"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

July 1, 2018

Tell Me Why (2) 7-1-18


What charms my heart to butterflies?
What charms my heart to fly?
What charms my heart to loudly sing?
And can you tell me why?

What lures me to the water's edge?
What lures me to the lie?
What lures me to the ocean's depth?
And can you tell me why?

What makes a son do crazy things?
What makes a mom to die?
What makes a father distant so?
And can you tell me why?

What draws me to the pastures green?
What draws me to the sky?
What draws me to His loving arms?
And can you tell me why?

What drives my soul to worship Him?
What drives my eyes to cry?
What drives my love to do His will?
Please, can you tell me why?

What pulls my thoughts to greater thoughts?
What pulls emotions nigh?
What pulls my soul so Heavenward?
Now can you tell me why?

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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June 23, 2018

If I Were Jesus 6-23-18


Here's something we might think about
and something to discuss -
if born, we were, in Zero Year
and grew up as Jesus...
---
If I were Jesus would I heal
the blind so they could see?
Or would I joke when stumbled they
and would I laughing be?

If I were Jesus would I heal
a crippled, withered hand?
Or would I buy some sandals new
and brand new clothes demand?

If I were Jesus would I feed
five thousand; fish and bread?
Or would I scold them, call them fools
and stuff myself instead?

If I were Jesus would I pray
for each and every one?
Or would I brag and boast a lot
of all that I had done?

If I were Jesus would I die
on cross set up for me?
Or would I show them who I was
and walk away painfree?

If I were Jesus would I rise
to Heaven up above?
Or would I store up treasures here
because I money love?

If I were Jesus would I care
for people still today?
Or would I care for only me?
What would I do and say?

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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June 9, 2018

The Lion & God's Nature 6-9-18


The Lion and God's nature seemed to be at odds one day.
Was it all depressing?  First, the lion had his say...
---
"I hate the freezing morning!
I just shiver by the river!
I am so depressed."
The river's flow was somewhat slow.
Back its whisper, it was chipper,
"I am ever blessed."

The Lion roared, "My stomach needs
a meal with some appeal!
I am so depressed."
One little hare seemed not to care.
Through the meadow was the echo,
"I am ever blessed."

The Lion roared, "The sun is up and it's so hot!
I'm sweating and I'm thirsting!
I am so depressed."
A little chick with outstretched wing was heard to always sing,
"It's so adoring, sunshine's warming.
I am ever blessed."

The Lion roared, "This rocky ledge has windy edge!
Insufferable, I'm uncomfortable!
I am so depressed."
Sung through the leaves with autumn's breeze,
 though not with word, the Willow's heard,
"I am ever blessed..."

Then finally the Lion roared,
"Again I frown.  The sun is down!
Though rain is done, it wasn't fun!
I am so depressed."
But painted twilight sky was bright
in rainbow's hallowed spectrum's glow.
"I am ever blessed."
---
The Lion and God's nature seemed to be at odds that day.
Was it all a blessing?  Lastly, nature had its say.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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May 12, 2018

At Weakest Point 5-12-18


My precious little children
grew up so very fast.
Oh, why does time keep fighting me
and stealing all my past?
My little girl was precious,
a vibrant little flower.
So why has time come to a stop -
in this, my darkest hour?

My photos and mementos
have faded very fast.
Oh, why does time keep fighting me
and stealing all my past?
My keepsakes, lost forever,
have turned my stomach sour.
So why has time come to a stop -
in this, my darkest hour?

I worked hard for my family.
I built my business fast.
Oh, why does time keep fighting me
and stealing all my past?
My business, lost forever
and gone, my tallest tower.
So why has time come to a stop -
in this, my darkest hour?

All is gone and all is lost.
My life is fading fast.
Oh, why does time keep fighting me
and stealing all my past?
In fetal pose, you watch me now.
I fear, I shake, I cower.
So why has time come to a stop -
in this my darkest hour?

I find myself afloat on tears
that flow so very fast -
ignoring God who could have been
in all my sorry past.
At weakest point, He lifts me now
with His creative power!
And now I know why time has stopped -
in this, God's finest hour.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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April 20, 2018

Jesus Blessed 4-20-18


An ear of corn was bragging so
with kernels bright and gold.
"Just look at me!  Just look at me!"
he shouted loud and bold.

Well, this provoked the big, tall stalks
that stood there proud and tall.
"Without us you'd be rotting in
the field dirt, one and all.

The dirt felt somewhat slighted then
and said the bragging hurt.
You'd both be short and sickly if
not nourished by us dirt.

The water spoke up then to say
"There's something you should know.
Without the moisture from the rain
not one of you could grow."

