Did I Forget 11-26-14

If heart is hard, my eyes are dry.

Have I forgotten how to cry?

Can I still weep? Do I know how?

Where are my tears? Where are they now?

Did I forget the virgin birth,

that Jesus healed, of Jesus' worth?

Did I forget when Jesus prayed,

before arrest, was then betrayed?

Did I forget that they abused,

beat, mocked and whipped - and then accused?

Did I forget the gross details,

the crown of thorns, the piercing nails?

Did I forget He paid the price?

Did I forget His sacrifice?

Did I forget down through the years -

of Jesus' blood, of Jesus' tears?

Did I forget while knowing this -

I lived a life of ease and bliss

...my roof above, my car, my shoes,

that I have food, the clothes I choose?

If heart is hard, my eyes are dry.

Have I forgotten how to cry?

Can I still weep? Do I know how?

Where are my tears? Where are they now?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Romans 12 (NASB)

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: ifprophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he whoteaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, withliberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Laying Bricks 11-22-14

My life, I'd built with heavy bricks -

each day set on another.

When mortared in with selfishness

I stacked them with another.

So proud I was of what I'd built,

a life of great success -

that I had so convinced myself

that God would surely bless.

But lies, deceit had ruined me

by devious elite!

My bricks came tumbling down one day

and crumbled 'round my feet.

Self pity drew long tears for years,

my future looked so dim.

No longer good for me to hold,

I gave those bricks to Him.

When He accepted all those bricks

I had no place to hide -

so humbleness came over me

and vanquished all my pride.

Oh, why had Jesus taken them -

those bricks that gave me loss?

My sins, my burdens, all those bricks

had nailed Him to the cross!

More tears began to soak my cheeks.

The floodgates opened wide.

Then Jesus took those very bricks

and set them all aside.

He soaked them in His loving grace,

then paved long streets of gold.

And then prepared, He more of them,

much greater to behold.

If we could only look beyond

our selfish, little wall,

we'd catch a glimpse of miracle,

the greatest of them all.

It rises up through wonderment,

past clouds of earthly lies,

to castle built with bricks of grace,

that reach the highest skies.

My tears no longer need to wash -

my selfish bricks away -

for I'm inside His castle now,

"forgiven" you might say.

Content and happy I am now

to know He's given me -

a life to prove my faithfulness,

through pure sincerity.

Yes, living in this castle that's

awash in loving hues -

awash in grace above it all,

a place 'the lost' can choose.

I look outside its window now

down to the busy street,

at people who are like I was -

where Christ, they too could meet.

But Jesus sees them walking by -

as they're too blind to see -

too blind by their distracting walls,

with lives that are not free...

...not free from selfish, sinful bricks

so mortared tight with pride,

they cannot see beyond their walls

to Christ on other side.

At times I see an infant child.

For 'wants' they had been sold.

But Jesus takes them in His arms,

though motionless and cold...

...and there on streets now paved with gold

where sin can be undone,

in loving hands, He breathes new life

into each little one.

Please tell me, can you shed some tears

to wash away your bricks -

your bricks of futile, selfish days

that only Christ can fix?

Please tell me, can you shed some tears

to wash away your days -

your days of labor laying bricks

for lighter, joyous ways?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

When Under Knife 11-17-14

If Tom, the turkey, you had been -

what would you tell the Butcher when

he raised his knife Thanksgiving Day?

Well, listen to what 'Tom' would say:

---

"Remember children, love your mom.

Respect her as you did this 'tom'.

Oh, don't be selfish.  Don't be mean

and don't be giddy or obscene.

There's something I must let them do

and some day you may need to too.

You'll know, one day, what it's about

but do not fear and do not pout.

We sacrifice for those we love

as Jesus did once up above

when He was hung upon that tree

for people all around you see.

So do not think about yourselves.

Protect those eggs there on the shelves.

And live a life that God can bless,

a life of love and faithfulness."

---

At that, the butcher raised his knife

and ended then, a fulfilled life

that blessed the hungry, cold and weak.

