My Dearest Friends 2-22-13

The stars come out to welcome me.  The sun had set so fast.

I need to live a simple life, forgetting evil's past.

Here, I'm at peace with all my friends - at this, my Alma mater.

A seagull swoops so ever low.  Its wingtip kisses water.

True friends have such a special way of understanding word -

though swaying branches speak to me in language never heard.

But I can understand them all, for I've been here before.

So lonely are the busy ones who only hear the shore.

The moon looks down with saddened frown.  I sense it's message there,

"We love it when you visit us.  We really, truly care."

But even so, I soon must go.  Much stronger is the breeze.

It's whisper lingers, "Do not go.  Stay longer, if you please."

Each time I leave I don't forget the many loving ways

they're etched into my mem'ry like the sunset's brilliant rays -

that shower down around me as a rainbow's vivid views

and light up like a halo to enhance all nature's hues.

Between my obligations, torn - decisions I regret -

then say, the leaves there in the trees, "Please do not leave us yet."

And say, the little waves on shore (as they splash near my feet),

"To have you here, to talk to us, is such a real treat."

So I respond in loving kind, "God made you so divine!

You'll always be my sincere friends.  The pleasure is all mine!

"I so enjoy our favorite talks and I, great wonders, see.

So rich, our time together is.  I love your company."

Reflecting off the water's waves, the lights from distant shore -

still seem to make me want to stay and talk a little more.

Yet like the sun, I now must run.  The sky is turning black.

They may not know I love them so, but I'll be coming back.

Just one more time, I soak it in.  God always makes it right.

"I'll miss you all, my dearest friends- and bid you all Good night!"

I turn to take a final glance before I walk away.

I hesitate, a tear slips down.  There'll be another day.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hurry Up! 4-13-12

We rush to get ready,

grab wallet and keys,

unlock the old car door,

ignore the fresh breeze.

We start the small engine,

rotating the key,

then buckle our seat belts,

turn on the AC.

We roll down the window,

the radio hear.

Adjusting the mirrors,

we slip it in gear.

Our lives are so busy,

we hurry a lot -

of 'here and now' errands,

eternity not.

We run to appointments,

we run on a whim,

our souls unimportant -

until we see Him.

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

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Feel The Breeze? 2-14-12

See the waves?

Hear the seas?

Smell the shore?

Feel the breeze?

WAVES of sin; Virgin birth;

God so loved; Walked the earth.

Healed the sick; Raised the dead;

Calmed the storms; Thousands fed.

SEAS of hate; "Crucify!"

Bloody Cross, standing high.

In my place, Jesus died;

God in flesh; Crucified.

SHORE of death; Crossed alone;

Buried deep; Sealed in stone.

God's command; Christ arose.

Death is dead; Hell exposed.

BREEZE of God, graces dawn.

Spirit fills; sin is gone.

Feed His sheep; Break His bread;

Drink His wine; Spirit fed.

See the waves?

Hear the seas?

Smell the shore?

Feel the breeze...?

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

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A Brand New Start 2-8-12

In the beginning God had made

foundation's rock where I have laid -

all my troubles, all my lies -

all my heartaches, all my cries -

all my burdens, all my sin -

all my heartaches here within.

But now, a Christian, I ride seas,

ride His oceans, ride His breeze -

ride His clouds where angels live -

optimistic, positive -

high on grace and high on love -

high on Jesus, free above!

A God of love, a God of peace,

a God of hope where sorrows cease -

where I have gained and hold no loss

because of Jesus and the cross -

because of grace that pardoned me -

because of faith that sets me free!

And all that my dear Savior knows,

my Comforter and Spirit shows -

in the Heavens, where God built -

a place where flowers will not wilt -

a place where Angels sing in voice -

a place where Christians will rejoice!

So pray for father, sister, mother,

brother, friends and one another,

fellow workers, enemies -

and ne'er forget the 'least of these'.

For those who give a broken heart -

will then receive a brand new start.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Fragile Fog 8-3-11

Dawn breaks clear and breeze begins -

leans the many grasses -

rolling knolls, valleys green -

moving, it amasses -

moisture up from silent pond,

a vapor freely born -

confusing fogs of dampness, there's -

another one to warn -

of world's prideful ignorance,

of want and selfish greed.

