Your Word 8-31-13

Why can't I write one poem, Lord,

that gathers people 'round,

that opens eyes and opens hearts

to all Your truths I've found -

among the pages of Your Book,

which tells me how to live -

which tells life's truths, both good and bad -

and how I should forgive?

Why can't I write one poem, Lord,

that brings the people 'round,

and opens hearts so they forgive

so that Your peace is found -

Your peace of dulcet harmony

which flows from day to day,

which brings us closer to Your Word -

and shows us how to pray?

Why can't I write one poem, Lord,

that calls all wicked, wild,

the selfish men, bad women too -

and every sinful child -

who desecrate Your garden, Lord,

who desecrate Your laws,

who desecrate Your truth and love...

and then wait for applause?

Why can't I write one poem, Lord,

that brings the people 'round,

so they'd forgive the other folks

and hopefully be found -

sitting on the many pews

inside these hallowed halls,

inside our humble churches where -

a still, small voice still calls?

Lord, You are much greater than

my sorted words can brag,

coming from this shaky hand

attached to this old rag.

But maybe this reminder here

can make us humbly look -

at not a bunch of rhyming words,

but rather at Your Book?

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beheaded 8-22-13

What could it be?  They tortured me

as others stood around.

They seized me tight.  There was no fight.

They threw me to the ground.

There was no ease, down on my knees.

And then I overheard,

Kill him!  Kill him!  It was grim.

They shoved my head forward.

Through their disgust, I tasted dust -

my face against the dirt.

I felt the weight of all their hate

and then I heard them blurt,

Deny! Deny! - or you will die!

With that, one raised his sword.

In dampened eyes I shared my cries,

"Oh, please forgive them Lord!"

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The war against those who love others continues.

There is violence against many loving Christians

who have never hurt anyone- but only helped others-

the sick, the elderly, the children.

The killings and church burnings continue.

We, the people, either stand up for

the peaceful, the meek, the humble and the innocent,

or we stand against them.

There is no in-between.

There is no 'sitting on the fence'. (Rev. 3:16).

Educate yourself,

then pray, then help, then vote.

Every minute matters.

If, indeed, you love others,

please give to your local church missions,

print this out and pass it on...

Thank you!

The Straight and Narrow 8-20-13

Celestial grace pours down on me.

Your love has filled my heart.

Rejoice, I do, when I'm with You,

but life tears me apart.

I pray, "Dear Lord, please give me strength.

Sometimes I can't go on...

Does Your sparrow not have shelter

from things it comes upon?

"Yea, though I walk through the valley,

where evil so abounds,

I did not know that Your path Lord,

would have such 'ups and downs'.

They take my house, possessions too,

but You say 'follow me'.

So faithfully, I stumble on.

Was this all meant to be?

"Yea, though I walk the shadow through,

which covers all the grounds...

I did not know that Your path Lord,

would have such 'ups and downs'.

The future's dark, so go, how I?

Oh, what am I to do?

I often find it slippery

as I reach out to You.

"Yea, though I walk through horrid death,

I hear its helpless sounds...

I did not know that Your path Lord,

would have such 'ups and downs'."

---

His way is seldom easy,

and downright serious -

but yet I know it's not as hard

as nails that held Jesus.

His way is met with 'ups and downs'.

It's often slippery.

Sometimes I feel incapable -

and tempted so, to flee.

But it is then that I recall

that He protects the sparrow -

so faithfully I drag my cross

here on the straight and narrow.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

Matthew 10:30-32 (KJV)

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Much More Courage 8-15-13

I got no dad that I know of.

My mama's scarcely seen.

My aunt takes care of all of us.

Her boyfriend's really mean.

There's danger on my city street,

there's danger in my school,

there's danger at my local store -

if I'm not lookin' cool.

I've come too far to turn back now,

I've come too far to change.

I've come too far inside the gang -

you prob'ly think I'm strange.

If I don't have the tattoo'd marks

with gang I'm runnin' in -

If I don't have my gun and knife,

there's no way I will win.

I've learned my lesson, know it well.

and if I have to chance -

I'll use my gun if there's a need.

The fittest will romance -

and start the cycle once again

to bring another child

into the war zone I'm in now

where hate and anger's wild.

Ya' think God's Ten Commandments here

will do us any good?

Our culture isn't going to change

from here within 'the hood'.

"Thou shalt not kill", "thou shalt not steal" -

Who listens to them words?

And even your Supreme Court said

those words are 'for the birds'.

No, I grew up in culture where

there is no safe escape -

where sirens fill the midnight skies

and morning finds bright tape -

surrounding yet another scene

where one more body lay -

where each one has an answer for -

...but has nothing to say.

I cried when I saw sister there -

my little flower bud -

her smiling face, forever gone

inside her pool of blood.

It's not a 'group' that must be saved,

but individuals -

and I pray now that God would shake

their thick and stubborn skulls.