When under knife, how would you speak?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Path Beyond Trees, The 11-13-14

Do you only believe what's in front of your eyes,

not gravity ever - or winds that arise?

Are you blind to the truth
because of one tree?

Oh, where is the forest
that you cannot see?

And where is your faith when filled with temptation?

Do you trust mere eyes that see only creation?

Some worship mere trees
or shallow, lost sects

while some think they're priv'leged,
who God elects.

Yes, many are lost from Creator they seek,

the forest of truth is unknown and looks bleak.

They love themselves
instead of "these".
They can't see forest
because of the trees.

They think they know salvation.  They don't.
They think they'll see Jesus.  They won't.

They love their lives
and things on shelves.
They love attention,
and themselves.

Your faith is the key!  Unlock forest's door!

The path beyond trees finds grace and much more!

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Matthew 7:22, 23 (NASB)
22 "Many will say to Me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name,
and in Your name cast out demons,
and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;
DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

With His Remaining Breath 11-8-14

He overflows his plate with food,

anticipating taste.

He overflows his closets too

not caring of the waste.

He has to have the finest car

with leather seats and 'air'.

His bank accounts are just for him.

For poor?  He doesn't care.

Huge profits fill his bank accounts.

His profiting is fun.

He'd sell his soul to profit more.

He'd sell to anyone.

His home, he fills with furniture,

the finest he can find.

He then enjoys his fav'rite game

to ease his guilty mind.

He fills his days with everything

and his most latest whim.

And this 'enjoyment' fills his life.

He fills his life with him.

I pity such a person who

has no room in his heart -

for God or love or charity -

who fin'lly falls apart.

How guilty, lonely he will be

just days before his death.

Oh, he'll recall his life of 'self'

with his remaining breath.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

We Have A Choice 10-15-14

My friends and I just hung around

in places one might find profound -

on maples, oaks and other trees -

because, you see, we were mere leaves.

The autumn winds, oh how they blew.

They made us dance and wiggle too.

Deception's lie rode in the wind

had made us 'want' and we had sinned.

The bees were buzzing in their hive.

It wasn't fair they were alive.

It wasn't fair that we weren't free

for we were stuck here on this tree.

But then my friends had found, one day,

just how to ride a special way.

They laughed and giggled by and by

upon the wind.  How they could fly!

So gaily and so selfishly,

they joked around so carelessly.

Exciting times, it seemed they had.

They thought it funny they were bad.

"Come join the party we will throw."

They taunted me and screamed, "Let go!"

My friends had left me one by one,

but wicked winds are never done.

The windy, frigid swirling air

had tortured me.  It didn't care.

Except for me, the tree was bare

and I was so alone up there.

Oh yes, temptation had its grip -

but I held on despite the whip

of winds that howled around the limbs.

For I had faith and gospel hymns.

I prayed and prayed to God above,

for He had shown me so much love.

My friends had fallen, didn't know

they now were buried under snow.

The moral of the story here?

Don't be deceived by friend or peer.

Just listen to God's still, small voice.

He gave His Son.  We have a choice.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate;

for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction,

and there are many who enter through it.

14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,

and there are few who find it.

Reach Out In Love 10-12-14

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek

not caring of another.

And each absorbed in selfish woe

did not know of the other.

Oh, how can we be any good

just thinking of ourselves?

And how can we become like Christ,

if locked inside our shells?

Don't be afraid to break your shell.

Give sacrificially.

Reach out in love with both your arms

and live life faithfully.

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek

not caring of another.

And each absorbed in selfish woe

did not know of the other.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

One Fibber's Lies 9-19-14

Oh yes, those fibs that he had told,

repeated were, 'til they got old -

by his czars and Congress too.

But those who questioned?  Very few.

He promised 'hope' and promised 'change' -

but what we got was really strange.

Yes!  Keep your doctor, keep your nurse!

Sure!  Keep your wallet and your purse...

