Pain For Peace 5-1-21

Pain's misery is haunting.  Good health is best to keep.

This cancer is unbearable, it keeps me from my sleep.

I've been so many months with pain, I don't know what it's like

to break free from these awful pains; to walk, to jog, to bike.

I don't remember what it's like to live without this pain

and it continues stabbing me.  I'm going now, insane.

Now God still holds the miracle and God is still in power
and God can take all pain away in these, each precious hour.

I pray, "Dear Lord, deliver me, if it is in Your will,

and take this awful pain away that I'm enduring still.

I do not have the answers and I do not have the voice.

I do not have the fortitude and do not have the choice.

I don't deserve forgiveness and I don't deserve Your love,

for I have sinned against Your will and Heaven there above.

But grace has set me free from sin.  You've healed me spiritually,

so if Your will is so inclined, please heal me physically."

So many care. So many pray.  So many read my words,

but I would give it all away to fly among the birds.

The blue skies seem so endless up above the tallest tree.

Birds seem to be so free of pain and soar above so free.

I'd praise my Lord with ev'ry song, with ev'ry line and verse.

And could it be, long life on earth, is just a wicked curse?

But if God wills, I'll stay on earth where pain may never cease.

Yet should He will to take this 'cup', I'll trade this pain for peace.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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NOTE:  A day or two after I wrote this poem the pain left me.
God does answer prayers and I thank all who have prayed for me.
May these words praise His name, (not the author).
Thank you Jesus!

Heaven's Gates 4-18-21

"Thy Will be done" is how I pray

but how do I start out my day?

Does God come first or is it rare

that I reach first to Him in prayer?

Alarm clock rings.  I've got to run.

It's long before the rising sun.

The world awaits as Heaven parts,

but I'm on time as 'chemo' starts.

Questions many, but answers few.

And prayer to God is overdue.

Again, again, I sin, I sin.

I've failed to do God's will again.

My best is never good enough

while grace forgives my selfish stuff.

I recommit myself each day

to live according to His way.

It's sobering to see life's end.

I miss family, miss my friends.

My best friend though?  Christ still awaits,

so patiently at Heaven's gates.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Eternal Life 4-17-21

It wasn't what I expected and I didn't like the answer,

when the doctor walked in and said, "I'm sorry.  You have cancer."

I froze with no emotion.  I never said a word.

Questions rose inside my head, now how had this occurred?

The next few days were but a blur...

drawing blood, testing, biopsies... yet no cure.

I never smoked, I never drank, I never used a drug.

How could this have happened?  The doctor merely shrugged.

Physically, the cancer kills.  Spiritually, sin does.

Sin kills like a cancer.  It does so deep because -

it fights the 'spirit' body.  It just does not belong,

deceiving like the 'Evil One' that we all know is wrong.

To say that it's a little lie, not black, not gray, but white,

deceives us into thinking that it isn't wrong, but right.

But let it take ahold of us and let it spread awhile,

and we will find it's Satan's way of saying, "You can smile."

Before we see, before we know, before we realize,

our heart is hard, our spirit's dead and we've been paralyzed.

And only God can heal us then through love and grace and pow'r.

And just like cancer, He can heal before your final hour.

So yes, I have a cancer, a cancer physical.

That's not as bad as other kinds, those cancers spiritual.

Now God can save us from them both, for He is in control.

He can cure both cancers and can also save the soul.

So I can't die.  I am alive, alive as I can be.

Because God gives me life anew, a life inside of me.

I'm glad I'm not forever here, cursed with a sin internal,

because Christ lives within me now and it's a life eternal.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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I was informed on March 29, 2021 that I had advanced pancreatic cancer.
May "God's Will" (not mine) be done with regard to my physical health.
Thank you for your prayers.

With Wisp of Wing 4-1-21

Now most don't see and most don't learn.

They search for something grand.

They cannot hear God's still small voice

or just don't understand.

---

Some whisper like the hummingbird

that's beautiful in flight,

but most screech like the vulture in

a mean and ugly fight.

They push and peck the others with

emotions that explode.

They fight for dirty scraps of food

that lay dead in the road.

And most are proud to be that bird.

They're powerful indeed,

controlling everything in sight

to satisfy their greed.

