"I want to thank all those who come from around the world and read the poetry that God has inspired me with to make the world a more pleasant and peaceful place. This site shall always be totally free for everyone with no tracking, pop-up ads & videos or other distractions." ~louis gander

April 19, 2012

Noah's Ark 4-19-12


It must have been a massive chore
to build an ark so large,
for such a man so elderly,
but man who did take charge.

It must have been a massive job
with those archaic tools,
(no power saws or cordless drills).
He seemed to break all rules.

It must have taken massive trust
to know what it was for -
to dedicate so many years -
to build so far offshore.

It must have taken massive faith
to face a sneering crowd.
To build the ark took many years
while they had laughed out loud.

It must have been a massive feat
corralling animals -
but two by two, they all had come -
the timid and the bulls.

It must have been a massive herd -
it must have been a sight -
from large to small they gathered 'round
but it came out just right.

It must have been a massive rain
that flooded all the ground -
and Noah could not save the lost.
God shut the door. They drowned.

It must have been a massive storm -
for forty nights and days.
But when the storm clouds did disperse,
God blessed in loving ways...

And bursting forth in massive hues,
a vibrant bowing arc,
as God's fantastic rainbow glowed
for Noah and his ark.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Genesis 7 (NASB)

The Flood

1 Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. 2 You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; 3 also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” 5 Noah did according to all that the LORD had commanded him.

6 Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. 7 Then Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood. 8 Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that creeps on the ground, 9 there went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.10 It came about after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.12 The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.

13 On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark, 14 they and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, all sorts of birds. 15 So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. 16 Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.

17 Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. 18 The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. 20 The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. 21 All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; 22 of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23 Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. 24 The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.

April 15, 2012

Coat Of Many Colors 4-15-12


If brothers plot to kill you -
they tease and taunt and gloat -
and it was taken from you -
your multicolored coat -

if sin and evil torture you -
and throw you in a pit -
if dry and dusty are those walls
yet you refuse to quit -

if try, you to convince them -
but heckles are aplenty -
if sold then into slavery -
for shekels, only twenty -

if sold again, again you are -
and lies persist unjust -
if after you are thrown in jail -
in God, you still will trust -

then after all is said and done -
and king and father see -
the tears of joy will flow again.
Forgiving there will be.

Oh, God will one day make amends
to them who were deceived -
and 'coat of many colors' is,
for those who have believed...

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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(The plot against Joseph starts in Genesis, chapter 37)

April 13, 2012

Hurry Up! 4-13-12


We rush to get ready,
grab wallet and keys,
unlock the old car door,
ignore the fresh breeze.

We start the small engine,
rotating the key,
then buckle our seat belts,
turn on the AC.

We roll down the window,
the radio hear.
Adjusting the mirrors,
we slip it in gear.

Our lives are so busy,
we hurry a lot -
of 'here and now' errands,
eternity not.

We run to appointments,
we run on a whim,
our souls unimportant -
until we see Him.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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April 12, 2012

His Hands 4-12-12


"I've cried my eyes out every day.
My burdens, I've out-poured
in never-ending prayers to You.
Why can't You hear me Lord?

"Oh Lord, the stinging hurts me so.
They smear my wounds with salt.
My mind is scarred and You know why.
These burdens aren't my fault.

"And physically, I'm also scarred.
Each hurts a different way.
So tell me... once again I ask,
'Do You hear what I say?'"

"As days go by, I cannot cope.
Will nothing ever change?
If there were different burdens Lord,
I'd happily exchange.

"I'd trade all mine for other ones.
This pain is just too great.
Please let me trade my burdens in,
if it is not too late."

And then I saw my Savior's hands,
cupped high above my head.
He slowly lowered them down to me,
and this is what He said.

"If you wish, then I will trade.
Your Savior understands.
I'll take each burden you don't want.
Just place them in my hands."

Collected I, my burdens all.
They numbered as the stars.
But just before I threw them in,
I saw those nail scars.

Instinctively, I held them back.
Now I was at a loss...
I cannot trade my burdens for
His day upon the cross.

