In His Hands 4-5-09

I just heard the tragic news
but I can't fit in your own shoes.
Some times I try to comfort some
but hugging you doesn't take you from
all of the heartache and all of the pain.
My words can't even begin to explain....

My stomach winds up in a giant knot
and after I leave I cry a lot.
When losing a friend that I hold dear
and having known them year after year,
I cry out "God, it just isn't fair"
and wonder often - does He not care?

Then I think, Matthew ten, twenty nine -
recalling the sparrow is not even mine.
God only knows (though worth half a cent)
its final day, its final descent.
For God is sovereign. It fits in His plans
that even the sparrow rests in His hands.

I know that I've made so many mistakes
and I can't feel all the pain and aches -
but God holds the answer, for He sent His Son
and knows of the burdens - as sin weighed a ton.
Our sins Jesus took. Our sins He forgave
and buried them all down deep in the cave.

I guess once again, He graced a few days
to share love together in our special ways.
Just sitting together with tears in our eyes,
helps us weather these very dark skies.
I stumble with thoughts. My words are a few -
but all I can say is - I love you....

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

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Stop, Look & Listen 4-5-09

Please Lord, stop me in my tracks
when others pressure me.
I will not pass Your roses by -
my prayers will thankful be.

Help me look up to Your face
beyond these foggy skies.
With humbleness I see You so
forgive my 'wanting' eyes.

Help me listen to Your voice
with answers - help me start,
not to hear with selfish ears,
but with a humble heart.

I'll not bow to sinful worlds

for You gave me a choice.

I will stop, look and listen 'til
I sense Your Holy voice.

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

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If God We Trust 3-27-09

On a hill, on top of a tree,
a leaf so high went sailing free.
A hot air blast it had acquired,
and pushed it up, as it desired.

It flipped and turned on humid air
and tossed about without a care.
Higher, higher than ever before,
it loved the power, wanted more.

Reminding us, lest we forget,
the winds were not done with it yet.
That leaf blew high above our lawn.
Passed on over where it was drawn.

It blew across our grassy field -
down to a fence that wouldn't yield.
The wind prevailed - to free, it tried,
but there it stuck until it died.

The tree's still there, the roots confirm,
that it is strong and standing firm.
The hot air blew and now we know
that leaf was used by Satan's blow.

It flipped and turned up in the breeze,
and filled itself with selfish ease.
Hot air blows deception's air
but don't forget, we put him there.

So when we vote, let's choose the leaf
who's tested pure and not a thief.
For our tree stands and always will -
if God we trust and honor still.

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

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Thoughts 3-27-09

When Jesus walked this earthly land
and when He healed the withered hand,
did Jesus smile?
When Jesus turned the tables down
and scattered money all around,
was it worthwhile?

When Jesus calmed the wind and sea -
explained to them that faith was free,
did Jesus sigh?
When Jesus took sins mighty loss,
with thorns, the nails, the rugged cross,
did Jesus die?

Did He postpone that awful death
or did He take His final breath?
Do we know why?
Does God [a Christian walk] still see
as He looks deep inside of me?
Does Jesus cry?

2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matt. 12: 13
Matt. 21: 12
Matt. 8: 26

Halleluja! 3-25-09

Lord,

You knew all my excuses.

You knew my weaknesses.

You knew all my feeble cries.
You knew my many, many lies.

You know what our duties are.
You knew me there, from afar.
You knew my every failure.
You knew my every cure.

You knew all my futile years.
You knew my tired painful ears.
You knew my heavy heartache.
You knew I was just another fake.

You knew my best, my dearest friend.
You knew the end, the very end.
You knew my feeble, sorry prayer.
You knew that deathly, stale air.

You knew my wall, between us built.
You knew inside my head, the guilt.
You knew all my greatest fears.
Only You could wipe away the tears -

Tears that flowed for several weeks.
Tears that flowed down guilty cheeks.
Tears that stopped when I ran out -
but one day - finally saw the drought.

A drought that came when God imparted.
A drought that saw me soften hearted.
A drought that halted sacrifice slaughter -
as You gave freely - living water!

Living water so graciously given.
Living water - for me, forgiven.
Living water - for faithful few -
as living water flows on through -

to tears of joy (no sin within).
Tears of happiness flow again.
Tears I can fully, well afford.
Halleluja! Praise the Lord!!

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

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Dead Broke 3-24-09

I bought a house I so adored -

my friends all cheered in great accord.

I borrowed funds on every board

and now my payments, can't afford.

Though every call from bank ignored

I want my credit all restored -

so I can keep my great reward -

so I can buy and not be bored.

High water, I can sometimes ford

and if I could, I'd get on board,

but soon I'll break this final chord -

so loan me patience quickly Lord!

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Tree Still Stands 3-24-09

The whipping winds, the freezing rain,
it did not understand the strain -
and did not understand the stress
of wicked, wintry cold's excess.

Until the springtime snow was melting,
it kept taking earthly pelting.
It held firm throughout the frost
and persevered despite the cost.

