Where Are You Lord? 10-24-12

I searched and searched but couldn't find -
along still waters I was blind.
I was confused, I was dismayed
until I stopped, until I prayed...

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish eyes that stray

that I might see a better way -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish ears of choice

that I might hear Your still, small voice -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish hands that wring

that can't hold firm to Your blessing -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my straight and prideful nose

that I won't judge and won't suppose -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my foolish, selfish words

so I'll enjoy Your singing birds -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften me as a potter would

who'll mold me into what I should -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften me with a discipline

that I might stop, turn, then begin -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Soften my selfish heart so I

might feel the hurt, the faintest cry -

so I can find You.

Where are You Lord?

Were still waters meant to be?
Although I searched, I couldn't see.
Yet there behind me all the way
was Jesus.  Then I heard Him say,

"I AM above all
nature, beauty and goodness,

power, supremacy and holiness,

wrath, sovereignty and greatness,

mercy, compassion and fairness,
grace, knowledge and boldness,
respect, teaching and kindness,

love, patience and faithfulness,
loyalty, giving and happiness,

peace, joy and gladness".

I had searched, but couldn't see -
and I was at a loss -

until I stopped and He found me -

from high upon a cross.

So now it is
I follow Him -
in hands that are the Potter's -

faithfully and steadfast,

with endurance and perseverance,

along His peaceful waters.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Beautiful 9-11-12

As vivid as a sunlight's ray atop each sturdy stem,

those bright and yellow flowers.  Could anyone condemn?

And others as the bluest sky in deep and vivid hue -

Now who could find more beauty in that panoramic view?

In eyes of the beholders,  conclusions are foregone,

but they're like sin down in your heart when scattered on your lawn.

The dandelion and chicory are pesky little weeds.

You might think they are beautiful, but kill those nasty seeds...

And this is how deceptive sins, work down inside the head.

As pretty as a flower's bloom - but ugly so, instead.

Now faithfulness in God alone prevents sin's every trace -

and every kind of sinful weed ...through everlasting grace.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Too Many Flowers? 9-15-11

As God creates more flowers,

reflecting Heaven's love,

mere words cannot explain it all -

the beauty I speak of...

In fields of perfect flowers,

perfume and nose, we meet. 

I find myself among them as

they all surround my feet.

My thoughts were drawn among them.

My eyes saw every kind.

Now vivid colors capture me

like photos in my mind.

I spy a single flower.

I take a closer peek.

I find that every flower here

is special and unique.

I turn around to walk away.

I'm torn at what I see.

I've stepped on many flowers and

they will no longer be.

No longer to be cherished,

no longer to be smelled,

no longer to be photographed,

no longer to be held. 

Again I spy a single one -

this trampled one instead.

I know that it will always be -

forever lost and dead.

But I excused my clumsy feet

which trampled every kind -

Oh, how could I avoid them all -

with all that's on my mind?

Are there too many flowers?

Are those I trampled missed?

Are there too many babies?

Are those aborted kissed?

As God creates more flowers,

reflecting Heaven's love,

mere words cannot explain it all -

the beauty I speak of...

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

"In the beginning, God created..." 

Picnic 7-3-10

Under a large and shady oak
and over the clover green,
spread on a soft and checkered sheet
of red and white was seen -
carrots and beans and corn on the cob,
melons, sandwiches, pink lemonade -
wrapped so in nature and beauty around,
I closed tight my eyes, and simply prayed -

"Your sunshine brings warmth
on these countryside hills,
relaxes my muscles
and takes away chills.
I don't have each 'want'
but I have every 'need -
so thank you for every
miraculous seed.
Seeds that are tiny,
so simple and crude -
yet live by a faith
that provides all this food -
food from the bushes,
the fields, the hive -
so thank You for seeds
that keep me alive."

Nature seemed lighter,
more vivid and bright -
when I opened my eyes
and thought,
"God is alright."

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

-------

Matthew 6:11 (KJV)
"Give us this day our daily bread..."