"Oh come, my dear and troubled child -
come rest in my embrace.
Have faith that I will vanquish them
and I will show you grace."

But once again, still weak in trust,
and hesitant, I feared -
Yet one by one I set them in
as each one disappeared!

Now I have grace...  And burdens?  None!
No cross of any kind!
I gave to Jesus everything -
and now have peace of mind.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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April 1, 2012

The Good Samaritan 4-1-12


A doctor saw an angry mob -
and money they had stolen,
but then he passed the beaten man
now broke and cut and swollen.

A lawyer watched the boastful crowd
with sly and greedy grin.
He pondered many lawsuits but -
the man just wouldn't win.

A businessman was by the man
and picked up every stone.
A collector may pay hundreds
for each one they had thrown.

A priest was standing with the thieves.
He knew they needed teaching -
then gave the beaten man advice
with all his finest preaching.

Reporters interviewed the crowd
and printed many quotes.
A politician saw the group
and all their many votes.

He held a newborn baby and
he placed a tender kiss -
promised help for everyone -
ran for higher office.

At last, a good Samaritan
passed up the world's reward.
He cleaned his cuts and bandaged him
and paid for room and board.

Does money, fame or pride seize you -
through Satan's evil lies?
Then be 'a Good Samaritan'
and "go and do likewise."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Luke 10: 25-37
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him,
saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
 27 And he answering said,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
 30 And Jesus answering said,

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,
which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way:

and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,

came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:

and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine,

and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
 35 And on the morrow when he departed,

he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him,
Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

March 28, 2012

Are We There Yet? 3-28-12


Vacation! What a pleasure!
To relax, on beaches bask...
but seven blocks away from home,
my backseat driver asked,

Are we there yet?

Vacationing, we drive along -
just spending time together.
It seems that nothing goes our way,
and this time? Rainy weather!

Are we there yet?

Vacation, scenic landscapes.
Now is this all in vain?
Is this, the scenic way the best?
Should we have taken plane?

Are we there yet?

Vacation. What's the purpose -
the drive or destination?
And then distracted with my thoughts,
was handed a citation.

Are we there yet?

Oh, sometimes we are so confused
and so delirious -
living in a world of fun.
Are we too serious?

Are we there yet?

Vacation. Can we live one?
Restoring peace within...
Then broken from my deepest thoughts,
my youngest asks again,

Are we there yet?

So what's our destination
exposed behind each task?
Sweep, do we, sins under rug -
then have the shame to ask,

"Are we there yet?"

Once at our destination,
may judgment not be grave -
when God asks if we've lived for us
or all to Jesus gave...

Are we there yet?

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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March 20, 2012

Tears No Longer 3-20-12


Behind the doors of many homes,
no matter where you go -
a multitude of people weep.
Their tears forever flow...

I sat behind my mommy in
the back seat of our car.
My daddy did the driving, but
we didn't get too far.

My mom and I were talking,
and we were smiling wide,
but someone ran the traffic light
and hit us hard broad-side.

The truck came out of nowhere -
the driver, DUI.
And buckled in her seat belt, mom
had watched my daddy die.

I woke up in a hospital -
in pain for several days.
Our fragile world turned up-side-down
in many, many ways...

"Jesus, heal my broken heart.
I feel emotion's tug,
whenever mommy holds me tight
and gives me daddy's hug.
Embraced below Your sunsets
through visions of the wreck -
I know my mom is crying too.
Her tears run down my neck.

"She says we'll be in Heaven there.
It is her only prayer.
Daddy, mother, also I -
are in Your precious care.
Though she forgives the driver -
forget? She never will.
And though the years are passing by,
our tears are flowing still.

"But please forgive me Jesus -
I can't get on my knees.
Fun and laughter, drugs and beer
is all the world sees.
Is several years of crying worth
some stranger's day of fun?
'They know not what they do' You said.
Our tears forever run.

