Faithful Footsteps 5-20-09

Okay, here's a 'twist'.

The word that rhymes is not in this poem.

I've inserted another word.

(just for fun)

Can you guess all the rhyming words?

(no peeking, they're at the bottom)

---

An old man lived on the outskirts of town,
wore an old suit that was tattered and
gray.

His hair, snowy white, was always unkempt.
Because kids made fun, he was full of con-
sideration.

When he was in school, he too made mistakes.
He once, on her desk, put poisonous -
mushrooms.

Now he didn't know that the mushrooms were bad.
and when she arrived, she got really -
pleased,

because she liked mushrooms on all types of things,
pizza and pasta - and on chicken
soup.

But then she noticed - removed them from sight.
She knew about mushrooms and knew these weren't -
edible.

She asked who had done it. This very young child,
didn't admit it - but sat there and -
felt guilty.

Despite good intentions he misunderstood.
He couldn't admit it, now tell me, who
is he?

His conscience held hostage, he couldn't ignore,
Was this still a child that mom could -
forgive?

Though all his emotions were torn far apart,
he learned a good lesson and made a new -
Friend.

He started to give and help out the others,
helping with strangers, sisters and -
with their needs.

Just when we think that we've figured life out,
We let out our holler and let out our -
chest.

I learned that humbleness Satan will thwart,
and with good intentions, we still will fall -
far,

far from Gods promise, far from above.
Once sacrifice fixed it but now it's His -
grace.

He later admitted to teacher, Miss Laurie,
"I thought they were good ones, I am very -
wrong."

Well, she understood and the story ends here.
He learned a good lesson and had a good -
education.

Wisdom was gained far back in his childhood,
He wasn't perfect but he knew he was -
bad.

Will Heaven we see, if we're very proud?
Will our pride cripple? Will we be -
dead?

Jesus gives life! Don't let Satan deceive,
for we are forgiven if we'll only -
have faith.

For even the demons - they're shuddering still.
Do they believe, and do His good -
commands?

Yes, Jesus proves faithful, time after time,
so follow His footsteps and you'll always -
rhyme!

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

-------

Just in case you're unsure of some of the 'rhyming' words... here they are:

Brown

Contempt

Snakes

Mad

Wings

Right

Smiled

Would

Adore

Start

Brothers

Shout

Short

Love

Sorry

Year

Good

Allowed

Believe

Will

And of course the last word "rhyme" is correct

Liars & Crosses 5-19-09

(house of cards)

When liars write their legal laws,
and push agendas high -
then pull the rug from under us,
what all does this imply?

When everyone's against us and
when laws ignore the lies -
and when we've been convicted, then
what can we all surmise?

It doesn't pay to play by rules?
It doesn't pay to fight?
It doesn't pay to honor truth?
Assume their 'wrongs' are 'right'?

The liars and deceivers all
can build their castles high -
but it won't take them very long
to topple from the sky.

Governments shall come and go
as this one surely will -
for lies cannot be building blocks
for laws up on 'the Hill'.

Now I was lied to - this is true,
so many, many times -
by bureaucrats in government
convicted of no crimes.

What happens when the liars then,
in government have risen?
You can bet we honest folk, will
rot away in prison!

Deceptive tongues and lying lips
shoot off from gnashing jaws -
but our clear eyes must peer above
their superficial laws.

My only consolation here
that's true and always free -
is this:  that God's no liar and
He sent His Son for me.

Consistent are His promises,
(as gravity and time) -
but all dead words from mortal man
aren't worth a blessed dime.

Know always that we're not alone
for God still loves us so.
Faith owns the straight and narrow and
to Heaven we will go.

For Jesus wore our very shoes
those many years ago -
and did not only drag His cross
...but carried ours also.

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

-------

HOMER 5-16-09

This is a true story.

It's true, as I had witnessed it personally.

I pray that you enjoy 'HOMER'.

-

Homer.
A 'special' person?
Successful?

Few would call him that today.
He was not an 'important' elected official.
He was not a 'well-known' celebrity.
He was not a 'CEO',
nor did it seem he was even 'needed'.

In the mid 50's
after heart trouble
needing a warmer climate

and wanting to do mission work-
he moved to Texas - Weslaco, Texas.
He knew no one there.
And of course,
Mexico was just across the river.

