From Humble Root 7-30-16

A green and fragile leaf, was she

and unimportant she would be.

She was depressed.

For she was small, not very big

attached so lightly to a twig -

so she was blessed.

A small and simple twig was he

which held the leaf that waved so free.

He too depressed.

He feared, with wind he'd be detached,

yet to a branch, he was attached -

so he was blessed.

A small, but stable branch was there

which seemed to bend but didn't care.

It too depressed.

Afraid of wind, its life was grim

and so unlike the larger limb -

yet it was blessed.

A large and stable limb it was,

but it, unhappy too because,

it was depressed.

It exercised.  It was a 'hunk'

but wasn't an enormous trunk -

yet it was blessed.

A giant of a trunk was it?

It had opinions so unfit.

It too depressed.

It stood unmoved with haughty face

there over root on its own space -

so it was blessed.

Now root was happy.  It could sing.

It fed and nourished everything -

up to the leaves.

And it was not presumptuous

when it supplied its sustenance

to all the 'least of these'.

That root was humble under sod

and faithful to creation's God -

and it would thrive.

But then wind timbered trunk and tree!

Oh, what had happened?  Could it be

the root's alive...?

...to grow another tree, no doubt.

From humble root, a humble sprout.

Do you now see?
Take care then where your faith is at
so you do not end up like that
ol' timbered tree.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Study Notes for pastors & Bible Study groups:
The leaf, the twig, the branch, the limb and the trunk were not blessed because of what they were attached to - but rather because of the nourishment they received from the unseen root.  We are not blessed because of who or what (spouse, church, political party, elected officials, possessions, money) we are 'attached' to but rather we are blessed because of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.  If our faith is in man or things, then one day we find ourselves on that ol' timbered tree.

ALL Children 7-23-16

Please help the little children Lord.

Bless each and ev'ry one.

Protect them from a world of hate,

from anger, sin and gun.

Resentment boils up from hell

and terrorizes earth

as wars break out like wildfires,

around another birth.

We clamor for position Lord,

we care for our own thirst.

We focus on our status, but

our blessings have been cursed.

You once had blessed America.
when we had trusted You.
But we have failed the "least of these"
and we all know it's true.

Please strip away our selfish pride

and fill us up with love -

and let us prove our charity

that we keep speaking of.

Why do we think that our kids are
much better than the rest?

ALL children are from You dear Lord -
the poor, the weak, oppressed.

Please help the little children Lord.

Bless each and ev'ry one.

Protect them from a world of hate,

from anger, sin and gun.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Mom's Pumpkin Pie! 7-22-16

When I was just a little lad,

I came inside from play.

Aroma met my little nose

on many, many day.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

I rushed right to the kitchen and

the oven I had spied.

but it- completely empty.

I didn't quite know why.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

The table top was all cleared off.

The window sill was too.

My hunger pangs were 'killing' me.

Oh, what was I to do?

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

It wasn't in the oven and

the counter top was bare.

With refrigerator empty,

it wasn't anywhere!.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

"Hey!  Where's my pumpkin pie?" I yelled!

But there was ne'er a sound.

I yelled again.  The echo waned.

There was no one around.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

Could it be at the neighbor's house?

Would mama have gone there?

What if my pie was just for them?

Oh no, she wouldn't dare!

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

I ran off to the neighbor's house.

I pounded on the door.

And then when they had opened it,

my jaw dropped to the floor.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

And there it was- on table top -

as plain as 'one' could see.

Would she have given it to them?

Oh no!  It couldn't be.

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

I must have given hint away.

They must have seen a clue.

They then invited me to sit

so I could have some too!

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

But where was mom and where was dad?

Did they go to the store?

No.  They were in the pumpkin patch

so I could have some more!

Oh my my!

Mom's pumpkin pie!

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Treasure 7-12-16

Treasure beauty from the Maker.
Treasure color, sky and nature.

Treasure walks through endless park

among the winging meadowlark.

Treasure songbirds high on limbs.

