Path Beyond Trees, The 11-13-14

Do you only believe what's in front of your eyes,

not gravity ever - or winds that arise?

Are you blind to the truth
because of one tree?

Oh, where is the forest
that you cannot see?

And where is your faith when filled with temptation?

Do you trust mere eyes that see only creation?

Some worship mere trees
or shallow, lost sects

while some think they're priv'leged,
who God elects.

Yes, many are lost from Creator they seek,

the forest of truth is unknown and looks bleak.

They love themselves
instead of "these".
They can't see forest
because of the trees.

They think they know salvation.  They don't.
They think they'll see Jesus.  They won't.

They love their lives
and things on shelves.
They love attention,
and themselves.

Your faith is the key!  Unlock forest's door!

The path beyond trees finds grace and much more!

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:22, 23 (NASB)
22 "Many will say to Me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name,
and in Your name cast out demons,
and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;
DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

With His Remaining Breath 11-8-14

He overflows his plate with food,

anticipating taste.

He overflows his closets too

not caring of the waste.

He has to have the finest car

with leather seats and 'air'.

His bank accounts are just for him.

For poor?  He doesn't care.

Huge profits fill his bank accounts.

His profiting is fun.

He'd sell his soul to profit more.

He'd sell to anyone.

His home, he fills with furniture,

the finest he can find.

He then enjoys his fav'rite game

to ease his guilty mind.

He fills his days with everything

and his most latest whim.

And this 'enjoyment' fills his life.

He fills his life with him.

I pity such a person who

has no room in his heart -

for God or love or charity -

who fin'lly falls apart.

How guilty, lonely he will be

just days before his death.

Oh, he'll recall his life of 'self'

with his remaining breath.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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We Have A Choice 10-15-14

My friends and I just hung around

in places one might find profound -

on maples, oaks and other trees -

because, you see, we were mere leaves.

The autumn winds, oh how they blew.

They made us dance and wiggle too.

Deception's lie rode in the wind

had made us 'want' and we had sinned.

The bees were buzzing in their hive.

It wasn't fair they were alive.

It wasn't fair that we weren't free

for we were stuck here on this tree.

But then my friends had found, one day,

just how to ride a special way.

They laughed and giggled by and by

upon the wind.  How they could fly!

So gaily and so selfishly,

they joked around so carelessly.

Exciting times, it seemed they had.

They thought it funny they were bad.

"Come join the party we will throw."

They taunted me and screamed, "Let go!"

My friends had left me one by one,

but wicked winds are never done.

The windy, frigid swirling air

had tortured me.  It didn't care.

Except for me, the tree was bare

and I was so alone up there.

Oh yes, temptation had its grip -

but I held on despite the whip

of winds that howled around the limbs.

For I had faith and gospel hymns.

I prayed and prayed to God above,

for He had shown me so much love.

My friends had fallen, didn't know

they now were buried under snow.

The moral of the story here?

Don't be deceived by friend or peer.

Just listen to God's still, small voice.

He gave His Son.  We have a choice.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate;

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

and there are many who enter through it.

14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,

and there are few who find it.

Reach Out In Love 10-12-14

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek

not caring of another.

And each absorbed in selfish woe

did not know of the other.

Oh, how can we be any good

just thinking of ourselves?

And how can we become like Christ,

if locked inside our shells?

Don't be afraid to break your shell.

Give sacrificially.

Reach out in love with both your arms

and live life faithfully.

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek

not caring of another.

And each absorbed in selfish woe

did not know of the other.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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One Fibber's Lies 9-19-14

Oh yes, those fibs that he had told,

repeated were, 'til they got old -

by his czars and Congress too.

But those who questioned?  Very few.

He promised 'hope' and promised 'change' -

but what we got was really strange.

Yes!  Keep your doctor, keep your nurse!

Sure!  Keep your wallet and your purse...

Began in Senate, tax bill was,

but care what's legal?  Why, because -

what, promised he, was better than

our current "bad" insurance plan.

So then he took his phone and pen -

and offered bribes again, again,

He offered things that weren't legit -

until it passed (to learn what's in it).

His fibs were sold, retold and cooked -

and oh, the folks who came to look!

His spite, spewed he, among the classes...

festered hate between the masses.

One more fiasco, his 'Exchange'.

Two dozen times his law would change

without the Congress or a bill -

but as a king there on 'the hill'.

Rates too high?  Forget your troubles!

The big surprise?  Deductibles!

 "Affordable", the biggest lie -

now we, the people cry and die.

Yes, some bought in to 'plan' they praised -

then lost their savings to his ways.