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/

-------

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.

The Prize 1-31-10

I sat beside my window.
With all that I could see,
the wind was blowing brisky as
the sunlight fell on me.

I noticed younger children
outside that warm spring day -
they ran around in circles and
enjoyed their active play.

One boy - reached up for something -
invisible it seemed -
as he would run and jump up high,
still grabbing for his dream.

Now was he catching sunlight?
My face just simply grinned.
He seemed to have a reason for
his grasping at the wind.

Then stopped, he with his hands clasped.
He slowly peeked inside.
And then suspense - amazement heard,
"A butterfly!" he cried.

The bills we know are overdue,
an endless task it seems -
but life from children shine on me.
How futile are life's dreams.

I sit here in the sunlight,
on God's tremendous earth,
I soak in all its beauty and
find peace, therein its worth.

I know I grasped for other things,
I willed to 'get ahead'.
But now as years have passed me by
I've found the prize instead.

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

-------

Genesis 1: (KJV)
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Summer Day 3-22-09

There is nothing more fine on a warm summer day
than laying in grasses of clover and hay,
where breezes make music through all of the trees,
and birds do their singing among all the leaves.

A butterfly zig-zagged hither and yon

busily flapping as I looked on.
My eyes raised up at the vastness of space.
I wondered what God thought of His human race.

Soaking up comfort in all that I saw,
lying there silent, in skeptical awe -

pouring His beauty in nature below,

how did God start it so long, long ago?

He continues to bless us year after year -

why does He love us? It isn't clear.

God did create us - all different kinds,

so what does He look for in all of our minds?

My horse wandered over and nuzzeled my head.

He wanted me up in the saddle instead.

I sat on his back, took a minute or two -

and pondered the question, searched for a clue.

As I kicked his haunches I knew as I grinned

that he would obey as I leaned to the wind.

He faithfully galloped with all of his might -
the answer revealed as I rode out of sight.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Believe 4-25-08

Father, thank You for transportation.
Cruise control, comfy seats, air conditioning, of course heat....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for my feet.

Father, thank You for employment.
Exercise, break time, five o'clock, pay checks, insurance plans....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for my hands.

Father, thank You for knowledge.
Ears to hear, education, understanding seas and skies....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for my eyes.

Father, thank You for exploration.
Vacations, airline travel - so many things to find....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for my mind.

Father, thank You for entertainment.
Games, puzzles, hobbies, sports, carnivals, recreation, fun -
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for Your Son.

Father, thank You for all beauty.
Mountain streams, meadows, fish in oceans, flying geese above...
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for Your love.

Father, thank You for all creation.
Newborn babies, mothers, grandmothers, people of every race....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
thank You for Your grace.

Father, thank You for government.
Great people, great battles, great nations - many down You hurled....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
that You so loved Your world.

Father, thank You for tribulation.
Temptations, separation, disease, pain and even death....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
for choosing us by faith.

Father, thank You for Your awesome power.
Hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, the forgiveness we receive....
but thank You, Father, most of all -
for helping me believe.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

What's so special? 3-08-07

What's so special about a tree, without bright flowering buds to see?

What if it reached up to the sky - but imparted no beauty to the eye?

What's so special about a tree, without small birds chirping songs for me?

What if it had no living cells - nor rendered scents of unique smells?

What's so special about a tree, without any roots? Is that not key?

What if it had a trunk so tall - but yielded no juicy fruit each fall?

What's so special about a tree, that stands there dead for all to see?

What if the sunshine took its aim, but the shadow proved its simple frame?

What's so special about a tree, without ornaments' glistening spree?

What if it had no tinsel gold - and stood unparalleled, barren, cold?

What's so special about a tree, that held a life and saw it flee?

What if it held no life down in - but yet it held through thick and thin?

What's so special about a tree, that held One captive for you and me?

What if it charged the highest price - for the only, perfect sacrifice?

What's so special about a tree - so long ago lost? Say, what could it be?

Everything! For it had given - Jesus the place, where all sins were forgiven.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------