Beyond My Weathered Window 10-8-11

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I see one from my rocker and,

I pray you see one too -

see one on each hillside,

see one on your way,

see one in each valley,

see one every day.

The moon shines on the water,

the sea reflects the light.

Boats pass through this painting,

with sails of halo white.

A sea bird glides in silhouette,

above the sails masts,

above the ropes and bollards,

as breezes travel past.

Final work arrives at dusk

before reflections cease -

on piers I've known since childhood

on this, God's masterpiece.

But few have seen this sunset,

and fewer wonder why -

God's bright and vivid colors

still wash across the sky.

And people race His colors -

oblivious and blind -

as God continues painting

so generously kind.

Wide brush strokes still continue,

with colors bold and lush.

Though 'man' has stole the meanings,

God still holds the brush.

Beyond my weathered window,

beyond my little view -

I watch Him from my rocker and,

I pray you see Him too -

see Him in the sunsets,

see Him in your prayers,

see Him in the life you live,

and see Him everywhere.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Awesome God 6-3-11

Fanny Crosby 1820-1915

I smell the fragrance of the pines

and hear each nature sound.

Something envelopes my thoughts.

Creation's all around.

I sit for several hours but

I can't a sentence write.

Will I be trying hours more,

to write throughout the night?

You'd have to wear some special shoes

to see my unique view -

yet empty are the words I find

explaining God to you.

So try to close your eyes awhile -

in patience.  It's alright.

I'll pray that angels sprinkle words

to help me say this right...

If you could see His miracles

in all I've been forgiven -

if you could also understand the gifts

to me, that He has given -

I wouldn't need to write one word.

His light, you'd finally see -

and understand my awesome God,

though you aren't blind like me.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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Written as I'm reminded of Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), a blind poet who wrote nearly 9,000 poems/hymns such as “Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,” “Sweet hour of prayer,” “Safe in the arms of Jesus,” “All the way my Saviour leads me,” “Jesus is tenderly calling thee home,” “I am thine, O Lord,” “Rescue the perishing,” “Speed away,” “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,” and “Jesus keep me near the Cross"..

Once a Scotch minister remarked to her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master, when He showered so many gifts upon you, did not give you sight.”
She answered: “Do you know that, if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be made blind?”
“Why?” asked the surprised preacher.
 “Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Saviour.”*

 *Moseley H. Williams, The Sunday School World, (Lesson for Aug. 19, 1900 The man born blind, Applications and Illustrations) pg. 302

Walking Faith 2-20-11

What is music to the deaf?

What are rainbows to the blind?

What are shoes worn by the lame?

What mere words can so define...

a special Son,

sent to a cross,

in a world,

forever lost?

What are dollars to a horse?

What are needles without thread?

What are tears without our grief?

What are Bibles to the dead?

Our ears must hear.

Our eyes must see.

Beyond the graves

our faith must be.

His loving grace,

forever pours -

draws walking faith,

to Heaven's doors.

Words are pathways,

nothing more.

There's Someone we

must cry out for.

©2011 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/ 

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With Greatest Joy 5-22-10

Through my glasses,
through the blinds,
I see life
of every kind.
I see dogs,
a squirrel too,
see some trees,
but flowers few.

Through His grace,
when I so blind,
God saw me -
and knew my mind -
gave His Word
and gave His truths,
gave His Son,
so I could choose.

Choose a life
that few have seen -
few have known,
yet so serene.
A life for all,
each girl and boy -
a life of love
with greatest joy.

So baptise body,
head to feet.

Live a life
that's true, complete.
Complete with faith
in God's own Son,
complete in peace -
forever 'one'.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 14 (KJV)

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:
and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Insignificant? 11-7-09

Are we so blind in our own little world -
can't see our own ship's demise -
and feel deep down an emptiness
with insignificant eyes?
Yet do we love life's dangers,
and into the tempests lean -
with all our focused attention on
this world's corrupted scene?

Are we so deaf in our own little world,
when waters send warning tears -
that we can't discern the crashing waves
with insignificant ears?
And do we love life's dangers
which envies of sins enjoy -
with all of our selfish actions,
with insignificant noise?

Are we so wrapped in our own little world,
balled up as some yarn and strings -
yet hanging from a single thread,
with insignificant things?
Oh, the storms that God allows
as we tighten ourselves in our chains -
we cannot break free from the greed and lust
with insignificant brains.

When temptations storms keep tossing
our ships on the mighty sea,
are we so lost in our own little world -
we can only think about "me"?
When waters keep breaking and crashing
our ships on the angry waves -
will cries be heard in Heaven to
this Jesus who truely saves?

Would God send His Son with His infinite love,
with such insignificant goals -
then have Him die on an old rugged cross
for insignificant souls?
Certainly not! We're meaningful -
we faithful sons and daughters.
Grace is sufficient against all storms.
Let Jesus calm Life's waters.

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

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Galatians 3:26 (NASB) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith, Fruit, Teach, Preach 9-29-09

FAITH. Did God 'create' it long ago -
Have we endurance as we go? / James 1:2-4
Are we so deaf we cannot hear? / Micah 7:16
What proves our fruit from year to year? / Matt 7:15,16

FRUIT. Did God 'create' it long ago -
Have we endurance as we grow? / Matt 7:17-19
Are we so blind we cannot see, / Isaiah 42:18
and why "so little faith," have we? / Matt 6:30

TEACH. Does God 'create' it as we learn -
and produce it, do we, as we yearn? / Luke 12:11,12
Are we so dumb we cannot reach? / John 20:27
Are we so weak that we can't preach? / Heb 11:32-34

PREACH. Does God 'create' it as we learn -
and produce it, do we, as we burn? / Rom 10:1
With humbleness and sincere speech, / Titus 2:7,8
do us ourselves, we also teach? / Rom 2:21

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

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James 1:2-4 (NASB) 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Micah 7:16 (NASB) Nations will see and be ashamed
Of all their might
They will put their hand on their mouth,
Their ears will be deaf.

