Born Again 12-11-12

Oh, how I thought I knew it all when I was in my youth -

but as I turn in circles now I find an ugly truth -

that time had shut a door on each decision I had made

and now I have to suffer from the high price I have paid.

Now Jesus led me as a youth but I had vainly went

the stubborn way I wanted to. My whole life I had spent -

going my own selfish way through each and every door -

and thinking that each new one was much better than before.

But then I looked around me as the final door slammed shut.

So stunned, I was - completely - as it echoed in my gut.

I walked through each door willingly to get to where I am -

and now my soul is naked as I stand in front of Him.

But then my God allowed me there to reach back with my hand

and open up that final door. I didn't understand...

I stepped back through and found myself where I had been last week -

and then I saw another door so took another peek.

It too, had opened up for me - so I stepped through again -

and there I was two weeks ago right back where I had been.

So on and on I went through doors as fast as I could run -

until I was a child again - then back where I'd begun.

Now this time I will have no pride and this time I won't fight.

I'll follow in His footsteps and I'll follow Him just right.

Now each door that God opens makes us one close happy team -

and everything goes perfect 'til I wake up from my dream.

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I only had one lonely chance to live an upright way -

but I messed up. I put me here. There is no more to say...

except that Jesus pulls me from my putrid, sinful grime -

and gives me one more final chance to get it right this time.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Little Elf 11-20-12

Mischievous, the little one -

the selfish, little elf -

the one who looks and listens for

the things which help himself.

Though brilliant colors are defined,

I'm blind and cannot see.

Since birth my world was always dark.

I ask myself, "Why me?"

My doctor says there is no hope.

No music will there be.

My world is quiet.  I can't hear.

I ask myself, "Why me?"

I've worked my fingers to the bone.

I've paid each tax and fee.

But now the banks are taking all.

I ask myself, "Why me?"

My teachers say I'm special.

My friends and all agree.

Then mom tells me to make my bed.

I ask myself, "Why me?"

He fell to knees most fervently -

the place?  Gethsemane.

Though God did not 'remove His cup',

did Jesus ask, "Why me?"

So lazy, greedy, prideful, vain -

oh, how can I complain?

My prayers are simply mockeries

if I know not His pain.

Pain that He endures each time

that I think of myself -

for He's the Master Teacher - and

I'm the little 'elf'...

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Dusk To Dawn 8-10-12

Why at dusk did Your evening sunset overwhelm the blue -

and how did I miss, with sunlight's fade, our dimming friendship too?

Why did the grasses so appear 'greener on the other side'

and how did You seem so far away - beyond the deserts wide?

Why did I always rivers ride, with every twist and bend -

and how was it all futility with needs that never end?

Why did I go my selfish way and how'd I cut my path -

right over the worst terrain I found, only to find Your wrath?

Why did Your roses lose their scent and how'd our friendship wilt -

and how when with repentance here, did truth exacerbate guilt?

Why did I seek man's wisdom when my stomach grew to yearn

then question straight and narrow path that lost my chance to learn?

Why did my heart seem hardened so and how'd I grow so old -

waiting for all Your answers here in this frigid midnight cold?

Why did the chills surround me so and shiver every bone

and how did Your stars stare down at me and make me feel alone?

How did the darkness blanket me though moon and stars shone bright

to seemingly mock my presence here?  It didn't seem quite right...

No longer will I cut my path nor crawl through desert sand.

I walk beside still waters here, beside You, hand in hand.

It's easy to say 'Forgive me', but hard to be sincere,

still harder to walk the narrow, harder yet to persevere.

But peering to the Heavens now and awed by what I see -

I'm so content in knowing that You're right down here with me.

I know Your love, Your faithfulness, Your brilliant haloed face -

and faith reveals that dawn has come with morning sun, Your grace.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hands 8-18-11

Selfish hands and idle hands

are rotten to the core.

Loving hands and humble hands -

are needed even more.

Not famous hands or jealous hands -

but hands that do God's will.

Eager hands and fearless hands -

enduring hands as well.

