Perfect Mom, The 3-16-14

In remembrance of my mom...

Ruth 1925 - 2014

Escorted by the rising tide that I no longer see,

I don't look back to shores again I know will never be.

The garden gate has opened up and I am ushered to

the freshest, fragrant flowers with the deepest velvet hue.

The vibrant colors beckon me as I think back with ease,

recalling garden flowers there ...but nothing such as these.

Has Eden's garden multiplied a million trillion times?

The choir voices carry on as I hear echoed chimes.

No wheelchair or blindness now.  No pain cuts through my face.

I take my lively buoyant steps on paths that prove His grace.

I feel just like a child again.  I jump and skip and hop

as landscapes go forever here with beauty that's non-stop.

The vivid 'reds' are deeper and the 'yellows' brighter still.

The roses, and the daffodils and other flowers fill -

the contours of the garden knolls with colored trees of fall.

The sunshine brightens everything ...and now I see it all.

I glide now ever closer to an everlasting brook

meandering the lily pads that my attention took.

Every scene and every sight is pleasingly outstanding.

The peace that overtakes me now still passes understanding.

The sweetened fragrance envelopes me in this special place -

and all of Heav'n around me here reflects His shining face.

I hear His soft familiar voice that whispers loving care,

"There's nothing here to worry you- and nothing more to bear."

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

(note:  Ruth was recovering from a successful heart surgery when her medications ended up wrong.  This setback and others that made her gain weight- along with a tumor they found on her backbone- put her in a wheelchair.  A nerve in her jaw had given her great intermittent pain for decades, her hearing was bad or non-existent in one ear and her eyes had faded to near blindness.  Cancer was then discovered throughout her body.  However, though nearly blind, she continued to knit 'flips' for children to throw and gave them out as fast as she made them until her final days.
Ruth Gander 1925-2014)

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My mom had told me once that this was her favorite song...

I Come To The Garden Alone

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks and the sound of His voice, 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me 

Within my heart is ringing. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

I'd stay in the garden with Him 

Though the night around me be falling, 

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe 

His voice to me is calling. 

Refrain: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known.

Memory Wrinkles 2-26-14

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

I sit close by my window sill

with crinkled memories.

I look out as I reminisce.

Some drop me to my knees.

Yes, those I'd just as soon forget

but pleased I am with most,

Each wrinkle is a mem'ry though.

With some, I love to boast.

Now here's a very special one,

when wedding dress was worn,

and this, another perfect one,

the day my child was born.

The time my child was married off,

a sight you'd have to see,

the birth of my granddaughter too,

the day she walked to me.

This wrinkle here had really hurt -

and it is yet 'unspoken'.

It caused me many, many tears -

my heart so sadly broken.

Oh, how can people hurt so much?

It is the worst of crimes.

And down on knees I prayed and prayed

so many, many times.

It seemed that I was so alone

those many, many years.

I wept and grieved all by myself

in all my lonely tears.

Yes, time and time again I prayed.

I said life wasn't fair.

I didn't think God heard my voice.

I wasn't sure He cared.

One day with Bible in my lap,

I started reading when,

a verse had stuck; was thirty-one

in Matthew, chapter ten.

Oh, I have mem'ry wrinkles, sure,

from small to deepest one,

but every day brings greater joy -

when shines, God's morning sun.

Whene'er I view God's mighty trees,

small sparrows, tiny birds,

my wrinkles bring back mem'ries that

are hard to put in words.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 10:31 (KJV)

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

The Mighty Ship 2-20-14

A brand new car, a hand-held game
or other things we chose,
a TV set, a picture frame
or nice designer clothes,

possessions each- and all the toys,

with every single day,

will rot or rust as earth destroys -

and simply waste away.

Of great importance, though, the chore

to grow the love of 'greed'.
Yes, bigger- better- greater- more,
so water, we, our needs.

---
(now to the spiritual...)
---

No sea or ocean under moon

to put a ship afloat -

and twilight comes much, much too soon

to build a mighty boat.

