Heaven Help Us! 5-31-11

Whether a grown-up, a child, or a teen -

We want to be noticed, we want to be seen.

We buy a new auto, with soft leather seats -

or buy a new wardrobe that nobody beats.. 

But buying top brands at all the best stores -

is just simply futile if showing our drawers.

 Our pants must be pulled up with shirt tucked down in -

and must walk with stature, as dignified men. 

Ingrained are small habits in ways we have found -

to draw the attention of folks all around.

But I am much better than all of the rest.

There's no need to ask me.  I'm simply the best.

And seldom - oh, seldom - so seldom I see -

a person more humble - more humble than me.

I don't spit tobacco, gossip, or 'cuss' -

so please, Heaven help them - to notice Jesus.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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Each Minute 5-29-11

When things go good,

and all is well -

there is no thought

or fear of hell.

But when things change,

death is tasted -

regret, we will,

each minute wasted.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Mighty Floodgates 5-29-11

Speared I am, right through the heart.

My soul awakes,

my pencil shakes,

my paper takes...

the thoughts I've never wrote before.

I don't know why,

my eyes were dry,

I couldn't cry.

My former heart was cold and hard -

I did not know,

the melting snow,

the sunset's glow...

and found, I too, a reservoir -

of many years,

a wall of tears,

as flooding nears.

So sought I tear, where soft and warm -

among the weak,

among the meek,

on Jesus' cheek...

where it dripped down upon the ground -

where there was loss,

and there was dross,

beneath the cross.

So now it's soft, my broken heart -

a world stain,

a greater pain,

is greater gain -

and the mighty floodgates opened -

and now know why,

my eyes aren't dry,

and I can cry.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Welcome Home! 5-28-11

The prodigal son,

took his share and run.

The world revolves around Rome?

Provisions ran out,

as he ran about -

but his father said, "Welcome Home!"

Decorations done,

another war won.

The world revolves around Rome?

With Serviceman's grin,

he entered therein,

then heard them all shout, "Welcome Home!"

Once under clover,

all will be over.

The world revolves around Rome?

In blink of an eye,

I know I will cry,

when Jesus proclaims, "Welcome Home!"

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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Why You? 5-27-11

When liars win, life isn't fair -

not one will ever, ever care -

life's burdens are too much to bear.

Why me Lord?

I stand down by the ocean shore -

the poison seeps down to my core -

there's none who listen anymore -

Why me Lord?

My love grew cold, my anger hot -

my gut twists in each kind of knot -

it pains me so, an awful lot -

Why me Lord?

The ocean waves still seem to race -

they crest, then spill most anyplace -

but waves ignore my grieving face -

Why me Lord?

My problems grew and come to meet -

as water wraps around my feet -

I'm tired, exhausted, very beat -

Why me Lord?

The waves roll in for years and years -

through all my trials, all my fears -

my cheeks have felt so many tears -

Why me Lord?

My heart, for others, has out-poured -

yet something pulls on my heart's cord -

of everyone who I've ignored -

Why You Lord?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Fuel 5-25-11

Whoa! I take a second look!

I turned my head and eyed -

the sleekness of the sporty lines.

Now that's a fancy ride!

Shiny chrome and glossy wheels,

style, impressive too.

So numerous, the gadgets -

great quality clear through.

The leather seats, the clock and cruise,

the 'cockpit' steals my soul,

the gauges, so exquisite -

I lose all self-control.

The engine starts. It comes to life -

and roars to the extreme.

It sucks the gas from finite tank

in non-stop, steady stream.

My focus and attention,

are drawn by things of men -

which lose me in a cloud of fog,

which seek another sin.

In many ways, we 'sin' in style -

by boat or plane or car.

Though man can reach to moon and Mars,

can only get so far...

There's limits to the spending,

there's limits to the days,

there's limits to the envies of,

man's many sinful ways...

Yet grace, the engine of man's soul -

is ready, always willing.

And God wills that we come to Him -

but gas tank still needs filling.

Just one alone, the fuel is,

if focused we will be.

Though greater is the mustard seed -

faith fuels men, like me.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Plugged In? 5-24-11

Are we a mere computer,
or have we skin and souls?
Have we hearts that often break -
with sometime mixed-up goals?

