Thank You! 2-23-12

I felt I was trampled by thousand-cow herd -

and hoped I could write it in poetic word -

but first I sat down and I started to pray,

and saw God's creation so all I could say,

was "Thank You!"

My eyes rose up high to a picturesque sky -

while thoughts ran off rampant to years gone by -

where burdens had settled on one special day,

that flooded my soul - so all I could say,

was "Thank you!"

Though breezes blow storm clouds around to and fro -

and every so often still trouble me so -

the sun always shines above all the fray,

dispersing the storm clouds - so all I can say,

is "Thank You!"

A rainbow appears over the rugged cross -

a cross much more painful than my finite loss.

A sacrifice, perfect - but that was God's way.

And now tears are falling and all I can pray,

is "Thank You!"

"Thank You for mangers, Your great humbleness.

Thank You for crosses and all who You bless.

Thank You for being the God that You are.

Thank You for wearing those great many scar.

"Thank You for grace that's so endlessly pure.

Thank You for strength that will always endure.

Thank You for showing me a new perspective.

Thank You for faith and a brand new directive.

"Thank You for children who make my heart glow.

Thank You for loving them now as they grow.

Thank You for teaching them how to respect.

Thank You for blessings despite my neglect.

"Thank You for lifting me out of sins' hole.

Thank You for Pastors who challenge my soul.

Thank You for churches, all joined at the hip -

and thank you for friends and the great fellowship."

So now when I'm trampled and my life is blurred -

I open my Bible - God's great living Word.

It's then I see clearly, it's then I can pray -

and though I'm tore open, it's all I can say.

"Oh, Thank You!"

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Sin Still Stinks! 1-24-12

BASED ON A TRUE STORY
during gooseberry picking season, 1934
as told to me by my mother, Ruth.

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On our old North Clayton farmstead -
my brother, sister, I -
were picking berries with our mom,
when brother caught my eye.

In each our hands, a bucket with,
our minds on all our work.
We each were very diligent
'til brother went berserk.

Wisconsin's early summer brought us
many ripe gooseberries -
but never could we match what mom,
within her bucket carried.

God's trees stretched high above our heads,
His briers pulled our clothes -
yet creek ran faithful, east to west -
while heat, with sun, had rose.

You may not know our brother yet,
but all of us could tell,
that trouble followed him around
and knew him very well.

He said, "Look at this big kitten!"
He poked it with a stick -
but when it turned and raised its tail,
our mother shouted quick.

Although it wasn't humorous,
we giggled in our fun.
But when mom said it was a skunk -
we sure knew how to run!

Now sin can sure deceive us.
It's fun, this world thinks -
but it is not to play with so,
remember, sin still stinks!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Nudge the Seed 2-3-10

Do you -

-remember well, the mustard seed -
so trivial and small?
Has our faith ever touched it yet -
or been close by at all?
Mere faith can move the mountains high,
and beckons at the call.

Remember well, the miracle
when Jesus calmed the storm?
Could once, we simply execute -
or tiny one perform?
How close could be our little faith
from halting one life storm.

Remember well, protection when -
God came with comforts aid?
Now bow we ever lowly for
mistakes so great we've made.
We ask for one more miracle
and humbly we have prayed.

With trouble, insurmountable -
will faith to death now bleed?
No! God provides for many 'wants',
supplies our every need!
Will our faith move the mountains too -
if we don't nudge the seed?"

First nurtured deep in grace and soul,
and watered too, must be -
then with a perseverance -
faith grows a mighty tree -
to carry off the mountain,
and throw it to the sea.

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

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Luke 8:15 (NASB)
"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."