While aimlessly, the world roams,

surprised, I hear the Lord,

"The mighty ship is sailing home.

It's time to get aboard."
So swiftly, on my journey, go

here on this mighty ship -

and left behind, all those I know.

I sail my final trip.
Securely, though, on ship thereof,

upon the mighty sea,

I find myself in arms of love -
and earth has ceased to be.
---
(and back to the physical...)
---

It's all 'the rage' so hey, come on!
Be noticed!  That's our goal!
With make-up and great outfit on,
who cares about the soul?

Contoured, the fields of corn and hay,

the winds bring season's fall.
A few have learned the real way -
are humbled through it all.

The sun has lost its grip to west

and darkness now draws nigh.

Are we prepared to be His guest?

Are we prepared to die?

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My father was told that it was midnight and time to go to sleep,

moments later (before passing away), my father responded

with his last words- that he had to get on the boat first.

Let's all get on the ship.  We're heading home.

---

Matthew 6:16-24 (NASB)

16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

---

God calls all parents, daughters, sons

from every earthly nation.

Get aboard, you weary ones,

don't worship mere creation.

Winks and Smiles 2-16-14

Depressed I was, at all my plight, in God's creation bright.

Confused and then intrigued I was, before I saw the light.

The rainbow winked at mustard seed, the mustard seed at tree.

The tree winked at the lily then, and lily at the bee.

The bee winked at the honey and the honey at the sun -

and then the sunshine winked at me, the sad and lonely one.

Asked I, "What's all this winking- this winking all about?"

And that's when God's creation welled and started then to shout,

"We're free!  We're free, to do all that we can!

And we've no need to shed the tears of lost and sinful man!"

I asked them, how in unison, their spirits could be raised -

and questioned the beginnings of such kind and winking ways...

The bee said that the honey glowed and smiled at everyone.

The lily said the honey bee had smiled when he was done.

The lily smiled at the tree, the tree at mustard seed.

The mustard seed smiled at the warmth that did its gracious deed.

Said rainbow then, "I swear to you, the sun had smiled like this."

And that's when God's own sunshine had, embraced me in its kiss.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Poetry 2-14-14

I sometimes think, "Why waste the ink on many lines of rhyme?

And is it right to sit and write just wasting precious time?

This exercise is just a guise if few come here to read.

A dream it was and all because I wanted to succeed.

I know I ought, but thoughts are naught.  I'm running out of steam.

I'm having fits of knowing it's a nightmare, not a dream.

So 'what's the use?'  That's my excuse to set aside my pen.

With water cup, I'll hang it up and never write again."

I must admit that I'm unfit to write another day!

Vast thoughts were stored for you dear Lord yet I've no words to say!

But plant the seed...?  I must indeed, then watch as letters flow -

out into phrasing so amazing that all readers know -

these poems shine 'cause they're not mine!  It's God who writes each poem!

He guides my pen, again, again until the soul can know Him!

I used to think, "Why waste the ink on poetry and such?"

But if the goal's to save the soul, it matters very much.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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For He Deserves 2-10-14

I drew attention to myself

and never thought it odd -

until I heard the compliments

that should have been for God.

So I have changed my attitude

and changed my wicked ways -

that I might focus on my God -

for He deserves all praise!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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I'd Gladly Trade 2-9-14

I run around to get things done.  It often makes me sad.

I'd gladly trade these times today for those my grandma¹ had.

The world is changing rapidly and keep up, I cannot.

I have so many gadgets now I don't know all I've got.

---

Yes, I would listen to her words and all she had to say.

Enjoyed, we did, our daily chores each moment of the day.

Now after reading verses in my brand new Testament,

she asked if I had finished chores.  I knew just what she meant.

Yes, all the chores- not some of them.  I didn't need a list.

It was a job to milk ol' 'Horns'² and not the easiest.

I'd throw the feed to chickens as they scampered on their legs.