This world has seen some changes,
and many, not so good.
We often think of only 'self'
instead of what we should.

Maybe fault is not our own -
as when we are abused.
Eden's Garden, this is not -
when innocent are 'used'.

Can people be deleted?
Do friends no longer stay?
Are people simply 'products' that
some use - then throw away?

We plug in our computers
and we are 'plugged in' too -
but sometimes we will sit alone -
when real friends are few.

Computers do not have a heart,
and neither have they pain -
but people hurt from inside-out
and often times complain.

Brand new software will not work
when 'human' minds compute.
When control-alt-delete won't work,
we simply don't reboot.

When computers go awry -
we wipe the hard-drive clean -
but people cannot soon forget,
and must on shoulders lean.

Water kills computers,
and they don't cry in tears -
but people have the right to weep
to God who always hears.

FOR GOD knows every truth there is,
and pain He will erase -
if we will only seek His truth
and troubles squarely face.

We either love this life we have
on pathways we have trod -
or we can get unplugged from earth,
and get 'plugged in' to God!

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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How Dare You! 5-21-11

How dare you tell me what to do -
you little Christian man!
You hide inside your little world -
I'll do just what I can.

How dare you tell me what to do -
you talk big - then you quit!
You claim to help the poor and meek,
but you're a hypocrite.

How dare you tell me what to do -
it's legal... gambling, booze.
So keep your morals off of me,
I'll do just what I choose.

How dare you tell me what to do!
Send me a little food!
I spent a bit on 'joints' and stuff.
I'm in depressive mood.

How dare you tell me what to do!
You know it's how life goes.
Don't leave me to the elements,
but buy me newer clothes.

How dare you tell me what to do -
in comforts of your home.
Basic shelter is a need -
yet, place to place, I roam.

How dare you tell me what to do!
Your morals, keep off me!
Just find a cure for my disease -
and happy I will be.

How dare you tell me what to do!
My rights? My needs and wants!
Health care costs are through the roof -
so pay all my insurance.

How dare you pray to your great God.
He made me down to lie,
He led me by still waters and,
He made me want to cry.

Just leave me be. Ignore me -
until some future date.
Just let me live the way I want -
until it is too late.

These may not be the words you said.
Don't be offended so...
"How dare you!" were the words I said,
so many years ago.

©2011 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.
  

Psalm 23 (NASB)

 1 The LORD is my shepherd,
  I shall not want. 
  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
  He leads me beside quiet waters. 
  3 He restores my soul;
  He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I fear no evil, for You are with me;
  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
  You have anointed my head with oil;
  My cup overflows. 
  6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
  And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Apron Strings 5-19-11

When I was young,

I often clung,

to many little things.

I'd reach up high,

again retie,

my mama's apron strings.

I sometimes did,

what mom forbid,

although she'd make it clear.

Thoughts still linger.

I remember,

through each fleeting year.

Acquainted still,

her stories thrill,

with many left untold.

I can't go back,

though mem-ries track,

to years I'd rather hold.

I'm lost in thought,

it can't be caught,

despite my futile search -

mama singing,

mama bringing,

this small boy to church.

Though I was touched,

and changed so much,

through Christ, the perfect One -

I cannot stay,

time slips away,

from all that she had done.

I try to grasp,

and hands I clasp,

around those many things -

but mem-ry strands,

slip through my hands -

just like those apron strings.

I miss her so.

Emotions show.

There's moistness in my eyes.

I can't withhold,

though I am old,

my oft guilt-ridden cries.

Though sometimes sad,

I'm always glad,

whenever I think of -

my mama's cares,

my mama's prayers,

and her most precious love.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

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Coconuts 5-10-11

God made every coconut -

and each day many fall.

There's many 'round about us but,

they never heard His call,

and...

God is ignored.

Walking through a park one day, I

willed not to succumb...

to be a coconut that lacked a speck,

of any Godly wisdom,

but...

God was ignored.

I bent down and picked one up -

much heavier than thought,

(just like the burdens on our backs,

when we are overwrought)

but...

God was ignored.

Still holding that old coconut -

my conscious thoughts had blurred.