The freezing rain was in the air -
yet life grew out of everywhere.
Now how can freezing offer good
while this tree stands misunderstood?
---
Does it strengthen, does it now?
Does it make me wonder how?
Does it test me, does it try,
and does it hurt me - make me cry?
Do trees know that life's not fair?
and do they know if God is there?
Liberty and freedom's great -
but it's not easy fighting hate.
---
Yet sunshine sees (through its appearance),

vast rewards from perseverance -
springtime buds its cheers of joy
and proves this world cannot destroy.

For God alone holds season's times -
protects our souls from earthly crimes.
And though the world claims its demands -
in springtime warmth, my tree still stands.

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

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Summer Day 3-22-09

There is nothing more fine on a warm summer day
than laying in grasses of clover and hay,
where breezes make music through all of the leaves,
and birds do their singing among all the trees.

A butterfly zig-zagged here hither and yon
busily flapping as I had looked on.
I raised my eyes up at the vastness of space
and wondered what God thought of His human race.

Soaking up comfort in all that I saw,
lying there silent, in skeptical awe -
pouring His beauty in nature below,
oh, how did God start it so long, long ago?

He continues to bless us year after year -
and why does He love us? It isn't too clear.
Now God did create us - all different kinds,
so what does He look for in all of our minds?

My horse wandered over and nuzzeled my head.
He wanted me up in the saddle instead.
I sat on his back, took a minute or two -
and pondered the question, pondered a clue.

As I kicked his haunches I knew as I grinned
that he would obey as I leaned to the wind.
He faithfully galloped with all of his might -
the answer revealed as I rode out of sight.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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An Amazing Miracle 3-18-09

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life as faith in God grows.
The greatest forest withstands the storms -
but when an acorn falls, God knows.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life of piloted prayers.
A flock of birds protect each other -
but when the sparrow falls, God cares.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous seed crushed under strife.
The tomb was dark, the stone was sealed -
but God delivers eternal life.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life as grace unfolds.
A family weeps, kisses, and loves -
but when their loved one sleeps, God holds.

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

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The Web 3-16-09

It looked so fragile - I laughed.
Thin strands I could hardly see.
I figured it was harmless
and knew it couldn't hold me.

I tested it, toyed with it, and knew
I was much stronger than it.
So I played for little while
and formed a harmless habit.

There in comfort, I wrapped myself.
I failed to hear the alarm.
It enveloped - and fragile it was,
I knew it could do no harm.

At times I tried to free myself,
my soul was awful scarred.
I'd soon give up each time I tried -
My heart becoming hard.

A great deceptive spider came
and bound me up so tight,
devoured me in laughter
and I had lost the fight.

Learn from this fatal lesson,
and don't play games with sin.
We cannot do it on our own -
for Christ must live within.

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

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The Castle 3-15-09

Ever see a castle, the drawbridge and moat?

Think of it this way - consider, take note....

If God is the Castle, and we're all together,

We're on the outside, in threatening weather -

If moat - full of demons - is giving us fits,

with crocodiles ready to gnash us to bits -

If we're to get safely and quickly across,

let Christ be our guide and the drawbridge, the cross.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Two Worlds 3-15-09

Entangled in earthly possessions -

the world of the physical,
or free, like a bird, that's flying high -
the world of the spiritual.

I once had lived in the earthly world

of personal toil and grind;

but now I live in a different realm -
a world with peace of mind.

A world that I could never earn,

a world I'll never leave,
a world where others can live too,
if only they'd believe.

I could never leave God's world,

and return to a life of sin -

for I've lived in both these worlds
and chose the one I'm in.

Yes, there are two separate worlds.

We can only live in one.
We either build a life for us
or live for God's own Son.

Though I can reach back there to some,

I cannot pull them here.
I cannot pray them here to me,
or bend their lone deaf ear.

We alone have made the choice
in which world we are living -
and if we haven't seen God's world
we don't know what we're missing....

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Good-bye... 3-13-09

"Good-bye"...

It's easy to say to problems,
it's easy to say to a storm,
it's easy to say to the blizzard,
it's easy to live with the norm,

but hard to say to a neighbor,
and hard to say to a friend.
It's hard to say to our family,
and so hard to comprehend.

To all His friends that He saw that day,
and to His disciples, Jesus tried to say,
"Good bye, my friends, I'm about to die",
but they understood not. They didn't know why.

Would we have been grasping or awed with blank stare
if, in His midst, we were standing there?
Could we comprehend what the cross would weigh?
Would we understand - the stone rolled away?

Yet God had a purpose and part of His plan
was that Jesus leave - as He had began -
in Bethlehem humbly, without huge crowds,
then later ascending, above the clouds.

Faith knows we'll see Him in Heaven again,

so our prayers all end with a sincere "Amen".
There in His arms we'll have ample supply -
and never again hear the word "good-bye".

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

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Seven Cents 3-12-09

How futile are the efforts

of mans’ short feeble strife,

on this lost and dying earth,

as he begins his life.

