With Jesus Back 1-5-13

The clouds had wept, yet sun had kept
enough light on my mind -
that I could see weak memories -
that I could never find.

I, at a loss, to see this cross
and of its fuller meaning -
had pondered some and when was done
had saw it all as 'feeling'.

But truth be told, it is of old,
the crafty serpent lied.
So overflowed, that grace of gold,
the day that Jesus died.

Was God's design that sunlight shine
on my eternal soul?
Did I assess my faithfulness?
For He is in control!

A ray of hope, a saving rope
with hallowed grace divine -
relieved my stress through Holiness
for true forgiveness, mine.

When faith survived, death was deprived
on earth, as up above.
Death isn't black. With Jesus back
I'm flooded with His love!

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Chasing Dreams 7-9-12

I ran through life - got thrown off-guard -
and stumbled over dreams so hard.
With future bright and never dim -
if only I had followed Him.

Yet Christ is found among the crowds
and penetrates my darkest clouds.
Though marred in sin as black as coal,
He lifted me, my wicked soul.

His endless love flows as the breeze,
He holds secure with cradled ease.
He rocks us close on clouds aloft,
with loving grace in arms so soft.

Yet we still choose to trip and fall,
oh, how we think we know it all -
and then complain when we get hurt.
But Christ can lift us off the dirt...

Do I still choose to chase my dreams?
So busy are these times, it seems.
Did I repent? I knew I ought -
but time I had - or so I thought...

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Luke 13 (NASB)

1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “ Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

This Single Tree 11-17-11

I want to change the whole wide world

and show God's loving touch.

I know the great commission.

I want to do so much...

---

A brilliant yellow daffodil -

with color bright and full...

but how, if I have never seen -

can know how beautiful?

A peach - so juicy, succulent -

with taste that I can savor...

but how, if I have never ate -

can know its unique flavor?

A sonata in D-minor -

with music so profound...

but how, if I have never heard -

can truly know its sound?

Jesus - so perfect, wonderful -

who loves me without end...

but how, if I so stingy loved -

can know Him as a friend?

If head, I pull, from clouds above,

one day I'll understand -

this world is like a forest and,

this tree, just like a man.

Proclaim, I how, God's love to all -

and in the forest be -

when I know not the blessing 'cause

I stand in way of me?

---

Indeed, I want to change the world,

and show God's loving touch.

But change, I how, the forest when -

this single tree's too much?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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He So Loved 3-29-11

Each morn, another sunrise,
on this, I can rely.
A simple thing, so beautiful -
though I do not know why.

Each day, another painting,
as every cloud floats by.
A living art, so beautiful -
though I do not know why.

Each eve, another sunset,
I see the colored sky.
A special sight, so beautiful -
though I do not know why.

Each loving gift, so beautiful,
yet one still makes me cry...
that He so loved a worm as me -
though I do not know why.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Classmates 6-20-10

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember many things
within the sunsets glow...

Oh, the places I recall
so many years ago -
the teachers and the classrooms,
our desks made up each row.

Oh, the voices I recall
so many years ago -
I can hear those words again
each time spring waters flow.

Oh, the faces I recall
so many years ago -
I can see those friends again
within the sunlights glow.

Oh, the friendships I recall
so many years ago.
I remember friendships' bloom
and saw the flowers grow.

Oh, those hopes from yester-year
and through my heartfelt cheer -
In my eye that cries each tear,
from classmates I held dear.

Oh, the classmates I recall -
the time runs quick and sure.
Tears flow freely from my eyes -
as memories still stir.

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember this and more
within the sunsets glow...

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

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The Other Side 2-1-10

Creation crafted meadows green,
with mountains tall and wide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

Our lives fulfill the greatest dreams,
as beauty seeks the bride.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

A small inscription marks a coin,
and notice we, a pride.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The clouds will cap the valley low,
and skies, the clouds can hide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The waters mask the ocean floor -
some only notice tide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The waves, as time, come crashing in -
Believe that there is more?
What's on the other side, my friend?
What's on the other shore?

A still, small voice through Heaven's gates,
calls softy, yet is heard.
God whispers low His message now -
through His celestial Word.

The other side has Heaven's gates -
with cries for you and me.
Just listen for His still, small voice.
His grace is pure and free.

It is appointed. We're to die.
And after we have died?
What's on the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

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

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1 Kings 19: (KJV)
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Hebrews 9:26-28 (KJV)
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Who Whispers? 1-11-10

Who whispers with the sunrise to a bright new day?
Who whispers when work calls and my troubles weigh?

Who whispers when snow settles on the contoured landscape?
Who whispers when a flower grows and takes its shape?

Who whispers when the waters in all the streams speak?
Who whispers day after day and week after week?

Who whispers when winter surrenders to the spring?
Who whispers when breezes make the leaves sing?

Who whispers when all the roses bloom?
Who whispers even in mothers womb?

Who whispers when a loved one dies?
Who whispers when my sad heart cries?

Who whispers in a waterfall?
Who whispers when I can't recall?

Who whispers promise in each rainbow?
Who whispers when the waters flow?

Who whispers when I'm happy or in fear?
Who whispers each month, year after year?

Who whispers in colorful clouds with setting sun?
Who whispers horizons silhouette when the day is done?

Who whispers in a still, small voice at every start?
Who answers my prayers direct from my heart?

Who answers in grace from way up in Heaven?
Who answers forgiveness, seventy times seven?

Who answers the whisper, when it has begun,
and then cries, "My God, oh what have I done?"

Who answers humbly - that still, small voice?
Who answers sincerely, with great rejoice?

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

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1 Kings 19:12 (KJV) "And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Poet's Prayer 2-27-09

"Father," I pray as I walk along,
"give me the words that would flow like a song.
A poem of promise, of hope and of love
that would focus lost sinners on You up above....

The moon's shining bright from behind an oak branch,
but it's cold here tonight on my dear humble ranch.
I'd be so happy if I was a tree,
for they stand much taller, much taller than me.

Their tops are much closer to Heaven I know,
and they just get closer, the more that they grow.
There's no clouds in the sky - but if so, they would be
joyously singing up there with Thee.

The stars in the sky seem much brighter tonight.
They must be so close they reflect Heaven's light.
The gold, alabaster - the pearls and brass
I bet shine like prisms through diamond-like glass.

Oh, to get closer to Heaven - one peek....
could give me the thoughts that would make these words speak.
The sights would bring words and to earth I would bring
the poem of poems - itself it would sing.

Instead, here I stand in the shivering cold,
a mindless numb man who was late getting old.
But here, down on earth, I'll perform every task,
and faithfully do everything that You ask.

I know that these people will not have a clue,
because this small poem cannot describe You.
So quickly this world forgets who You are,
They miss (as they're sleeping), the bright Morning Star.

I know that the God of Love's heart had to grieve,
when Heaven's gates opened to let Your Son leave -
to die on a cross that folks want to forget.
They just do not care - not one little bit.

Because of Your grace and through faith I believe,
You're the Great Poet and me You don't leave.
You live deep within, so I'll faithfully write -
for the greatest of poems come deep from the heart.

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

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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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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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