Prayer of Thanksgiving 9-23-12

This table, set with centerpiece,
fine china, silverware -
has food prepared deliciously
with tender loving care.
With hungry eye, I relish this -
this meal, my daily bread -
then fold my hands and bow my head
before my prayer is said.

I do recite it quick and slurred,
though with the best intent -
and now that grace is said and heard,
it is a blessed event.
The phrases I was taught to say
were pressed down deep in me -
but words are empty without thoughts
of pure sincerity.

Yes, just before I eat, I pray,
but there's a place so crude
which moves me closer to the truth -
that others have no food.
It haunts me as I look around, the
visions of the starved -
who wide-eyed blankly stare at me
behind my turkey, carved.

I see their bloated tummies and
the flies around their eyes.
I hear soft moans from babies lips,
and echoes of their cries.
I taste the mush that they call food.
It lingers on my breath.
I feel the tears start down my cheeks.
I smell the stench of death.

I hesitate with my first bite,
then ask myself, "Do I
really care they're teary eyed
and hungry 'til they die?"
I pray that all the "least of these"
are eating well in Heav'n.
Please help me Lord, to understand
the blessings I was giv'n.

So now when I recite my prayer,
as I sit down to feast,
I ask myself if I'm sincere
and thankful in the least.
For that's when I can hear my voice
ascending to His ear.
He knows if I speak empty words
or if I am sincere.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

How Dare You! 5-21-11

How dare you tell me what to do -
you little Christian man!
You hide inside your little world -
I'll do just what I can.

How dare you tell me what to do -
you talk big - then you quit!
You claim to help the poor and meek,
but you're a hypocrite.

How dare you tell me what to do -
it's legal... gambling, booze.
So keep your morals off of me,
I'll do just what I choose.

How dare you tell me what to do!
Send me a little food!
I spent a bit on 'joints' and stuff.
I'm in depressive mood.

How dare you tell me what to do!
You know it's how life goes.
Don't leave me to the elements,
but buy me newer clothes.

How dare you tell me what to do -
in comforts of your home.
Basic shelter is a need -
yet, place to place, I roam.

How dare you tell me what to do!
Your morals, keep off me!
Just find a cure for my disease -
and happy I will be.

How dare you tell me what to do!
My rights? My needs and wants!
Health care costs are through the roof -
so pay all my insurance.

How dare you pray to your great God.
He made me down to lie,
He led me by still waters and,
He made me want to cry.

Just leave me be. Ignore me -
until some future date.
Just let me live the way I want -
until it is too late.

These may not be the words you said.
Don't be offended so...
"How dare you!" were the words I said,
so many years ago.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

------- 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
  

Psalm 23 (NASB)

 1 The LORD is my shepherd,
  I shall not want. 
  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
  He leads me beside quiet waters. 
  3 He restores my soul;
  He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I fear no evil, for You are with me;
  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 
  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
  You have anointed my head with oil;
  My cup overflows. 
  6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
  And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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/ 

-------

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.

Too Little, Too Late 11-27-10

A homeless mom - some food can't buy,
she looks for work - but I don't cry.
I've my career, white shirt and tie.
I have my job. I cannot cry.

A thirsty boy, with mouth so dry.
The streets are hot - but I don't cry.
Don't questions ask, and don't ask 'why'.
I have my bills. I cannot cry.

Handicapped girl, about to die,
she goes unseen - so I don't cry.
That I don't care - please don't imply.
I'm much too rushed. I cannot cry.

The sermons heard week after week -
but still no tear runs down my cheek.
But I will try, as days go by -
some day I'll care and surely cry.

How many suffered is unclear.
Was selfish I, year after year?
One day [before my God] I'll stand -
when it's too late to understand.

For God shall hear another cry.
He'll see another infant die.
And then He'll hear and see me try -
to bring a tear to my dry eye...

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

-------

Luke 11:40-42 (NASB)

40 "You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?
41 "But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
42 "But woe to you Pharisees!

For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb,

and yet disregard justice and the love of God;

but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others...."

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/

-------