"You hear all my petitions
My deepest thoughts I share.
Your great omniscient presence
surrounds my wheel chair.
And I am not discouraged.
Through faith in You, I know -
in Heaven, we'll be together -
where tears no longer flow."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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March 11, 2012

The Lighthouse 3-11-12



What draws the eye to the lighthouse?
Oh say, what could it be?
Now how could a light on a mighty 'Rock'
forgive lost souls at sea?
There are no ropes to pull them in,
no maps of where to go -
and we hear cries from crashing waves -
under the beacon's glow.

Relentlessly, the wind blows now -
the noise, as a million drum!
The angry sea will swallow scores,
as the weak in faith succumb.
Through rain and hail and deadly fog,
sins weather strangely mixed -
a faint, but 'Guiding Light' shines through -
if eyes are firmly fixed.

The lighthouse sounds its foghorn out,
proclaiming, "Christ is King".
Our voices chime in harmony
as we rejoice and sing!
We find all comfort in the 'Rock'
as the faithful lighthouse calls.
It's then that storms surrender and
receding darkness falls,

What draws the eye to the lighthouse?
Oh say, now what could it be?
How can a Man on an old rugged cross,
help souls still lost at sea?
Secure in the 'Rock', we understand -
as the beacon lights the sky.
And as long as we see the halo -
forgive. "They know not why."

And tell them,
tell them if you dare!
Tell them when they're troubled.
Tell them with a prayer.
Tell them Christ is waiting.
Tell them God is fair.
Tell them Jesus loves them.
Tell them if you care.
Tell them God still loves the world.
Now go, and gospel share.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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March 8, 2012

Adrift! 3-8-12


The waves were crashing everywhere -
port, starboard, forward, aft...
My troubles kept on pouring in,
upon my humble raft.

The typhoon winds of pain whipped up -
first one way, then the other.
My earthly troubles slashed about -
another and another.

Adrift on troubled waters vast,
but where? I did not know!
And here out on the stormy seas -
there was dark death below.

The shark infested waters there
that I remember still -
snapped temptations fangs at me
and broke my fragile will.

And then on top of everything,
it couldn't get much worse -
when wet, dense fog surrounded me -
my little faith, a curse.

I screamed from my position there,
"Do something! Please... You must!"
My fist shook at the Heavens.
I lacked sufficient trust.

I threw my hands up in the air
and wondered, "What's the use?"
Now isn't this the way life goes?
Then sodden ropes let loose!

The wicked waves tore at the logs.
My raft began to split.
Apart, my hopes had scattered off.
What could I do, but quit?

And then when giving up on life -
I saw - but could it be??
Walking troubled waters there -
my Lord had came toward me!

But my raft finished breaking up.
The waves were just too great...
My groping arms flung out to Him -
but He was just too late...

With remnants of my raft adrift -
this Jesus disappeared!
Out in the fog He vaporized -
a sick mirage, I feared.

The gift of life is special, but -
eternal life much more.
For Jesus was my sacrifice,
and who that cross was for.

Were hope and faith both obsolete
as waves crashed on my back?
Last remnants of my raft dispersed -
and everything went black.

Engulfed by churning breakers then,
my feet touched solid stone...
God's precious love threw me to shore!
I never was alone!

I'm thankful God broke up my raft.
Could I have asked for more?
That raft was really nothing with -
my Jesus on the shore!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Psalm 23:4
 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

March 2, 2012

As God Whispers 03-02-12


Don't give me a brand new computer
to type all the words on my mind -
just give me an old scrap of paper
and maybe some words I can find -
to write with my old, stubby pencil,
a poem or two I think of,
to soften the hardest of hardened hearts -
and write a few words of God's love.

And no, I do not have erasures.
I used them up long, long ago -
for mine was the worst of all wicked hearts -
and lowest of all of the low...
I tried to erase every one of my sins,
that I scribbled for years on my heart -
but only a cross where Jesus shed blood
could give me a "born-again" start.

Though I am not better than anyone else
no matter how I have been livin'...
There's only one thing that has set us apart -
and that is, through faith, I'm forgiven.
So please give an old scrap of paper,
to someone contented to be -
writing, as God whispers breezes,
in shade of this old willow tree.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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