Began in Senate, tax bill was,

but care what's legal?  Why, because -

what, promised he, was better than

our current "bad" insurance plan.

So then he took his phone and pen -

and offered bribes again, again,

He offered things that weren't legit -

until it passed (to learn what's in it).

His fibs were sold, retold and cooked -

and oh, the folks who came to look!

His spite, spewed he, among the classes...

festered hate between the masses.

One more fiasco, his 'Exchange'.

Two dozen times his law would change

without the Congress or a bill -

but as a king there on 'the hill'.

Rates too high?  Forget your troubles!

The big surprise?  Deductibles!

 "Affordable", the biggest lie -

now we, the people cry and die.

Yes, some bought in to 'plan' they praised -

then lost their savings to his ways.

Death Panels spy the old and youth.

But some weren't duped.  We knew the truth.

Now 'we the people' scream and shout

until good 'change' will come about.

Protest it in each language spoken:

"You can't fix what isn't broken!"

You lied and lied but cannot force -

Americans to pay, of course -

to corporate greed and CEOs -

whose morals dropped to record lows.*

When selfishness and profits meet,

health care takes the driver's seat.

Deceiving minds of God's creation,

they love money - not the Nation.

Now it's okay they have huge clout

but really, what's it all about?

...health care or huge salaries?

Fair?  Tell us if you please.

It really eats inside my craw

they're living high on mandate's law.

If others pay my health care bill,

responsibilities we'll kill.

From elderly to babe's in cribs,

good health care lost to liar's fibs.

And who will count each one who dies -

because of just one fibber's lies?

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
"For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

-------

*http://www.healthcare-now.org/health-insurance-ceo-pay-skyrockets-in-2013

In Our Uncertain World 09-09-14

So blessed we are to live a life apart from evil gun -

where worshiping and liberty are free for everyone.

Please don't be so uncaring here with all our ease and fun -

and give in love abundantly - for we have much.  Them?  None.

---

Am I too poor to pray to God?  Too young to ask for aid?

I feel a bit inadequate and I was so afraid.

My story's not exciting but, here are the cruel facts:

Deny our true and living God or pay their heavy tax.

Their's isn't a religion - but a twisted, evil cult.

And most don't understand it all, so hence here's the result:

We now live in a little tent not far from evil guns.

Uprooted from our home, we were - and lost all our possessions.

My parents cry and pray a lot.  My brothers, sister too -

but evil sin is powerful, so what are we to do?

I'm certain you are thankful that you're not a refugee.

I'm living with my parents here because I am Iraqi.

I walk around our little tent on dry and sandy sod

and wonder when we'll all be saved by our almighty God.

I'm not quite sure how many weeks or months we can survive

but I have faith and thank my God that we are still alive.

There isn't any grocery store to buy some food and drink.

Oh, why have we been banished here?  My hunger makes me think.

And though our hunger hurts us so, we still have many fears.

Will we be safe another night protected by our tears?

Our God could strike the enemies of love, respect and hope.

With prayer, our only weapon, we survive and learn to cope.

We thank those nations everywhere who have their flags unfurled

in charity for all of us in this uncertain world.

---

So blessed we are to live a life apart from evil gun -

where worshiping and liberty are free for everyone.

Please don't be so uncaring here with all our ease and fun -

and give in love abundantly - for we have much.  Them?  None.

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Apple Butter 9-7-14

So many things just disappeared

forever with my mother.

Mom's apple butter's almost gone

and there won't be another.

But I can taste it.  Sure, I can!
It's not like any other.
Except for grandma, no one made it
quite as good as mother.

But now a silence fills her room.

Oh, how can I rejoice -

with not a hymn to listen to

nor her familiar voice?

All gone, her clothes and furniture.

No fragrance greets my nose.

No flower pots or nature's bloom.

At last, her door I close.

I close it on so many things

I'll never again see.

And apple butter, now all gone,

is just a memory...
So I sit back and close my eyes
here in my fav'rite chair -
where I can see her making more,
more apple butter there...

©2014 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

--------