Cricket Wisdom 10-14-09

No one seemed to care for me,
I had no great demand.
As tears were pouring down my cheeks,
did no one understand?

A cricket jumped in front of me,
so I took it to task.
"Be treated fair" is what I said,
Was that too much to ask?

Did my friends all turn away?
Had they done what they ought?
Oh, I had done so much for them -
but it was all for naught.

I asked and asked and asked for help.
I searched, that there might be -
just two small words of wisdom -
yet no one answered me.

Even God won't answer me -
oh, don't you understand?
I felt that I was sinking fast -
grasped in life's quick sand.

That cricket sat there patiently.
It hadn't any words.
Its chirping - simply worthless,
its wisdom for the birds.

Yet still it sat in front of me -
I wished that I was dead...
But then I stopped my talking and,
"I'm listening," it said.

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

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Deuteronomy 28:41-50 (NASB)
41 "You shall have sons and daughters but they will not be yours, for they will go into captivity.
42 "The cricket shall possess all your trees and the produce of your ground.
43 "The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower.
44 "He shall lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you will be the tail.
45 "So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the LORD your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.
46 "They shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever.
47 "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things;
48 therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.
49 "The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you shall not understand,
50 a nation of fierce countenance who will have no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young.

Grandma's Place 10-11-09

I sat there on those weathered boards
as 'welcome chimes' would ring -
Yes, grandma's place was special on
her old porch swing.

Her dinners were delicious,
her cookies she would bring,
as rich aromas found me on
her old porch swing.

At times the wooden seat was damp.
The morning dew would cling -
but I just had to sit there on
her old porch swing.

The chains, stressed on occasion,
that held a many thing.
Sat, all her friends and fam'ly, on
her old porch swing.

Served well those rusty bolts.
Though not for queen or king,
but all the folk were welcomed on
her old porch swing.

The conversations several -
the arm rest, everything -
as we discussed my problems on
her old porch swing.

Nothing makes my heart so glad
and nothing makes it sing,
until I think of grandma on
her old porch swing.

Many years have long since passed.
To memories, I will cling -
those days I sat with grandma on
her old porch swing.

The workers razed the homestead -
In fear, the birds took wing,
but always in my memory is -
her old porch swing.

Some say it wasn't special,
nor good for anything -
yet that's where I found Jesus - on
her old porch swing.

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

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The Memory Train 10-5-09

Break out from the darkness. Come with me and get lost -
back in memories, in days of cold and snow -
where freezing winds whistled - but love warmed us all,
in treasured trust, around the wood stove, those many years ago.

I remember nursery rhymes and childhood games - firm discipline -
and shaking the strong rough hand of the working preacher.
I remember the new shiny shoes, new suit and a thin bow tie -
on my first day of school with flowers, and respect - for the teacher.

Remember spring rains and warm summer breezes, puffy white clouds
and scary dark ones? Bright flashes of lightning out the windows, we'd look.
And then the roar of thunder shortly followed so very loud.
Hiding under covers, I cowered in darkness - when the whole house shook.

And when a lie was told, the taste of soap-
Mama and me at the basement sink.
Respect for authority, lesson learned,
as she saved me deep from the shadowed brink.

We learned respect for others
in those good old days -
with love expressed so humbly,
in many, many ways.

Presents wrapped in color with paper's love,
to stay unopened under the lit Christmas tree -
not to be touched until that sacred time -
as excitement grew in our whole family, and me.

Though suspense held us captive,
and time seemed to freeze - and stand so still -
never moving - as a train at a station.
There we waited, and waited - and waited, for the thrill.

Oh, that bitter and horrible word 'patience' -
when focused on 'self' - was the most difficult thing to learn.
No minute rolls, microwaves, fast foods or drive-ups -
but that difficult place strengthened us – where we should return.

Barefoot and poor, I did not expect very much.
But after the suspense and curiosity, beneath the wrapping and bow -
came the excitement of unwrapping a custom gift so discovered.
I'd let out a pressure of steam with a sigh, as I heard a distant whistle blow.

Mostly, I learned to love – a peaceful love for others,
Gifts not made overseas and bought from a stores, I remember.
We learned a homemade joy - made with our very own hands -
that gave us each a lifetime of keepsakes to treasure.

