Welcome Home! 5-28-11

The prodigal son,

took his share and run.

The world revolves around Rome?

Provisions ran out,

as he ran about -

but his father said, "Welcome Home!"

Decorations done,

another war won.

The world revolves around Rome?

With Serviceman's grin,

he entered therein,

then heard them all shout, "Welcome Home!"

Once under clover,

all will be over.

The world revolves around Rome?

In blink of an eye,

I know I will cry,

when Jesus proclaims, "Welcome Home!"

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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An Amazing Miracle 3-18-09

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life as faith in God grows.
The greatest forest withstands the storms -
but when an acorn falls, God knows.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life of piloted prayers.
A flock of birds protect each other -
but when the sparrow falls, God cares.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous seed crushed under strife.
The tomb was dark, the stone was sealed -
but God delivers eternal life.

Creation.
An amazing miracle.

A miraculous life as grace unfolds.
A family weeps, kisses, and loves -
but when their loved one sleeps, God holds.

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

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Hallowed Be Thy Name 3-12-09

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
because you first, so loved the world -
we're changed and not the same.

We once were so dispicable,
like soiled, dirty rags,
but now we wait as loyal friends,
as a puppy's tail wags.

They say that dogs are man's best friend -
trusting pure and true,
so faithfully we follow -
our faith is all in You.

There's nothing we can turn to,
nothing that we own,
nothing we can build upon -
except Your corner stone.

We wait on Your great wisdom,
we live on Your great strength,
and then as faithful servants,
we serve to greater length.

We cannot hold Your love inside.
We cannot live the same -
we must shine bright and tell the world!
Hallowed be Thy name.

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

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Poet's Prayer 2-27-09

"Father," I pray as I walk along,
"give me the words that would flow like a song.
A poem of promise, of hope and of love
that would focus lost sinners on You up above....

The moon's shining bright from behind an oak branch,
but it's cold here tonight on my dear humble ranch.
I'd be so happy if I was a tree,
for they stand much taller, much taller than me.

Their tops are much closer to Heaven I know,
and they just get closer, the more that they grow.
There's no clouds in the sky - but if so, they would be
joyously singing up there with Thee.

The stars in the sky seem much brighter tonight.
They must be so close they reflect Heaven's light.
The gold, alabaster - the pearls and brass
I bet shine like prisms through diamond-like glass.

Oh, to get closer to Heaven - one peek....
could give me the thoughts that would make these words speak.
The sights would bring words and to earth I would bring
the poem of poems - itself it would sing.

Instead, here I stand in the shivering cold,
a mindless numb man who was late getting old.
But here, down on earth, I'll perform every task,
and faithfully do everything that You ask.

I know that these people will not have a clue,
because this small poem cannot describe You.
So quickly this world forgets who You are,
They miss (as they're sleeping), the bright Morning Star.

I know that the God of Love's heart had to grieve,
when Heaven's gates opened to let Your Son leave -
to die on a cross that folks want to forget.
They just do not care - not one little bit.

Because of Your grace and through faith I believe,
You're the Great Poet and me You don't leave.
You live deep within, so I'll faithfully write -
for the greatest of poems come deep from the heart.

©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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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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In His Image 10-15-07

Before the birth, Father prepared Him a bed.
He then was born, as God created.
The young Boy played. Father gave Him drink and bread,
And nurtured Him, as He created.

This young Man grew. Father taught Him every thread,
And trained Him up, as He created.
This Man had served. Father's love was widely spread,
to the masses, as He created.

This Man was tried. Father's love had never fled,
from His people, as He created.
This Man was whipped. Father held Him as He bled,
and to the cross, as He created.

His Son was hung. Father's wrath was on His head,
first became last, as He created.
Dead and buried, Father lifted Him instead,
Last became first, as He created.

Yet now I live. Who knows my road ahead?
Those questions cry, as He created.
So I take up my cross - and am faithfully led,
in His image, as He created.

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

Genesis 1:27 (KJV)“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”

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Faith 1-10-07

.
At first my faith was in my mother, and her two loving hands.
But then I had faith in my father, in his wisdom, work and plans.

Then I put faith in the whole wide world, it's size so large and immense;
But then when I learned of its problems, I built up my little fence.

So then I put faith in someone else, I'd know and always agree;
Faith that I had in abundance - was in honest, trustworthy me.

But I couldn't find all the answers, so in others I'd confer;
Because two heads are better than one, we all then should concur.

So I put my faith in our Church, for I started long ago;
And I spent my time in fellowship, but I didn't seem to grow.

As I circled in deep despair, lost in my lonely, selfish groans;
Determined to find something; to heal my ever, fragile bones.

I put my faith in all my works, for without it, faith is dead;
But again I failed in all my works, so looked to grace instead.

And I put all my faith in grace alone - which was the final blow;
As I sat back expecting - but never once prepared to grow.

It never seems to cross my mind, that my chair might soon collapse;
But yet I question God in prayer. Do I trust Him? Well, perhaps....

Age and wisdom has surely proved that I can't do it on my own.
I've always had faith in something else, but now it's in God alone.

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

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