My Faithful Friend 2-18-18

As I awake, the truth meets flesh -

I breathe in life, so cool and fresh.

Crisp air is mine, my faithful friend.

I step on cabin's old wood floors -

and say a prayer before my chores.

This country's mine, my faithful friend.

I light lamp's weak and little torch -

then step out on my weathered porch.

Pre-morning's mine, my faithful friend.

Just standing still, like statuettes -

the trees are shadows, silhouettes.

Those trees are mine, my faithful friends.

Some clouds meander with the breeze -

so high above these lowly trees.

Those clouds are mine, my faithful friends.

The stars are there, while night enshrouds -

but shine light through the lowly clouds.

Those stars are mine, my faithful friends.

Nighttime dies, sun arises.

Colors scream, bright surprises!

That brightness mine, my faithful friend.

The morning rays I so embrace

are warming as they kiss my face.

The sun is mine, my faithful friend.

The Great Creator, I so love -

has wrath as rock, but grace as dove.

My God is mine, my faithful friend.

Creation grew and bore a Son.

There never lived another One.

The Lord is mine, my faithful friend.

Creation trembled, shook the land -

but Christ arose to God's right hand.

Now peace is mine, my faithful friend.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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One Little Wave 2-11-18

A non-eventful morn it was

as many were before.

The sun came up exposing life

just off the sandy shore.

The winds blew in across the lake

creating quite a stir -

and waves grew up from nothing yet

there's lessons to infer.

I followed just one little wave

to see what it would do.

It seemed to be behaving well

or did I misconstrue?

Between two other waves it moved

across the little lake.

It'd sometimes try to reach up high

which was its first mistake.

For what it saw were waves ahead

so he became aghast.

Why, they were all in front of him -

while he had followed last!

Each time it swelled to reach up high

it wanted to be seen -

but then it'd drop back down again

and stay there in-between.

Then those two waves on either side

had closed in on the one -

which raised him up just high enough

he glittered in the sun.

"Hey, look at me!" he seemed to say -

with ego growing large.

He liked- no, he demanded that

alone, he'd lead the charge.

So there he rode above the rest -

now highest wave of all.

And there he took in all of life

which made him feel tall.

Behind, he looked - and saw those waves

applauding- east to west.

His popularity increased

as you might well have guessed.

So there he was still looking back

with ev'ry want and whim.

While riding high, he saw those waves -

those waves that followed him.

But life is short, so very short -

and most don't understand -

that hourglass starts running low

with top devoid of sand.

Applause was great and greatness too

while he sought even more -

but suddenly his time ran out

in death on other shore.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Great Man 2-2-18

How big is the ocean?

How tall is the sail?

How big is the clipper?

How tall is the tale?

How big is the great man?

How tall is his pride?

How big is his ego

that flows from inside?

How loud is his boasting?

How loud is his horn?

How loud is his bragging,

yet quiet, our scorn?

How many, a promise?

How many times said?

How many believe him?

How many mislead?

Oh, where hides the shyness

and where hides the man -

when big man is lessened

as when he began?

How short is the thistle

and shorter, the thorn -

but great is the torment

when foot's skin is torn?

Transparent, his actions,

transparent, each thought -

and God does not 'know' him

because he was bought;

First by the minute,

Then by a smell -

of fire and brimstone,

by Devil in hell.

Exposed is the thistle.

Exposed is the gloom.

He's naked as baby

right out of the womb.

How fake were his pledges?

How fake was his stride?

How fake was his swagger

before he had died?

Does God see the motive?

Does God look within?

Does God judge the great man

when God knows his sin?

Beware of the ego.

Beware of the pride.

Beware of temptations

in life's fleeting ride.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

His Land 1-13-18

I think I have solutions to

our country's deep disgrace.

I think I have the answers to

the problems that we face.

Yet heroes fought and died for me,

so who am I to brag?

Oh, who am I to claim to be

the bearer of our flag?

Deserve I little comfort now.

Let bombs burst in the sky!

While I encumber those like me

our taxes go sky high.

I vote for those who promise things,

that put food on my shelf.

I vote for free stuff I can get

that benefits myself.

Are we a nation full of sin

that we have not a clue?

Greed has so unraveled threads

of our red, white and blue.

The red continues running as

the white becomes blood-stained.

The blue has faded into gray.

We all should be ashamed.

And politician's greed and graft

I also will speak of.

It seems that they have helped themselves.

For country, they've no love.

Great heroes fought and died for them,

so who are they to brag?

And who are they to claim to be

the bearers of our flag?

If they, nor I, have right to bear

our flag that we hold high -

then who can be our leaders now

when all we do is lie?

With lobbyists and twisted words

our country cannot stand.

Yes, God will one day judge us all -

for this is still His land.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Now That Is Peace 12-19-17

Small snowflakes float on easy breeze -

without an effort, find the trees.

Now that is peace.

They rest upon the solid branch,

upon the roof of humble ranch.

Now that is peace.

They settle on a rail fence

without a thought, without suspense.

Now that is peace.

They blanket softly, all around,

upon the leaves upon the ground.

Now that is peace.

The Christmas snow reflects all light

from its decor with such delight.

Now that is peace.

More snowflakes settle.  They're unheard -

as Heaven speaks without a word.

Now that is peace.

The stars above, they sparkle too -

a gift from God, to me, to you.

Now that is peace.

Without the pomp and circumstance,

the scenic beauty is romance.

Now that is peace.

A babe in manger once was born -

without the fanfare, without horn.

Now that is peace.

Through virgin love, through virgin birth -

A blanket grace for all on earth.

Now that is peace. 

So why this blanket when it snows?