Not instant self-gratification and self-indulgence which holds for a time,
a very, very short time as mere pleasure in the day -
but then is thrown in the trash to be burned with fire -
to perish - where so many good truths, wisdoms and customs, also decay.

Today, broken are plastic parts from an assembly line -
that work for a time and were made for 'whomever'.
Where presents with parts, sometimes numerous, break and vanish -
disappearing from our memories - lost and forgotten, forever.

For many, those days of old are not to be remembered -
for they are just plain, downright rotten.
Pain and sorrow, loneliness and hurt, emptiness and anger –
that darken our character, are oftentimes best forgotten.

And just as darkness can never be removed from the shadow -
no dark soul can run from its past.
They cannot separate darkness from their shadow a mere inch -
though running from that shadow of death, no matter how far, no matter how fast.

And from generation to generation, the darkness from sins shadows,
continue to follow, at every breath and gasp -
for those who will never, ever change -
nor escape its final grasp.

We weep and shed our tears for others -
as love abounds - for indeed God first loved us.
So too, we love others. Yet truth hurts,
so we cry too, in love, just as our Savior did - Jesus.

Thanks to our great culture, and the character
and the teaching of a many great men -
who cared strongly and who loved deeply, and with God's grace so abundant,
we do escape those shadows, as faith leads us into light once again.

Where love [for family, friends and neighbors, and respect for neighborhoods,
for government, and church, and God - by every man and wife] -
exceed power and money, [stock markets, retirement plans, portfolio's, lotto's, gambling, pleasure, and self] - there is life, and it's a good life.

My grandfather and my grandmother, my aunts and uncles,
my father and mother, my sisters and brothers, who cared completely,
as a firm unit, as a golden chain,
tightly and closely linked together, gave me.

So now as I think back - every tear that I shed,
is not from the sorrow, nor of the shame,
nor of any guilt - but rather thoughts
of great times - from whence we came.

So we remember well - our treasures, our thoughts, our friends -
of yesteryear. Those ties that bind -
and are never loosed, never lost, never taken -
but freely given to each other, in kind.

The tickets are free and plentiful. Jump aboard!
Remember the good times - and not the filth and grime.
The whistle blows again, at the hard, cold track of time.
Friction forgives as wheels spin, and this is the last time - the very last time.

Gone forever, the guilt of mistakes made -
for grace holds forgiveness with heavy nails,
for a humble creation with box cars of good fruit,
in the straight and narrow of those faithful rails.

Oh, 'father time' is stubborn. He doesn't wait.
It's his train and he decides when it leaves the station.
The wheels spin and spin, faster and faster -
the engine chugs and puffs, toward the colorful setting of the sun.

Many blackened souls are lost, just as dollars slip through fingers.
They continue to stand by, lingering in the shadows.
They watch as the train begins to leave the station - unable to repent, or forgive.
Pride holds fast throughout eternity. Many can only listen as the whistle blows.

'Father time' carries us, you and I on this train.
Our memories of each other don't flow through our fingers.
Oh no. Memories may fade but we fold our hands, thankful for each special time -
those joyous, precious memories, not forgotten, but remembered - lingers.

And we smile -
as we travel with Jesus -
with great respect for our Engineer.
Who will jump on board with us?

Respect time. Come out from the shadows now!
Come back to a culture long ago forgotten. Do not let yourself be bound.
Come with me and get lost - on the memory train - to remember together,
another time and place, love in grace, peace and harmony - forever found -

by the Engineer,
our precious Lord,
we welcome you...
All aboard!

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

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Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NASB)
Remember God in Your Youth
"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"

Faith, Fruit, Teach, Preach 9-29-09

FAITH. Did God 'create' it long ago -
Have we endurance as we go? / James 1:2-4
Are we so deaf we cannot hear? / Micah 7:16
What proves our fruit from year to year? / Matt 7:15,16

FRUIT. Did God 'create' it long ago -
Have we endurance as we grow? / Matt 7:17-19
Are we so blind we cannot see, / Isaiah 42:18
and why "so little faith," have we? / Matt 6:30

TEACH. Does God 'create' it as we learn -
and produce it, do we, as we yearn? / Luke 12:11,12
Are we so dumb we cannot reach? / John 20:27
Are we so weak that we can't preach? / Heb 11:32-34

PREACH. Does God 'create' it as we learn -
and produce it, do we, as we burn? / Rom 10:1
With humbleness and sincere speech, / Titus 2:7,8
do us ourselves, we also teach? / Rom 2:21

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

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James 1:2-4 (NASB) 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Micah 7:16 (NASB) Nations will see and be ashamed
Of all their might
They will put their hand on their mouth,
Their ears will be deaf.

