Voices 2-23-08

Do we read our Bibles, fold our hands,

but then forget God's great commands?

I look around our little church,

do a headcount, do a search

of each and every person there -

then ask myself, "Do we not care?"

Okay I know, I'm not to judge -

but wonder if God holds a grudge.

If God is love please tell me this -

why killing infants we dismiss?

No, the unborn cannot speak

and each is weak and so unique.

I wonder if those cries of pain

will always call to me in vain?

While fervently I pray for life -

another's lost under a knife.

Is it my fault? What have I done?

Does my vote count? I have but one.

For years and years and years and years

their cries have fallen on deaf ears....

Would I, for someone, take this cross

when that is someone else's loss?

So softens, as we wayward drift,

the echo's from His gracious gift.

Oh, some might say it's so absurd -

but was it His small voice I heard?

Our rights, oh, we'll grease and grease

while legal infants' voices cease.

Created in His image too,

their one lone right.  Is that not due?

While squeaky wheels take the oil,

the unborn are financial spoil.

Thrown out in waste cans with the trash,

replaced with dirty filthy cash.

Can I not care year after year -

nor shed again just one more tear?

Will tears no longer find my cheeks?

Do I ignore when His voice speaks?

I'm saddened I have so succumbed

to selfish ones who beat their drums.

I get accustomed, sing my praise -

while others vote their selfish ways.

We go to work. We go to schools.

We follow all their subtle rules,

Time consumes us - sun to suns.

Will God still lift us lazy ones?

When we accept another's choice,

do we not hear God's still small voice?

Do we sing hymns in mindless ease -

or really love the least of these?

Do we read Bibles, fold our hands,

but then ignore God's great commands?

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Luke 6:46 (NASB)

"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?”

Matthew 25:40 (NASB) 
 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you,

to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'"

Z 2-22-08

‘Z’ is last - but not in this poem!

Letters take thought and patience to grow 'em.

‘A’ seems reserved for its special space,

and may have tantrums if not in first place.

Twenty-five letters still have to be passed,

to find that lone ‘Z’ which was meant to be last.

I ponder the meaning of last and not first,

and wonder at one point if ‘Z’ had been cursed.

But ‘Z’, in this poem has gotten first place.

Hopefully that puts a smile on its face!

The day will soon come where first will be last,

the last will be first and won’t be surpassed.

Now here is a secret so keep your eyes peeled.
Just maybe you’ll find every letter revealed.

It was quite a chore to mix letters this way,

but this time - in last place - you'll find letter ‘A’.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Every letter can be found in this poem.
If you need help, here are the answers:
A - "A"
B - But
C - patienCe
D - reserveD
E - poEm
F - First
G - Grow
H - tHis
I - Is
J - Just
K - taKe
L - Last
M - poeM
N - Not
O - nOt
P - Poem
Q - Quite
R - letteRs
S - laSt
T - lasT
U - bUt
V - reserVed
W - groW
X - miX
Y - maY
Z - "Z"

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Mark 9:(NASB)

34 But they kept silent,
for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them,
"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

36 Taking a child, He set him before them,
and taking him in His arms, He said to them,

37 "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me;
and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."

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Will I See You? 2-21-08

.
Will I see you in Heaven?
Will I see you up there?
I love you my son.
Do you really not care?

It's hard, often times,
to find something to say,
And difficult too -
for my love to convey.

You are often busy.
You're working too hard,
Running on errands
and cleaning your yard.

Have you no more time
to come by and see me?
If we could change places
just how would that be?

Yes, what if the tables
were turned just a bit,
And you were in my shoes -
would you then admit,

That all of the efforts
I made to see you,
Were ever so feeble
and long overdue.

Oh, I am not perfect.
Not one little bit.
And I am not lonely -
as I sit and knit.

I pray and thank Him
for all He has given.
While you are unhappy,
I am forgiven.

But if you were here,
I would tell you right now,
"Repent of your troubles -
And I'd show you how."

I'd tell you 'bout Jesus -
resurrection and such,
And then too, you'd feel
the great Master's touch.

I love you my son
so please don't stay away.
Come right on over -
and do not delay.

Will I see you in Heaven?
Will I see you up there?
I love you my son.
I will keep you in prayer.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

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Working Faith 2-9-08

.
Why is faith without works always dead?
Does only God work in my future ahead?
Was I only created for church and fluff,
and am I (in His image) not good enough?

Did Jesus do nothing - but only believed,
and sweat drops like blood, but never received,
the whippings, the insults, the anger and scorns,
the judgment, the nails, the sharp crown of thorns?

If sweat were sufficient then where would I be -
without His great work on that cross just for me?
His faith produced work - and the love in God's grace,
forgave me right here as He hung in disgrace.

"Forgive them," He said, "they know not what they do."
The work was soon finished - for me and for you.
"Abba, Father!!" to God Jesus cried!!
Yes, God worked a miracle - and then Jesus died.

So can miracles happen if I only believe,
sit on my hands, excuses to weave?
If I'm to be Christ-like, if I'm to show love -
the work found within me gets strength from above.

Yes, faith without works will always be dead -
but don't believe me, for that's what God said.
I'm made in His image. I can't sit around.
And where there is need, Lord, let me be found!

Do I leave my neighbors with, "Have a nice day"
or bring them to Jesus in my special way?
In His image - in my own special place,
He gave me a mission none else can replace.

To grasp His faith, His work, His loss,
I, in His image, must too bear my cross.
I’m a mere nothing but a void, hollow shell,
unless true working faith brings His miracle...