So why this gift?  The Christian knows.
Now that is peace.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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But Grace 12-9-17

When I think back at my whole life that I have spent on earth -

and when I think of all the wrong that I have done since birth -

for selfishly I'd done my will.
My life was all for me.

I wonder how God loves me still

and wants me to be free?

I failed my spouse, I failed my kids, I failed my screaming boss,

I failed my ever patient God - and also, too, the cross.

I wonder why He sent His Son,

I lied and lied and lied.

I selfishly had been just one -

one reason that He died.

But God is patient, more than I.  He's waited many years -

for me to find that faithfulness, for me to come to tears.

I wonder why He loves me still.

I wonder why He cares.

I need that mustard seed to grow.

Does He not hear my prayers?

And pray, can I, a sinner's prayer?  What right have I to pray?

What right have I to anything with life in disarray?

But grace is mine and that's because

mere works do not suffice.

I have no right, but Jesus does -

because He paid the price.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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That Distant Light 11-24-17

The air was calm below the palm

so rested, I awhile.

I stared across the quiet lake

with my own lazy smile.

The sun had set and I had let

the time just slip away.

I lost myself among my thoughts

and it had seemed okay.

Reflections though, had taught me so.

There's something you should know -

how they reflect the real thing

in fascinating show.

There's no delight in distant light

where nothing misbehaves -

But watch those sparkles dancing on

the tops of rippled waves.

That shimmer see, will always be

from light across the lake.

That dancing drew attention from

the light that isn't fake.

Half-way across the lake they tossed.

They glittered brilliantly.

Deceiving, long reflections as
that light shone silently.

I liked the show - reflection's glow -

and there was nothing feared.

But when that distant light turned off,

reflections disappeared.

Was I deceived?  Did I believe

that distant light, God's Son?

Or focused I, on rituals -

merely the reflection?

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Covered Bridge 11-17-17

Still washing o'er and 'round the rocks,

the splashing rapids pass the fox.

They pass the beavers before dawn.

They pass the doe.  In time, the fawn.

The chipmunks work.  The 'possums too.

The river flows past me and you.

Time doesn't stop.  It knows not how

with covered bridge before us now.

The water moves, the river flows.

God makes it so.  That's how it goes.

The bridge we walk is like our birth -

A fresh red coat for what it's worth.

Like ol' homestead, the bridge is red,

but it seems brighter here instead.

Enjoying travels, springtime views -

no other roadway, we would choose.

The hewn-cut logs are under foot.

And all our faith in God, we put.

Each step we take, we hear the boards.

Experiences bring rewards.

Then walking past the eight by eights,

a calendar of days and dates,

they hold the roof that keeps us dry -

like summer rains as we pass by.

Then near the end, the autumn air -

brings me to tears to know we're there.

Life seems so fast- like rushing dream -

like splashing rapids of the stream.

As she steps off, I see her go.

Yet she's in Heaven.  That I know.

I pause some here as I recall -

our great relationship and all...

Those times together I still see -

forever always, her and me.

Love and devotion, God gave both.

Remember well, our Christian growth.

I see her bright and smiling face.

My mem'ries hold, as her embrace.

I hear her voice - fresh as the breeze.

Her songbirds echo still from trees.

The bridge, now old, weathered a bit.

And soon, we too, will step from it.

A moment's pause.  I see them too.

These colored leaves are much like you.

A blanket, soft of powdered snow -

will come one day - and this I know -

will cover road and cover bridge,

cover trees and winter's ridge.

The sunset's bright.  I see the moon.

So please be patient - see you soon.

The things of earth just keep changing -

but never God.  He's amazing.

Still washing o'er and 'round the rocks,

the splashing rapids pass the fox.

They pass the beavers before dawn.

They pass the doe.  In time, the fawn.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Last Duckling, The 10-14-17

Free will expressed in God's likeness

and formed in wonder's love.

With utmost care, He made me there,

at home in Heav'n above.

But after birth right here on earth

it wasn't really fair.

They all made fun of waddled run

and no one seemed to care.

There was no drake out on the lake,

but breeze was cool and fine.

Mother struggling, seven duckling -

with me, the last in line.

Sometimes my feet could not compete -

so I would lag behind.

But she would wait- me motivate -

for she was patient, kind.

Then peril sent an accident.

My legs went nearly lame.

They laughed again at my chagrin

and slower, I became.

In Godly way, my mom would pray.

She loved me even more.

With lots of skill and her big bill,

she'd nudge me up on shore.

And there I'd praise the sunshine's rays

next to my mother's charm.

And always there, my mom would care

protecting me from harm.

Through many jobs I'd hear her sobs.

She had the biggest heart.

I must attest, she was the best

'til death pulled us apart.

As time goes by I often cry.

It's sad to swim alone.

The only love that I knew of

was what my mom had shown.

I am not strong. I have done wrong.

I was the least of sev'n.

Lord, call me back.  Please call me back.

Please call me back to Heav'n.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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And Colors Each 10-7-17

Do we know with His rainbow, there's life among the trees?

What message comes from God above through autumn's colored leaves?

Does a willow display YELLOW just to send a small alarm -

to caution us from danger so we're free from Satan's harm?

Does the bright glow of the ORANGE show a way to raise our spirits?

Down through the years, does wisdom claim we shouldn't call it quits?

And does the RED mean Jesus bled to save us from our sin -

that we would turn our life around and be born once again?

Do the GOLDEN leaves embolden us to face another day?

Our golden years are not to waste, but live in Godly way.

And does the GREEN that's still between all us and many others -

prove that God still gives us life among the many colors?

Please understand God's faithful and His great creation thrives.
He paints, each fall, a masterpiece and colors each our lives.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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