Another one oblivious

to warnings he should heed.

Slow and patient hovering,

brings truth so plain to see -

but blindness seizes evil hearts

and there will never be -

changes to the inner soul

that lingers ever past.

Then fades away, the temperate fog -

as time has fleeted fast.

God creates, then man destroys

a life, so visible -

but Jesus comes to heal the sick,

the body, spiritual.

Jesus given for our souls,

our Father still awaits -

while life is like the fragile fog

which quickly dissipates.

Earth, or all eternity -
two choices we must weigh -
before the fog has lifted and
life vanishes away. 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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James 4:14 (NASB)
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

A Rainbow Life 1-29-09

No matter how earth's breezes blow,
just seek the promise, God's rainbow.
For Noah's faith was always sure,
never failing - always pure.

A rainbow I can see, not touch -
but really does not matter much.
God holds it fast, as He holds me.
Bright colors of His rainbow see.

So close, God's armor I will wear -
the world can't fill me with despair.
The storm clouds of the world seize,
when touched, I am, with Spirit's breeze.

I won't be a doubting 'Thomas' -
standing fast in Jesus' promise.
God parts the dark clouds of man's sin,
and brings full light of life within.

Before God's spectrum kisses ground,
I know His promise will be found.
I gaze - awed at His universe -
singing praise - each word and verse.

If joy is violet and indigo,
patience pink and peace yellow,
if kindness orange and goodness gold,
then all good fruit of His I'll hold.

If grace is blue and love is white,
and prayer is green and God is light,
the world's sin won't overwhelm,
for I'm in Him - another realm.

If life's a footrace, death blood red,
Jesus is rainbows of colors ahead.
If we're resurrected from sin and strife,
God's gives to us - a Rainbow Life.

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

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A Little Lesson 11-18-07

Do we attempt to “create” our own God? because we think we know what He should be doing or what is best for us or our “religion”? With all the mistakes I make, I’m glad God doesn’t always answer my prayers the way I think they should be answered….

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I learned a little lesson. Let me share it with you now.
I should have told you years ago but didn't know quite how.

God is like the sunshine that blesses us for years,
Jesus, like the ocean breeze that dries our several tears.

God is faithful to us all. He doesn't fail or stray
He is like the morning sun that rises every day.

Jesus knows our troubles. He knows our every hope.
He knows which crosses we can bear. He knows that we can cope.

While death is like the darkness with troubles everywhere.
Life is like the sunshine - its brightness we all share.

This little lesson I had learned before my final day -
that I am not the 'Potter' - and God is not the clay.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Isaiah 29: 15-16 (NASB)
15Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"
16You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, "He has no understanding"

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A Moment To Smile 10-5-07

 

Deep into the woods in my truck I seemed lost.
The brisk, chilly breeze was still holding the frost.
Because it was dried up and totally dead,
I decided to cut down this big tree instead.

The ants had been busy all over that tree,
before my big chain saw had made them all flee.
The noise and vibration and all the turmoil,
(had it happened to me, would have made my blood boil).

But they simply scattered if off to the races,
to other safe havens - to other safe places.
My muscles all ached from my head to my feet,
but I felt so content - with my job now complete.

It seemed that my actions were merely a bump,
to ants now so busy inside that tree stump
I wondered which one, if any, had won -
the ants or myself as I thought my job done.

As I sat on the gate of my rusty old truck,
loaded down heavy with logs - was now stuck -
and realized then that it's sometimes worthwhile,
to sit back a moment, a moment to smile.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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LIFE and DEATH 8-28-05

A gentle breeze,

a flowing stream;

the trees of green,

a pleasant dream.

Food I'd waste,

in hurried haste;

for all I faced,

in that rat race.

Why stood me here,

hand to my ear;

want for a cheer,

to come each year?

Accomplishments,

were not by me;

but all was He,

who lived in me.

There is no song,

now that I'm gone;

plant under lawn,

I say, "So long".

Sweat-less my brow,

no matter now;

not horse or cow;

my final bow.

This is increase,

I have my lease;

so let me cease,

and rest in peace.

©2005 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org