Matthew 7:15,16 (NASB) 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

Matthew 7:17-19 (NASB) 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Isaiah 42:18 (NASB) 18 Hear, you deaf!
And look, you blind, that you may see.

Matthew 6:30 (NASB) "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Luke 12:11,12 (NASB) 11 "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

John 20:27 (NASB) Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Hebrews 11:32-34 (NASB) 32And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Romans 10:1 (NASB) Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Titus 2:7,8 (NASB) 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 2:21 (NASB) you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?

But Then God 3-10-09

On the run - chasing shadows,

and always on the go.

Always right - never wrong,
and always in the know.

"It's not me" I told myself -

my life so wasteful spent.

I was lost. I went to work -

my mind was earthly bent.

I was blind. I couldn't see -

His voice I couldn't hear.

But then God (who loved the world),

had turned my busy ear.

I was a shadow chaser -

too busy for my Lord.

Praise God the Spirit stirred me.

and now I am restored.

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

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What Is Art? 3-9-09

"What is art?” if to me, you would ask,

I'd say its a laborious, challenging task.

God creates life that we can't comprehend -

then puts it in nature, beginning to end...

We suffer the challenge to come even near

the beautiful landscapes we hold ever dear.

The brilliant full sunsets that take breath away

only proves artwork is futile and gray.

Though it’s improved and forever is honed,

creation is simply just mimicked and cloned.

With all of the paintings and all of the words,

none can replace nature’s flowers or birds.

I search, and within me, I find that great art -

comes from creation through a humble heart.

So never take credit, profits or fame -

for next to creation, our work is a shame.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Focused Faith 10-10-07

.

I had the 'gift' but through my pride,

Rampant my thoughts - Heaven's gates wide.

Your grace saved, unlike the world, this wretched soul from sin.

I didn’t know – what are these voids within?

Forgive me, Lord! Please hear my cry,

But can I forgive? Do I comply?

If clouds would open up a bit and I could see this Heaven,

Would I now forgive - to seventy times seven?

Lord, I believe! In You I've heard,

Studied Scripture, memorized Your Word.

I don't speak as those Pharisee’s of old,

But firm on theology, has my love grown cold?

Increase my faith I cry, oh God!

I seek perfect peace - is that so odd?

But deaf and blind, clouds Your everlasting love.

Can I not see - or fix my eyes above?

Oh, ye of little faith neglect,

Heaven's things - but you, the earth reflect;

And you worry, to gain your Holy birth,

Focused not on Godly things, but rather things of earth.

Then humble me, dear Lord I pray,

To Your cross, draw me nearer – lest I wayward stray.

Dare I take up my simple cross and also teach,

During tribulation - find other souls to reach?

Through this small truth, I now can see,

And my ears hear the still, small voice of Thee;

I see You faithful on that cross. Love in voice I hear.

So may my body die of self - and focused faith run clear.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Everything is Possible! 12-28-05

How can I define a tune, to all the deaf on earth?
Or find the nearest ocean, and walk its total girth?
Or explain a rainbow's color, to someone blind from birth?
Or begin to taste the smallest crumb of Gods tremendous worth?

Can I play ALL the instruments, and call myself a band?
Or count each and every grain, on a beach of endless sand?
Ah, paint a rainbow in the sky? I'll never understand,
But everything is possible, for a loving, nail-scarred hand.

God can shake the mountains, and throw them to the sea!
God can rule the wind to stop, or hurl it endlessly!
It's nothing for an awesome God, that used a simple tree,
And gave His Son - so we could live - with Him, eternally!

©2005 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
26And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

IF GOD CAN USE... 12-8-05

If God can use an old, old man, (Gen 6)
and send the rain for a month, He can;
then God can use animals, in pairs obey,
and follow Noah to the ark that day.

If God can use flooding on the earth, (Gen 7)
and lift the Ark with all it's worth;
then God can expose a little branch,
and promise us, our little ranch.

If God can use a little dove, (Gen 8)
and bring it back with all His love;
then God can use a passing cloud,
that shout with rainbows, right out loud.

If God can use an angry sea, (Matt 8)
to toss disciples helplessly;
then God can use just one command,
calm all the seas - to solid land.

If God can use a little child, (John 6)
for a growing crowd that's getting wild;
then God can use some fish and bread,
hungry souls, and thousands fed.

If God can use an empty tomb, (John 20)
a virgin Mary - an empty womb;
then God can use a little shed,
and just a manger for a bed;

If God can use a crown of thorn, (Matt 27)
and a veil - top to bottom torn;
then God can use the quaking earth,
and thundering skies for our new birth.

If God can use a final breath, (Matt 27)
a shortened life, a cruel death;
then God can use a borrowed grave,
a missing stone, an empty cave.

If God can use the loss of sight, (Acts 9)
for Saul, the man who loved to fight;
then God can use some simple prayers,
sending messengers - proof He cares.

If God can use the blind from birth, (John 9)
and a little dust from His big earth;
then God can use what's always right,
and asks of us, our focused sight.

If God sends demons into swine, (Matt 8)
and uses water - to make wine; (John 2)
then patient, loving He must be,
to use a sinner, saved - like me.

©2005 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 66:16 (NASB)
16Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.