Patient and obedient,

or busy as a bee -

clammy too or clumsy,

or unknown they may be.

Feeble hands or age old hands,

or hands that hug a lot -

rugged hands or wrinkled hands,

great many hands or not.

All hands on deck - please listen,

and every faithful hand -

as we go into this dark world

and visit every land.

Share the never failing hands -

His hands - as He prevails.

His hands, that carry us away,

are hands that held the nails.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Fragile Fog 8-3-11

Dawn breaks clear and breeze begins -

leans the many grasses -

rolling knolls, valleys green -

moving, it amasses -

moisture up from silent pond,

a vapor freely born -

confusing fogs of dampness, there's -

another one to warn -

of world's prideful ignorance,

of want and selfish greed.

Another one oblivious

to warnings he should heed.

Slow and patient hovering,

brings truth so plain to see -

but blindness seizes evil hearts

and there will never be -

changes to the inner soul

that lingers ever past.

Then fades away, the temperate fog -

as time has fleeted fast.

God creates, then man destroys

a life, so visible -

but Jesus comes to heal the sick,

the body, spiritual.

Jesus given for our souls,

our Father still awaits -

while life is like the fragile fog

which quickly dissipates.

Earth, or all eternity -
two choices we must weigh -
before the fog has lifted and
life vanishes away. 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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James 4:14 (NASB)
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Blessings 7-11-11

God showers me with blessings -
too many to be named.
And He has given me so much -
so much, I am ashamed.

Though I have lost possessions,
(some former wants and needs) -
I'm steered to where I wish not go,
as my Creator leads -
and made to walk in valleys deep,
so great, the length and breadth -
and made to go to distant lengths,
and sometimes near to death.

He showed me all that I had missed
to understand His scene -
and made me walk on water,
and through His pastures green.
But sight? None can imagine -
the view beyond the skies -
to see what can't be understood
with selfish, simple eyes!

His blessings once confused me,
and camouflaged my pride,
and I just couldn't see His love,
'till I set 'me' aside.
Yes, God has showered blessings,
too many to be named -
and He has given me so much -
so much, I am ashamed.

And yet, His greatest blessing,
so many years before -
was that He gave His only Son.
What blessing is worth more??

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http:/www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Greater Love 6-2-10

The stars shine brightly, they are there,
above the stormy skies.
They softly glow with greater love
than clouds from hate and lies.

When torment grips my soul and me
with sin from cities' crowds -
there softly glows this greater love
above the stormy clouds.

And though we cannot always see
those stars that shine above -
the clouds that sometimes frighten us
can't stop agape love.

Crowds' boastful, selfish ways abound.
Their futile acts bring grief.
They send out storms that fill the sky
without the true belief....

They try to cover up the truth,
they think we cannot see -
but faith surpasses every storm
for God will always be.

When faith finds favor over fray,
to truth that shines above -
and miracles shine through a bit,
it proves our Savior's love.

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

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John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends."

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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FREEDOM 10-08-07

We are either slave or free. There is no in-between.
Freedom is not tangible, but surely it is seen -
seen on every human face, residing in the heart -
free from any slavery - when we all do our part.

Who can be part master - or be a part time slave -
or sometimes be a little wimp - at other times be brave?
Does freedom have a light switch that we turn off and on,
or is it the foundation that this Nation’s built upon?

Let no one now deceive us - as freedom must be pure,
for if it cracks or crumbles, then slavery is sure.
And let us not be selfish, but protect both young and old -
the innocent from anywhere - marching bravely, bold.

The world forgets so quickly - one man’s deceptive lie ,
who stole the lives of millions - who wouldn't hear their cry.
Many bury deep their heads while terrorists still stalk,
but there’s no time for politics. It’s time to walk the talk.

Jesus' talk was often bold and later He was nailed.
 He 'walked' in service to the cross, but freedom had prevailed.
  Freedom from satanic grip - though wars there'll always be -


until the wars in souls end, the world can't be free.

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Innocent children, women and men continue to be enslaved, tortured and killed.

Through sacrifice, support FREEDOM for all. Through America, let's build.

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

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