Hands 8-18-11

Selfish hands and idle hands

are rotten to the core.

Loving hands and humble hands -

are needed even more.

Not famous hands or jealous hands -

but hands that do God's will.

Eager hands and fearless hands -

enduring hands as well.

Patient and obedient,

or busy as a bee -

clammy too or clumsy,

or unknown they may be.

Feeble hands or age old hands,

or hands that hug a lot -

rugged hands or wrinkled hands,

great many hands or not.

All hands on deck - please listen,

and every faithful hand -

as we go into this dark world

and visit every land.

Share the never failing hands -

His hands - as He prevails.

His hands, that carry us away,

are hands that held the nails.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Old Tattered Book 8-16-11

It always has been with me.

The Good Book, it is not.

My book is old and tattered,

and its been read a lot.

I'm very much familiar with

this ragged, weathered book -

I'll hide it not from you because,

I know you'll want to look.

My life is like an open book,

and here for all to see.

Interpret every facet there,

or read it differently.

Folks from different walks of life

have formulated ways -

to gather vast opinions and -

to scrutinize my days.

Now you may disagree with them,

or you might fall in line -

with those who do the gossiping,

and group me with the swine.

I see my 'dog-eared' corners,

the grime and stains throughout.

Forget, I would, some pages -

if I could tear them out -

because I'm very much ashamed

of sinful burdens there -

of sins that I cannot forget -

that Jesus had to bear.

And guilt, at times, still haunts me,

and though forgiveness cures,

I'm very glad you've read my book.

Now read a bit of yours.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:3 (NASB)
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye,

 but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 

Commonality 8-14-11

Everything in this whole world
has one great flaw in common.

Large, small, very light, or

heavier than a ton.

Some are solid, others not,

and some we hear a lot,

some are just a vision,

while others, cold or hot.

Coffee smells, alarm clocks,

computers, highway signs -

family, long vacations -

schedules, meetings, deadlines.

Tell me, what's in common here -

say, what could it be?

Cookie jars to fancy cars,

curved rainbows, scenery...

And there are many other things,

too numerous to list -

scary masks of Halloween,

to pretty morning mists.

Just ponder for a minute

the commonality -

and what effect these things have had

to others, you and me.

Just think for just a minute,

on all these things I list -

and all else you can think of -

and all else that I've missed...

So try, you just might find it -

if not, reread again -

for every thing is common here

for children, women, men.

Now if you have not found it yet,

the answer, if you care -

is that they steal attention and -

take time away from prayer...

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Tender Tears 8-8-11

Be positive and confident,

and joyous all the while -

and you can be a great success

while wearing your great smile.

Success will bring you riches,

such fun, excitement too -

so do not let this world slip by -

revolve it around you.

Oh, there will be some hurting -

a child without his dad -

and though he may shed many tears

don't let him make you sad.

Just keep on smiling broadly,

and remember, others can -

show their deep compassion.

Don't interrupt your plan.

There's way too many people -

and all, you cannot do -

and after all - it's when you smile,

the world will smile with you.

Spread laughter, joy into this world -

put smiles on all the poor -

and if you still feel guilty,

donate a little more.

Ignore the child crying,

ignore her ragged clothes,

ignore the troubles, not your own

for it is how life goes.

Crack a joke on your success,

and brag on all you gave.

Jest and smile and live it up!

Die laughing to the grave...

And then, when you see Jesus,
and your world disappears -
will you get Him to laugh with you
behind His tender tears? 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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One Not Worthy 8-5-11

If I was Jesus, could I take -

the blame that wasn't my mistake?

If I was Jesus, could I hear -

the name 'Barabbas' in my ear?

If I was Jesus, could I see -

the multitudes surrounding me?

If I was Jesus, could I wear -

a crown of thorns set on my hair?

If I was Jesus, could I feel -

the rugged nails through hand and heel?

If I was Jesus, could I smell -

the stench of sweat and blood that fell?

If I was Jesus, could I taste -

when sour wine on lips was placed?

If I was Jesus, could I give -

could I be strong, could I forgive?

If I was Jesus, could I die -

for one not worthy, such as I?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Fragile Fog 8-3-11

Dawn breaks clear and breeze begins- leans the many grasses -

rolling knolls, valleys green- moving, it amasses

moisture up from silent pond, a vapor freely born -

confusing fogs of dampness, there's- another one to warn

of world's prideful arrogance, of want and selfish greed -

another one oblivious to warnings he should heed.

Slow and patient hovering, brings truth so plain to see -

but blindness seizes naive hearts and there will seldom be -

changes to the inner soul that lingers ever past -

then fades away, the temperate fog, as time has fleeted fast.

God creates, then man destroys a life, so visible -

but Jesus comes to heal the sick, the body, spiritual.

God gave Jesus for our souls.  He patiently awaits -

while life is like the fragile fog which quickly dissipates.

Earth- or all eternity- two choices we must weigh -
before the fog has lifted and- life vanishes away. 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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James 4:14 (NASB)
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.