I'd move the mother hens aside and gather their warm eggs.

Ingredients, my grandma took, that she had 'round about.

She mixed them all together in odd ways she figured out.

That rich aroma stole my nose with all her baking done -

and to this day I don't know how she always beat the sun.

She made an extra pumpkin pie just for the neighbor folk.

I listened most intently to my grandma when she spoke.

The days were hot and work was hard while sweat would soak our clothes

but never were there better days than when I think of those.

Before her home³ was torn down I had memorized them all -

each of Ten Commandments that hung squarely on her wall.

The great depression took its toll and she had lost to banks -

but she took time to pray each day to give our Savior thanks.

---

The world is changing rapidly. I don't know what to say,

but this I know- I cried and cried the day she passed away.

I run around to get things done.  It often makes me sad

and gladly trade these times today for those my grandma had.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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¹ Grandma Ida 1896 to 1990.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~terrybell/mcdermott/descendants.htm

² 'Horns' was really named 'Horney' and was the meanest of all the cows on the small farms my grandparents Homer and Ida owned (but she was still milked nonetheless).

³ Grandma's farm house had stood at North Clayton, WI. 

50 acres
Clayton, WI

43° 23.542', -90° 43.685'

200 acres

15044-15452 Vance Rd

Gays Mills, WI 54631

43° 21.017', -90° 47.780'

Until God Says 2-6-14

Oh, once upon a time there was a disciplined young lad

who didn't have the things that all the other children had.

So they would joke and laugh at him.  They really were quite bad.

Now they would taunt and tease and shove, or trip him in the hall.

The boys would always choose him last when they had played kickball

and what they really thought of him was way below them all.

Oh, how he'd try to please them though.  He'd try and try and try.

Their cruelty had followed him but he did not know why.

So many times he'd find a quiet, private place to cry.

Appreciated, he was not - nor would they, him, acknowledge.

With parents poor, he went to work and gained a little knowledge.

For over forty years he worked.  He never went to college.

And then he lost his whole life's work with cozened lawyers' pens.

And then he lost his business too, his family and his friends.

And then he lost his home and health and couldn't make amends.

Although life was depressing and- nobody seemed to care,

he prayed and prayed and prayed some more escaping this despair.

And then he did some writing- just a poem here and there.

He writes to help the "least of these" and sometimes just for fun.

He'll write and write and write some more until God says he's done.

And that, my friends, is why he writes.  He even wrote this one.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Morning Sky!, The 2-1-14

My sleepy eyes were no disguise

for soul in such despair.

There's no defense.  It made no sense

and midnight didn't care.

The days flew past, they didn't last

and darkness made me frown.

Sin filled my mind and I was blind.

Vast blackness weighed me down.

My futile ways brought wasted days

and I began to cry.

So sad because my story was -

and I began to die...

---

Awake, I shook!  The morning took

me largely by surprise.

I felt great shame, repentance came

and grace drew me to rise.

Yes, Jesus lives and He forgives!

He makes my spirit whole!

And all the while, you'll see my smile

from such a sunlit soul!

And it awakes as Jesus takes

my burdens by and by.

The brilliant love of God above

now lights the morning sky!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;

the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Two Bananas & a Hot Dog 1-29-14

(A true story poem that took place Jan. 28, 2014 in southern Wisconsin)

With temp-er'-ture near zero and although it was the norm,

my fingers were so icy cold.  I shivered to stay warm.

I stopped at a convenience store to warm my frigid feet.

I browsed a couple aisles there to find what I might eat.

With hunger pains excessive and some water in a cup,

a hot dog looked delicious and it sure would warm me up.

I didn't have much money, so I had to budget some.

I bought two ripe bananas, then I added up the sum.

With hot dog and bananas now to cure my hunger pangs,

I waited patiently in line near where the candy hangs.

I'd wait until I got back home to eat and warm my toes -

but made a quick decision then to say some quick hellos.