But futile is the vulture's life
by men who made that choice,

while God lifts up the hummingbird

in pen through still small voice.

So as for me, I'm blessed to be

that hummingbird in flight.

With wisp of wing, He whispers words

in everything I write.
---

Yes, most don't see and most don't learn.

They search for something grand.

They cannot hear His still small voice,

or just don't understand.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 Kings 19:11,12 (NASB)

"11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake;

but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire

a still small voice."

What A Story! 3-1-21

This gentle breeze puts me at ease.
Envision, if you will;
Stars, each with spark, lake in a park,

and trees beside the hill.

As if in trance, the leaves still dance

attached to tiny twigs.

From up atop, the acorns drop.

Nearby a squirrel digs.

A dancing willow bending low

has kissed the water's face.

Then drake I find, with hen behind,

and ducklings in a race.

But 5AM, a flower stem

is bent under great weight.

It's gravity's audacity!

It hampers it from straight!

OR should we know, (as stories go),

for every one, two sides?

So could it be that we can't see

the burden bloom provides?

Is bloom at fault, that it exalt,

the beauty it bestows?

And fragrance too, what would we do

without our tempting nose?

Or would it hurt to blame the dirt...

or bees?  There's much to tell.

And could we blame, that moisture came

and watered it too well?

SO, we could claim, they're ALL to blame,

but sunrise here is near.

When sunlight peeks, our Father speaks,

and burdens disappear.
Does blame turn in... to angry sin?

Does sin drive us to hate?

Are we not taught that evil thought

will burden us with weight?

When it's of God, it isn't odd

that nature's love forgives.

Here by the lake, there's no mistake

that His creation lives.

Can we still claim that we're the same

as nature?  Do we live?

I think instead, that we are dead

when we do not forgive.

As dawning breaks, our dark mistakes

have brought us to this time.
But don't dismay, God has a way.

It's not an uphill climb.

There's no debate with stem now straight

and flower standing tall.
What a story of God's glory!
He loves us, one and all!

This gentle breeze puts me at ease.
Envision, if you will;
Stars, each with spark, lake in a park,

and trees beside the hill.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In Full Conceit 2-1-21

A little ant was working hard

atop his little mound,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

A weasel saw that little ant

but didn't make a sound,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

A groundhog saw that weasel near

his home there in the ground,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

My dog was not the least amazed

and for them, he was bound.

He knew that he was taller still

than anything around.

I was the man who saw them all.

I shook with scoffing laugh.

In full conceit I stood there tall.

Behind me?  A giraffe.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Unfurl Our Flag Again 1-1-21

I pledged full allegiance when I, in school,
would dress with respect and live 'golden rule'.
Respecting the elders without a smirk,
I studied for quizzes, did my homework,
I didn't drink beer and I didn't smoke
and didn't laugh when I heard dirty joke.
This "churchy-boy" bullied to the extreme,
so often I cried with crushed self-esteem.

Oh, I am so wrong in this up-side-down world,
where God is removed and freedoms are furled;
where truth becomes myth, if someone hates it,
with standards all lost- Hell's bottomless pit;
where lies become truth if said many times;
where chaos breaks out with killings and crimes.
With ethics abandoned, the innocent die.
Can someone please tell me- why, why, why, why?

The standards I live by, they were not forced,
but from those clean morals, they had divorced.
For fame they had bribed naive voting blocks,
but they were exposed with clicking of clocks.
Nuclear proliferation, dead schools,
riots, looting, killings- they changed the rules.
Pushing boundaries to see the truth bend,
was it not them who hurt fam'ly and friend?

Because they're elected and hence empowered,
they think this 'churchy-boy' can be devoured.
So many times now, their lies we have heard,
but the precepts of peace are in God's Word.
Lies will be buried with them under sod.
Unfurl our flag again. We Trust In God.
They thought they were smart and thought we were dumb,
but we know our God will one day soon come.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Don't Read This 12-12-20

Children,

I told you not to read this but you're reading anyway,

and do you disobey when Satan tells you it's okay?

Are you enticed by cunning words that sound like violins

that sing so sweetly to your wants they tempt you into sins?

Do your eager ears tickle when you hear of something odd

and make you disobey when you aren't list'ning to your God?

Do you think you are stronger and that you can break the chains

of sins that claim they're better than the God who gave you brains?