Some good old-fashioned discipline

is needed once again.

Respect is needed - and despite

the color of the skin.

And every individual

must learn it from God's Son.

It takes a real man to love.

It starts with only one.

Am I the one to lead this gang

that they be real men -

where we can live in full respect

and humbleness again?

Some think they're tough when they can hold

a gun to garner fear -

but now I know it takes more guts

to shed one loving tear.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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(This poem was written not to judge but rather to save lives and souls.

It involves ALL cultures to some degree or another because
we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.

The culture is obvious to all of us.  The 'fault' is not to argue.

America's "melting pot" MUST have ingredients that melt and God MUST be in that mix.
The ONLY solution to gang violence is our confession, our repentance,
our forgiveness and our faithfulness through God's grace.

If respect is lost, there is no obedience to the parents, the teachers or the law.
REAL discipline does not embarrass the child in public (find a quiet place),
nor does it hit, slap, yell, denigrate the child or show disrespect -
but rather understands, uplifts, reasons, educates, loves and is most always mixed with tears.)

Splash! 8-12-13

Oh, splash!  Your feet in puddle went - and there, without a doubt,

how blissful 'twas, to be a kid, as water splashed about.

Your life was fun and easy then.  You lived a life of ease.

And very far and few between, responsibilities.

And how you've learned your every right as those truths went to seed.

Although you didn't know it then, you grew up under greed.

You've made demands for 'this and that'. You've voted your own way.

and you gave little thought - that one day someone has to pay.

No love can rid the kids of hate.  That anger's deep within -

but don't say 'God' or pray in schools - for that would be a sin.

You hate the Ten Commandments, (you know, don't steal or kill).

It only matters - you're not shot as morals go downhill.

Now it's no fault of criminals.  You'd best just run off quick.

They have the right to stand their ground.  You hear the door locks click.

And when they break into your house, be glad that you're 'gun free'.

Just make a call to 9-1-1.  They'll come, just wait and see...

You terrorize Conservatives from Detroit's ghostly town.

You're getting high on cannabis while Rome is burning down.

You hate it when some seek the truth, exposing every cronie -

but they've convinced you followers that everything is phoney.

The IRS, the NSA - they 'plead the fifth' and lie -

but if you owe a dollar more, they'll make you want to cry.

Benghazi - "What's it matter?"  They said it wasn't true.

There's nothing you should care about - unless it affects you.

They talk you into circles while they throw you into mazes.

You're voting for your pocketbooks.  They're voting for their raises.

You thought your perfect job secure.  You've been there many years -

but as employment dissipates, you'll soon be left in tears.

Do not expect full raises and - to cut your spending, (half).

Get trained to flip a burger now.  Diplomas are a laugh.

Oh sure, you've stepped on other folks - and yes, there is no doubt -

you've trampled each last liberty.  Now freedoms you're without.

You've forfeited and voided each and every Bill of Right.

Your ignorance, embarrassing, but claim your future's bright.

The 'land of opportunity'?  About it, do not think.

Elitists burned the Constitution.  It is now extinct.

You're slaves, but they've convinced you that they work on your behalf.

The poor get poorer, rich get richer - ohhh, but they can laugh!

Who cares that they get richer now?  Just pass another beer!

Celebrate, you liberals - your socialism's here!

You kill a healthy pregnancy - then ask you're treated fair -

and mandate others are insured to pay for your health care.

 They will watch your every move and make sure you don't cheat -

and wait 'til they put limits on the food that you will eat.

You get your way in everything.  You think you know it all.

You voiced your hard opinions loud. Your arrogance stands tall.

And so you worship your own 'god' as you invent your cult.

You've lost your soul and liberties - but it was Bush's fault.

Yes, splash!  Your feet on freedoms go - and now, without a doubt,

you think it's bliss to be naive - but you will thrash about.

You've made their lives so easy now as they live lives of ease -

as they exempt themselves from all... responsibilities.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Everything To God 8-3-13

For God so loves the 'least of these'.

He knows you love them too.

And though they're very needy, they

are always watching you.

Though you are very special,

you're always very poor.

Though ample, your possessions here,

there's nothing you've worked for.

You work so hard.  Accomplishments?

There's nothing on your list.

You're nothing to this sinful world.

To them, you just exist.

Your works are but a filthy rag.

Deep wrinkles fill your face.

But unlike many people here

you have accepted grace.

You pray for ALL your enemies.

You love instead of hate.

Oh, you are very special -

but do not think you're great.

Your faithfulness just seems to grow -

yet you seem unfulfilled.

You think you're going nowhere fast...

Your busy days are filled.

And that's how Satan tears you down.

The masses think you're odd.

You're nothing to this sinful world...

but everything to God!

For God so loves the 'least of these'.

He knows you love them too.

And though they're very needy, they

are always watching you.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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