Well, Tom is in his seventies.  His mom's one hundred one.

So I decided I would chat with Clara and her son.

I drove up to their farm house but, I had an afterthought -

that my warm hotdog would get cold- so grabbed what I had bought.

I hurried up to their front door, with my lunch safe in hand,

I knew right then, this isn't right- they wouldn't understand.

I started having second thoughts as feet slid on the ice.

I cannot eat while visiting.  Now that's not very nice!

But I was just a little late.  Tom opened up the door.

Too late to take my dinner back.  I stepped in on their floor.

Said I, then without thinking- "Hey, I brought you two a treat.

For each, a ripe banana..." as Tom offered me a seat.

I sat at kitchen table and said, "Here's your hot dog Tom."

And then the 'kidder' that I am, said "How you doing 'mom'?"

I really didn't need to ask.  She looked just fine to me.

So spry and energetic too- as far as I could see.

They lived alone together there and got along quite well.

And we had quite a lengthy chat before we said farewell.

The moral of the story is "Don't be a stingy beast"

for Tom and Clara are the best ...and I had quite the feast!

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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There are two types of people in this world- those who love others and those who love themselves.

Tom and Clara are definitely in the first category.  Tom has helped myself and others numerous times refusing to be paid and Clara is the best cook ever!  Clara recently turned 101, does not look or act it- and no one can ever top her delicious apple pies that she serves with her warm, genuine smile.  Happy Birthday Clara!

Hanging By A Thread 1-23-14

Can I not find a single leaf
that hangs upon a twig -
on hidden tree with millions more
within this valley, big?

Can I not find a single bird
that's nestled with the rest -
way deep inside a big ol' world,
protected in its nest?

Can I not find my Comforter
who's there when e're I fall -
who Jesus sent to bring me peace -
if I would only call?

Can I not find a Savior who
had walked around with men -
who was my perfect sacrifice,
so perfect without sin?

Can I not find the God of all -
Creator of all things -
and have my heartstrings failed to break
when one small girl sings?

Can I not find my purpose now
outside my selfish door -
that 'great commission' filled with love
that God has called me for?

Can I not seek beyond my wants,
beyond my worldly place -
beyond the tip of my long nose -
beyond my pretty face?

Can I not find one tiny soul
who begs and cries for aid -
who's needing someone just like me -
yet I have only prayed...?

Can I not help one tiny child
who's hanging by a thread -
in such a place of hopelessness,
with many others dead?

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 25:40 (NASB)

The King will answer and say to them,

‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,

even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Kindness 1-18-14

(a true story)

A stranger asked if he could help.

I said, "...not going far."

(I'd tie this big old cab'net down

on top of my old car).

Insist, he did, that he should help.

He saw that I was stuck.

Twelve miles he drove out of his way.

He hauled it in his truck.

He backed up to my little shack.

He helped me take it out

and then said "God will bless you too"

without an ounce of doubt.

I said, "Thank you" repeatedly.

I had no cash that day -

but he just waved with widest smile

as he drove off, away.

When someone new in Christ is met

joy's tears begin to flow,

for kindness is the only gift

that some will ever know.

Aside from grace, his kindness was

the best that I've been given,

and pray again, another time

to thank him up in Heaven.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Flower Bud 1-15-14

(This poem is based on Jellee's true story in Liberia, Africa)

The child is very precious. She smiles and so enjoys

to play with sticks and little stones, because she has no toys.

She lives inside a little hut of thatch, palm leaves and mud.

Appreciates, she does, so much a little flower bud.

She tries to educate herself. She cannot spell or read.

She questions other villagers determined to succeed.

Her time is not eventful and a schedule, none to keep.

Each day is like the other ones until she goes to sleep.

The sounds at night are scary so she spends much time in prayer.

In Africa, it's not the same. There's terror everywhere.

The rebels have machetes and they do what they will.

Disgusting things and ugly things, they terrorize and kill.

And then one day it happened. They came with knives and guns.

