Autumn Leaves 10-25-09

How do those leaves expose bright, vivid colors -
that are seen throughout autumn's day,
when those same leaves in the darkness of night
are simply a cold shade of gray?

The works of the flesh are futile and worthless -
when cloaked in the darkness of sin.
Only grace proves God's light is so brilliant -
and faithfully shines truth within.

So even the greatest of all Christian trees
can't be proud of colorful deed -
but humbly drop several acorns around
faithfully planting the seed.

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

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Isaiah 66:2 (NASB)
"For My hand made all these things,Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD "But to this one I will look,To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Think About It.... 11-19-08

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There's a fork in the road.

I'm looking for a new career.

I choose one or the other,

Now where do I go from here?

There's a rock in my path.

I must make it clear.

I work hard to roll it off,

Now where do I go from here?

There's brush on the trail.

I really must persevere.

I work a lot to clear it,

Now where do I go from here?

Troubles are a way of life

and never disappear.

I've tried to fix all my troubles,

Now where do I go from here?

When I am on my deathbed,

and life is in the rear.

What do I look forward to,

And where do I go from here?

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

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/

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What Value? 9-21-08

What value are birds - without their wings?

What value is music - if no one sings?

What value is law - without pursuit?

What value are works - without good fruit?

What value are lungs - without the air?

What value are fathers - never there?

What value is wisdom – if not begun?

What value is Christmas - without God's Son?

What value are scythes - without the weeds?

What value is harvest - without the seeds?

What value are ovens - if not hotter?

What value is clay - without the potter?

What value are baths - without the soap?

What value is grace - without the hope?

What value are answers - without questions?

What value are tears – without confessions?

What value is hope - if we're naive?

What value is faith - if we can't believe?

What value is kindness - without the prayer?

What value are actions - if can’t be spared?

What value are judges - if they aren't fair?

What value is Heaven - if we aren't there?

What value is cycling - without fitness?

What value are Christians - who bear no witness?

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Matthew 10:(KJV)

32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.... 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Matthew 19:(NASB)

29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

30"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first."

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Faith 1-10-07

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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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