Dusk To Dawn 8-10-12

Why at dusk did Your evening sunset overwhelm the blue -

and how did I miss, with sunlight's fade, our dimming friendship too?

Why did the grasses so appear 'greener on the other side'

and how did You seem so far away - beyond the deserts wide?

Why did I always rivers ride, with every twist and bend -

and how was it all futility with needs that never end?

Why did I go my selfish way and how'd I cut my path -

right over the worst terrain I found, only to find Your wrath?

Why did Your roses lose their scent and how'd our friendship wilt -

and how when with repentance here, did truth exacerbate guilt?

Why did I seek man's wisdom when my stomach grew to yearn

then question straight and narrow path that lost my chance to learn?

Why did my heart seem hardened so and how'd I grow so old -

waiting for all Your answers here in this frigid midnight cold?

Why did the chills surround me so and shiver every bone

and how did Your stars stare down at me and make me feel alone?

How did the darkness blanket me though moon and stars shone bright

to seemingly mock my presence here?  It didn't seem quite right...

No longer will I cut my path nor crawl through desert sand.

I walk beside still waters here, beside You, hand in hand.

It's easy to say 'Forgive me', but hard to be sincere,

still harder to walk the narrow, harder yet to persevere.

But peering to the Heavens now and awed by what I see -

I'm so content in knowing that You're right down here with me.

I know Your love, Your faithfulness, Your brilliant haloed face -

and faith reveals that dawn has come with morning sun, Your grace.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Dear Friends 5-12-12

Dear Friends,

When Jesus stepped into my dream

last night while I was sleeping,

I saw the radiance in His face -

however, He was weeping.

I wondered what had happened,

I wondered what occurred,

but when I asked Him why He was,

He never said a word.

I asked if He was hurting.

With that, He nodded 'yes'.

I asked Him many questions, but

He wanted me to guess.

So after many guesses,

with answers short and long -

I searched more answers far and near,

but all of them were wrong.

Now this, I had to figure out,

and learn it on my own.

I finally found the reason -

and it, I should have known.

It hit me like a ton of bricks -

my sins, the reason why.

The tears He cried had made me sick.

Another left His eye.

So then, I started crying -

but He reached out His hands.

His fingers touched my now wet cheeks,

He smiled so widely and -

He placed His thumbs along my nose,

and then said, "Do not fear."

And with His thumbs beneath my eyes,

He wiped away each tear.

Now that, dear friends, is endless love,

forgiveness, comfort, grace -

and there's no work that He requires.

I won't forget His face.

We must have faith in God alone.

There's no 'work' we can do.

But why must Jesus hurt so much?

...Well, that's so we don't have to.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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True Love 3-16-11

So many things in body / soul

are empty, undefined -

but read this poem carefully,

and answers you may find.

The knowledge of the Love of God,

comes through in loving stages -

so see if you can find a clue -

within this couple's ages...

.......

The couple faced each other close,

while standing toe to toe.

The clear new day was very young.

They had no place to go.

His right hand held her left hand and,

His left hand held her right.

He slid a daisy through her hair.

She was a pretty sight.

The springtime breezes did not quell

the sun's most warmest rays.

As ocean waves kept rolling in,

they held the longest gaze.

Her face was like a sunshine's glow.

Her toes sank in the sand.

Her hair flipped in the open breeze.

Her fingers squeezed his hand.

Some folks had paused and stared a bit

when softly came the kiss -

but never would a moment pass,

a moment quite like this.

And with these two, that special time

would never go away -

for faithful is that one true love.

There is no better way.

So scenic was the sandy beach,

so beautiful, the pair -

yet only God creates true love

that I saw perfect there.

.......

Now just in case you're wondering,

what ages they could be...

Well, she's but two years younger than

his age of eighty-three.

So if assumptions, you had made -

in story told above -

you may have also missed the mark,

of true Agape Love.

Therefore, question all the writings,

discovered here and there,

that often miss the God of Love -

the hearer of each prayer.

And don't have shallow notions or,

wear blinders to 'believe' -

or come to some conclusion that

some well-known 'experts' weave.

Sometimes we think we know it all,

when several facts we weigh -

but we do not create the God

who loves us every day.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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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."

The Hourglass 11-2-09

Who begins the timeline,
life's hourglass, brand new?
Excitement grasps first days of life
as grains of sand slip through.

Youthful times surround us.
We lack full wisdom's clue.
We learn to make decisions though,
as grains of sand slip through.

Middle age is stressful
with obligations due -
so we go about our business
as grains of sand slip through.

Oh, to know the answers -
and every facet knew -
so we prepare the answers then
as grains of sand slip through.

With sunset years upon us,
we find God's Word is true -
but still the days flee fast from us
as grains of sand slip through.

Who holds our real value -
and have regrets, will you -
as the hourglass stands empty and

the final grains slip through?

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

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Ecclesiastes 9:12 (NASB) Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.

Angel Wings 4-27-09

(for my cousin, Louise, who was always smiling, 1955-2009)

When life seems empty, it's no fun.
When everything's hopeless, what can be done?
When all life's work goes down the drain...
when I look back, it's all insane.

What if I knew that few people care,
and where are the answers from government there?
What can I do when I've lost earthly hope?
Oh, what can I do at the end of my rope?

Let go, let God,
with wink and nod.
For it's worthwhile.
to smile awhile.

With faith I just
rely on trust.
I feel so free.
Don't cry for me.

From all earths harms,
I'll drop in arms,
against His chest -
for I'm His guest.

In graveyard no,
don't look below,
but up should look,
for me He took.

When life looks bleak,
give God a peek,
You'll find Him too
with life anew.

Trust has no strings,
an angel sings,
when Jesus brings
us angel wings...

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

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In The Clouds 3-25-07

You ask why I am crying. So let me tell you why.
I was so very angry as I stared into the sky.

I lost my special mother and tears had filled my eyes.
I looked to God for answers but moisture blurred the skies.

I had only asked for answers - an emotional free ride.
I wanted Him to hold me - and keep me near His side.

I didn’t see the sunshine. Dark clouds hung over me.
I couldn’t feel His presence. I couldn’t begin to see….

But when I wiped away my tears, my thoughts were held in awe -
It held me captive for some time - for this is what I saw:

So clear and simple in the clouds - I now know why she died....
The sight of Jesus on the cross – in love, His arms held wide.

You ask why I am crying. I’m crying ‘cuz I’m glad –
I knew that she was everything - and thought was all I had.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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