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/

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Tender Tears 8-8-11

Be positive and confident,

and joyous all the while -

and you can be a great success

while wearing your great smile.

Success will bring you riches,

such fun, excitement too -

so do not let this world slip by -

revolve it around you.

Oh, there will be some hurting -

a child without his dad -

and though he may shed many tears

don't let him make you sad.

Just keep on smiling broadly,

and remember, others can -

show their deep compassion.

Don't interrupt your plan.

There's way too many people -

and all, you cannot do -

and after all - it's when you smile,

the world will smile with you.

Spread laughter, joy into this world -

put smiles on all the poor -

and if you still feel guilty,

donate a little more.

Ignore the child crying,

ignore her ragged clothes,

ignore the troubles, not your own

for it is how life goes.

Crack a joke on your success,

and brag on all you gave.

Jest and smile and live it up!

Die laughing to the grave...

And then, when you see Jesus,
and your world disappears -
will you get Him to laugh with you
behind His tender tears? 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Least Of These 5-23-10

Well, have I made a difference
or held to some indifference -
for children still in need?

And tell me who I comfort
with many in discomfort -
and who have I to lead?

And what's my information
or worse, misinformation -
when only words I plead?

Or do I have a passion
for these, a great compassion -
and does my soul bleed?

So tell me, what's my mission
this one and great commission -
whose actions of mine seed?

And is there rich nutrition
or is there malnutrition -
and will my harvest feed?

And what is God's solution
to my new resolution -
and will His Word I heed?

And if correct decision
can trump my indecision -
He'll harvest souls indeed!

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

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Matthew 25:40 (KJV)
And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.

Over, Under & On 1-30-10

Over temptations hellish flames,
over my selfish, foolish games,
over my ego, over my pride,
and over all evil desire inside,

Over my wants and over my needs,
over my endless, selfish greeds,
over the impulse of this land,
for something, somewhere, I must stand.

Over my wasted days and years,
over my sad and futile tears,
over possessions and over my shoes,
over my travels, I must choose.

Under the stars, the sun, the moon,
under the clouds of midday, noon,
under the clouds which turned to gray,
I saw in the sand, for me, the way.

Under the message, I could sing,
under the crown of thorns, my King,
under the face of endless love,
I was fully unworthy of.

Under temptations people stray,
under Barabbas, come what may,
under both nails that pierced His hands,
noticed my purpose in the sands.

Under the sword that pierced his side,
over the grave and grace inside,
under the feet, securely nailed,
over all clearly - I had failed.

Under excuses that I'd built,
over depressions from my guilt,
under the cross, my Lord's upon,
there lay His sandals, I put on.

On with compassion so humbly found,
on with a purpose completely sound,
on, despite others who might be appaulled,
on to a mission for which I was called.

Remember those in need in Haiti
and others in true need around the world.

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

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Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV)

31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'

44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'

45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

A Very Good Person 5-17-06

.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your countenance proves you are real;

But under that mask of a smile,

I'm really not sure you can feel.

I should say you're a very good person,

For you give to the sick and the poor;

Though you think of yourself very highly,

I'm sure without debt you'd give more.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your love and compassion are vast;

You are your most favorite of persons,

While you put all the rest of us last.

I should say you're a very good person,

On Sundays I see you in church;

If I really don't think that you're perfect,

I'll continue more years of research.

I should say you're a very good person,

Your intelligence makes you a whiz;

So I won't tell you all about Jesus,

Because you know all that there is.

I should say you're a very good person,

There's nothing that you can do wrong;

And if I could read all about you,

I know that the book would be long.

I should say you're a very good person,

But it'd probably all go to your head;

So I'll just say good bye for the moment,

But think "and good riddance" instead.

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/ 

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