Death Panels spy the old and youth.

But some weren't duped.  We knew the truth.

Now 'we the people' scream and shout

until good 'change' will come about.

Protest it in each language spoken:

"You can't fix what isn't broken!"

You lied and lied but cannot force -

Americans to pay, of course -

to corporate greed and CEOs -

whose morals dropped to record lows.*

When selfishness and profits meet,

health care takes the driver's seat.

Deceiving minds of God's creation,

they love money - not the Nation.

Now it's okay they have huge clout

but really, what's it all about?

...health care or huge salaries?

Fair?  Tell us if you please.

It really eats inside my craw

they're living high on mandate's law.

If others pay my health care bill,

responsibilities we'll kill.

From elderly to babe's in cribs,

good health care lost to liar's fibs.

And who will count each one who dies -

because of just one fibber's lies?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
"For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

-------

*http://www.healthcare-now.org/health-insurance-ceo-pay-skyrockets-in-2013

In Our Uncertain World 09-09-14

So blessed we are to live a life apart from evil gun -

where worshiping and liberty are free for everyone.

Please don't be so uncaring here with all our ease and fun -

and give in love abundantly - for we have much.  Them?  None.

---

Am I too poor to pray to God?  Too young to ask for aid?

I feel a bit inadequate and I was so afraid.

My story's not exciting but, here are the cruel facts:

Deny our true and living God or pay their heavy tax.

Their's isn't a religion - but a twisted, evil cult.

And most don't understand it all, so hence here's the result:

We now live in a little tent not far from evil guns.

Uprooted from our home, we were - and lost all our possessions.

My parents cry and pray a lot.  My brothers, sister too -

but evil sin is powerful, so what are we to do?

I'm certain you are thankful that you're not a refugee.

I'm living with my parents here because I am Iraqi.

I walk around our little tent on dry and sandy sod

and wonder when we'll all be saved by our almighty God.

I'm not quite sure how many weeks or months we can survive

but I have faith and thank my God that we are still alive.

There isn't any grocery store to buy some food and drink.

Oh, why have we been banished here?  My hunger makes me think.

And though our hunger hurts us so, we still have many fears.

Will we be safe another night protected by our tears?

Our God could strike the enemies of love, respect and hope.

With prayer, our only weapon, we survive and learn to cope.

We thank those nations everywhere who have their flags unfurled

in charity for all of us in this uncertain world.

---

So blessed we are to live a life apart from evil gun -

where worshiping and liberty are free for everyone.

Please don't be so uncaring here with all our ease and fun -

and give in love abundantly - for we have much.  Them?  None.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Apple Butter 9-7-14

So many things just disappeared

forever with my mother.

Mom's apple butter's almost gone

and there won't be another.

But I can taste it.  Sure, I can!
It's not like any other.
Except for grandma, no one made it
quite as good as mother.

But now a silence fills her room.

Oh, how can I rejoice -

with not a hymn to listen to

nor her familiar voice?

All gone, her clothes and furniture.

No fragrance greets my nose.

No flower pots or nature's bloom.

At last, her door I close.

I close it on so many things

I'll never again see.

And apple butter, now all gone,

is just a memory...
So I sit back and close my eyes
here in my fav'rite chair -
where I can see her making more,
more apple butter there...

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Meant To Be (song lyrics) 8-26-14

(lyrics set to Hymn To Hope)

Selfish, was I?

I want-ed my own way.

and wanted it - to stay, that, way,

so I could life - enjoy...

But then the skies - poured - down -

and threw me to - the, mud-dy, ground

so then I tried - to run and hide

where I could not be - found.

Again - the skies - poured - down

and threw me to the muddy ground

so there, I - stayed, and prayed  

where sin could not - destroy. 

--- (short interlude / change of key)

Selfish?

I tried to close my eyes.

No matter how I tried and tried,

I couldn't hold my cries...

Selfish, was I?  Oh, why -

I shut, so tight, my wear-y - eyes.

No matter how I tried - and tried

I could-n't - hold my cries.

The tears - poured out - of - me

My life was blurred.  I could-n't see

the words my mother spoke -

that pain was meant to be.

The tears poured out - of - me.

My heart was blurred.  I could-n't see -

the cross where Jesus died -

(fade) that love was meant to - be...

(continue fade) ...that love was meant to be...

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Two Special Plaques 8-24-14

(A true story as told to me by my Aunt Luella at North Clayton, WI

until they (my mom, aunts and uncles) moved from the house on 3-1-1937)

The wind blew high, our barnyard dirt,

so cleaning was a must -

but after chores and after we

were cleaned of country dust.

