Evergreen Hope 6-21-12

Spectacular wonder, the view way out yonder,

from high on this mountain slope.

God's vast great creation brings glad adoration

to Jesus who offers us hope.

From just one small seed, a potential indeed,

once crushed, by mistake, underfoot.

I whispered a prayer and stepped over where

another small sapling took root.

And on that rock shelf I thought to myself,

"Oh, how can that seedling be grown,

up here where it toils in dry rocky soils,

in midst of more turmoils not known?"

Then over the years through blizzards and fears

rose doubts that had made me take pause,

"It sure hadn't thrived but had it survived?

Had it overcome nature's laws?"

Now several years later I found something greater

when I returned back to that tree.

I had to admire, it soared so much higher,

and grew so much taller than me.

It once had been crushed, but now I am hushed,

and humbled at what God had done.

One tiny example of something we trample

brings life from the tomb of His Son!

A long time ago under hail and snow,

despite its long discord and strife,

its tap root enlocked way down deep in a rock

that faithfully brought it to life!

Oh, why can't I be like that evergreen tree,

that grew up so high in the sky?

The greenest of green that I've ever seen,

oh tell me Lord, why cannot I?

Spectacular wonder, the view way out yonder,

from high on this mountain slope.

God's vast great creation brings glad adoration

to Jesus who offers me hope.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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One Not Worthy 8-5-11

If I was Jesus, could I take -

the blame that wasn't my mistake?

If I was Jesus, could I hear -

the name 'Barabbas' in my ear?

If I was Jesus, could I see -

the multitudes surrounding me?

If I was Jesus, could I wear -

a crown of thorns set on my hair?

If I was Jesus, could I feel -

the rugged nails through hand and heel?

If I was Jesus, could I smell -

the stench of sweat and blood that fell?

If I was Jesus, could I taste -

when sour wine on lips was placed?

If I was Jesus, could I give -

could I be strong, could I forgive?

If I was Jesus, could I die -

for one not worthy, such as I?

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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God Knows 10-31-10

When churches fall away from God,
when theology is focused cause,
when government turns back on you,
when they create acidic laws,

when business can't get any worse,
when banks and vendors receive bail,
when bills aren't paid and debts go up,
when you, though innocent, will fail,

when even friends have gone astray,
when each mistake is yours to claim,
when heavy skies come crushing down,
when you take every speck of blame,

when children do not talk to you,
when arms are present, not the hug,
when spouse seems very distant too,
when deep in every hole dug,

when rain comes down, in buckets pour,
when clouds are whipped and tempest tossed,
when friendly wagging tail stops,
when even your best dog is lost,

when all seems dead and all seems grave,
when all you've done has been a curse,
when none can help, though say they care,
when all goes sour, bad to worse,

when life proves fragile, hopeless too,
when everything gets out of hand -
remember, God knows every truth,
and will, forever, understand.

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

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Matthew 19:28-30 (NASB)

28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

30 "But many who are first will be last; and the last, first."

Endure 2-1-09

If I can't endure ridicule,
if I can't endure humility,
if I can't endure some yelling -
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure a doctor,
if I can't endure a sore knee,
if I can't endure the waiting,
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure my neighbor,
if I can't endure family,
if I can't endure disturbance -
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure the messes,
if I can't endure some debris,
if I can't endure depression -
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure a mistake,
if I can't endure stormy sea,
if I can't endure some failure -
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure the taxing,
if I can't endure the degree,
if I can't endure government -
then how can God endure me?

If I can't endure employment,
if I can't endure my boss -
then how can I endure God's way,
and take up my own cross?

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

Matthew 10:22 (NASB) "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."

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God’s Answer 8-9-07

.
When clouds dump the skies to soak all mankind,
Do You understand?
When fog fills the valley and fills up the mind,
Do You understand?

When my child denies me and calls me insane,
Do You understand?
When my spouse rejects me and won't hear my name,
Do You understand?

Year after year after year after year....
Do You understand?
I am in turmoil. Please, can't You hear?
Do You understand?

The whole world disdains me. They call me a fake.
Don't You understand?
“Remember who crucified Me. Make no mistake.
I do understand.”

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

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