As I walked out upon a pier,

I wished God could be heard,

but...

God was ignored.

I wondered just how big of splash

that coconut could make -

so then in fervor, threw that nut -

a great splash in the lake,

but...

God was ignored.

My feet got wet, I shook my head -

and quickly walked away.

It seems as though the world wins.

What more can my God say?

And...

God was ignored.

Curiously, I looked back.

As if it had been gloating,

there bobbing on the little waves,

the coconut was floating.

and...

God was ignored.

Throughout this world, the zombies walk -

in sinful, futile ruts -

and burdens weigh on shoulders as

their hard old coconuts,

and...

God is ignored.

God alone redeems the nut,

and let me tell you what -

that I was just like all the rest -

a stubborn coconut...

but...
God wasn't ignored.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

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If Days Could Talk 5-7-11

If days could talk,

what would they say?

What wisdom could we seek?

Listen to each one of them - Day by Day...

Monday says, "Get out of bed!"

as it gives you a jerk.

"Wipe that 'sleep' out of your eyes -

I'm putting you to work!"

Tuesday says, "All is okay.

You've been through this before.

If you could handle yesterday -

then you can handle more."

Wednesday says, "You're halfway done.

You've been through this day too.

Remember all the work you've done,

Reward is up to you.

Thursday says, "Let's plan to have -

an evening of some fun!

Go out and party Friday night.

Have fun with everyone!"

Friday says, "I've got you now -

wrapped around my finger.

Exciting times are just ahead -

so let temptations linger..."

Saturday? Well, here's the truth.

You slept through half the day.

"You did not heed the warning,"

you finally heard it say.

Mistakes were made. You know it.

The fault? Not always yours.

But now, some things will never change.

There are not always cures.

The world really does not care,

if anyone is hurt -

So live each day like Sunday so

more problems you'll avert."

For Sunday says, "Please come to Church.

Your soul is not a game -

and if you know there's more to life -

confess in Jesus' name."

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

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My Little Boat 5-2-11

Is 'faith' an easy word to say?
Climb in my little boat.
It's not too much to look at but,
was built, so it could float.

Now hold on tight! We're sailing,
across this mighty sea!
And don't look back like Lot's wife did -
it's just You, God and me.

We know the storm clouds darken.
We know the sea is rough.
We see the storms approaching.
We know it will be tough.

Raging tempests circling in
this blinding, windy squall -
the typhoon winds are deafening -
blowing horizontal.

The wind picks up around us -
life has its surprises -
despite our frantic bailing, the
water level rises...

The breaking waves crash over us,
our future starts to dim.
Our work is less than futile but,
our hope resides in Him.

Rain freezes, pelting bullets -
keep stabbing like a knife.
Grasping tight to what we can -
we hold on fast to life.

Pulled muscles, cuts and aching joints -
now steal away attention.
We lose, while tossing, sea-sick, stunned -
all sense of direction.

We cower ever lower then.
Some refuge? There is none.
Our prayers drown in the breaking waves.
Our words lost, every one.

Now most give in about this time -
high hopes, the world sees.
Their dreams are carried off in winds,
their souls to sinful seas.

In life, we've often sacrificed -
but our lives, never gave.
We just get blown around a bit -
and tossed from wave to wave.

So all alone, we shiver -
and drenched so thorough, wet.
We see, though stunned to speechless a
familiar silhouette.

Saving us from certain death,
with grace for all who sinned -
and walking on the water now,
He calms the sea and wind.

Life's futile ocean's much too wide -
for tiny boat and I -
but God gives grace to everyone -
whose faith is not a lie.

Is 'faith' an easy word to say?
Climb in my little boat.
It's not too much to look at but,
with faith, still stays afloat...

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 107 (KJV)

23 Those who go down to the sea in ships,

Who do business on great waters;

24 They have seen the works of the LORD,

And His wonders in the deep.

25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,

Which lifted up the waves of the sea.

26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;

Their soul melted away in their misery.

27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man,

And were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

And He brought them out of their distresses.

29 He caused the storm to be still,

So that the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 Then they were glad because they were quiet,

So He guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,

And for His wonders to the sons of men!