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

Genesis 5:1(KJ)
"This is the book of the generations of Adam.
In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"

James 2:26 (NASB)
"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

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Now Me 2-3-08

I say that I love Jesus, and pray to Him each day.

But how can I love Jesus when I'm going my own way?

Do I really trust Him now, and do I really share -

Or ignore the 'least of these' and really do not care?

Can I wait another day to save a soul from death?

But who gives me tomorrow when I'm guaranteed no breath?

So why do I hold onto what - enslaves me to my wants?

And why do I so selfishly - hold to what Satan flaunts?

I cry when I see Jesus - who I've replaced with toys...

I cry when all alone I sit - without His greatest joys...

I cry when I see Jesus - my actions all deny...

I cry when I look to the cross - against the darkened sky...

I cry when I see Jesus - who I've replaced with chores...

I cry when all alone I sit - while blessings He outpours...

I cry when I see Jesus - I fall upon my face...

I cry when I look at His love - unbridled by His grace...

I cry when I see Jesus. My faults, can list them all...

I cry when I look to His face - and how He took my fall...

I cry when I see Jesus - my efforts fall short of...

I cry when I look to His face - yet floods me with His love...

I cry to Him when I am down. I cry to Him up there.

I cry to Him. I cry to Him. I cry my every prayer...

I cry when I am fastened down - as sin has tempted me...

I cry when I look to His face. From chains He sets me free!

I say that I love Jesus, and pray to Him each day.

But how can I love Jesus when I'm going my own way?

Do I really trust Him now, and do I really share -

Or ignore the 'least of these'? So do I really care?

Can I wait just one more day - to save a soul from death?

But who gives me tomorrow when I'm guaranteed no breath?

So why do I hold onto what - enslaves me to my wants?

And why do I so selfishly - hold to what Satan flaunts?

My faith cannot be split in two. I am not on the fence.

I'm hot or cold, but not lukewarm. Does that make any sense?

I've heard - or cannot hear. I'm blind – or I can see.

I'm either trusting in my God - or not. He sends now me.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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VOTE 1-1-08

America - there is but one. She cannot be replaced;
should someday soon - may God forbid - it lay in terrors' waste.

Bloody bandages surround those stars that hold this voter free.
So many soldiers bravely fought, reserving this for me.

We research every candidate through study and in prayer,
then go record our only vote, lest weakened threads might tear.

No candidate is perfect, so heed this little clue:
Find the man who's honest. Is perfection all in you?

Some lay waste their privilege, and will not go and vote...
and how'd our Nation's Anthem sound, missing just one note?

My vote is too important - for many fought and died.
My vote cannot be purchased. My vote won't be denied.

I'll not vote my pocketbook nor vote what's best for me,
but rather focus on our flag - my country 'tis of thee.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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True Need 11-19-07

Everything I cannot see -
Wind, noise, heat or gravity.
Everything I cannot hear -
Clouds colliding far and near.

I can’t see all. I can’t hear all.
Gods all-knowing. Man is small.
I can’t smell all. I can’t taste all.
God is love, and man shall fall.

We can’t sniff out our way to crawl,
But we can see ourselves so tall.
We can’t hear a simple call.
So man denies and builds his wall.

God made the stars, the earth and sky,
And all creation does comply.
God made babies so they cry.
God made all - yet man asks, “Why?”

Man needs to touch. Man needs to feel.
But God is love. We need to heal.
God stands on love. We stand on sod.
And in His image, we need God.

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

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A Little Lesson 11-18-07

Do we attempt to “create” our own God? because we think we know what He should be doing or what is best for us or our “religion”? With all the mistakes I make, I’m glad God doesn’t always answer my prayers the way I think they should be answered….

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I learned a little lesson. Let me share it with you now.
I should have told you years ago but didn't know quite how.

God is like the sunshine that blesses us for years,
Jesus, like the ocean breeze that dries our several tears.

God is faithful to us all. He doesn't fail or stray
He is like the morning sun that rises every day.

Jesus knows our troubles. He knows our every hope.
He knows which crosses we can bear. He knows that we can cope.

While death is like the darkness with troubles everywhere.
Life is like the sunshine - its brightness we all share.

This little lesson I had learned before my final day -
that I am not the 'Potter' - and God is not the clay.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Isaiah 29: 15-16 (NASB)
15Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"
16You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, "He has no understanding"

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Christmas Day 11-2-07

.

In a little manger lay,

a baby sleeping on the hay,

The Magi followed Heavens' star,

offered gifts and knelt to pray.

At that time - above the straw,

oh, to see what Shepherds saw:

A baby there, so weak and meek -

would one day bring the people awe.

The multitudes will follow Him,

one tries to seek Him from a limb.

He'd heal the sick and raise the dead,

until one day when all turns grim.

He rose again without a boast,

and then He sent the Holy Ghost.

Yes, every day's a special gift,

but Christmas day has brought us most.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Care To Carry 11-2-07

IN the pain of that cross - over Calvary's hill
I looked down around, but had loved you all still.
I saw all the multitude milling about -
And where you were standing, there is not a doubt.

Do you know where you were? Were you leading the band?
Right there up in front - with your sword firm in hand?
Or were you in back of that great multitude,
Indifferent to me? Do you know where you stood?

Through the pain of the cross - over Calvary's hill
I still look on down – but love you all still.
I see all the multitudes milling about
And where you're now standing, there is not a doubt.

Do you know where you stand? Do you now know the price?
Do you say that you love me but won't sacrifice?
Do you not know my burden? Do you not see my loss?
Do you not care for others nor carry your cross?

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

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