When In Doubt 2-28-10

When friends and family disappear -
when pride and courage turn to fear -
when all is gone and all seems lost -
when spirit dies, then what's the cost?

When at a loss and don't know why -
when all we do is cry and cry.
When time goes on, but we cannot -
what if, about us, God forgot?

When sin controls and we're pitch black -
what happens if God turns His back?
Oh, what if God just didn't care
and let us fall in deep despair?

Should we give up and lose all hope -
when there's no way in life to cope?
No. God is faithful, God is just -
and in Him only, we can trust.

For God so loved - and sent His Son -
who did not quit - 'til He was done.
So when in doubt, just say a prayer -
Remember God is always there.

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

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Much More Than I 08-25-09

Do I claim allegiance as my faith grows,
or deceive myself before the cock crows?

Do I always admit, when I am dead wrong?
Have I always stood, where I belong?

Have I always held, ill thoughts from my tongue?
Have I always served, the meek and young?

Have I always loved, or my temper lost?
Have I always forgave, at any cost?

Have I always kept, that special diet?
Have I known truth, but - then kept quiet?

Have I always thought to say the word please?
Have I always helped the least of these?

Have I ever made, the least little fuss?
If so, where's my faith, to follow Jesus?

If I can't correct the littlest things -
then how can I claim the King of all Kings?

If I can't improve a few little flaws -
then how can I live, for greater cause?

Oh, would my faith weaken and die inside -
if burned at the stake, or crucified?

I must remember - should I ever cry -
that He suffered more, much more than I.

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

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My Tree Still Stands 3-24-09

The whipping winds, the freezing rain,
it did not understand the strain -
and did not understand the stress
of wicked, wintry colds excess.

Until the springtime snow was melting,
it kept taking earthly pelting.
It held firm throughout the frost
and persevered despite the cost.

Freezing rain was in the air -
yet life grew out of everywhere.
How can freezing offer good
as this tree stands misunderstood?

Does it strengthen, does it now?
Does it make me wonder how?
Does it test me, does it try,
and does it hurt me - make me cry?

Do trees know that life's not fair?
and do they know if God is there?
Liberty and freedom's great -
but it's not easy fighting hate.

Yet sunshine sees (through its appearance),

vast rewards from perseverance -
springtime buds its cheers of joy
and proves this world cannot destroy.

For God alone holds season's times -
protects our souls from earthly crimes.
And though the world claims its demands -
in springtime warmth, my tree still stands.

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

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Only One Journey 5-14-06

I walked through the valley of the shadow of death.
I turned each direction. The sight took my breath.
The way through that valley was ever so wide,
and sin was so rampant that many had died.

Lust, lies and deception, like grains of the sand,
the bodies and souls - they covered the land.
Stepped over, I did - strewn here and there,
for they were all lost, in death, unaware.

It seemed so atrocious. I felt so inept -
but I journeyed along as I carefully stepped.
So many had fallen far short of their goals,
and the valley was covered with forgotten souls.

Now so many limbs and bodies were crossed,
that each proved our sin has a very high cost.
In every direction, I trembled in fear,
yet some tracks pressed on, so vividly clear.

So many had prospered, so many were great,
but they had all worked to a merciless fate.
I stepped over more - the young and the old.
Each day some would fall and then would turn cold.

It seemed, was no end - as a fight in a sewer -
then noticed the footprints, were fewer and fewer.
I pressed on ahead through trials and all,
I fought the good fight and then heard His last call.

The footsteps had dwindled to just a small few.
Then leaving the valley, there were only two.
Now one set of footprints went straight on ahead,
while the other one stopped, and turned back instead.

But through the dim darkness, a light I could see.
It fell as a halo - then covered me...
My armor still glimmered as if still brand new,
despite all the work that He asked me to do.

There up from the valley and over the crest,
I saw that old cross and knew I was blessed.
Some friends greeted me. There were but a few.
Then I laid down my cross, as they had done too.

We're living here now, above valley and loss -
for we wore our armor and looked to the cross.
It's easy to know now, how we gathered here,
despite those one set of footprints, it's clear.

When He is in us, we are more than a sparrow -
we walk in His sandals, the straight and the narrow.
You have but one journey. He guides your steps now.
He'll show you the way and - He will show you how.

He knows that the valley of death will bring pain.
It'll run you in circles and drive you insane.
But wear your whole armor. Endure to the end -
for He is your Savior, Defender and Friend.

©2006 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”