Good-bye... 3-13-09

"Good-bye"...

It's easy to say to problems,
it's easy to say to a storm,
it's easy to say to the blizzard,
it's easy to live with the norm,

but hard to say to a neighbor,
and hard to say to a friend.
It's hard to say to our family,
and so hard to comprehend.

To all His friends that He saw that day,
and to His disciples, Jesus tried to say,
"Good bye, my friends, I'm about to die",
but they understood not. They didn't know why.

Would we have been grasping or awed with blank stare
if, in His midst, we were standing there?
Could we comprehend what the cross would weigh?
Would we understand - the stone rolled away?

Yet God had a purpose and part of His plan
was that Jesus leave - as He had began -
in Bethlehem humbly, without huge crowds,
then later ascending, above the clouds.

Faith knows we'll see Him in Heaven again,

so our prayers all end with a sincere "Amen".
There in His arms we'll have ample supply -
and never again hear the word "good-bye".

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

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Stale Bread & Smelly Fish 10-29-08

First created in His image - then threw out of Eden.
What dominion was received to plow the seeds of men?

Satan owns deception, and this is his proposal:
"World's tools you cannot use. They're all at my disposal".

But yet, those very tools, that lies could not destroy;
helped Jesus feed five thousand - with food from one small boy.

Did he pay attention, when he heard Jesus' call?
Or did he wait for someone else’s food to feed them all?

What if no one listened? What if no one shared?
What if no one bothered? What if no one cared?

Did intimidation strike him - with grownups to compare?
What if he stood silent? Would everybody stare?

I'm sure the bread was stale. I'm sure the fish was smelly -
and who made him responsible to feed their hungry belly?

What if doubts were planted - not knowing if he could?
What if faith and fish and bread – seemed so little good?

Was he called to do such things - to worry 'bout the present?
Or was he called to preach the Word? Are words the full intent?

Do we think there's someone else - who God will call by name,
and therefore won't engage ourselves? Who then would be to blame?

But Jesus proved His miracles, with meager food and powers;
God created fish and bread - then blesses us with ours.

Did Jesus sit in synagogues? Was He not salt and light?
And did He reach beyond those doors? Did He not lead the fight?

The "experts" did not like Him. He wasn't keeping quiet.
He questioned all their politic. Their answer then was riot.

Three times disciples fell asleep, so tell me if you please;
Were they really faithful as He wept there on His knees?

Please, can someone tell me, Is faith without works dead?
Was Jesus really faithful when – the thorns cut deep, His head?

Was Jesus really faithful then - with shouts of insults said?
Was Jesus really faithful, when on the cross He bled?

Was Jesus really faithful - our nails, He took instead?
Was Jesus really faithful - when life hung by a thread?

Now tell me - was He faithful when they pronounced Him dead?
And can anybody tell me - that words suffice instead?

Jesus sweat before that cross - but works, did not subdue;
for Jesus did not only pray - He also followed through.

I suppose it's time to ask myself - (regarding that young boy),
Have I sat in idleness - and with it, helped destroy?

What impact do I have today? What is my greatest wish?
Did that small boy surpass me with - stale bread and smelly fish?

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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IF GOD CAN USE... 12-8-05

If God can use an old, old man, (Gen 6)
and send the rain for a month, He can;
then God can use animals, in pairs obey,
and follow Noah to the ark that day.

If God can use flooding on the earth, (Gen 7)
and lift the Ark with all it's worth;
then God can expose a little branch,
and promise us, our little ranch.

If God can use a little dove, (Gen 8)
and bring it back with all His love;
then God can use a passing cloud,
that shout with rainbows, right out loud.

If God can use an angry sea, (Matt 8)
to toss disciples helplessly;
then God can use just one command,
calm all the seas - to solid land.

If God can use a little child, (John 6)
for a growing crowd that's getting wild;
then God can use some fish and bread,
hungry souls, and thousands fed.

If God can use an empty tomb, (John 20)
a virgin Mary - an empty womb;
then God can use a little shed,
and just a manger for a bed;

If God can use a crown of thorn, (Matt 27)
and a veil - top to bottom torn;
then God can use the quaking earth,
and thundering skies for our new birth.

If God can use a final breath, (Matt 27)
a shortened life, a cruel death;
then God can use a borrowed grave,
a missing stone, an empty cave.

If God can use the loss of sight, (Acts 9)
for Saul, the man who loved to fight;
then God can use some simple prayers,
sending messengers - proof He cares.

If God can use the blind from birth, (John 9)
and a little dust from His big earth;
then God can use what's always right,
and asks of us, our focused sight.

If God sends demons into swine, (Matt 8)
and uses water - to make wine; (John 2)
then patient, loving He must be,
to use a sinner, saved - like me.

©2005 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 66:16 (NASB)
16Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.