maybe I have selfish views,
and that's why I could never choose.

Day to day and year to year,
Do I tremble, do I fear?
But God is 'fair' and God is 'just' -
Faith's measured portions I can trust.

Yes, God loves each and every soul,
it's not His fault if we're not 'whole'.
For God has given ample grace
before our bodies see His face.

The harvest, plenty 'round the globe -
have faith like Noah, Enoch, Job.
On judgement day when all doors close,
God will know which door I chose.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hebrews 11:5 (NASB) By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

Pirates! 8-20-09

Oh, I remember back, when young -

the pirate tales from grandpa's tongue -

where peg-legged men with but one eye

had sought their treasures, chanced to die.

Now Captain Pirate had a hook

and he cared not from whom he took.

He boarded ships and stole their goods -

then hid his treasures in the woods.

And on the ship he had some men -

who helped him rob now and again.

At times they partied and they drank.

If one was rude, he'd walk the plank.

Now this old pirate wasn't fair -

and got so drunk he didn't care.

It didn't matter who he killed -

just so his humor was fulfilled.

A wee bit close, I happened near -

lost both my boots and lost my gear.

They tied me up that very night.

My wrists had hurt.  The rope was tight.

Then one pulled quick, his shiny sword -

and threw me on that weathered board.

The ocean deep, the water black,

I felt his sword pressed in my back.

So I stepped out - again, again,

with nudges felt from earthly sin.

The steps I took were very short

as that old plank gave me support.

I thought quite quick but took some pause -

reflecting on life's silly laws.

So blinded by life's codes and rules,

I had nothing - them, the jewels.

So hoping here on earth I'd stay,

I stepped through life from day to day.

And this I knew - could not pretend -

this plank was short. There was an end.

My weight pushed low the outer ledge

as toes could feel the very edge.

No turning back, what's done is done,

no place to turn, no place to run.

Our bodies end with earthly goals

as all life ends, but not our souls.

Emotions quake, as body shakes,

but after death, the soul awakes.

Oh, they held truth (though they got old)

those pirate tales that grandpa told,

but futile is a life that's wed -

with both the soul and body dead.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Not Of It 8-18-09

The seat's a bit damp
as I sit on the old bench,
absent of most its paint
at the end of the rickety pier.

Crystal Lake -
so tranquil
with smooth glimmering ripples
moving away,
seemingly wooing my eyes
eastward,
toward the pre-dawn sun.

Still dark,
with not a cloud -
but one.
One small insignificant cloud
setting precariously
on the orange glow
fading up into blackness
across the lake
in the eastern sky.

The thin crescent moon,
crisp and steady -
yet the balance I view darkly,
and craters are seen
as a hint
exposing all truth
of its full being.
Venus,
so boldly shining
on it's right side,
as if to bear witness
of its existence.

It is indeed
a cool morning
before the sunrise,
yet that orange glow -
that brilliant glow -
the promise soon of a rising sun.

Also there,
past the far end of the lake
under the orange glow,
the trees stand still -
seemingly frozen.
Silhouettes so thickly intertwined
in a mass of distant
thin horizontal blackness -
except for the ragged treetops
where specks of orange shine through,
randomly.
And only three lonely lights
reflecting off the lake
glow dim next to houses
which are nestled in
among the wooded darkness,
holding sleeping souls -
completely unaware
of all truth.

And slowly drifting away
just above the waters' ripples
hovering ever so lightly,
like ghosts -
thin mists.
Yet they slowly tumble
in the slowest motion -
then dissipate forever,
without evidence.

As I breathe it in -
the fresh crisp air - it calls.
Cool, refreshing.
It's very early -
but oh, so quiet.

Only a distant frog or two,
and a rare splash from a fish -
break the silence
of my thoughts.
And those thoughts, keenly aware
that there is not a better time
than this, right now.
Joy and peace,
so refreshing,
so relaxing,
and cool....

No stress
or pain.
Who can reject it?

Glancing to my right
I see - framed with shrubs and bushes,
dark maroon siding
in waters' reflection
from a neighboring house -
dancing
in the faithful
unending ripples
as if to say,
"Come and enjoy what I see all night long."

To dive in
and get lost in its beauty
where no one
can hurt me anymore.
No one,
ever,
forever.
So inviting I ponder it.

It's like,
it's like Heaven -
right here,
right now.
Just God and I,
alone,
wrapped in His creation
as one.
Perfect peace,
perfect love,
perfect harmony...
tranquility.