Treasure words in humble hymns.

Treasure humming tunes though old
that weave through treetops, warm the cold.

Treasure long and endless streams.
Treasure optimistic dreams.
Treasure truth when grapes are crushed
and when all future hopes are hushed.

Treasure boys with antique toys.
Treasure them who have no poise.

Treasure girls with bouncing curls
while wearing mother's phony pearls.

Treasure those who aren't perfect.

Treasure them with due respect.

Treasure friends, so close to you
and loyal friendship through and through.

Treasure faithful servitude.

Treasure quiet solitude.

Treasure Bible's remedies

and treasure fondest memories.

Treasure all that life has penned.
Treasure pause at trail's end.
Treasure journey, near complete
and rest awhile on wooden seat.

Treasure prayer through sun and shower.
Treasure God in all His power.
Treasure resurrection's way
and Christ's ascension.  What a day!

Treasure blessings from before

Treasure our salvation more.

Treasure Christmas, it's true meaning -

and forgiveness with its healing.

Treasure autumn, winter, spring.

Treasure faith in everything.

Treasure God's tremendous grace -

for each and ev'ry human race.

Treasure not your earthly treasures.
Question not the way God measures.
Just treasure all creation's of.
It's wrapped in love from God above.

Treasure beauty from the Maker.
Treasure color, sky and nature.

Treasure walks through endless park

among the winging meadowlark.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

In Your Heart 7-2-16

The winds push clouds across the sky,

the winds too clear to view.

Results, I see, but not the wind -

so tell me, is wind true?

I stumbled and I dropped a shoe,

then dropped my other shoe.

And no, I can't see gravity -

so tell me, is it true?

The thunder rumbled through the sky.

It scared both goat and ewe.

Though loud, I can't see thundering -

so tell me, is it true?

I memorized math tables that

began with 'two plus two'.

I cannot see equations though,

so tell me, are they true?

The fragrances from flowers seem

to greet my nose as glue.

But I can't see the fragrances -

so tell me, are they true?

The coffee flavors?  Plentiful.
I taste a special brew.
But I can't see what I can taste,
so tell me, are they true?

A special feeling, special love,

for children and for you.

But once again, I can't see love -

so tell me, is it true?

Creation is spectacular.

It's Heaven's sneak preview.

But once again, I can't see God -

so tell me, is He true?

The physical and spiritual

seem much too far apart,

but you will know that it's all true

when God is in your heart.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Romans 1:18-32 (NASB)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers,haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but alsogive hearty approval to those who practice them.

Your Great Reward 6-18-16

I prayed, "I was grabbed."

Jesus asked, "Were you nabbed?"

I said, "I was controlled."

Jesus asked, "Were you sold?"

I said, "I was teased."

Jesus asked, "Were you seized?"

I said, "I was stalked."

Jesus asked, "Were you mocked?"

I said, "I had cried."

Jesus asked, "Were you 'tried'?"

I said, "I was used."

Jesus asked, "Were you accused?"

I said, "They were cheatin'."

Jesus asked,"Were you beaten?"

I said, "I was stripped."

Jesus asked, "Were you whipped?"

I said, "I was jailed."

Jesus asked, "Were you nailed?"

(pause)

I said, "I sat in dung."

Jesus asked, "Were you hung?"

(pause)

I said, "I was a slave."

Jesus said, "I forgave."

(longer pause)

I said feebly, "I cried and cried..."

Jesus said, "I died."

With heavy heart, I said, "Forgive me."
Jesus said simply, "Follow me."

I repeated, "Forgive me please!"

And Jesus said, "The least of these."

I said, "To the truth, I've been asleep."
So Jesus said, "Come.  Feed my sheep."

Then I said, "I've been awakened."
Jesus added, "...but never forsaken."

I said, "I can see!  Heaven has opened up!"

Jesus said, "You are free.  Take my cup."

I said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord."

And Jesus said, "It is prepared- your great reward."