The Mexicans were very poor.
I suppose most of us knew that -
but few really noticed.

I visited him once.
He drove me around
and showed me places -
and I remember seeing
a very young girl playing
naked in front of
a small square shack (her home).

Homer saw a need -
but few noticed.

Homer lived in a trailer.
He didn't have heat
and it got cold at night -
but few noticed.

The border patrol got to know Homer.
They trusted him.
They knew him
as they saw how he lived,
and the work he was doing.
We crossed the border
into Mexico and back,
easily -
without being checked.
He prayed, then delivered food.
He prayed, then delivered clothes.
He prayed, then delivered hope.
He prayed, then delivered change -
to their lives.

For years he delivered their needs
and the Good Word -
but few noticed.

He didn't pastor a big church.
He didn't pastor a small church.
He didn't pastor any church -
but I remember once
at a Wednesday night prayer meeting -
(during one of those rare times
he returned to Wisconsin)
several men stood up
and gave their testimonies.
I can't remember
what any of them said.
But then Homer stood up.
He didn't say anything spectacular.
He just told of how poor his 'new friends' were
and how he was trying to help them.
He spoke for awhile and asked if
we might be able to share or donate anything -
clothes, food...
and then started to sit back down.
But everyone wanted to hear more
- so he continued.
He spoke for the full service.

There was no "prayer meeting" that evening.
No one left early.
The pastor never spoke either -
but few noticed. 

His faith was big
but he did small things.

Few noticed.

Decades later

as he got older,
he moved in with us -
back in Wisconsin.
I owned a few rentals
and charged him nothing.
He insisted on paying, though -

so he did,
$40 per month
which covered the utilities.
He could afford that.
He stayed in that small lower unit
a number of years.
I learned a lot -
as I saw him daily.
I was not a benefit to him,
but rather, he was a benefit to me.
You might say that we
were one, big happy family.
We seldom knocked.

I remember once
walking in on him
and saw him in his bedroom
on the floor
on his knees
at his bedside,
praying.
He didn't hear me
or see me
so I quietly backed out.
He was a man of prayer.

He read his Bible continuously.
We spoke often.
He carried his Bible everywhere -
and rarely left home without it.
He walked to the other end of town and back
twice a day, for exercise.
He loved Gods world -
but few noticed.

He continued his normal routine,
his daily Christian walk -
but few noticed.

One day
as I was driving down main street,
on the far sidewalk,
I saw him.
As I stopped for a red light,
there he was - up ahead,
walking the same direction as I.
Who could forget that distinctive walk?
A little hunched over,
but a deliberate walk -
as if he always knew
exactly where he was headed.
Few noticed.

As I got closer -
as I looked closer -
of course, at his side,
under his arm,
in his hand
was that same familiar Bible.
He didn't see me.
I didn't sound my horn to wave.
I just looked ahead
and smiled, thinking...
'that's Homer'.

On the sidewalk
were other passers by.
I wondered if they, too, saw his Bible.
Few noticed.

Now maybe Homer
was not a 'special' person in our world,
but he was a special person to me -
and a very 'special' person to God.
A great believer,
A 'special' person for sure -
though few noticed.

Are we 'special' to those around us?
How will people remember us?
And more importantly,
how will God remember us?

Homer passed away in 1991
at the age of 95.
A few people in Weslaco, TX
or in Mexico
might still remember "the nice man".
The children that he fed and clothed then
should be in their 40s or 50s now.

Homer McDermott
1896-1991
He died poor -
but few noticed.

If every American
in this nation -
prayed as hard as he did -
worked as hard as he did -
gave as hard as he did....
if every American
in this nation -
proved their love as he did -
to our neighbors here,
and around the world -
then America, once again, would be
that "shining city on a hill"
Reagan spoke of in Dallas in 1984.

And God would be defined to the world
through pure Christian living -
not through theology books
sold in bookstores,
or by
(allow me to say it this way)
"make-believers".

Homer didn't "make-believe".
Homer didn't 'act' like a Christian.
Homer was a Christian -
though few noticed.

Homer never worked for his salvation,
nor did he worry about his salvation,
nor did he charge
for his Christian service -
and few noticed.

Few people knew Homer -
but God did.
Few people noticed Homer -
but I did.

