VOTE 1-1-08

America - there is but one. She cannot be replaced;
should someday soon - may God forbid - it lay in terrors' waste.

Bloody bandages surround those stars that hold this voter free.
So many soldiers bravely fought, reserving this for me.

We research every candidate through study and in prayer,
then go record our only vote, lest weakened threads might tear.

No candidate is perfect, so heed this little clue:
Find the man who's honest. Is perfection all in you?

Some lay waste their privilege, and will not go and vote...
and how'd our Nation's Anthem sound, missing just one note?

My vote is too important - for many fought and died.
My vote cannot be purchased. My vote won't be denied.

I'll not vote my pocketbook nor vote what's best for me,
but rather focus on our flag - my country 'tis of thee.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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True Need 11-19-07

Everything I cannot see -
Wind, noise, heat or gravity.
Everything I cannot hear -
Clouds colliding far and near.

I can’t see all. I can’t hear all.
Gods all-knowing. Man is small.
I can’t smell all. I can’t taste all.
God is love, and man shall fall.

We can’t sniff out our way to crawl,
But we can see ourselves so tall.
We can’t hear a simple call.
So man denies and builds his wall.

God made the stars, the earth and sky,
And all creation does comply.
God made babies so they cry.
God made all - yet man asks, “Why?”

Man needs to touch. Man needs to feel.
But God is love. We need to heal.
God stands on love. We stand on sod.
And in His image, we need God.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Little Lesson 11-18-07

Do we attempt to “create” our own God? because we think we know what He should be doing or what is best for us or our “religion”? With all the mistakes I make, I’m glad God doesn’t always answer my prayers the way I think they should be answered….

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I learned a little lesson. Let me share it with you now.
I should have told you years ago but didn't know quite how.

God is like the sunshine that blesses us for years,
Jesus, like the ocean breeze that dries our several tears.

God is faithful to us all. He doesn't fail or stray
He is like the morning sun that rises every day.

Jesus knows our troubles. He knows our every hope.
He knows which crosses we can bear. He knows that we can cope.

While death is like the darkness with troubles everywhere.
Life is like the sunshine - its brightness we all share.

This little lesson I had learned before my final day -
that I am not the 'Potter' - and God is not the clay.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Isaiah 29: 15-16 (NASB)
15Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"
16You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, "He has no understanding"

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Christmas Day 11-2-07

.

In a little manger lay,

a baby sleeping on the hay,

The Magi followed Heavens' star,

offered gifts and knelt to pray.

At that time - above the straw,

oh, to see what Shepherds saw:

A baby there, so weak and meek -

would one day bring the people awe.

The multitudes will follow Him,

one tries to seek Him from a limb.

He'd heal the sick and raise the dead,

until one day when all turns grim.

He rose again without a boast,

and then He sent the Holy Ghost.

Yes, every day's a special gift,

but Christmas day has brought us most.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Care To Carry 11-2-07

IN the pain of that cross - over Calvary's hill
I looked down around, but had loved you all still.
I saw all the multitude milling about -
And where you were standing, there is not a doubt.

Do you know where you were? Were you leading the band?
Right there up in front - with your sword firm in hand?
Or were you in back of that great multitude,
Indifferent to me? Do you know where you stood?

Through the pain of the cross - over Calvary's hill
I still look on down – but love you all still.
I see all the multitudes milling about
And where you're now standing, there is not a doubt.

Do you know where you stand? Do you now know the price?
Do you say that you love me but won't sacrifice?
Do you not know my burden? Do you not see my loss?
Do you not care for others nor carry your cross?

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org

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Forgive Me 10-28-07

I give you this - because I'm sorry,
for something that I've done.
I'm no angel. I'm not God,
nor perfect like His Son.

I am sorry. Please forgive me.
There's nothing I can pray.
Please believe me, I am sorry.
There's nothing more to say.

So many times - I've made mistakes.
And I've hurt you a lot.
From this I ask forgiveness from -
though I deserve it not.

I turn my eyes, on Jesus now,
I feel His loving grace.
Beneath the crown, between the nails,
I see His precious face.

My only hope?  You'll see in me,
what Jesus saw in you,
as He prayed "Father, forgive them for
they know not what they do."