Matthew 7:15,16 (NASB) 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

Matthew 7:17-19 (NASB) 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Isaiah 42:18 (NASB) 18 Hear, you deaf!
And look, you blind, that you may see.

Matthew 6:30 (NASB) "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Luke 12:11,12 (NASB) 11 "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

John 20:27 (NASB) Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Hebrews 11:32-34 (NASB) 32And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Romans 10:1 (NASB) Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Titus 2:7,8 (NASB) 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 2:21 (NASB) you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?

Angel Girl 9-28-09

There she was - a pretty thing,
as pure as any angel wing.
Face aglow with halo's light,
and beautiful - oh, what a sight!

Her brunette hair was perfect laid.
Her pretty dress was perfect made.
Her lips were rosy, soft and pink.
Her smile had made me stop to think.

I fell in love, right there, right then
and looked at her - again, again.
I stood, approached her cautiously.

I hoped she felt the same for me.

I held her thin and fragile hand,
hugged her close, please understand.
She was a special girl for sure,
and I was humbled next to her.

In this world, there's too much hate,
but we can change - it's not too late.
Let's not all judge what others do -
but rather love each other too.

I held the door (for I was there)
and helped her with her wheelchair.
I pray to God - but not for me,
"Please cure muscular dystrophy".

This angel girl I came across -
puts much more meaning in the cross.
I put my judgement under lid
and try to love as Jesus did.

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

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James 4:11-12 (NASB) 11 "Do not speak against one another, brethren He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
12 "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?"

Desert Sand 9-24-09

One small tiny grain of sand
is not as bad as dirt.
It's just a little sin I said.
Now what can one grain hurt?

As life grew harder every day,
they started piling up.
And even though I got my way -
so empty was my cup.

Futility! I looked around -
no hills, the desert flat.
I thought I was so very good,
but this, could not combat.

Sandy dust blew in my eyes -
and stung where’re I looked.
The sun so high up overhead.
It really, really cooked.

No roads or paths, just emptiness -
in land that didn't care.
My feet were burning in the sand.
Suns wrath was everywhere.

I ran that I might save me.
I worked horizons line.
The waves of heat were rising.
I thought I'd saw a sign.

Those far deceptions seized me
with waves of heat thereon.
Those fun mirages fooled me
and kept me moving on.

But salty sweat stung open sores
though that was not the worst -
mirages never satisfied
nor ever quenched my thirst.

My muscles ached from head to toe -
but stop, I didn't dare.
I plodded on for days and days -
Not getting anywhere.

Finally, I stopped and dropped
and others I condemned.
Those tiny grains had bested me
and I collapsed on them.

For hours I lay there helpless -
prayed selfishly for rain -
then fell asleep exhausted -
done in by tiny grain.

Then I awoke quite suddenly -
with sand still on my face.
Showers blessings pelted me -
and that, my friend, was grace.

I thanked the Lord profusely -
this selfish, evil man.
I turned my faith to heaven then.
I knew that this God can.

Just one tiny grain of sand,
held innocently in hand.
Once a tiny sin I said,
but now I understand.

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

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Revelation 7:16 (NASB) "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat..."

Patient One 9-19-09

FOR MANY YEARS they crowded me,
they grew so very tall -
for You, my Lord, had stunted me,
created me so small.

They pushed me off and stole the sun
and rose up to the sky...
but every year You held me down
and I had wondered why.

The winds and rain blew very hard,
beneath them I was crushed -
and You, my Lord, had gone away.
My every scream was hushed.

For many years this happened
and they ignored my plea -
and You, my Lord, seemed not to care
when they would laugh at me.

---

So many years have passed since then,
a hundred years or so -
yet You, my Lord, answered my prayers
as patience helped me grow.

A million weeds had laughed at me -
yet long ago they passed.
But You, dear Lord, protected me,
just as my prayers had asked.

For many years this little tree
was pushed around by weed -
but oh, dear Lord, You strengthened me
and met my every need.