And many had machetes, killed fathers, mothers, sons.

They even killed the little girls. How many, she's not sure.

They tortured, killed her parents while they were holding her.

She screamed and cried and screamed some more. They threw her to the ground.

but then this girl escaped them all with rebels standing 'round.

She did survive two bullet wounds (left ankle and right side),

but many, many, many more cried painfully and died.

Now only God protected her in coma for two weeks -

so she can tell the rest of us life's answers that we seek.

We often do not listen though- for ignorance is bliss,

but we are so mistaken. What matters most is this:

Please choose the day you change your wish to live a life of ease

to focus on our Lord's command to help the "least of these".

Do not forget that Jesus spilled, for us, his blood.

So choose the day and help another precious 'flower bud'.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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This is a condensed version.

I spoke to her again earlier this month.  She's been living in the US for a few years now..

The full poem is lengthier and called "Blooming From Roots" and can be seen here:

http://www.ganderpoems.org/2013/04/blooming-from-roots-4-10-13.html

Our Constitution Stands! 1-10-14

Down under our waving stars and stripes

and under our fallen men -

we continue to fight in ev'ry way,

preserving it all again.

Although foundation's truth is firm,

deception will always knock -

and tries to pry in every way

through its amendment's lock.

But there's no key to open it,

to thieves who will tarry there -

for it is safe, the truth's intent -

for everyone to share.

Down under the rule of politic
and ev'ry weapon's tool -

we challenge all other deceptive cults

under our court's firm rule.

We persevere through all the bombs

that ev'ry last foe can throw -

for love and truth shall shadow us

wherever we may go.

So firmly on the rights of all

and ev'ry last liberty -

our great Creator gives to us

our freedoms faithfully.

Support, we do, each other here.

We never will fight alone,

on nation's firm foundation now

which God has laid in stone.

With fond respect, defend we those,

on far and foreign sands -

but here in our own U S of A,

our Constitution stands!

Down under our waving stars and stripes

and under our fallen men -

we continue to fight in ev'ry way,

preserving it all again.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beautiful Faces? 1-6-14

Oh, who's the fairest of them all?
Sometimes we think we are.
But there is one more beautiful
than any movie star.

One face is like a flower that,
survives a stormy gale;
exquisite until trampled on,
near wide and well-worn trail.

One face is like a landscape that
is powdered so much drier;
as if the flames had licked it up
right after forest fire.

One face is like a photograph,
so simple, black and white;
with dog-eared corners broken off
and faded from the light.

One face is like a masterpiece
so perfect, bright, awake;
no cracks or dusty framing but,
so counterfeit and fake.

One face is like a sunlit sky
with warming sunshine's ray;
until it's clouded up with 'self'
on dark and dreary day.

Another's like a sunset that,
without a single cloud;
can't throw its brilliant colors out,
nor draw a single crowd.

Still, I have yet to tell you of
the face that is the best;
(though some say I'm more beautiful,
much more than all the rest).
But sin continues aging us.
Our pride has pulled us down.
No matter all the makeup worn,
it covers not, the frown.

Yet beauty, God had seen somehow
before we were forgiven.
He gave His very Son for us
despite how we were livin'.
For God loves all creation.
Me just as much as them;
and He knows I am beautiful,
because He said I am.

In eye of the beholder, oh,
what did our Master see?
Christ died an awful, ugly death
because He first loved me.
I thought I was the 'fairest' - yes!
That's why He had to die;
with face so bloodstained ugly yet,
more beautiful than I.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 John 4:7-21 (NASB)

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Judgment Day 1-3-14

You float above your body,
ascending to the sky.
You hear the angels singing
but really not sure why.
You hear them a Cappella,
for just a song or two -
and then the instruments chime in
which take your breath from you.

Tall, massive sculptured columns
hold alabaster beams -
so high above your vantage point.
It, overwhelming, seems.
The granite steps are pure as glass
which reach the massive doors.
They open up, reveal in full,
the warmest parquet floors.