If not, then when you see temptation lurking at your door,

just tell yourself it's wrong and you won't give in anymore.

Do not be that old dog that only chases sins of sticks,

because it learned bad habits and no longer learns new tricks.

So many men thought they could change at anytime they wished,

but sin got full control of them and they got fully squished.

So don't read this and don't obey if you are smarter than

the selfish, grumpy, lying cuss who's now a crass old man.

For God so loved the world that He has given you His Son

and Comforter to guide you through the life that you've begun.

I pray that you will live your life in good and special way,

so everyone around you will see sunshine ev'ry day!

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Memories 11-14-20

Oh, to remember walks in parks,

ocean sands and ocean mists.

Oh, to remember holding hands,

sharing thoughts, giving gifts.

Oh, to remember wedding day,

lacy dress, church and cross,

Oh, to remember sharing vows, 

placing ring and bouquet toss.

Oh, to remember children's pains,

children's laughs and children's fears.

Oh, to remember fun and games,

silly times and laughter's tears.

Oh to remember that last touch,

that last hug, that last kiss.

Oh, to remember pretty face,

my true love I really miss.

Oh, the mem'ries I hold dear,

all those mem'ries... ever sweet.

Oh, to remember precious times.

If good times only could repeat.

What's better than those memories?

Please don't misunderstand.

Just don't compare to yesterday,

tomorrow's Heavenland!

Oh, to meet each other there!

With Jesus, we will stay!

Oh, to share that wonderment

forever and a day!

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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His Holy Name 10-31-20

Completely crushed, my fragile heart.

So lonely then, I fell apart.

My life was incomplete.

Of all the poems 'round the world,

this simple one, in wind, was twirled

and landed at my feet.

I'll live the life that God gave me

and do His will so free, gladly.

This life, I live for Him.

I took this poem at my feet,

inhaled the words without defeat,

then sang my fav'rite hymn.

For joy now fills my empty soul.
God simply touched and made me whole.

On knees, to Him I came.

I hold this poem that's so dear

and lift my hands without a fear

to praise His Holy Name.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Through All Eternity 9-10-20

Can eyes appreciate the smell of fresh-cut grass;

or nose appreciate the woodwinds and the brass;

or ears appreciate a chip in fav'rite dip;

or tongue appreciate a handy workmanship;

or hands appreciate the footsteps to a cross;

or feet appreciate the torture and the loss;

or brain appreciate the message of His love;

or heart appreciate such grace from God above?

While body can't appreciate all that there is to be,

salvation makes the soul rejoice through all eternity.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Empathy 8-15-20

Such anger, like a waterfall, had hatred spilling o'er.

I thought that I knew everything- and indeed I showed her!

The way she spoke would pain my ears.  My brain was being fried.

I tried to make her see my side.  I tried and tried and tried.

Such arguing?  My specialty, through muscle-tightened joints.

The big dispute had gone my way and I had proved my points.

I spoke much faster than she could.  My words would never cease.

I seized the moment, stole the time, with spoken masterpiece.

Though Jesus knew that the results were not remotely fair,

we know what had occurred when Pilot spoke to Jesus there.
Christ offered full forgiveness when our sins came into view
and prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I told that nagging woman who I thought was so naive,

"Just give me one more good excuse, because I'd love to leave!"

Then finally, I let her speak... and that's when I was told,

"You've got that 'grumpy' part down good.  Now work on getting old."

My anger, like a waterfall had hardened one more heart.

The lesson that I should have known?  I'll lose before I start.

True facts are not enough if hatred floods out Heaven's love

so empathy must live in what discussions are made of.

Christ offers us eternal life through Heaven's painful loss

and time has proved His empathy had permeated cross.
Christ cares for all His 'children' and He loves them through and through.
God's saving grace is endless if our faithfulness is true.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Selflessly 7-18-20

My lonely soul was destitute.

Abandoned, was my heart.

So desolate in lonesome thoughts,

so empty, torn apart.

If you could understand these words

then you'd know that is why

my life was just some lonely words

that made me want to cry.

Awake, I laid, night after night.

I didn't have a clue.

Those lonely words kept nagging me

and breaking me in two.

I found a friend, a friend indeed

who understands me now.

