A Rainbow Life 1-29-09

No matter how earth's breezes blow,
just seek the promise, God's rainbow.
For Noah's faith was always sure,
never failing - always pure.

A rainbow I can see, not touch -
but really does not matter much.
God holds it fast, as He holds me.
Bright colors of His rainbow see.

So close, God's armor I will wear -
the world can't fill me with despair.
The storm clouds of the world seize,
when touched, I am, with Spirit's breeze.

I won't be a doubting 'Thomas' -
standing fast in Jesus' promise.
God parts the dark clouds of man's sin,
and brings full light of life within.

Before God's spectrum kisses ground,
I know His promise will be found.
I gaze - awed at His universe -
singing praise - each word and verse.

If joy is violet and indigo,
patience pink and peace yellow,
if kindness orange and goodness gold,
then all good fruit of His I'll hold.

If grace is blue and love is white,
and prayer is green and God is light,
the world's sin won't overwhelm,
for I'm in Him - another realm.

If life's a footrace, death blood red,
Jesus is rainbows of colors ahead.
If we're resurrected from sin and strife,
God's gives to us - a Rainbow Life.

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

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Complaints Heard Here 1-27-09

We get so excited with weddings and births,
or other great things which are part of the earth's -
like parties and joking, and all of the sports,
hobbies, vacations and games of all sorts.

But then when our lives take a turn for the worse,
with unfair disasters which carry a curse,
we'll complain when things don't go our way -

and our chance will come. We're one heartbeat away.

I wonder if God hears a thanks or a grumble,
whenever our hearts are a little less humble?
Will all our complaining spill over the brim,
when soon we'll be standing - in front of Him?

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

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Dust To Dust 1-26-09

From the ground with dust, formed man.
Oh, this world that God began.
He had only asked for 'trust'.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

And of the fruit, creation ate -
so plowed he fields, outside the gate.
Was from the garden thrown, unjust?
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Man confused, but thought so great -
so man, an idol did create -
which then decayed in rot and rust.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

So ascertain his final fate -
for man still thinks at this late date,
that knowledge proves he's so robust.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

The clock keeps ticking - marches on.
It's certain who we call upon.
Into the future we are thrust -
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Close it now, the vast division,
God or self, it's your decision.
Life moves swiftly, dawn to dusk.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

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

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

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Another Shoe 1-23-09

Perfectly balanced as when it begun,
God's earth rotates around His sun -
so empty the pride, of yours, each shoe -
if you think this world revolves around you.

So find any pair - which ever you choose -
and slip yourself in - another's shoes.
You'll soon realize, while walking in stride,
they're much too large and a bit too wide.

Professors, plumbers, doctors, police,
firemen, authors, teachers and priests -
don't ever assume you can't be replaced,
for your life on earth will soon be erased.

God made us different for very good reason,
so whatever the weather, whatever the season,
we're all on this earth here - bound with a tether,
so strip away pride and start working together.

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

Matthew 24:10 (NASB) At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

Talk Is Cheap 1-20-09

When words are empty, talk is cheap.
when words are parsed, talk is cheap.
when gossip travels like a missile, talk is cheap.
when the ends justify the means, talk is cheap.
when eyes expose an angered heart, talk is cheap.
when half-truths build as a skyscraper, talk is cheap.
when manure is spread upon the heap, talk is cheap.
when rationalizing trumps the rational, talk is cheap.
when an agenda overrides the purpose, talk is cheap.
when tongues repeat the hollow points, talk is cheap.
when innuendo paints the masterpiece, talk is cheap.
when the snake oil slips along the slime, talk is cheap.
when truth is obvious between the lines, talk is cheap.
when words invest for a return on flattery, talk is cheap.
when words are used for self preservation, talk is cheap.
when words are spit out with forked tongue, talk is cheap.
when words become more colorful than a rainbow, talk is cheap.
when words are tailored like a thousand dollar suit, talk is cheap.
when ten dollar words are used on a two-cent thought, talk is cheap.
and when money is the purpose behind the words, talk is worthless.

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

Psalm 78: (NASB)
35And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.
36But they deceived Him with their mouth
And lied to Him with their tongue.
37For their heart was not steadfast toward Him,
Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

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If I Were God.... 1-19-2009

Bad things happen every day,

on waves and solid sod -

This world is in such disarray -

but not if I were God.

People fall off mountains -

People fall in ditches -

People fall for anything -

but not if I were God.

People will get greedy -

People will get sad -

People will get lonely -

but not if I were God.

People get diseases -

People get depressed.

People get so bothered -

but not if I were God.