Our farm house was quite simple and

our painted walls were bare -

except for those two special plaques

I still remember there.

The Ten Commandments took its place
above the other one.
It hung on wall with window and
it shared the setting sun.
I thought about their meanings each,
the words and every line -
and read and reread many times -
up through the age of nine.
Though we had moved, those words sunk in
I saw there on the wall,
with no TV or radio,
I'd memorized them all.

The second plaque, just seven words.

No picture or a frame.

But I remember to this day,

its message still the same.

It hung below the other there

and it, I too, still see.

Embossed down deep within my soul

its words still follow me.

Oh, "not My will but Thine be done."

So powerful the thought -

if Christ could give His very life

then I'd do what I ought.

I often looked at those two plaques.

What else was there to do?

I'm pleased to have remembered them

to share them now with you.

Our farm house was quite simple and

our painted walls were bare -

except for those two special plaques

I still remember there.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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New Life Begins 8-21-14

Among bright bloom,

among good friends,

among our thoughts,

new life begins...

...begins with hope,

...begins with Thee,

...begins with grace,

eternally.

From breath of birth to end of day,

Come, Jesus, come -

and come what may.

The sun moves quickly through the sky.

Come, Jesus, come -

for we know why.

As brightness dims and all seems lost -

Come, Jesus, Come -

two timbers crossed.

It dims, the more and death we face.

Come, Jesus, Come -

You offer grace.

Repentance peaks as darkness looms.

Come, Jesus, Come -

Forgiveness blooms.

The sun surrenders to the west.

Come, Jesus, Come -

when laid to rest.

But Heaven calls bright morning sun-

Come, Jesus, Come -

to live as one.

Among bright bloom,

among good friends,

among our thoughts,

new life begins...

...begins with hope,

...begins with Thee,

...begins with grace,

eternally.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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God's Special Child 8-12-14

Her hair was pushed back from her face,

her eyes a bit apart.

She didn't have the best of looks,

but love was in her heart.

She didn't wear the nicest clothes,

she slurred most every word.

The other kids would laugh and joke

and thought her ways absurd.

One day a peer had joked of her -

just where she kept her broom.

So after that she cried alone

in dark and lonely room.

The life she knew was so unfair.

Oh, why were movie stars -

all living under spotlights, awed -

in fancy clothes and cars?

Oh, why are they so popular

and why, have they, the fame?

Because they're cute and glamorous

in life's most cruel game?

She questioned God in all her prayers

and begged for answers too.

And then in tears she asked of me -

so now I'm asking you...

Just why do we discriminate

against God's special child -

this one who's only innocent,

so loving, meek and mild?

Why buy expensive tickets to

a movie or a show?

Why throw our money down the drain

and to 'rock concerts' go?

Why do our pleasures matter so?

Why is it "me, me, me"?

Why do we listen to ourselves

but not her humble plea?

Sometimes we are like movie stars.

We stand around with drinks.

We laugh, believing life's a joke.

I wonder what God thinks...

Why don't we help the least of these

before today is done?

Our lives won't be rewarded 'til -

we find God's special one.

You'll find her crying all alone

next to a pool of tears.

She's praying that you'll find her there -

and has been many years...

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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God's Little Pond 8-6-14

God's great creation's message is

one word that never moans -

as sounds of water capture me

now flowing over stones.

A stream of endless water smoothed

and brightened every one -

while winding down around a bend

reflecting morning sun.

The little stream just seems to know

exactly where to go.

The clear fresh water trickles on.

I watch it curve and flow.

Between some flowers beautiful

that set on fragile stems,

it finds its way into God's pond

where only man condemns.

Three little ducklings make their way

while mother swims beside.

The water ripples in their wake

across to other side.

Some red-winged blackbirds curtsy when

on cat-tail tops alight.

They sit a-spell while cat-tails bow

and then again take flight.

Under a branch of waving leaves

as I sit here below,

I contemplate serenity

as waters come and go.

The birds are chirping happily

in never ending song -

yet here I sit among the pure,

where I do not belong.

So tranquil God's creation is,

so simple and so frail -

unlike my life I complicate

where I so often fail.

I'm lost inside God's special world

while bright red card'nal sings.

The breeze picks up and starts to blow -

just as my cell phone rings.

But I can't tear myself away.

The ringing, I ignore -

for God has blessed with sights and sounds

and fragrances galore.

Man's evil gaze can take his eyes

off God's creative ways -

but I, for one, will always be

repentant of my days.

I sit among the Butterflies

of which I have grown fond.

