Rev. Billy Graham 2-24-18

One-half a century ago,

a day about routine,

became one quite spectacular

for boy about thirteen...

A faithful black and white TeeVee

had doors that opened wide,

inviting all to sit a'spell

and watch what was inside.

Once on, dad had to turn a knob

for vertical control.

And then the horizontal one

in that tube-filled console.

A strong determined voice was heard

by boy and everyone.

Then picture tube came into view

with all fine-tuning done.

And what he saw astonished him -

so many people there.

Packed full, a football stadium.

He saw no empty chair.

"Evangelist", dad said he was.

He was straightforward, bold -

and not ashamed to preach the Word.

A 'someone' to behold.

A well-read Bible always would

lay open in his hand.

Not like today where gadgets live

and kids don't understand.

But why did people love this man?

What caused his flock to grow?

What special thing did this man have?

At first, he didn't know.

But when the cam'ra zoomed, he saw

a tear run down his face -

while speaking of the love of God

and His amazing grace.

Embarrassed, he was not at all.

He loved those people there.

He cared about their fragile souls

A man like that is rare.

"Just As I Am" was always sung

as invitation song.

A score of people always came

with lines to alter, long.

That little boy had learned a lot

in front of that TeeVee.

He gave his life to Jesus too

and God had set him free!

Before this story poem ends

there's one more thing to know -

I still remember that young boy

so many years ago.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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"One day you will hear that Billy Graham has died. Don't believe it.

On that day I will be more alive than I ever will be.". -Billy Graham.

My Faithful Friend 2-18-18

As I awake, the truth meets flesh -

I breathe in life, so cool and fresh.

Crisp air is mine, my faithful friend.

I step on cabin's old wood floors -

and say a prayer before my chores.

This country's mine, my faithful friend.

I light lamp's weak and little torch -

then step out on my weathered porch.

Pre-morning's mine, my faithful friend.

Just standing still, like statuettes -

the trees are shadows, silhouettes.

Those trees are mine, my faithful friends.

Some clouds meander with the breeze -

so high above these lowly trees.

Those clouds are mine, my faithful friends.

The stars are there, while night enshrouds -

but shine light through the lowly clouds.

Those stars are mine, my faithful friends.

Nighttime dies, sun arises.

Colors scream, bright surprises!

That brightness mine, my faithful friend.

The morning rays I so embrace

are warming as they kiss my face.

The sun is mine, my faithful friend.

The Great Creator, I so love -

has wrath as rock, but grace as dove.

My God is mine, my faithful friend.

Creation grew and bore a Son.

There never lived another One.

The Lord is mine, my faithful friend.

Creation trembled, shook the land -

but Christ arose to God's right hand.

Now peace is mine, my faithful friend.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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One Little Wave 2-11-18

A non-eventful morn it was

as many were before.

The sun came up exposing life

just off the sandy shore.

The winds blew in across the lake

creating quite a stir -

and waves grew up from nothing yet

there's lessons to infer.

I followed just one little wave

to see what it would do.

It seemed to be behaving well

or did I misconstrue?

Between two other waves it moved

across the little lake.

It'd sometimes try to reach up high

which was its first mistake.

For what it saw were waves ahead

so he became aghast.

Why, they were all in front of him -

while he had followed last!

Each time it swelled to reach up high

it wanted to be seen -

but then it'd drop back down again

and stay there in-between.

Then those two waves on either side

had closed in on the one -

which raised him up just high enough

he glittered in the sun.

"Hey, look at me!" he seemed to say -

with ego growing large.

He liked- no, he demanded that

alone, he'd lead the charge.

So there he rode above the rest -

now highest wave of all.

And there he took in all of life

which made him feel tall.

Behind, he looked - and saw those waves

applauding- east to west.

His popularity increased

as you might well have guessed.

So there he was still looking back

with ev'ry want and whim.

While riding high, he saw those waves -

those waves that followed him.

But life is short, so very short -

and most don't understand -

that hourglass starts running low

with top devoid of sand.

Applause was great and greatness too

while he sought even more -

but suddenly his time ran out

in death on other shore.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Great Man 2-2-18

How big is the ocean?

How tall is the sail?

How big is the clipper?

How tall is the tale?

How big is the great man?

How tall is his pride?

How big is his ego

that flows from inside?

How loud is his boasting?

How loud is his horn?

How loud is his bragging,

yet quiet, our scorn?

How many, a promise?

How many times said?

How many believe him?

How many mislead?

Oh, where hides the shyness

and where hides the man -

when big man is lessened

as when he began?

How short is the thistle

and shorter, the thorn -

but great is the torment

when foot's skin is torn?

Transparent, his actions,

transparent, each thought -

and God does not 'know' him

because he was bought;

First by the minute,

Then by a smell -

of fire and brimstone,

by Devil in hell.

Exposed is the thistle.

Exposed is the gloom.

He's naked as baby

right out of the womb.

How fake were his pledges?

How fake was his stride?

How fake was his swagger

before he had died?

Does God see the motive?

Does God look within?

Does God judge the great man

when God knows his sin?

Beware of the ego.

Beware of the pride.

Beware of temptations

in life's fleeting ride.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.