Tears pour from my eyes
when I think of how far I fall short
of Homer's great love and faith -
in life,
for others,
for God.

Homer -
a very 'special' person?
I guess that's for each one of us to decide,
depending on our goals in life -
but as for me - yes, absolutely.

Homer McDermott,
a most humble man -
a man of faith -
a man of most unselfish love,
with the greatest, most worthy testimony.

And though few noticed
my grandfather, I did.

~louis gander

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

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Hope Soap! 5-12-09

Hope?

Bad hope?
Good hope?

What is hope?
And why hope?

Is hope for real?
Do hope we feel?

Is hoping smarter?
Does hope now differ?

When can we begin to cope?
When do we have real hope?

Hope for a reason?
Hope for a season?

Where is true hope?
What good is hope?

What's true hope?
Who's for hope?

Great hope?
Real hope?

Hope?

If nothing here is going wrong,
when everything is going strong -
Where's hope?

And if our days are so a'hurtin',
because in sin we are a'flirtin',
Where's hope?

Through streets, the serpent pulls and drags
as we become his filthy rags,
Where's hope?

And if, without humility
we know ourselves we can't cut free,
Where's hope?

We seek above the clouds for aid -
without repentence we still prayed,
Where's hope?

Faith in works does not suffice
but rather Christ who paid the price,
There's hope!

Grace can't clean unless we choose
faith in 'salvations soap' we use.
Hope Soap!

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

------

Needed Change 5-11-09

Change -
something desired -
when troubled skies turn gray.

Change -
something wanted -
when we're in disarray.

Change -
something needed -
when money slips away.

Change -
something demanded -
so we seek a better way.

Yet 'change' is so misunderstood.
(it isn't always real 'good').
For true foundations always stand
when guided by Gods Holy hand.

Look at Job - change turned life bad,
though not his fault, lost all he had.
Skies were dark and not too sunny -
lost his children - all his money.

But give up? Job did not quit -
nor lose his faith? No, not one bit -
for God was there right by his side
and Job knew God would soon provide.

Our world falls in one big splat
to 'crisis' after 'desperate'.
Our courage runs from whim to whim
as we all scream, "Let's vote for him!"

Greed will always wear its frown
and turn our smiles up-side-down.
Oh, there's no doubt that we seek change
but where we look is really strange.

When blaming others for our seed,
we only have one real need.
Our sinful souls seek latitude -

but needed change is "attitude"!

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

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JOB 42: (KJ)
"5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning..."

Nervous? 5-11-09

Are you nervous about classes,
a report card - or a test,
a landlord, an X-ray, a dentist,
professor - or the rest?

Why should we pay attention to
our little worldly worth -
and why are we so nervous 'bout
the finite things of earth?

Goodness flows through all of us
and evil is but frozen,
for we, with faith in Him above
are His, as He has chosen.

So walk in reverent footsteps of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus -
for God created, retains control,
and He is leading us!

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

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Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

For God So Loved 5-6-09

(same tune as: America the Beautiful)

O beautiful, our God above,
to those who seek His face,
as repentance and forgiveness
both share His loving grace!
For God so loved, He sent His Son!
then shed His blood for thee -
so focus towards
the Lord of Lords,
from sea to shining sea!

O beautiful, whose missions' feet
whose great steadfastened root,
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
across the world, fruit!
For God so loved - He sent His Son!
then died for you and me -
commanded us
that we profess,
to those across the sea!

O beautiful, His soldiers are
in liberating strife,
who more than self their Father love
and souls so more than life!
For God so loved - He sent His Son!
may God our wealth define -
now let us sing
to God our King,
and hold His Name divine!

O beautiful, salvation's dreams
beyond the 'here and now'
my alabaster Heaven gleams -
This world I disavow!
For God is love - He's coming back -
prepared a place for me...!
as I've confessed
in humbleness,
I give all praise to thee!

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

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America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,

Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

My Mom 5-3-09

My Mom,
who hugged me after painful birth,
who loved me more than all this earth,
who tucked me in when I was cold,
who, though crying, she would hold,

who stayed up nights, looked over me,
who put me first, instead of 'she',
who didn't sleep - rocked me instead,
who kissed my tiny, warm forehead,

who proved her love time and again,
who never quit through thick and thin,
who, for days, awake would keep,
who held me 'til I'd fall asleep.

who fed me, bathed me, clothed me too,
who taught me, spanked me 'til I grew,
who knew my treasures on my shelf,
who knew me more than me, myself,

who told me, "Don't your brother taunt."
who gave advice I didn't want,
who knew behind my ears was dirt,
who gave instruction 'til it hurt.