They flutter 'round the wild flowers

next to God's little pond.

God's great creation's message is

one word that never moans.

That word is 'peace' so I'm content

now flowing over stones.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 16:33 (NASB)

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;

I have overcome the world.”

Where Am I? 8-3-14

On a scale up to one hundred, please heart, tell me where am I?

With Jesus at one hundred... or with Satan will I die?

I believe that I'm a Christian - so "Christ-like" and divine -

but am I par with Jesus?  Say, with whom do I align?

If I'm not at one hundred then I've missed my Jesus' call.

Have I not helped the "least of these" nor fed them much at all?

Am I too busy with my house, my new car or career?

Does dining out or shopping have me so entrenched right here?

Now when's the last time I have served?  Have I been caught off-guard?

Yes, when's the last time I've obeyed?  Is my heart soft or hard?

Yes, I can make excuses thinking I'm above the most -

but if not at one-hundred, I'm a liar and a boast.

'Ye ac-cursed ones, depart from Me, into eternal fire.

Yes, Jesus knows that I am just a weak, pathetic liar!

Sincerely and profusely I cry out, "Please God, forgive!"

It's then grace covers all my sin and I 'one-hundred' live...

My idols do deceive me as I live from day to day -

so have I walked with Satan... thinking it was Jesus' way?

On a scale up to one hundred, please heart, tell me where am I?

With Jesus at one hundred... or with Satan will I die?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 25 (NASB)
The Judgment

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 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.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The Great Poet 7-30-14

Oh, God is the great poet,

the universe of rhymes.

With perfect balance- all His stars

yet speak in these dark times.

Our Great Creator perfectly

sets worlds with his dictate -

while man discovers one small speck

then thinks that he is great.

He boasts of all his theories

and brags of every gain,

but can't interpret simple things -

or gravity explain.

He sits atop his buildings.

He peers down his long nose,

but topples with confusing words -

for that is how it goes.

Oh, God is the great poet -

the universe of rhymes.

With perfect balance- all His stars

yet speak in these dark times.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Pretend 7-1-14

Pretending as I have since birth

right up to now, today -

those fun and selfish things I've spun

to get things my own way.

Well, I would always cry and whine

if I was not chastised -

and tantrums were my specialty

if wants weren't realized.

As teens, my friends and I would joke.

We'd smoke a cigarette.

We sometimes laughed at other folk,

without the least regret.

The beer I drank had proved me cool.

the drugs, to get me high.

Abortion took a precious life -

deception's selfish lie.

Yet at the top of my own list

were comforts by the score...

from better cars to bigger homes

and oh, so much, much more.

I thought about how good I was -

and things that I deserved.

I bragged about the good I'd done

and all the folks I'd served.

I slammed the door on all those things

I'd just as soon forget -

but stubborn guilt had gripped me so

and hadn't left me yet.

Convince myself, I still do try

and fool my closest friend -

but Heaven, though, cannot be fooled

and God does not pretend.

(author's note: I did not smoke, drink or do drugs)

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Good and Faithful Friends 6-26-14

No words adorned the papers here.  So full, the ink well was.

The quill had waited silently.  The reason?  Well, because.

The poems that this poet writes are few and far between -

and many are the paper sheets with rhyming yet unseen.

The window sash was raised a bit allowing breezes in -

that brought to life my little desk and stirred my thoughts within.

A wisp of air caught paper's edge and seemed to make it say,

"Oh, please don't sit there all alone.  Let's write of God today."

The puff of breeze caught feathered quill and drew some ink up too.

God's spirit seized my timid hand and started something new.

The soft, round curved calligraphy brought energetic drive

to everything inside that room and all had came alive.

His Word brings life to everything - but only if it's read.

for into us, God breathes His truth.  Without Him, all is dead.

God's spirit moves the dust of earth and draws us to His light.

His Word begins to stir us up.  His spirit makes us write.

God gives us paper, quill and ink and all the truth He sends -

for He has given to us all, these good and faithful friends.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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Irises, The 6-10-14

I look out of my window.

I'm not at all sure why.

The breezes make some flowers dance.

The movement draws my eye.

So beautiful, the flowers.

Succeeded, mom's green thumb.

I'm pulled back now to life's bright light,

this dark world kept me from.

She aided God's tremendous works

right here where I can see -

the white and purple miracles

that stand triumphantly.

And how the irises have bloomed

without mom being there!

For she had worked so diligent -

the ground, with loving care.

My mem'ry sketches her at work

still pulling ev'ry weed -

and then she watered carefully,

to fill their ev'ry need.