And now today, I tower high.
I'm seen for many miles -
but oh, dear Lord, You taught me well,
and humbled all my smiles.

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

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Psalm 37:7 (NASB) Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Beyond All Chalk 9-15-09

At a campsite recently,
from river to the sky,
we both enjoyed creation,
just my girl and I.

At rivers edge, my baby girl -
can Jesus understand?
Yes, He knows our circumstance
as we stand hand in hand.

Right there along this river
that flows along the shore.
It carries every burden
as we feel something more.

The water flows so gently -
the grasses lush and green -
the birds take full advantage
of God's tremendous scene.

While some trees upward tower,
a few are very small -
but here they live together
and there is room for all.

A hint of truth we notice
from glitters off the waves -
and there beyond the twilight
we know that Jesus saves.

A cool breeze enfolds us -
nearby flowers we can smell.
Except for God's begotten Son,
Wendy's very special.

There's no one who is greater
than this, my little one -
for she has taught forgiveness
and made our lives so fun.

No sweeter joy God's offered -
my spirit, Wendy lifts!
What greater things are given
than all her special gifts?

Man thinks that he's so special
but can he 'walk the talk'?
As nothing can surpass God's truth -
exposed beyond all chalk.

As darkness comes across us
still standing on that shore,
we'll one day see more vividly -
God's promise offers more.

For God so loved my Wendy,
He gave her special charms -
and one day she'll be resting in
her Master's precious arms.

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

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1 Peter 4:10 (NASB) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

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Learn more about Wendy Davis at http://www.chalkartist.com/daughter/daughter.htm

Learn more about her father and chalk artist Randy Davis http://www.chalkartist.com/index.html

A Greater Crown 9-14-09

This big old world has judged me
and here, this is what they see -
an old and crooked branch that
once had held a potpourri,
but though I want to speak up
I can only set here mute -
and now they often wonder why
I'm void of any fruit.

It matters not what others
think as they bear fruit instead -
and though they judge me mightily
and think me almost dead -
their branches, burden heavily
with fruit that makes them droop,
as they clan up together in
one big and happy group.

None have stepped into my sandals
nor has drank from my own cup,
and they haven't my experience
and do not know what's up.
So this is why they see my branch
is bare from day to day -
for every time I grow some fruit -
it's given fast away.

Sometimes I want to keep some
as I really am in need,
but there's a voice that whispers
with a wisdom true, indeed.
Rewards aren't really needed
on this land of earthly sod,
for a greater crown awaits me
from the true and living God.

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

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Matthew 13:23
"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

Of Tree And Book 9-11-09

Creation: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word -
was with God and the Word was God. Unbridled truth occured.

Then from dust of the earth, He formed this simple, feeble man
and from this vast creation, two worlds of our God began.

Then man sinned. Yet with the Tree of Life and man's Garden gone
God still prepares a special place, and soon a perfect dawn.

He, through His sure time, from Genesis to Revelation,
allows He the pit of death and all misinterpretation.

And through this time - from the Tree of Life to the Book of life,
truths are still held in His Word - just as sin held Adam's strife.

When truths are exposed, sin is found and fully uncovered.
Truth hurts, as pain pierces with facts which are finally discovered.

Truth sought me out also - but then I didn't want to hear.
I roamed in circles daily and was lost from year to year.

But though my ears were opened, I still lived sins horrid pain -
with hands on my ears, I screamed and cried in futile vain.

Thirty nine lashes there would be. So very loud I'd shout.
"Oh ye of little faith" God said as His grace sought me out.

My sin burned as smoke in my eyes - but when I knelt in awe,
with mind and soul united, understanding I then saw.

His Word close, I hold to heart, as I read it every day -
and from its truths and words of wisdom, I will never sway.

From chapter to book, phrase to word, I'll never be accursed,
for God's truth doesn't bend a bit, nor dance from verse to verse.

I, a measure of faith God gave, as He is just and fair.
I pulled my hands off both my ears, then closed in humble prayer.

Will paper from the Tree of Life, and cross Christ hung upon -
with blood that inked the Book of Life, contain my name thereon?

The Tree of Life had perfect root - t'was pleasing to the eye,
the Book of Life contains the truth - produced what fruit, have I?

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

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Genesis 2:9 (KJ) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Revelation 3:5 (KJ) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.