Autumn Leaves 10-25-09

How do those leaves expose bright, vivid colors -
that are seen throughout autumn's day,
when those same leaves in the darkness of night
are simply a cold shade of gray?

The works of the flesh are futile and worthless -
when cloaked in the darkness of sin.
Only grace proves God's light is so brilliant -
and faithfully shines truth within.

So even the greatest of all Christian trees
can't be proud of colorful deed -
but humbly drop several acorns around
faithfully planting the seed.

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

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Isaiah 66:2 (NASB)
"For My hand made all these things,Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD "But to this one I will look,To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Humble Child 12-15-08

.
Dreams, a wish, a want and cloud,
I chased a rainbow all allowed....
I saw futility.

Career, work, a job and more,
opportunities, times, an open door....
I grasped futility!

I entered life I could not shut -
in filth and mud - then in a rut....
I wore futility!

I scaled the ladder - oh, so high -
the lights below I couldn't buy....
I lived futility!

In total darkness, there I was -
you asked me "why"? I said "because"....
In full futility!

Then humbled there, I saw a child,
as I looked down, He saw I smiled....
- and then He set me free.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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A Little Lesson 11-18-07

Do we attempt to “create” our own God? because we think we know what He should be doing or what is best for us or our “religion”? With all the mistakes I make, I’m glad God doesn’t always answer my prayers the way I think they should be answered….

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I learned a little lesson. Let me share it with you now.
I should have told you years ago but didn't know quite how.

God is like the sunshine that blesses us for years,
Jesus, like the ocean breeze that dries our several tears.

God is faithful to us all. He doesn't fail or stray
He is like the morning sun that rises every day.

Jesus knows our troubles. He knows our every hope.
He knows which crosses we can bear. He knows that we can cope.

While death is like the darkness with troubles everywhere.
Life is like the sunshine - its brightness we all share.

This little lesson I had learned before my final day -
that I am not the 'Potter' - and God is not the clay.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Isaiah 29: 15-16 (NASB)
15Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"
16You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, "He has no understanding"

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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.”