The sun kept right on shining as
he heard the others boast.
He warmed the ground and ears of corn.
He knew what helped the most.

Humility was lacking, but
the truth the sun could see -
that all must work together long
before the corn could be.

The sun knew that not one of them
was better than the rest.
And each of them in their own way
was really 'Jesus blessed'.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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April 8, 2018

It's So Unfair 4-8-18


My mom was simply wonderful.
She had a magic touch.
And mother loved my father too.
She loved him very much.

I never heard mom say a word
when dad would spend the funds -
though mom had many stressful days
to feed her hungry sons.

Recalling often all the ways
that she conceived a meal -
concoctions never mixed before,
ingredients unreal.

One bite would be like chewing foam,
the next so leather tough -
while I and brothers sitting there
would have to eat the stuff.

But weight upon the shoulders from
abuse is very great.
I think I have much empathy
but how can I relate?

I heard the whimpering at times.
I sometimes saw the tears.
It's so unfair to have such love
and then to persevere.

So many things are left unsaid.
What more must I explain?
Have I hurt someone like my mom?
Have I caused someone pain?

Who loves me more than mom loved dad?
What else is there to know?
How many tears does Christ still shed
because He loves me so?

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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March 25, 2018

Seasons 3-25-18


DEATH is the winter of sin and shame,
of pride and blame,
of guilty name,

of danger's ice,
of bad advice,
of heavy price.

LIFE is the springtime of seeds that toss,
of logs across,
of Christ on cross,

of blooming earth,
of our rebirth,
of valued worth.

WORK is the summer of fresh, clean rain,
of sweat and pain,
of growth and grain,

of appetites,
of peaceful nights,
of what excites.

LOVE is the autumn of harvesting,
of lauded sing,
of Thanksgiving,

of Heaven's grace,
of special place
and Jesus' face.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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March 3, 2018

With Life Anew 3-3-18


Like Eden's garden, park was still.
A perfect place right up until -
the selfish played.

The lake was smooth, as smooth as glass -
but then a breeze came rolling past -
as they all played.

A dark cloud seemed to push the breeze
that whispered firmly to the leaves -
while they had played.

Then all the grasses wiggled too
and seemed to toy with breeze that blew -
as they had played.

A couple squirrels in a tree.
First I saw two, then I found three -
and they had played.

A couple toads jumped stone to stone.
Together, they were not alone -
and they had played.

Some floating leaves rose with each wave.
First up, then down, they'd misbehave -
as they had played.

We all endured the passing wind
that we had felt while others sinned -
when they had played.

And when the winds had caught my ear,
the storms of certain wrath were near -
while they had played.

The wrath of God was imminent
but habits fixed, were like cement -
so they still played.

The storm clouds, close, were now a threat -
but not a drop had fallen yet -
so still they played.

Then suddenly, a lightning blast -
brought thunder's roar and down-burst fast! -
so wet they played.

Unfaithful ones, now surely stuck,
were washed away in mudslide's muck.
T'was overdue...

But faithful ones above the sod
had found down-pouring grace from God
...with life anew.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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February 24, 2018

Rev. Billy Graham 2-24-18


One-half a century ago,
a day about routine,
became one quite spectacular
for boy about thirteen...

A faithful black and white TeeVee
had doors that opened wide,
inviting all to sit a'spell
and watch what was inside.

Once on, dad had to turn a knob
for vertical control.
And then the horizontal one
in that tube-filled console.

A strong determined voice was heard
by boy and everyone.
Then picture tube came into view
with all fine-tuning done.

And what he saw astonished him -
so many people there.
Packed full, a football stadium.
He saw no empty chair.

"Evangelist", dad said he was.
He was straightforward, bold -
and not ashamed to preach the Word.
A 'someone' to behold.

A well-read Bible always would
lay open in his hand.
Not like today where gadgets live
and kids don't understand.

But why did people love this man?
What caused his flock to grow?
What special thing did this man have?
At first, he didn't know.

But when the cam'ra zoomed, he saw
a tear run down his face -
while speaking of the love of God
and His amazing grace.

Embarrassed, he was not at all.
He loved those people there.
He cared about their fragile souls
A man like that is rare.

"Just As I Am" was always sung
as invitation song.
A score of people always came
with lines to alter, long.

That little boy had learned a lot
in front of that TeeVee.
He gave his life to Jesus too
and God had set him free!

Before this story poem ends
there's one more thing to know -
I still remember that young boy
so many years ago.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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"One day you will hear that Billy Graham has died. Don't believe it.
On that day I will be more alive than I ever will be.". -Billy Graham.

February 18, 2018

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

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