"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

August 3, 2014

Where Am I? 8-3-14


On a scale up to one hundred, please heart, tell me where am I?
With Jesus at one hundred... or with Satan will I die?

I believe that I'm a Christian - so "Christ-like" and divine -
but am I par with Jesus?  Say, with whom do I align?
If I'm not at one hundred then I've missed my Jesus' call.
Have I not helped the "least of these" nor fed them much at all?

Am I too busy with my house, my new car or career?
Does dining out or shopping have me so entrenched right here?
Now when's the last time I have served?  Have I been caught off-guard?
Yes, when's the last time I've obeyed?  Is my heart soft or hard?

Yes, I can make excuses thinking I'm above the most -
but if not at one-hundred, I'm a liar and a boast.
'Ye ac-cursed ones, depart from Me, into eternal fire.
Yes, Jesus knows that I am just a weak, pathetic liar!

Sincerely and profusely I cry out, "Please God, forgive!"
It's then grace covers all my sin and I 'one-hundred' live...
My idols do deceive me as I live from day to day -
so have I walked with Satan... thinking it was Jesus' way?

On a scale up to one hundred, please heart, tell me where am I?
With Jesus at one hundred... or with Satan will I die?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Matthew 25 (NASB)
The Judgment

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 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.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

July 30, 2014

The Great Poet 7-30-14


Oh, God is the great poet,
the universe of rhymes.
With perfect balance- all His stars
yet speak in these dark times.

Our Great Creator perfectly
sets worlds with his dictate -
while man discovers one small speck
then thinks that he is great.

He boasts of all his theories
and brags of every gain,
but can't interpret simple things -
or gravity explain.

He sits atop his buildings.
He peers down his long nose,
but topples with confusing words -
for that is how it goes.

Oh, God is the great poet -
the universe of rhymes.
With perfect balance- all His stars
yet speak in these dark times.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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July 1, 2014

Pretend 7-1-14


Pretending as I have since birth
right up to now, today -
those fun and selfish things I've spun
to get things my own way.

Well, I would always cry and whine
if I was not chastised -
and tantrums were my specialty
if wants weren't realized.

As teens, my friends and I would joke.
We'd smoke a cigarette.
We sometimes laughed at other folk,
without the least regret.

The beer I drank had proved me cool.
the drugs, to get me high.
Abortion took a precious life -
deception's selfish lie.

Yet at the top of my own list
were comforts by the score...
from better cars to bigger homes
and oh, so much, much more.

I thought about how good I was -
and things that I deserved.
I bragged about the good I'd done
and all the folks I'd served.

I slammed the door on all those things
I'd just as soon forget -
but stubborn guilt had gripped me so
and hadn't left me yet.

Convince myself, I still do try
and fool my closest friend -
but Heaven, though, cannot be fooled
and God does not pretend.

(author's note: I did not smoke, drink or do drugs)
©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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June 26, 2014

Good and Faithful Friends 6-26-14


No words adorned the papers here.  So full, the ink well was.
The quill had waited silently.  The reason?  Well, because.

The poems that this poet writes are few and far between -
and many are the paper sheets with rhyming yet unseen.

The window sash was raised a bit allowing breezes in -
that brought to life my little desk and stirred my thoughts within.

A wisp of air caught paper's edge and seemed to make it say,
"Oh, please don't sit there all alone.  Let's write of God today."

The puff of breeze caught feathered quill and drew some ink up too.
God's spirit seized my timid hand and started something new.

The soft, round curved calligraphy brought energetic drive
to everything inside that room and all had came alive.

His Word brings life to everything - but only if it's read.
for into us, God breathes His truth.  Without Him, all is dead.

God's spirit moves the dust of earth and draws us to His light.
His Word begins to stir us up.  His spirit makes us write.

God gives us paper, quill and ink and all the truth He sends -
for He has given to us all, these good and faithful friends.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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June 10, 2014

Irises, The 6-10-14



I look out of my window.
I'm not at all sure why.
The breezes make some flowers dance.
The movement draws my eye.

So beautiful, the flowers.
Succeeded, mom's green thumb.
I'm pulled back now to life's bright light,
this dark world kept me from.

She aided God's tremendous works
right here where I can see -
the white and purple miracles
that stand triumphantly.

And how the irises have bloomed
without mom being there!
For she had worked so diligent -
the ground, with loving care.

My mem'ry sketches her at work
still pulling ev'ry weed -
and then she watered carefully,
to fill their ev'ry need.

The beauty of the bloom today
was not an easy chore -
and not her efforts from last week,
but work from years before.

The bright and vivid iris bloom
is still alive today.
Mom drew God's great creation out...
before she passed away.

No, she's not here to see them now -
these stately iris flowers -
but she taught me that faithfulness
will bloom creation's powers...

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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May 24, 2014

A Dried & Fragile Flower 5-24-14


A dried and fragile flower, I -
hold close to broken heart
that cries in fervent, heavy tears
so Godly peace would start.
It's from my mama's funeral.
Yes, dried, completely dead -
and though it's fragile, I hold close
...to what she always said.
---
"So many people want to bloom
and live life their own way -
While stems are often hidden, they
support the whole bouquet.

"Beware of pride's deception!
That's what the Bible warns
in Obadiah One, verse three.
Be careful with those thorns.

"Not one small single flower blooms
without the narrow stem -
so treat folks how you'd like to be -
be treated back by them.

"Affect the different colored rose -
and do not them, reject.
Remember, a good Christian has
deep love and great respect."

Now everybody loved my mom -
'cause she loved everyone.
Though poor, was always giving more -
as if she'd just begun.

