My main site can be seen at www.ganderpoems.org Thank you! Enjoy! ~louis

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Prayer of Thanksgiving 9-23-12


This table, set with centerpiece,
fine china, silverware -
has food prepared deliciously
with tender loving care.
With hungry eye, I relish this -
this meal, my daily bread -
then fold my hands and bow my head
before my prayer is said.

I do recite it quick and slurred,
though with the best intent -
and now that grace is said and heard,
it is a blessed event.
The phrases I was taught to say
were pressed down deep in me -
but words are empty without thoughts
of pure sincerity.

Yes, just before I eat, I pray,
but there's a place so crude
which moves me closer to the truth -
that others have no food.
It haunts me as I look around, the
visions of the starved -
who wide-eyed blankly stare at me
behind my turkey, carved.

I see their bloated tummies and
the flies around their eyes.
I hear soft moans from babies lips,
and echoes of their cries.
I taste the mush that they call food.
It lingers on my breath.
I feel the tears start down my cheeks.
I smell the stench of death.

I hesitate with my first bite,
then ask myself, "Do I
really care they're teary eyed
and hungry 'til they die?"
I pray that all the "least of these"
are eating well in Heav'n.
Please help me Lord, to understand
the blessings I was giv'n.

So now when I recite my prayer,
as I sit down to feast,
I ask myself if I'm sincere
and thankful in the least.
For that's when I can hear my voice
ascending to His ear.
He knows if I speak empty words
or if I am sincere.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Friday, September 21, 2012

See Me Through 9-21-12


I'm ragged and I'm hungry.
My needs I can't afford.
My debts are huge and piling up.
Please lift me through it Lord.

I've served my country, served it well,
I've fought the gun and sword.
Though I survived, it's difficult -
please help me through it Lord.

An accident has left me lame,
I cannot be restored -
'cept through a gracious miracle.
Please walk me through it Lord.

I've lost my dear and loving spouse,
and I'm so lonely, bored.
Please speak to me with scripture now
and hold me through it Lord.

I was so blind in all my sin.
Your grace I had ignored.
Now through Your love and sacrifice,
please save me through it Lord.

Finally on my deathbed, I'm
about to get on-board -
a ship that takes me there to You.
Please see me through it Lord.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Beautiful 9-11-12


As vivid as a sunlight's ray atop each sturdy stem,
those bright and yellow flowers.  Could anyone condemn?
And others as the bluest sky in deep and vivid hue -
Now who could find more beauty in that panoramic view?

In eyes of the beholders,  conclusions are foregone,
but they're like sin down in your heart when scattered on your lawn.
The dandelion and chicory are pesky little weeds.
You might think they are beautiful, but kill those nasty seeds...

And this is how deceptive sins, work down inside the head.
As pretty as a flower's bloom - but ugly so, instead.
Now faithfulness in God alone prevents sin's every trace -
and every kind of sinful weed ...through everlasting grace.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Good Intentions 9-8-12


My beautiful intentions come when things are not at peace.
Those good intentions carry me where duties may all cease.
Such beautiful intentions can be nothing but insults,
to all the great performing tasks that bring about results.

And thoughts of great intentions come in plans so very swirled
and binds me as a hostage in this wicked, sinful world.
Intentions are the greatest but am I still drawn to sin,
when actions are but only thoughts and work need not begin?

Despite intentions beautiful, I've now begun to hate
these lands of vast utopia on clouds that dissipate.
My dreams come crashing down despite a weather that is fair.
Foundation's can't be only poured on well intentioned prayer.

What if Christ had good intentions that were not applied
and He had stayed up there in Heav'n and wasn't crucified?
But God has never, never failed and He waits for us still.
Our good intentions won't bring change ...but faithfulness sure will!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Galatians 5:22,23 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Monday, September 3, 2012

September Harvest 9-3-12


After the blizzards and after the drifts,
after the snowbanks and temperature shifts...
After the blossoms from light colored buds,
after the rainstorms and after the floods...
After the heat from the high summer sun,
after the grain that is ripe for autumn...
come September harvest.

When old farmer Elmer is out on his field,
reaping the harvest with plenteous yield,
reminding me fully of lost, lonely souls,
that we need to harvest from Satan's controls.
To he who repents and to he who believes,
to all who accept Him, to all of the sheaves...
come September harvest.

The harvest is plenty with laborers few
but these are the souls that we need to get to.
If we love our neighbors as we ourselves love -
(you must know by now what I'm speaking of...)
For though this big world is in stark opposition,
we recommit fully for this great commission...
come September harvest.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 28:16-20 (NASB)
The Great Commission
16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”