The Last Whistle 8-23-10

The train is now ready on strong, sturdy tracks.
The engine stands idle, yet nothing it lacks.

So soon will depart this old world by and by -
and faithfully leave in a blink of an eye.

The tracks lay ahead - in parallel rails -
laid firmly on ties fastened tightly with nails.

The nails that hold each limb in its place,
painfully centered, reflected on face.

The roadsides are flowered where souls still mourn -
but not beside rails still bordered by thorn.

The narrow, so straight, is still railing in pain.
Though great are the treasures, so few receive gain.

The first whistle blows with full steam in the plume.
The time dwindles quickly. There's plenty of room.

Again - second whistle - recorded in Word.
The smoke starts to billow, with whistle unheard.

Is heart fully in it? Be sure, Heaven knows -
so who is on board as the last whistle blows?

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

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2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance."

Classmates 6-20-10

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember many things
within the sunsets glow...

Oh, the places I recall
so many years ago -
the teachers and the classrooms,
our desks made up each row.

Oh, the voices I recall
so many years ago -
I can hear those words again
each time spring waters flow.

Oh, the faces I recall
so many years ago -
I can see those friends again
within the sunlights glow.

Oh, the friendships I recall
so many years ago.
I remember friendships' bloom
and saw the flowers grow.

Oh, those hopes from yester-year
and through my heartfelt cheer -
In my eye that cries each tear,
from classmates I held dear.

Oh, the classmates I recall -
the time runs quick and sure.
Tears flow freely from my eyes -
as memories still stir.

Oh, those times that I recall
so many years ago,
I remember this and more
within the sunsets glow...

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

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Good Morning! 8-5-09

Can I rise to face today,
when I hear all the things they say?

Can I fathom one more day,
despite the stubborn and their way?

Can I survive this world's decay,
with all the laws in disarray?

Can I get up - is it okay,
go back to sleep or walk away?

Can I just work another day,
for one small check - my measly pay?

Can I get up with skies so gray,
and face the torture - come what may?

Can I give up and can I pray,
"I trust Your 'will' and trust Your way?"

Can I look up and can I say,
"I'm humbly Yours and will obey?"

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

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Final Walk 4-13-09

Now forty lashes - minus one
The torture, anguish has begun.
Thirty-nine lashes, horrid pain,
I can't endure - but won't complain.

A crown of thorn cuts in so deep,
Energy gone, I've got to sleep.
But on my back, a timber placed -
it weighs a ton, blood/sweat I taste.

I feel the cross beside my face
I cannot walk a faster pace.
Skin rips open - each time I slip,
so tighter, I must keep my grip.

Each step I take is harder still
when trudging up this cruel hill.
The slivers pierce me as I trod,
both big and small - oh, help me God.

Please give me strength - for Heaven sakes
for every muscle in me aches.
With that huge cross along my back,
my knees buckle.  My legs go slack.

Exhausted, I can hardly crawl
and then I drop it as I fall.
My shoulder hurts, the pain intense.
They all stare in awed suspense.

I can't hold it any more
yet I know next, what is in store.
My lungs hurt so, I've lost my breath -
but give me strength before my death.

Finally, at the top I rest -
but now this cross, my final test.
I love you all - am faithful still,
right here on top of Calvary's hill.

All the pain endured thus far

cannot erase the sins that are.

Sacrifice, death - wages of sin -

demands the pain on the cross begin.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Stop, Look & Listen 4-5-09

Please Lord, stop me in my tracks
when others pressure me.
I will not pass Your roses by -
my prayers will thankful be.

Help me look up to Your face
beyond these foggy skies.
With humbleness I see You so
forgive my 'wanting' eyes.

Help me listen to Your voice
with answers - help me start,
not to hear with selfish ears,
but with a humble heart.

I'll not bow to sinful worlds

for You gave me a choice.

I will stop, look and listen 'til
I sense Your Holy voice.

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

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Picture Frames 2-18-09

Picture frames sure vary so,
whether big or small.
They all have work they need to do,
whether wide or tall.

Picture frames are so unique,
maple, oak or pine -
but focus not on picture frames -
they're merely for design.

Frames can border a photo.
Frames can border a place.
Frames can border a work of art
or frames can border a face.

---

When I was just a little boy,
(and though I was quite small),
a picture I remember well
was hanging on the hall.

I know my father put it there -
its place for many years.
There it was throughout my teens -
showed sorrow, pain and tears.

That picture was of Jesus
bowed lowly on His knees -
at a huge and solid rock,
near branches from some trees.

His hands were neatly folded.
Love flowed from both His eyes.
His head was tilted way, way back -
His face gazed at the skies.

Dark clouds had covered most the sky.
Moonlight rays had lit His face,
and seemed to put a glow around
this humble Man of grace.

For years, that picture on our wall
drew thoughts within my mind...
God sent on down, His only Son,
to sinful men, unkind.

I remember well, that picture.
I don't recall the frame.
So let us frame, that others see,
that they might know His name.

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

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Z 2-22-08

‘Z’ is last - but not in this poem!
Letters take thought and patience to grow 'em.

‘A’ seems reserved for its special space,
and may have tantrums if not in first place.

Twenty-five letters still have to be passed,
to find that lone ‘Z’ which was meant to be last.

I ponder the meaning of last and not first,
and wonder at one point if ‘Z’ had been cursed.

But ‘Z’, in this poem has gotten first place.
Hopefully that puts a smile on its face!

The day will soon come where first will be last,
the last will be first and won’t be surpassed.

Now here is a secret so keep your eyes peeled,
and maybe you’ll find every letter revealed.

It was quite a chore to mix letters this way,
but this time - in last place - you'll find letter ‘A’.

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

Mark 9:(NASB)
34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them,
37 "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."

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Forgive Me 10-28-07

I give you this - because I'm sorry,
for something that I've done.
I'm no angel. I'm not God,
nor perfect like His Son.

I am sorry. Please forgive me.
There's nothing I can pray.
Please believe me, I am sorry.
There's nothing more to say.

So many times - I've made mistakes.
And I've hurt you a lot.
From this I ask forgiveness from -
though I deserve it not.

I turn my eyes, on Jesus now,
I feel His loving grace.
Beneath the crown, between the nails,
I see His precious face.

My only hope?  You'll see in me,
what Jesus saw in you,
as He prayed "Father, forgive them for
they know not what they do."

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Reflection 6-12-07

.

Feeling sad and lonely?

Do wrinkles own your face?

Does guilt still stalk your sinful past -

temptations big disgrace?

Focus on our Father as

He puts us in this place.

He knows what He is doing.

So faithful, His embrace.

Lets walk along together -

just imagine you and I,

strolling past His quiet stream -

below His rich, blue sky...

His grasses and flowers seem

to bow as we go by.

Along His stream

His huge trees stand -

leaves curtsy way up high.

God never changes. God never fails

in Heaven or here below.

All nature exposes God above,

today as long ago.

He opens all His beauty, since

the beginning, so we know -

and looking back down to His stream,

we’ll see His waters flow.

It trickles over rocks and stones

down to an open pass,

to a pond so still and tranquil -

that no man could surpass.

As a mirror proves all truth -

His sky, His trees, His grass -

there it all rests quietly,

this pond as smooth as glass.

Carefully lean over and

smile without a fuss.

Take a look at God's creation -

there's nothing to discuss....

Peer upon the water,

don't trust the two of us.

If our faith and love is strong,

our smile reflects Jesus.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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