People hurt so often -

People hurt so much -

People hurt each other -

but not if I were God.

No, if I were God,

there'd be no mountains.

there'd be no valleys,

lakes or drinking fountains.

No one would fall off of,

fall into, or drown.

No, if I were God,

you'd never, ever frown.

If I were God,

there'd be 'garden of Eden',

all would be happy,

with nobody leavin'.

If I were God,

you could do what you please,

there wouldn't be plagues,

locusts or fleas.

Yes, if I were God,

you'd sing la-la-la,

because I'd create

utopia.

Don't worry that you'd never be challenged.

Don't worry that you'd get a bit bored.

Don't worry that you'd be a robot -

with brains as dense as a board.

So did God have other intentions?

Does 'free will' mean much at all?

Did Jesus give us a challenge?

And are we to answer His call?

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 9:37 (KJV)

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Focused Failures 1-18-09

Many will focus on money,
many will focus on fame,
many will focus on friendships,
many will focus on name.

Many will focus on family,
many will focus on courts,
many will focus on children,
many will focus on sports.

Some will focus on parties,
some will focus on news,
some will focus on women,
some will focus on booze.

Some will focus on travel,
some will focus on jets,
some will focus on sunshine,
some will focus on pets.

Few will focus on Jesus,
few will know of His grace,
few will know of His mercy,
few will look on His face.

Few will know of our Savior,
few will know of His love,
few will know of His service, and
few will see Him above.

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

Matthew 11: (NASB)
28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

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One Hundred Years From Now 1-17-09

Some are massive. Some are smart,
but every one shall soon depart.
All animals - both great and small,
will someday hear God's final call.

And even through their graceful motion
near the bottom of the ocean;
no matter what they could become,
all ocean fish will too, succumb.

While birds can soar above the rest,
they also take their final test.
Though they fly to their highest high -
they will also, surely die.

No matter where, what, why, or how,
Just one hundred years from now;
no matter if we've so persisted -
few will know that we existed.

So why go through our futile notions
exercising fruitless motions;
collecting things we cannot keep,
until we all fall fast asleep?

Sinners want to impress people
outside of the church and steeple.
But soon our chances will be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.

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

Hebrews 9: 27 (KJ) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

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Where Are You God? 1-17-09

Early mornings, I talk to You.
I pray until the sky is blue.
Faithfully I do my chores -
for You are mine and I am Yours.

I read the Bible, every verse -
but yet the world grows worse and worse.
So where's the bounty? Where's the fruit?
Did You get lost along our route?

Tell me now - where are you God?
You should be here. This is quite odd.
Do You just sit there on Your throne,
and leave me down here all alone?

A mustard seed - my faith exceeds.
I live a Godly life indeed.
I pour out Christian love each day -
spreading seed along my way.

So tell me why You're way up there.
and leave me here in such despair?
Please tell me, why are we apart?
Could I have followed my own heart?

Could it be, I followed me -
I never listened, couldn't see?
Yes, maybe I had took a turn,
because I didn't want to learn...

You are there and I am here -
but now I'll follow and not fear.
Early mornings, I'll hear You -
so guide me Lord, and lead me through.

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

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Psalm 23: (KJ)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, 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.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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GOD and MAN 1-14-09

(one mustard seed)

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God creates
while man destroys.
God sustains
while man enjoys.

God forgives
while man awaits.
God is love
while man still hates.

God is peace.
Man is brutal.
God is life.
Man's is futile.

---

God returned,
Eden entered -
knowing man be-
came self-centered.

Yet God loved,
He offered grace,
and put His Son
in our due place.

Heaven is
our Lord's reply -
so can we truly,
humbly cry?

---

Or has my past
become so scarred,
that my own heart
becomes too hard?

And has my faith
become a weed,
that I can't see
the mustard seed?

It's up to me
to be Christ-like,
when faith endures
another spike.

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

When problems arise - when life is unfair - when the cruel, angry world takes the heavy stone of selfishness and greed - and begins to pound, pound, pound, bang, bang, bang another sinful spike into your happy, fun-loving life, does your faith endure?

John 14 (KJ) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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Resolution Failure 1-1-09

.
Another day, another prey.
Another year, another beer.

Just a habit, you can't quit.
You can't forget the cigarette.

One tells lies. Another buys,
another dies, another cries.

Some will scramble - start to gamble.
Then will sweat, another bet.

Where's disaster? Where's the master?
When found, the grave - you find the slave....

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

Isaiah 24:17 (NIV)
Terror and pit and snare await you, O people of the earth.

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