Who can reject such a creation??
“Follow me.
Follow me now”
It seems to say…

Yet on my cheek,
I feel,
winding its way
down through my many wrinkles,
finding its path,
leading a trail of sorrow -
a lone tear.
It rolls down,
Hesitates,
then finally drips
into this lake of sorrows
with the smallest splash,
with all the others -
yet unknown by others -
lost in all the others...
The pain of sin on innocence.

And another day
of futility in a sinful world awaits,
of greed and lust,
of hate and anger,
of pain and sorrow.
They await.
The day soon breaks.

Teardrops grow this lake,
drop by every painful drop
until one day -
a lake of fire.
Woe to those who still sleep -
before this sunrise.

The sun will soon break the horizon.

I stand up from the old bench -
still alone with God,
with work to do -
steadfast, persevering -
in love and due diligence,
for and in His creation.
I, In my very small way
painfully contributed to this lake...
But no one knows -
nor cares.
Yet prayers, never ceasing -
as the Spirit turns inside -
so patient, in slowest motion
continue.

Yes, I am in the world -
not of it.
I humbly follow Him.

Bursting forth in full color -
The morning breaks.
Light surrounds me -
hope, peace, love, joy…
As I go my way,
I will not reject it…

Do you reject -
or follow Him?
Do you focus on God -
or self?

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Romans 12:1-3 (NASB)

1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Stephen 8-15-09

Can hate and anger comprehend,
that love and peace protects, defends?
How can earthly warring cease
with hate and anger, love and peace?

Stephen, honest from his youth,
spoke in pure unbridled truth.
A man of love - to God attached,
A reputation, few had matched.

This man, so trusted many years
had brought to surface others' fears.
When evil rulers questioned acts,
dear Stephen merely stated facts.

They were enraged, became disgusted
with the man who others trusted -
though of faith and Spirit-filled,
Stephen was the man they killed.

Rulers, sin had so distracted
by their thoughts that they'd enacted,
stepped forth from an evil clan -
and stoned to death this Godly man.

From evil men - among their hurds -
sometimes stones are spiteful words.
Hate is used, still used today -
when words are used to kill who may.

Who may walk in step with God,
where evil men will never trod?
For evil men will never hear
the promises that cause them fear.

How can earthly warring cease
with hate and anger, love and peace?
Can't hate and anger comprehend,
our love and peace protects, defends?

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Seek Ye First 8-8-09

The greed of man from that first tree!
How selfish can His people be?
The Almighty, we don't fear.
Can man not seek?
Can man not hear?

Creating gods from whither star,
how foolish all God's people are!
The lessons of all history past -
Can man not seek?
Can man not last?

With singers, actors in disguise,
do we, our hero's idolize?
When entertainment cannot give -
can man not seek?
Can man not live?

Then rulers of our very land -
apply their pressures on demand.
Agendas lie beneath the sea -
can man not seek?
Can man not see?

And then when profits rule the skies,
the poor are stripped. We hear the cries.
So obvious, greed will reveal -
can man not seek?
Can man not feel?

We'll vote for change at any cost -
when answers, here on earth exhaust.
When hope is spent, we'll look above -
where man will find
that perfect Love....

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Good Morning! 8-5-09

Can I rise to face today,
when I hear all the things they say?

Can I fathom one more day,
despite the stubborn and their way?

Can I survive this world's decay,
with all the laws in disarray?

Can I get up - is it okay,
go back to sleep or walk away?

Can I just work another day,
for one small check - my measly pay?

Can I get up with skies so gray,
and face the torture - come what may?

Can I give up and can I pray,
"I trust Your 'will' and trust Your way?"

Can I look up and can I say,
"I'm humbly Yours and will obey?"

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Foundation's Truth 8-1-09

So proud and tall she stands today,
for she had understood the way -
the importance of her humble job
while surrounded with such disarray.

Lest our nation backward slide,
never once we cussed or lied,
but now through 'hope' and true 'belief'
we're safely home and here abide.

She had noticed through the years
so many 'wet behind the ears'.
For they had taken it for granted -
a right that easily disappears.

Still there, but lonely, she still stands,
(no music, pomp or marching bands) -
Her usefulness has gone, expired -
as 'greater good' today demands.

Our freedom's 'right' - none can erase,
but most give up in any case.
She stands so ready, though alone -
next to a corrupt voting place.

When blinded by bad policy,
can she still fly our flag freely?
If one by one our 'rights' are stripped -
can this, a mighty nation be?

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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