First In Line? 12-24-12

Can Christmas be a day we change - a day we should distort?

And is the line to Santa long - but line to Jesus short?

We want to be the first in line because who wants to wait?

Who wants to waste their precious time? To this, can we relate?

Yet can it be a selfishness that leads a person where,

the line is much, much longer because Santa's sitting there?

After all, does he not give the many toys away?

Should focus, we, on our desires on this important day?

Though Santa is the one who gives to those who did behave -

is Jesus' line much shorter because He already gave?

Eternal life is only for the humble who believe -

and selfish people aren't content for blessings they receive.

Now God may send us Angels - a youngster may appear -

and ask a simple question that will form a wiser tear.

A tear that's full of living joy, sent down in grace above.

A tear that's rolling down a cheek. A tear born out of love.

Now here's the line to Jesus. Remember, it is fine -

no matter where we are right now - to kneel down first in line.

We may be in the cities or out on country farms -

but children who find Jesus are - already in His arms...

...the greatest gift of all.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Puzzled? 6-10-09

Is something in life missing?
Do you always bear the cost?
Do you feel somewhat empty?
Do you feel that something's lost?

Are you feeling down and out?
Is life so very bad?
Are you looking for an answer?
Are you puzzled - very sad?

Sometimes, in life, the pieces
don't always seem to fit -
it's then we feel so empty
and really want to quit.

As with me, I'd focus
on life's tremendous wealth.
I thought I saw the picture of -
its riches and good health.

At first I worked the border.
The colors I'd assess -
and then I'd push another in,
and thought I'd found success.

Searching, searching, searching more,
I'd find another clue -
and as the larger picture cleared,
I'd get a clearer view.

So then in greater diligence
I'd press more pieces in -
but as the picture took its shape,
I found myself in sin.

There were some pieces missing -
and many questions raised -
but as it came apparent, I
sat speechless and amazed.

That puzzle seemed much brighter
than any fairest weather.
The less I strained to see it,
the more it came together!

The sky exquisite, stunning -
with deepest, bluest blues -
and buildings never seen before -
were fascinating hues.

Tall alabaster columns,
reflected spectrum's light -
and set apart from specks of dust -
appeared so pure and bright.

The lines between the pieces
just seemed to disappear -
and as I saw that picture,
my head began to clear.

The puzzle - nearly finished -
as life had sought out fun,
the center of my hearts own work
was missing that last one.

The missing piece was at my door -
years, waiting to come in -
I never heard the knocking though -
for I was dead in sin.

I felt lost, inadequate -
compelled to see it then.
This speck of dust broke down on knees,
I sought that piece again.

Grace brought it all together -
through faith life sure is sweet.
Until He placed that final piece -
my life was incomplete.

You know your life is fleeting.
you know your life will cease.
So just allow God's only Son
to place your final piece.

I could not put it in myself,
for humbleness is key -
but now that missing puzzle piece
is locked in there for me.

So when in life, discouraged,
and you want to call it quits -
just pray out loud to Jesus.
His puzzle piece still fits.

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

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Picture Frames 2-18-09

Picture frames sure vary so,
whether big or small.
They all have work they need to do,
whether wide or tall.

Picture frames are so unique,
maple, oak or pine -
but focus not on picture frames -
they're merely for design.

Frames can border a photo.
Frames can border a place.
Frames can border a work of art
or frames can border a face.

---

When I was just a little boy,
(and though I was quite small),
a picture I remember well
was hanging on the hall.

I know my father put it there -
its place for many years.
There it was throughout my teens -
showed sorrow, pain and tears.

That picture was of Jesus
bowed lowly on His knees -
at a huge and solid rock,
near branches from some trees.

His hands were neatly folded.
Love flowed from both His eyes.
His head was tilted way, way back -
His face gazed at the skies.

Dark clouds had covered most the sky.
Moonlight rays had lit His face,
and seemed to put a glow around
this humble Man of grace.

For years, that picture on our wall
drew thoughts within my mind...
God sent on down, His only Son,
to sinful men, unkind.

I remember well, that picture.
I don't recall the frame.
So let us frame, that others see,
that they might know His name.

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

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Do Not Wait 11-07-08

It's not too late. It's not the end,
if now you start to comprehend.
It's not too late to understand,
the beauty of God's grace at hand.

So realize it's all of grace,
about His love, about His face -
to focus on and answer, "yes".
It's not too late to now profess.

It's not too late if tears you shed,
though you may be on your deathbed.
If humbled heart can ask Him now.
It's not too late to repent now.

Satan claims the time has passed,
but Jesus' grace has so surpassed,
the limits of all man and beast.
You're only late if you're deceased.

So do not think at this late date,
that it is over - it's too late.
God patiently awaits your word.
He loves you more than beast or bird.

Can you not see Him at the gates?
Your solemn vow He still awaits.
He has called and you will see,
if broken, crumbled, meek will be.

The promises of God above,
will so surpass all earthly love,
where rust and rot and all decays,
where earthly focus never pays.

Through faith in Him you'll always find,
(so be ye humble, be ye kind)
contentment and a lasting peace,
where sinful guilt and anguish cease.

Don't be greedy. Don't be proud,
No arrogance - is there - allowed.
So call to Him both man and wife,
that you may have eternal life.

He will carry you on through,
If faith's in Him and not in you.
So call on Him - shed burdens weight.
Pray right now and do not wait.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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TRUE HUMILITY 3-20-08

.

How many times do I regret

decisions that I make,

then seem to think I know what's right -

and make one more mistake?

How is it I so oft' forget

the friends I have so near?

Why is it that I lose sight of

the ones I should hold dear?

I live in full deception for

I know what lies ahead,

and humbleness will conquer me

right after I am dead.

Yet if I focus on God's love

and what He's done for me,

it's only then that I can live

with true humility.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Decisions, Decisions 12-20-05

Some decisions in my life are easy - black and white.
It doesn't take much to compare the sun from the black night.

I know what’s light and heavy. I know what’s short and long.
I know what’s hot and cold - but do I always know what's wrong?

Sometimes it seems impossible in life's big, endless fight;
and sometimes still, I ask myself, should I turn left or to my right?

Problems fill my mixed up head. My decisions seem so frail;
and sometimes I can do what's right - but often times I fail.

If the road we're on is winding, and leads back to you or me;
it's time we fully understand that it's all futility.

And if that isn't bad enough, Satan pulls our bending ear;
tells us what to do and think, makes us want and makes us fear.

He claims the world and all unrest, all hate and greed abound.
Sometimes it makes me wonder - if God is still around.

Not looking to the one, true God - that I hide on a shelf;
it's then my faith is failing – looking only to myself.

It’s also when I am most troubled. Nothing lights my way;
nor is there much that I can do, except to humbly pray.

So when I have no place to turn, surrounded by the sea;
I reach my hands to heaven, and grasp the golden key!

God will always tell me - and deep inside I know -
that I'm my biggest problem as I'm tossed to and fro.

So when I know not where to turn - from sin and shame I flee;
it's then that I can see the light, and follow faithfully.

For faithfully, His still, small voice, is now my every clue;
so I don’t focus on this earth, but out beyond the blue.

©2005 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Isaiah 11:3-5 (NASB)
3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; 4But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. 5Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, And faithfulness the belt about His waist.