I used to never care or love,

but He had showed me how.

He never spoke a single word,

at least not audibly.

But He has blessed so very much,

this undeserving me.

My heart now overflows with joy.

My soul no longer cries.

The loneliness has been replaced

with sparkle in my eyes.

I'll not be focused on myself.

For Jesus, I will live.

No longer do I live for self

and selflessly will give.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Halo's Glow, The 6-18-20

Who really cares?  Who understands

the rusty spikes through feet and hands?

His feet wore dust that turned to mud

when mixed with his own sweat and blood.

And then, of course, some thorns were found

and weaved into an ugly crown.

A painful mocking, gross insult

(but we know now the end result).

He was so sore and in such pain,

yet love for us would somehow gain.

He gave us life and gave us breath!

He saved us from eternal death!

When we have judged His greatest foes,

then we are just as bad as those.

Let's praise His work, His will, His way.

Let's bow and give Him thanks today.

But we pray for expedience
while He seeks our obedience.

Remember His beatitudes!

Let's change our selfish attitudes.

I tell you world, I can't compete

with such a love that's so complete.

There is no greater love than His

and that is what the greatest is.

From greatest love, for greatest foe,
can we not see from here below?
From greatest love, for greatest foe,

can we not see the halo's glow?

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beneath That Old Cross 5-17-20

Your grace draws me to You as I have observed.

But I linger often.  It's so undeserved.

Your love overwhelms me, Your strength holds me tight,

forgiveness is calling but guilt is my plight.

Effects of my sins are embossed in hard stone.

I cannot undo them.  I can't, not alone.

A carp without fin or a crow without wing,

I try as I might but can't fix anything.

Regret is the shadow I cannot outrun,

I cannot erase it or kill it with gun.

I cry for your blessings to shower as rain,

on those I have hurt so that peace they obtain.

Please hold them and guard them and don't let them fall,

then bless me with life that is pleasing to all.

Reminded of what I have put others through,

I so need forgiveness, but leave that to You.

I cry out in anguish.  I cry out in shame.
I know life is real and cry out Your name.
Please shake me of old days and don't let them kill
a future of loving and doing 'Your will'.

Immersed in contrition as life goes along,

dear Lord, please forgive me for all I've done wrong.

Your grace, so sufficient, Your love, so immense,

was proven at Cal'vry at Your great expense.

Please bury my burdens and bury my guilt,

beneath that old cross where Your blood had been spilt.
Remembering all You still do from above,

my tears now replace these mere words with my love.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Lonely Lost Poet 4-25-20

I wanted to write but saw forest instead

while loud chirping noises were filling my head.

"Go away!" the birds chirped, "We don't want you here!"

So off I had gone when I came across deer.

The deer were so startled, they ran away fast

with two frightened squirrels that also raced past.

The bugs and the butterflies seemed not to care.

I plopped myself down on a stump to prepare.

I heard eerie sounds when the wind pushed the trees,

but sounds were not words I could write down with ease.

The high-above limbs had creaked strangely in sway

and darkened surroundings in most frightful way.

My phrases eluded and wouldn't take shape

here stuck in this forest without an escape.

Distractions harassed me and it was not right.
Disturbed concentrations did not let me write.

This lost, lonely poet, still empty of rhyme,

gave way to the thought that it just wasn't time

to find my way out of this forest of words

still hearing the echo of mean heckling birds.

I thought, "I'll not bother to pen one today"

so wadded my paper and tossed it away.

The winds didn't care- in fact, nobody knew

it flew right across the small clearing from view.

As wind grew momentum, my work was in vain.
A chill ran down through me.  It started to rain.
Self-pity took over.  I drowned in my fears

as rain streaked my cheeks all commingled with tears.

"But wait!" I then jabbered, "just look what God's done!

He wrote this here poem and wrote it in fun."

I'll not be discouraged when mind has turned numb.
I'll not sit here sulking when words do not come.

The rain had stopped falling.  Clouds faded away.

And trees disappeared as I went on my way.

To tune out distractions and those noisy birds

just listen intently for God's greater words...

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Very Last Time 3-22-20

Could I be like mother?

Do I have the time?

She seemed so angelic

and seemed so sublime.

We all have to work

for days at a time.

A difficult struggle

and very hard climb.

