With Jesus Back 1-5-13

The clouds had wept, yet sun had kept
enough light on my mind -
that I could see weak memories -
that I could never find.

I, at a loss, to see this cross
and of its fuller meaning -
had pondered some and when was done
had saw it all as 'feeling'.

But truth be told, it is of old,
the crafty serpent lied.
So overflowed, that grace of gold,
the day that Jesus died.

Was God's design that sunlight shine
on my eternal soul?
Did I assess my faithfulness?
For He is in control!

A ray of hope, a saving rope
with hallowed grace divine -
relieved my stress through Holiness
for true forgiveness, mine.

When faith survived, death was deprived
on earth, as up above.
Death isn't black. With Jesus back
I'm flooded with His love!

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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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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Good Intentions 9-8-12

My beautiful intentions come when things are not at peace.
Those good intentions carry me where duties may all cease.
Such beautiful intentions can be nothing but insults,
to all the great performing tasks that bring about results.

And thoughts of great intentions come in plans so very swirled
and binds me as a hostage in this wicked, sinful world.
Intentions are the greatest but am I still drawn to sin,
when actions are but only thoughts and work need not begin?

Despite intentions beautiful, I've now begun to hate
these lands of vast utopia on clouds that dissipate.
My dreams come crashing down despite a weather that is fair.
Foundation's can't be only poured on well intentioned prayer.

What if Christ had good intentions that were not applied
and He had stayed up there in Heav'n and wasn't crucified?
But God has never, never failed and He waits for us still.
Our good intentions won't bring change ...but faithfulness sure will!

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

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Galatians 5:22,23 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Zombies 8-19-12

Banana pudding, apple pie,

who wants to leave this place -

with all their friends and family

and each familiar face?

Who wants to leave these comforts now

and change their status quo?

If comforts want no changes, there's

no other place to go...

unless through faith we so believe

in Someone who is more,

in Someone who has paid the price

in Someone to live for.

But woe is he, though wealthy be

if faith is naught, when dies -

for faith is the prerequisite

for life beyond the skies.

And God speaks not through megaphone

nor through a king or queen,

but rather through our faithfulness

from Heavens yet unseen.

A still, small voice will call our names.

Be ready to go home -

for faith knows our direction but

those zombies always roam.

If claim, you are, a zombie not,
 who wanders aimlessly,
 then follow quick that still, small voice
and Heaven you will see.

And if you're not a zombie
but follow God's own Son,
 then love your neighbor as yourself,
attest to everyone.

And if you're not a zombie,
just following the crowd,
then clap your hands and stomp your feet
and praise your Lord out loud!!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Exodus 14:3

For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’

These Humble Words 8-13-12

My Lord and Savior, hear my heart -

a heart that can't ignore,

Your love that chased me all my life

and proved to be much more...

Much more than rain drops from above

that fall from all around,

collecting in the ponds and lakes

and oceans that abound.

Much more than luscious meadows, green

where horses romp and play

much more than cool, clear bubbling brooks

where little ponies lay.

Much more than all the honey found

from bees that roam the hive,

much more than flowers from the plant

with petals bright, alive!

Much more than colors on the trees

in autumn's many hue,

of golden yellow, red and orange -

much more than rainbows too.

Much more than all the mountain peaks

that touch vast skies of blue

much more than questions I have asked

in prayers I've sent to You.

Much more than countless blessings from

Your miracles galore.

Much more than all my faithfulness.

But yet, You send me more.

Much more love that I waste on

such silly, selfish stuff.

Yet still, You send me greater love.

I can't love You enough.

Now may these humble words be passed

to everyone You touch,

so they, too, will have hearts to say,

"I love You very much."

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Deuteronomy 6:5
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

My Little Box 5-23-12

I cannot prove the miracles
behind salvation's locks,
but if I could, here's what you'd see
inside my little box...

---

If I pulled out, a piece of cross

with blood stains smeared about,

if I had all the photos here,

so you would have no doubt,

if I had froze the moment that

they nailed Him to the cross,

so you could see that gruesome pain

as shadows passed across,

if I had casts from footprints there,

the cross and where it stood,

if I had pulled those massive nails

from deep within the wood,

if I had here the crown of thorns

they pressed down on His head,

so you could know the torment and

the flowing crimson red,

if I had froze that sunset

and showed their facial fear,

if I could show you nail prints

and Jesus' final tear,

if I had filmed the thunder

and veil that ripped in two -

that whole occurrence thoroughly -

to play it back for you,

if I could fill emotions with

the blackness of the tomb,

if I had breathed the fragrance in,

exhaled the old perfume,

if I could pull the linens out

and hold them in my hand,

or show a relic of the stone

so you would understand,

if I took out, in brilliant hue,

a painting so profound,

if I could sing in perfect pitch

with great harmonic sound,

if I had grasped an ocean breeze

beyond the longest docks,

so you could smell its freshness here

inside my little box,

if I held high His halo

and proved His torture wrong,

if I had seized that moment and

then wrote the perfect song,

if I had found the precise words

that Jesus has for you,

then I could prove the love of God

and testify it true.