Mom won't make our history book,
but if she did, no one would look.
Though she knew scripture inside-out,
there's nothing I could write about.

Was Mom so special? Not to you,
for she had me - then followed through.
Moms fall short of explanation -
but they built this very nation.

Mom, I love you -
(and all Moms everywhere....)

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

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The Greatest Of Poems! 4-29-09

If I could write
the greatest of poems
which opened all sinners eyes,
I'd soar in a plane,
drop leaflets like rain
from way up here in the skies!

I'd scream from the hilltops,
yell across plains -
although some might think me insane -
I'd holler right out,
with every loud shout,
for silence I could not contain!

Yes, this very poem
if it, I could write,
I'd sing from each mountain top -
the highest of height,
from morning to night,
until, exhausted, I'd drop.

But what if I couldn't
write such a poem?
And what if my poem should fail?
Well, here's the great sting,
of not even trying -
that Satan, for sure, would prevail.

Now this is the reason
it cannot be done:
I'd be speaking in English to birds...
But they have a choice

with God's still, small voice -
without my vain efforts in words.

Birds can't speak English,
God made them that way.
We're only to go and plant seed.
Then while on the ground
they peck all around
until they find Jesus indeed!

So print this mere poem,

a 'seed' not the greatest

and tell all your friends that it's true.

Please let them all know,

that God loves them so -

then mention that we love them too.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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God's Lawn 4-28-09

Feeling down and feeling out?
Feeling angry? Want to shout?
This morning at the crack of dawn
I saw my Fathers perfect lawn.

A perfect lawn that all could see,
but tell me this, how could it be -
when not a single blade of grass
could live up to perfections class?

As I view each single blade,
I know for certain God had made -
I feel, at times, so out of touch -

and do not measure up so much.

So often others seem remiss,
as they forget this blade exists.
In all these blades, it takes so many -
if I'm pulled, would it change any?

Notice ALL the blades imperfect?
If all were pulled I would expect,
that this whole perfect lawn of green
could soon become one ugly scene.

No one's perfect, make that clear -
here nor there nor any year -
but God had planned this all along -
for perfect lawn: imperfect throng.

So all lost souls can see His face,
I'll make His lawn a lusher place.
Through ALL life's storms I'll trust His ways
and in His lawn, I give Him praise!

So when I feel down and out,
I'll remember, there's no doubt -
that I'm not here for worldly gain.
So Lord, drench fully, me in rain.

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

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Angel Wings 4-27-09

(for my cousin, Louise, who was always smiling, 1955-2009)

When life seems empty, it's no fun.
When everything's hopeless, what can be done?
When all life's work goes down the drain...
when I look back, it's all insane.

What if I knew that few people care,
and where are the answers from government there?
What can I do when I've lost earthly hope?
Oh, what can I do at the end of my rope?

Let go, let God,
with wink and nod.
For it's worthwhile.
to smile awhile.

With faith I just
rely on trust.
I feel so free.
Don't cry for me.

From all earths harms,
I'll drop in arms,
against His chest -
for I'm His guest.

In graveyard no,
don't look below,
but up should look,
for me He took.

When life looks bleak,
give God a peek,
You'll find Him too
with life anew.

Trust has no strings,
an angel sings,
when Jesus brings
us angel wings...

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

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Tears (of living water) 4-26-09

I pray across this blessed land -
and sit here now, with pen in hand.
Truth is not just for the birds,
so seek ye truth among these words...

There was a tree along my drive
appearing very much alive.
Others lived there all around -
but this one grew on shallow ground.

That tree had basked out in the sun,
and from the birds it didn't run.
Yet its roots did not reach down
and soon its leaves were turning brown.

Receiving moisture, as the rest,
but didn't drink despite its quest.
It didn't draw from nature's love -
was lacking nurture from above.

Though it rained all summer long
and though I nursed it all along -
truth revealed no life ahead,
so that tree stood completely dead.