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In His Image 10-15-07

Before the birth, Father prepared Him a bed.
He then was born, as God created.
The young Boy played. Father gave Him drink and bread,
And nurtured Him, as He created.

This young Man grew. Father taught Him every thread,
And trained Him up, as He created.
This Man had served. Father's love was widely spread,
to the masses, as He created.

This Man was tried. Father's love had never fled,
from His people, as He created.
This Man was whipped. Father held Him as He bled,
and to the cross, as He created.

His Son was hung. Father's wrath was on His head,
first became last, as He created.
Dead and buried, Father lifted Him instead,
Last became first, as He created.

Yet now I live. Who knows my road ahead?
Those questions cry, as He created.
So I take up my cross - and am faithfully led,
in His image, as He created.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Genesis 1:27 (KJV)“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”

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Focused Faith 10-10-07

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I had the 'gift' but through my pride,

Rampant my thoughts - Heaven's gates wide.

Your grace saved, unlike the world, this wretched soul from sin.

I didn’t know – what are these voids within?

Forgive me, Lord! Please hear my cry,

But can I forgive? Do I comply?

If clouds would open up a bit and I could see this Heaven,

Would I now forgive - to seventy times seven?

Lord, I believe! In You I've heard,

Studied Scripture, memorized Your Word.

I don't speak as those Pharisee’s of old,

But firm on theology, has my love grown cold?

Increase my faith I cry, oh God!

I seek perfect peace - is that so odd?

But deaf and blind, clouds Your everlasting love.

Can I not see - or fix my eyes above?

Oh, ye of little faith neglect,

Heaven's things - but you, the earth reflect;

And you worry, to gain your Holy birth,

Focused not on Godly things, but rather things of earth.

Then humble me, dear Lord I pray,

To Your cross, draw me nearer – lest I wayward stray.

Dare I take up my simple cross and also teach,

During tribulation - find other souls to reach?

Through this small truth, I now can see,

And my ears hear the still, small voice of Thee;

I see You faithful on that cross. Love in voice I hear.

So may my body die of self - and focused faith run clear.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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FREEDOM 10-08-07

We are either slave or free. There is no in-between.
Freedom is not tangible, but surely it is seen -
seen on every human face, residing in the heart -
free from any slavery - when we all do our part.

Who can be part master - or be a part time slave -
or sometimes be a little wimp - at other times be brave?
Does freedom have a light switch that we turn off and on,
or is it the foundation that this Nation’s built upon?

Let no one now deceive us - as freedom must be pure,
for if it cracks or crumbles, then slavery is sure.
And let us not be selfish, but protect both young and old -
the innocent from anywhere - marching bravely, bold.

The world forgets so quickly - one man’s deceptive lie ,
who stole the lives of millions - who wouldn't hear their cry.
Many bury deep their heads while terrorists still stalk,
but there’s no time for politics. It’s time to walk the talk.

Jesus' talk was often bold and later He was nailed.
 He 'walked' in service to the cross, but freedom had prevailed.
  Freedom from satanic grip - though wars there'll always be -
until the wars in souls end, the world can't be free.

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Innocent children, women and men continue to be enslaved, tortured and killed.

Through sacrifice, support FREEDOM for all. Through America, let's build.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Shattered Heart 10-8-07

Something bad has happened,
I cannot shake this pain.
My heartache never goes away.
My actions are in vain.

There is no single answer.
Pain pierces to my core.
Math contains no formula.
Nothing helps me anymore.

When life has lost all purpose,
deceit lays waste my cause;
and lies have cursed true meaning,
I sit in thoughtful pause.

God, give me one last miracle!
This anguish weighs a ton.
Can the sun reverse a bit,
to turn back what I’ve done?

Everything submits to God,
His intelligent design.
Time is very precious -
and I know it isn’t mine.

I can’t retain a month or week.
A day can't be postponed.
An hour can't be purchased.
One second can't be owned.

Oh, to go back just this once,
and start anew again.
All has passed - forever gone.
I can’t erase the pen.

I hold my sad and shattered heart
in pieces 'til I die;
but His hands hold the nail scars
and hold me when I cry.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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