No...  God requires something else -

a loving, faithful heart -

so grab your eyes and pluck them out,

and rip your box apart!

He sets our anxious mind at ease,

and offers all of us -

a personal relationship,

of peace and faithfulness.

---

If we can see, then we believe -

yet Jesus wills that we,

would never follow with our eyes,

but rather faithfully.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Gun Fight! 2-11-12

The sun was rising in the east
behind some hitching posts -
and weathered boards, on buildings old,
had nothing left to boast.

But I wore fancy cowboy duds,
I was a handsome sight.
A crowd of people gathered 'round
to watch this old gun fight.

The street was dead and empty
except for sin and I -
and how I ended up out here,
I'm really not sure why.

A bullet? Very perilous
if we've no self-control -
and sin is much more dangerous,
because it kills the soul.

Now noon met with humidity.
The sun was dry and hot.
Some beads of sweat rolled down my face -
my stomach, in a knot.

But no, I wasn't nervous -
though duel had begun.
I counted out ten paces -
then turned and drew my gun.

But sin is faster, furious -
much quicker than the eye.
Oh please! Dear Lord and Saviour -
I do not want to die!

And then... in just an instant,
I dropped down to my knees.
I fell as peace passed over me
and felt the gentle breeze.

But something stood in front of me.
Its shadow crossed my face.
I then saw Jesus on that cross.
He took my very place.

Ashamed, I dropped my pistol.
My pride was killed that day -
as I pulled off my fancy boots
and flung my hat away.

Now humbled on the dusty street
with crowded eyes on me -
my every pride had vanished as
I learned humility.

In faithfulness, I stood again,
though I was at a loss...
Oh, how could Jesus love me so
from that old rugged cross?

The sun was setting in the west
behind some hitching posts.
And weathered boards, on buildings old,
had nothing left to boast.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Little Kitten 1-19-12

A tiny little kitten

whose feet were very sore,

wandered through the drifting snow

and right up to my door.

The weak meowing stirred me,

and drew me when she cried.

I crossed my room with aging feet,

inviting her inside.

She shivered and was hungry,

was frightened, very weak.

Confused, she wasn't trusting,

her future somewhat bleak.

Now even though I loved her,

I saw a troubled sign.

I thought about it for a bit -

compared her life to mine...

As she warmed up to me a bit,

I let her eat and rest -

but ran, she did, if I came close -

afraid of me, I guessed.

Now I was like that kitten,

and it became quite clear -

that I was frightened, ran away,

when Jesus got too near.

Then as the days kept rolling by,

she finally did prefer -

to be around and close to me.

She knew that I loved her.

Before I learned that God so loved,

my life was very grim.

And though He loved me very much,

I had no faith in Him.

Knowing that I love her so

and take good care of her -

knowing that I listen when

I hear her prayerful purr -

defines a word called "faithfulness",

defines a true belief -

not wandering out aimlessly

in blowing snow and grief.

So now you'll find her in my lap,

a tiny ball of fuzz -

but she had taught me faithfulness.

I know it's true because -

I once roamed like this kitten,

where snow and drifting harms,

but now I lie in pastures green -

with Jesus, in His arms.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Grocery Cart, The 3-20-11

I saw a grocery cart today,

and overflowed, it was, I'd say.

It proudly wore the biggest smile -

pushed along in latest style.

Wow!  Every type of food I saw -

from T-bone steaks to carrots, raw.

Until unto the checkout came -

it didn't seem to look the same.

Now this is what it was about -

when all the food was lifted out...

but don't we understand it still -

that God has overflowed our fill?

Unless sincere and broken are,

grace resides at farthest star.

If faith is absent, there's no grace

outside the walls of Heaven's space.

Wear humbleness and faithful be,

with fruitfulness that's as the sea -

and diligence we must maintain,

for if we're lost - life's all in vain.

And though that cart was quite a sight -

received it not, one single bite.

So don't be like that grocery cart -

that's stuffed with grace, but has no heart.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/ 

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Hebrews 5 (NASB)

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness,

for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature

who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.