I repaired a house -

had first to clean it up,

some paper here, some clothing there,

and one stained coffee cup -

I really have to wonder,

what's inside the head,

when I see the pauper's life -

and view his life instead.

How futile are the work days,

how futile those days off,

when hogs and sows come running to -

a busy feeding trough.

If I had only known him,

if I had known him hence,

though others carried him from here,

I held his seven cents.

Though not as much as Jesus' cried

while hanging to the cross,

my heart cries out in anguish

for men who live in loss.

Indulging in the here and now,

responsible, his fate -

man still works and lives like pigs,

though God controls the date.

Seven cents discarded,

I found inside his home.

A life indulged in things of earth -

More souls forever roam....

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

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Hallowed Be Thy Name 3-12-09

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
because you first, so loved the world -
we're changed and not the same.

We once were so despicable,
like soiled, dirty rags,
but now we wait as loyal friends,
as a puppy's tail wags.

They say that dogs are man's best friend -
trusting pure and true,
so faithfully we follow -
our faith is all in You.

There's nothing we can turn to,
nothing that we own,
nothing we can build upon -
except Your corner stone.

We wait on Your great wisdom,
we live on Your great strength,
and then as faithful servants,
we serve to greater length.

We cannot hold Your love inside.
We cannot live the same -
we must shine bright and tell the world!
Hallowed be Thy name.

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

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But Then God 3-10-09

On the run - chasing shadows,

and always on the go.

Always right - never wrong,
and always in the know.

"It's not me" I told myself -

my life so wasteful spent.

I was lost. I went to work -

my mind was earthly bent.

I was blind. I couldn't see -

His voice I couldn't hear.

But then God (who loved the world),

had turned my busy ear.

I was a shadow chaser -

too busy for my Lord.

Praise God the Spirit stirred me.

and now I am restored.

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

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What Is Art? 3-9-09

"What is art?” if to me, you would ask,

I'd say its a laborious, challenging task.

God creates life that we can't comprehend -

then puts it in nature, beginning to end...

We suffer the challenge to come even near

the beautiful landscapes we hold ever dear.

The brilliant full sunsets that take breath away

only proves that our artwork is futile and gray.

Though it is improved and forever is honed,

creation is simply just mimicked and cloned.

With all of the paintings and all of the words,

none can replace nature’s flowers or birds.

I search, and within me, I find that great art -

comes from creation through a humble heart.

So never take credit, profits or fame -

for next to creation, our work is a shame.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Weekend Worship 3-7-09

Have a great weekend!

The weekend I praise!

It sure makes me free!

Though bowing to Friday -

is it about "me"?

Is Saturday sacred?

Am I unaware?

Is sporting important -

with no time for prayer?

Do I enjoy Sunday,
or is worship dull?
Do I go my own way? Am
I my own idol?

My weekend? A gem -

we perfectly rhyme!

And finish this poem?

I haven't the time...

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Flip The Coin 3-1-09

Wouldn't it be nice if we
learned from history?
Really there's no problem -
it is no mystery.

And what if we could learn
from anothers' bad mistakes?
Wouldn't that be helpful?
Tell me for goodness sakes.

What if we can't even learn
from mistakes - our very own?
And what if we ignore our friends -
now shouldn't we have known?

Wouldn't it be nice if we
learned from experience?
Really, what's the problem?
Ah, beginning to make sense?

Now flip the coin right over and
I'll tell you what I see...
Jesus died for OUR mistakes -
now explain why that should be.

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

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Johnny 3-1-09

Have you ever had unwanted help -
(oh, let’s just call him "Johnny"),
with exceeding, good intentions,
now thinking back, was funny?

God must laugh a little too,
when He sees how we act.
But remember though, His only Son -
He cried, and that's a fact.

My birthday cake, a year ago
tasted somewhat bland.
It had a funny color too -
the texture? (playground sand).

Whether lav, or kitchen sink,
or tub (home for his toad).
Grace was like the water
that Johnny overflowed.

He knew that water would spill forth
no matter where, was drawn,
and Johnny was so full of faith
when turning water on.

Oh, Johnny had his good days
and certainly his bad,
but I would never trade him as -
I loved the little lad.

Our Father loves us just the same,
despite the times we're wrong -
but if we're not responsible,
our discipline is strong.

If faith is like a water pipe,
if grace a lot like water,
if Christians were like Johnny -
just think what could occur!

If gardens saw no water,
our fruit would not be ripe.
All of it would die away -
without the water pipe.

But baptised in His water,
salvation we will get,
and as it was with Johnny -
so often drenching wet.

God's grace is all sufficient
for those who turn it on,
but most won't see the power
of living water drawn.

And yes, at times I'd scold him,
the paddle, his reward -
but questions seemed to linger -
with him, I so adored.

Many times a flood of tears,
poured down my weary face,
as he taught me repeatedly
God loves the human race.

I'd ask myself quite often as
I looked him in the eye,
and wondered if my Johnny had,
a greater faith than I?

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

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John 4: (NIV)7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."