A light so bright just draws you in,
down through the polished halls.
You hear those massive doors go shut.
The hollow echo calls.
But you have done no walking here.
You simply float along -
until you enter room that holds
ten thousand angels strong.

With bulging eyes, your jaw now drops.
You hear a piercing "boom"!
Intimidated, you've become
in center of the room.
The ceiling seems a mile high,
with walls a mile wide!
There is no time to make amends.
There is no place to hide.

The gong still echoes in your ears -
You see God on the throne!
Possessions?  Not a single one.
You're naked there alone.
You knew that judgment day would come -
but why was it so soon?
Vacation days were not used up.
It wasn't even noon.

Your earthly life, you quick relive.
Oh, what did you achieve?
Exposed, you're feeling guilty now.
Just who did you believe?
Wide and open, hangs your mouth.
There's silence, not a squeak.
And then you start to wonder when
and if the Lord will speak.

Bright lightning cracks with thunder and
you think it all so odd -
but then you understand it all.
It is the voice of God!!
You knew this time would one day come.
You knew with certainty.
If only you had one more chance...
but it will never be.

---

How consequential is this world
which passes quickly by?
Are you prepared to see God now?
Are you prepared to die?
Does Jesus knock on your heart's door
or have you seized control?
Why not allow Him in right now
so He can make you whole?

For wide, the gate, that leads to death
because of selfish sin.
More difficult, the narrow gate
where few will enter in.
Not even you can be so bad
that love escaped your heart.
For Christ has died for everyone -
including you, so start.

Begin confessing all your sins,
Repent of every wrong -
and if it's not just all pretend
you'll cry out loud and long.
Then ask Him to forgive you too.
He will if you're sincere.
When you obey and humbly do,
your guilt will disappear.

Now God does not want someone who's
too proud to shed some tears.
So don't be like a 'macho' man
who thinks he's great, but fears -
that someone might poke fun of him -
that friends might think he's odd.
Don't put your popularity,
ahead of your own God.

God's grace is something you can't buy.
It's offered to you free -
but only if you put Him first
and follow faithfully.
Don't be dismayed if tears should come.
It's only natural -
to shed a tear for what you've done
(the pain and cross and all).

Two thousand, plus some years ago,
it took a real man
to sacrifice Himself for you.
Repent in tears.  You can.
You'll soon wake up on judgment day.
It's then, you'll really care.
Will it be Jesus or your friends
who stand up for you there?

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 24 (NASB)

10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.


James 1 (NASB)

11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass;

and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed;

so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved,

he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised

to those who love Him.

Harmony 12-29-13

Each one of us is special here -

individually -

with 'whites' in a majority

and 'blacks', minority.

But melody is harmonized

if peacefulness draws near,

if individual respect

is faithful and sincere.

It's true, we've only known the shoes

that we have grown up in -

but oftentimes these thoughts we think

are ugliness and sin.

But beautiful, the music is,

if we can see it through,

if we can lift the fall-board up

and know what we must do.

Though some still try to group the white,

acknowledge not, the black -

and others try to group the black

to fill a money sack -

the moral of the story here

is not to follow these -

but rather the fine melody -

the music we can't see.

Now look at the piano keys.

Do you see black and white?

Yet beautiful the music is,

performed together right.

For God so loved this very world -

and everyone we see -

but yet created harmony -

as it was meant to be.

©2013 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Brightest Light 12-22-13

Community, they were as one,
the trimmings on the tree,
but boasted, of their beauty, all,
as each could plainly see.
The Christmas lights were arguing,
the red ones and the blue,
but then the green lights got involved,
the orange and yellow too.

Their vain ambitions drew the eye,
as others looked at them.
They craved it all and each had thought,
"I'm such a precious gem."
So all the lights and ornaments
with all the tinsel too,
continued with their arguments
on who was 'besting' who.