And mom was very patient too.
For years she went without.
Yet joy was heard in all her prayers.
With that, there was no doubt.

Her words were like this flower here.
And I had always tried -
to comprehend her fragile words
she left before she died.
---
A dried and fragile flower, I -
hold close to broken heart
that cries in fervent, heavy tears
so Godly peace would start.
It's from my mama's funeral.
Yes, dried, completely dead -
and though it's fragile, I hold close
...to what she always said.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Obadiah 1:3 (NASB)
"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,
You who live in the clefts of the rock,
In the loftiness of your dwelling place,
Who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?'"

May 20, 2014

And That Is Why 5-20-14



Children sleep.
Moms cry.
Moms lie awake nights.
That is why.

Children hunger.
Moms cry.
Moms work several chores.
That is why.

Children question.
Moms cry.
Moms know their child's thoughts.
That is why.

Children argue.
Moms cry.
Moms have softer hearts.
That is why.

Children tempted.
Moms cry.
Moms love their children.
That is why.

Children in sin.
Moms cry.
Moms have more wisdom.
That is why.

Children troubled.
Moms cry
pleading with Jesus.
That is why.

Children busy.
Moms cry.
Moms miss them so much.
That is why.

Children absent.
Moms cry
alone in the 'home'.
That is why.
---
And that is why
God's love can touch.
He sent His Son
who suffered much.

We're children, all -
sinners, mankind.
Confess, repent -
then seek to find.

Moms and children
hug and cry.
Jesus saves
and that is why.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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May 17, 2014

Amanda 5-16-14


(based on a true story)

The daughter? About eight or nine -
but very able, was.
Amanda helped her parents out
in stable there because -

the bank had threatened all they had,
demanding every cent.
The housing crisis lingered on.
The stress was great torment.

Now she could make some extra cash
and help them out 'a ton'.
Yes, she could help her daddy out -
while chores were being done...

She took a chalkboard she thought large
and took a piece of chalk.
She headed down the driving way, just
a quarter-mile walk.

She tried to write her letters large
enough so all could see -
in hopes that many drivers there
could see her humble plea.

(actual sign)

"PET SITTING AND
HORSE BOARDING
AVAILABLE."

The cars drove by, but no one stopped.
It made her feel sad.
She wanted so, to do her part -
but it turned out all bad.

As she had started up the drive
long tears ran down her cheeks -
but she had kept on trying for
those many, many weeks.

She once was very happy but
the stress had seized the fun.
Day after day, she cleaned the stalls
until her chores were done.

The day had come they had to pack.
She woke before the dawn.
The barn was void of any life
with animals now gone.

The kittens, puppies, bunnies were
so very soft to touch -
and with them, horses, llamas too -
she missed them all so much.

The bank had made its billions while
Amanda made her bed.
She knelt with tightly folded hands -
and this is what she said:

"Dear Jesus, love my daddy please.
He worked so very hard.
And he could fix most anything,
around our little yard.
He sacrificed for forty years
and helped so many folk -
but then the stress had worn him out -
depressed, no savings, broke.

I thought my tears were all used up,
had dried and gone away -
but more and more still follow them,
on each horrific day.
Oh Jesus, if Your love is great,
please take dad by the hand -
and lead him by still waters there
into Your 'promise land'.

And mama- she still works so hard.
Lord, what are we to do?
Her tears are in abundance too -
but dollars, very few.
There is no garden here to work.
There is no barn and chores.
There is no future I can see
and no more open doors."
---
Do you see hungry children?
Do you see 'signs of chalk'?
Are you concerned, speak up enough -
and do you 'walk your talk'?

For God sees inside all our hearts,
He knows who loves the Lord.
You bet He knows how much we give -
or rather, if we hoard.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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May 10, 2014

In Case You Just Forgot 5-10-14


Oh, come what may, let mothers say
what's good and what is not.
Though skies are gray, it's child's play.
Are you still just a tot?
Don't be that way, it's quite okay
to give her all you've got.
Hugs can't betray.  Simply obey.
your mom wears polka-dot.

Now don't delay nor let it weigh -
or life is all for naught.
Without essay, just jot away.
You needn't write a lot.
Then find the ray in bright bouquet,
Has heart not one soft spot?
And finally pray.  It's Mother's Day,
(in case you just forgot).

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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May 6, 2014

Pile Of Leaves 5-6-14


Our knowledge grew but wisdom knew
a massive pile of leaves.
Wind kicked them high.  We watched them fly
on God's stiff autumn breeze.
Without a care they danced up there.
If each one was a letter,
they'd flock like birds creating words
while God put them together.

If words were formed would hearts be warmed
or ruin all our plans?
Are we so smart we'd fall apart
and then make our demands?
Oh, have not we, humility
and other Godly traits?
Please give us peace as burdens cease -
for patience always waits.

Not one's shoving.  Leaves are loving.
They begin this phrase.
"Your disbelief in every leaf
cannot give God the praise!"
Yes, it'd be weird if words appeared
and we'd not have to guess.
But notice there, a simple prayer
that goes something like this:

"Savior Jesus, please don't give us
everything we want.
This world brings so many things -
those things we only flaunt.
So we'll be true to only You
and have no other 'gods'.
Then You may ease our temper please,
so we won't be at odds."

If we can't learn and can't discern,
restrain us then in fetters.
Please underline, bold font is fine -
and then enlarge the letters.
Our knowledge grows - but wisdom knows
a massive pile of leaves.
Wind kicks them high.  We watch them fly
on God's stiff autumn breeze.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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