The beauty of the bloom today

was not an easy chore -

and not her efforts from last week,

but work from years before.

The bright and vivid iris bloom

is still alive today.

Mom drew God's great creation out...

before she passed away.

No, she's not here to see them now -

these stately iris flowers -

but she taught me that faithfulness

will bloom creation's powers...

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Dried & Fragile Flower 5-24-14

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

---

"So many people want to bloom

and live life their own way -

While stems are often hidden, they

support the whole bouquet.

"Beware of pride's deception!

That's what the Bible warns

in Obadiah One, verse three.

Be careful with those thorns.

"Not one small single flower blooms

without the narrow stem -

so treat folks how you'd like to be -

be treated back by them.

"Affect the different colored rose -

and do not them, reject.

Remember, a good Christian has

deep love and great respect."

Now everybody loved my mom -

'cause she loved everyone.

Though poor, was always giving more -

as if she'd just begun.

And mom was very patient too.

For years she went without.

Yet joy was heard in all her prayers.

With that, there was no doubt.

Her words were like this flower here.

And I had always tried -

to comprehend her fragile words

she left before she died.

---

A dried and fragile flower, I -

hold close to broken heart

that cries in fervent, heavy tears

so Godly peace would start.

It's from my mama's funeral.

Yes, dried, completely dead -

and though it's fragile, I hold close

...to what she always said.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Obadiah 1:3 (NASB)

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,

You who live in the clefts of the rock,

In the loftiness of your dwelling place,

Who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?'"

And That Is Why 5-20-14

Children sleep.

Moms cry.

Moms lie awake nights.

That is why.

Children hunger.

Moms cry.

Moms work several chores.

That is why.

Children question.

Moms cry.

Moms know their child's thoughts.

That is why.

Children argue.

Moms cry.

Moms have softer hearts.

That is why.

Children tempted.

Moms cry.

Moms love their children.

That is why.

Children in sin.

Moms cry.

Moms have more wisdom.

That is why.

Children troubled.

Moms cry

pleading with Jesus.

That is why.

Children busy.

Moms cry.

Moms miss them so much.

That is why.

Children absent.

Moms cry

alone in the 'home'.

That is why.
---

And that is why

God's love can touch.

He sent His Son

who suffered much.

We're children, all -

sinners, mankind.

Confess, repent -

then seek to find.

Moms and children
hug and cry.
Jesus saves
and that is why.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Amanda 5-16-14

(based on a true story)

The daughter? About eight or nine -
but very able, was.
Amanda helped her parents out
in stable there because -

the bank had threatened all they had,
demanding every cent.
The housing crisis lingered on.
The stress was great torment.

Now she could make some extra cash
and help them out 'a ton'.
Yes, she could help her daddy out -
while chores were being done...

She took a chalkboard she thought large
and took a piece of chalk.
She headed down the driving way, just
a quarter-mile walk.

She tried to write her letters large
enough so all could see -
in hopes that many drivers there
could see her humble plea.

(actual sign)

"PET SITTING AND

HORSE BOARDING

AVAILABLE."

The cars drove by, but no one stopped.
It made her feel sad.
She wanted so, to do her part -
but it turned out all bad.

As she had started up the drive
long tears ran down her cheeks -
but she had kept on trying for
those many, many weeks.

She once was very happy but
the stress had seized the fun.
Day after day, she cleaned the stalls
until her chores were done.

The day had come they had to pack.
She woke before the dawn.
The barn was void of any life
with animals now gone.

The kittens, puppies, bunnies were
so very soft to touch -
and with them, horses, llamas too -
she missed them all so much.

The bank had made its billions while
Amanda made her bed.
She knelt with tightly folded hands -
and this is what she said:

"Dear Jesus, love my daddy please.
He worked so very hard.
And he could fix most anything,
around our little yard.
He sacrificed for forty years
and helped so many folk -
but then the stress had worn him out -
depressed, no savings, broke.

I thought my tears were all used up,
had dried and gone away -
but more and more still follow them,
on each horrific day.
Oh Jesus, if Your love is great,
please take dad by the hand -
and lead him by still waters there
into Your 'promise land'.

And mama- she still works so hard.
Lord, what are we to do?
Her tears are in abundance too -
but dollars, very few.
There is no garden here to work.
There is no barn and chores.
There is no future I can see
and no more open doors."
---
Do you see hungry children?
Do you see 'signs of chalk'?
Are you concerned, speak up enough -
and do you 'walk your talk'?

For God sees inside all our hearts,
He knows who loves the Lord.
You bet He knows how much we give -
or rather, if we hoard.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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