Then shaking all, a booming voice,
was heard from very top
and it had brought the bickering
to prompt and sudden stop.
Yes, way atop the Christmas tree
and higher than the rest,
this star had boasted he, by far,
was brightest and the best.

Crescendo'ed then, because of this
intimidating sight,
Applause arose for brilliant star-
indeed, the brightest light.
Contented they had seemed to be,
to look to such a thing,
but then the lowest, weakest light
saw something int'resting...

She yelled up through the branches, "Please!
Oh, this we must discuss!"
She said, "From here, I plainly see
a 'stand' is holding us."
Black pupils drooped in every eye
as low as they could go -
but all the rest were just too high
to see so far below.

And star, the farthest from the floor,
no, couldn't see from there,
so up on top of his own world
he glanced out in a glare,
"Are some of you believing her?
Why think you're going to fall?
Who shines the greatest in this room?
Trust me.  I'm over all!"

So then, in unison they sang,
in perfect harmony,
"We don't believe in anything
if it, we cannot see."
That saddened, then, the lowest light.
Again she tried to shout -
but all she did was flicker some -
and then, at last, burned out.

The 'stand' was doing all he could,
with all his muscled might -
but finally he lost his grip
to keep that tree upright.
So timbered it, the tree and all.
It fell so hard and far.
And all was shattered into bits
with bright and mighty star.

The moral of this story is:
Seek truth and do not fight.
Let others see you differently
within your little light.
Be humble.  Do not crave mere fame
when shining on this earth -
but glory, rather, give to God
and Jesus' precious birth.

Merry Christmas!

©2013 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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On who do we stand?

No Cookies From Grandma 12-20-13

No one was to blame but it wasn't the same

without fireplace or a flickering flame.

No stockings to see and no cider or tea,

not even a little ol' Christmas tree.

No raking the leaves, no lights strung on eves,

no lock on the handle to deter the thieves.

No wreath on the door and no presents galore,

no records on turntables played there before.

No mistletoe hung for the old and the young,

no cookies from grandma to sweeten the tongue.

No brownies were found nor was snow on the ground.

No lit decorations were scattered around.

No bell's ding-a-ling, no voice caroling-ing,

no joyous old hymns and no people out singing.

No bright, shiny wrapping, nobody was clapping

'cause one little child was tired and napping.

No pine needles fell but there sure was a smell,

yet everything happened as planned.  All was well.

Rejoice it.  Discuss, for it all was for us -

the wonderful birth of our savior, Jesus!

Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!

©2013 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Christmas, In Silence 12-16-13

The house now is lifeless with rooms plain and bare.

Though silence is eerie, does anyone care?

Remember, I do, our tree sure looked good -

but corner's now empty where it had once stood.

I sat for awhile on the cool, dusty floor -

reflecting on failures.  Could I have done more?

I know I have no one - have no one to blame -

but with mom and dad gone, it isn't the same.

The cupboards are barren - and too, every shelf.

The emptiness here now resembles myself.

Time marches on by - like it's tethered to sin!

Oh, to have Christmas with fam'ly again!

Such colorful lights had once brightened this place -

but visions of mom now bring tears to my face.

Our hopes and our dreams seemed to lift spirits high,

but now with house vacant, tears come ...and don't die.

My steps sound so hollow and echo in rhyme -

but mock me out loud for the very last time.

Spend time with your parents.  Please figure out how -

to get all your work done and visit them now.

---

Sin separates us from the joys of creation.

Without Christmas day there's no hope of salvation!

So celebrate Christmas!  Do not be afraid!

Kneel humbly to Christ... who, in manger, once laid.

Kneel humbly to Christ...

Kneel humbly...

Kneel...

---

This world throws the wrapping - with big, greedy eyes

but Christmas, in stillness, is joyously wise.

Such great revelations do not shout with pride -

but rather reveal, through whispers, our Guide.

The house now is lifeless with rooms plain and bare.

Though silence is eerie, does anyone care?

©2013 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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