I gave it time - another year,
but it was dead and that was clear.
Though it stood there so straight and tall -
I pulled it out. Yes, roots and all.

Holding fast to 'here and now',
do I drink milk, forget the cow?
Thinking of each choice I make,
can I still pray, "my soul to take"?

Do we so love our good Creator -
or do we, His creation more?
Many still, reject His grace
as tears of sadness, soak His face.

Now this, for me, is ample proof -
His teardrops pour upon my roof.
Through the window - what a scene!
My grassy yard is turning green.

With her doll, she always cuddles,
jumping in abundant puddles.
Playing, I can see my daughter -
we're so blessed with living water.

Now here I pause, with pen and ink,
I ponder this. It makes me think,
if I reject the truth I see -
then I, just like that tree will be.

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

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Respect 4-23-09

Where's respect we used to have,
among each other, great?
And where's concern for other folks
in love. How do we rate?

We used to clean up, comb our hair,
when taking off for town,
but now we think it's 'oh, so cool'
when pants are sliding down.

Baggy pants are not the cause
respect is nearly dead.
It starts before the pants are made.
The 'cause' is in our head.

Just look and see the jogging shorts
at any grocery store.
And how can we still wonder why
our crime rates upward soar?

With dirty, ragged, torn tee-shirts,
what does it say to others?
And can we see this disrespect
for even, yes, our mothers?

We are so full of gracious love -
but only for ourselves.
They've lost their love for others as
they watch out for themselves.

And even now in government,
without the least regard -
they tax and spend (their sacred cause).
Belligerence is hard.

We think we have the answers -
but have we gone insane,
with pay-offs by the trillions -
paid back with waves of grain?

Respect those purple mountains.
Respect our fruited plains.
Tell me why we're tightly wrapped -
and bound with our own chains?

What happened to America -
and to those spacious skies?
What happened to our families?
Who's focused in our eyes?

Where's respect for brotherhood?
Let's do some deep research.
Let's open up our Bibles now
in office, homes and church.

It's way past time we get on track
and rid ourselves of pride -
for if we don't, our country's in
for one last bumpy ride....

Foundations are not built on air -
and faith cannot be bought.
Don't listen to the here and now,
but what our grandpa's taught.

Strength cannot come from within,
when feet aren't on the ground.
The strength we get is from above
where truth is always found.

Respect for flag and country
can one day come again -
but only if we humbly ask,
forgiveness from our sin.

Where is respect for country?
Are God's commandments wrong?
I ask you now, "What can replace
these ten to make us strong?"

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

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Exodus 20 (KJV)
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

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America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates, 1895, 1904, 1913
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul
in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success
be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good
with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till souls wax fair
as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till paths be wrought
through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain
no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till nobler men
keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Priorities 4-17-09

Filling my calendar, filling my schedule.
Accomplishing the vast majority.
I cancel some - then add a few.
What's my top priority?

Would I get behind, or come out ahead -
if I happened now to drop over dead?

Career, home, and family -
Am I for God or just for me?
When life is over, what will be?
Who's the great authority?

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

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Final Walk 4-13-09

Now forty lashes - minus one

The torture, anguish has begun.

Thirty-nine lashes, horrid pain,

I can't endure - but won't complain.

A crown of thorn cuts in so deep,

Energy gone, I've got to sleep.

But on my back, a timber placed -

it weighs a ton, blood/sweat I taste.

I feel the cross beside my face.

I cannot walk a faster pace.

Skin open rips - each time I slip,

so tighter, I must keep my grip.

Each step I take is harder still

when trudging up this cruel hill.

The slivers pierce me as I trod,

both big and small - please help me God.

Please give me strength - for Heaven's sake

for every muscle in me aches.

With that huge cross along my back,

my knees give out. My legs go slack.

Exhausted, I can hardly crawl

and then I drop it as I fall.

My shoulder hurts, the pain intense -

then they all stare in awed suspense.

I can't hold it any more

yet I know next, what is in store.

My lungs hurt so, I've lost my breath -

but give me strength before my death.

At the top, I finally rest -

but now this cross, my final test.

I love you all - am faithful still,

right here on top of Calvary's hill.

Yet all the pain endured thus far

cannot erase the sins that are.

Sacrifice, death - wages of sin -

now demand pain on the cross begin.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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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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