I labored and slaved

through years of hard time.

I scratched for - and saved it,

but it was a crime.

And focused on God?  No.

I lost it in time.

His will, not my purpose,

but dollar and dime.

I now live for Jesus.

I give Him my time.

My life of enjoyment,

completed in rhyme.

But now I see mom for

the very last time.

I turn from her casket

...and hear the bell chime.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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What the Little Do 2-20-20

A teeny ant thought he was great.

He watched those other ants.

Atop a tiny blade of grass
he bragged in tiny chants.

A tiny toad thought he was best,

believing others bad.

And there he sat day after day,

atop a lillypad.

A little bird thought he was tops

above the other nine.

And chirped, he proudly, ev'ry day

perched on a twisted vine.

And then a big ol' grizzly bear

shook earth while running by.

The ant, the toad and little bird -

in fear, they thought they'd die!

So off in fear, they scattered fast.

I laughed at all of them.

Their attitudes and downright pride

were things I would condemn.

Then as I looked around me too,
my wand'ring eyes did search.
Did I see other hypocrites

inside my little church?

A teeny, tiny, little man

was sitting in my pride.

And there I stayed day after day

and could have 'til I died.

But humbled was, when Jesus knocked

at my heart's wicked door.

His nail-scarred hands reached out to me

as I dropped to the floor.

Behind my blurry, tearfilled eyes

I knew I wasn't strong.

This teeny, tiny, little man

knew I was very wrong.

The ant, the toad and little bird
had learned their lesson too.
Do not think highly of yourself.
That's what the little do.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Bee 1 & Bee 2 ~ 1-4-20

Bee 2 was dear friends to Bee 1 that short summer.

They worked well together and made their work funner.

They spent their best days buzzing so closely over,

a flowering field of delicious green clover.

The sweet golden nectar that they were collecting

was their foremost duty while queen bee protecting.

In fun competition, sought who could be faster,

ignoring completely potential disaster.

For, far in the distance, they both were ignoring,

a big red machine that had made a loud roaring.

It leveled so quickly the clover and grasses,

but never once hit them on back and forth passes.

Yes, they noticed it passing, but paid it no heed -

and then were run over... with the good and the weed.

Bee 1 hurt so bad it put 2 in depression.
Did both bees survive it?  Now that was the question.

Though neither had noticed when that mower arrived,

Bee 1 didn't made it - while Bee 2 had survived.

It seems so unfair that disaster was lurking,

though both were so faithful and both were still working,

Bee 2 was so sad he cried teardrops of honey.

He thought God unfair!  All his days now not sunny.

We run life's race fast but, out of reach, that baton,

so how can we live when our best friend has passed on?

Is God so unfair when our work here is over?

Well, not to Bee 1 there in Heaven's sweet clover...

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Shepherd's Christmas 12-7-19

We watched the flock, the sheep were still.

The night was calm right up until...

the sky lit up! An angel came!

It frightened us! We weren't the same.

Near Bethlehem, we were that night,

and frightened were, at such a sight.

Then when I stilled, an angel spoke,

with message clear, for all us folk.

I bring you tidings of great joy.

In manger hay, you'll find a boy.

In strips of cloth, in loving care,

in Bethlehem, you'll see Him there.

Inside a stable built with board,

you'll find your Savior, Christ the Lord.

Then suddenly we saw the most,

a multitude of Heavn'ly host!

I heard, when sky turned brightest,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth, peace... toward men."

with echo heard again, again.

And then those words, "Don't be afraid..."

Go see the place where Christ is laid.

And so the time, we didn't waste.

We left right then.  We left in haste.

When we arrived, it was as told.

It was a sight worth more than gold.

The Inn was full, but He was kept

inside a stable as He slept.

I fell to knees near humble child.

Dear Mary saw and simply smiled.

The floor was straw on dirt and dust.

I thought it odd and so unjust.

Deserved He more, much more than this,

with crown of pearls and happiness.

A Savior good, for all to see.

A Savior great, should one day be.

In fact, this child should be a king

that rules over everything!

It saddens though, God had to give,

His only Son so I could live.

I felt much dampness on my face,

for this was now a sacred place.

Through tears of joy, they saw us pray.

We saw it all that Christmas Day.

©2019 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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