It's all up to Him 5-30-06

.
In all I had eyed, and all I had tried –
and all I had done;
in following herds, relying on words –
I couldn't have won.

For I was fleeing, with all my being –
but I was jailed.
All words I had said - were empty instead –
as He was nailed.

He gave it all up, His one only cup –
He surrendered all.
Then came the rejoice - In His still, small voice,
as I heard His call.

From way up above, in all of His Love,
free grace was given;
and now for my prize, through faith I can rise,
as He had risen.

He faithfully feeds, my wants and my needs,
indeed, everything;
to Him I now call, for He is my all,
and to Him I cling.

When burdens break in, I'll put on a grin –
and I'll sing a hymn!
I know not quite how... but He has them now.
It's all up to Him.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

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The Master's Key 5-18-06

Have you ever lost a key and couldn't find it anywhere?
Or ever had that special one and held it in your care?

Some are bright and shiny working fancy doors in town.
But it doesn't matter how they look as long as they are found.

Some keys will open just one door but some can open many.
Others open big, old doors, but some won't work on any.

Some we use most every day. Some stay on the wall.
Every key will have its task - but only one can open all.

Who holds the key to earth and space and hangs it all in perfect place?
Who sends it off in balanced pace and began the human race?

Who controls the wind and sea, the largest beast, the smallest flea?
Who grants to us our humble plea - through answered prayer - who could it be?

What's in your heart, you will hold dear - whether cars or sports or rancid beer;
Some special times might bring a tear, but if God's there He'll hold you near.

So if your heart is way too small - with no room for even two;
Then it's time for thorough cleaning because your heart is full of you.

Evil lurks in all dark shadows – behind doors falling apart.
There are so many keys in life – but only One can heal your heart.

It doesn't matter who, what - when, why, or how.
The Master's Key will fit and fix the mess you're in right now.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Truest Love 5-17-06

The morning breaks, a cry is heard;

My mother cries in anguish word.

I take a breath and wiggle some.

I have a life and want some fun.

The presents came that afternoon;

I even got a silver spoon.

In younger years, I got my way;

And even taught my dog to 'stay'.

And through my youth, I looked at me;

Where I'd go and what I'd be.

I grew up knowing everything;

-From subs and jets, and all between.

Then it hit - one autumn day;

I saw a farmer bailing hay.

Life was just an ugly chore;

-From getting more and more and more.

The sun now setting in the west;

I know I failed my life's big test.

But just before the sun went down;

I looked around my little town.

I pushed it all away from me;

And for the first time felt so free!

When my day is past, I'll see the moon;

So take it now, your silver spoon.

You do with it - what ‘ere you will;

But as for me, I've had my fill.

There's more to life - just look above;

And get to know the Truest Love.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Very Good Person 5-17-06

.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your countenance proves you are real;

But under that mask of a smile,

I'm really not sure you can feel.

I should say you're a very good person,

For you give to the sick and the poor;

Though you think of yourself very highly,

I'm sure without debt you'd give more.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your love and compassion are vast;

You are your most favorite of persons,

While you put all the rest of us last.

I should say you're a very good person,

On Sundays I see you in church;

If I really don't think that you're perfect,

I'll continue more years of research.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your intelligence makes you a whiz;

So I won't tell you all about Jesus,

Because you know all that there is.

I should say you're a very good person,

There's nothing that you can do wrong;

And if I could read all about you,

I know that the book would be long.

I should say you're a very good person,

But it'd probably all go to your head;

So I'll just say good bye for the moment,

But think "and good riddance" instead.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/ 

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Separation of church and state 5-15-06

There IS separation of church and state,

And you'll never hear me recriminate.

Never before have I heard such a jeer,

And heard it so often - year after year.

Change every rule, and rule every change.

Then change every fool so that they become strange.

Scream bloody murder, and see if I care,

Then sue everyone, with all the hot air.

For only One Truth - can be absolute,

And everything else falls pointlessly mute.

You can have the vast killing galore,

-By pulling our God from each school door.

For if you make legal, murder and lies,

We’ll all be innocent - in even your eyes.

So open you may, your Pandora’s box,

But beware when it comes to your door and knocks.

Have you not read the 10 Commandments?

Or even know what it all represents?

It's not from a sect, a synagogue, or church,

So get with it now and do your research.

God never says to lust, murder, or steal,

But to love everyone and help them to heal.

Keep separate the church - for there's no debate,

But you can't separate our God from our state.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Only One Journey 5-14-06

I walked through the valley of the shadow of death.
I turned each direction. The sight took my breath.
The way through that valley was ever so wide,
and sin was so rampant that many had died.

Lust, lies and deception, like grains of the sand,
the bodies and souls - they covered the land.
Stepped over, I did - strewn here and there,
for they were all lost, in death, unaware.

It seemed so atrocious. I felt so inept -
but I journeyed along as I carefully stepped.
So many had fallen far short of their goals,
and the valley was covered with forgotten souls.

Now so many limbs and bodies were crossed,
that each proved our sin has a very high cost.
In every direction, I trembled in fear,
yet some tracks pressed on, so vividly clear.

So many had prospered, so many were great,
but they had all worked to a merciless fate.
I stepped over more - the young and the old.
Each day some would fall and then would turn cold.

It seemed, was no end - as a fight in a sewer -
then noticed the footprints, were fewer and fewer.
I pressed on ahead through trials and all,
I fought the good fight and then heard His last call.

The footsteps had dwindled to just a small few.
Then leaving the valley, there were only two.
Now one set of footprints went straight on ahead,
while the other one stopped, and turned back instead.

But through the dim darkness, a light I could see.
It fell as a halo - then covered me...
My armor still glimmered as if still brand new,
despite all the work that He asked me to do.

There up from the valley and over the crest,
I saw that old cross and knew I was blessed.
Some friends greeted me. There were but a few.
Then I laid down my cross, as they had done too.

We're living here now, above valley and loss -
for we wore our armor and looked to the cross.
It's easy to know now, how we gathered here,
despite those one set of footprints, it's clear.

When He is in us, we are more than a sparrow -
we walk in His sandals, the straight and the narrow.
You have but one journey. He guides your steps now.
He'll show you the way and - He will show you how.

He knows that the valley of death will bring pain.
It'll run you in circles and drive you insane.
But wear your whole armor. Endure to the end -
for He is your Savior, Defender and Friend.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”