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Master Poet, The 6-12-16

Became a nightmare from a dream,
"Give us Barabbas!" was the scream.
If I was in that crowd that day,
would I have fought or run away?
Would I act like some animal?
Would I have been part of the brawl?
Would I, like Peter, tell a lie?
Would I deny, deny, deny?

The Master Poet's life?  A blur.

Misunderstood, His 'poems' were.
His verses soared away as birds.

Few understood His humble words.

Corrupted way before the lung,

and then deciphered off the tongue.

If it were me, what would I do?
His love for souls- oh was it true?

So nailed Him they, on cross, on hill.

Should Christ's bust be on pedestal?

With timbers rugged, timbers crossed,

He died up there and all seemed lost.
There were no melodies to hear.

There were no notes to bend the ear.

There was no music, nor a song.

There was no harp to play along.
---

His words we seldom understand.

Their meanings more than music and

the other things that thieve our days -

our busy lives and lazy ways.
His harmony we mustn't fear,

for Psalms are music to the ear.
Indeed, the Master Poet lives -
and gives and gives and gives and gives...

©2016 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

John 6:20 (KJV)
But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Great White Knight, The 6-2-16

Came self-proclaimed, the Great White Knight -

and asked us all with him unite -

against the greater parasite -

the wicked snake of poisoned bite.

But it is 'he', I now indict -

exposing lies, none even trite -

with boast, with cuss, with sneer, with spite.

It's not okay and not alright.

I'd rather stand on moral height -

and never cease to do what's right -

not waving truce of coward's white -

but rather fight good freedom's fight.

For God's law is foundation's light -

exposing evil's vicious smite -

which violates the weak in fright -

all through the day and through the night.

Come forth, therefore, in all your might -

for God has blessed us with insight.

Though they both seem to be polite,

they're dangerous, as dynamite.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Do not continue to vote for the lesser, vile people

and then pray to God for mercy.

Find a Godly leader and then vote FOR him or her
and then pray for that leader.

Bankruptcy 5-17-16

Will I get any sleep tonight?

Not yes, or even maybe.

The guilty, though, they're able to,

just like a little baby...

My fist, I shake in anger at

those vile, demonic men -

who work their dark, subversive deeds,

deceiving folks again.

They rescued only wicked ones -

the ones 'too big to fail' -

ignoring all us little ones,

the poor, the weak, the frail.

But there's no power in my fist.

My patience has run thin.

I see those lips in all my dreams -

their evil, hellish grins.

My whole life's work is up in smoke.

My efforts all in vain.

The whole world sleeps while I alone

endure my endless pain.

I did my best to follow You -

though weary and run down.

I've walked the straight and narrow in

a world that's up-side-down.

Now my reward for honesty

is painful, sleepless nights.

I know now work is futile here

with token legal rights.

It seems that Satan won again

with His deceptive lies -

but all those crooks with evil grins

will find they're not as wise.

Their greed has brought us massive debt,

their pride, a moral mess.

Their love of money now bankrupts

this country You once blessed.

We've drowned in laws and legal briefs,

down to the gates of hell -

with burning stench of vile souls.

We can't escape the smell.

And though I've tried my whole life through

to shine Your Truth and Light,

they've fought me every minute here.

And even now they fight.

There's nothing more that they can take.
They've taken ev'ry dime.
They've drained my hope and energy.
They stole my precious time.

Your eyes shall pierce the Heavens and

judge each and every one.

My prayer is that they've lied enough

and final judgment's done.

So judge us now with Sodom and

love's lenience, do not serve.

But Lord, please guard Your little ones.

Sin's mess, they don't deserve.

Just as a thief comes in the night,

I'm ready, though I weep.

So very soon, please take me up -

while hardened sinners sleep.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Matthew 24:42-51 (NASB)

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

45 “ Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, 51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

His Miracles 5-10-16

If, on this paper, I could pen

just one of God's creations, then,

it'd prove to all, His mighty hand -

His miracles on sea and land.

But how can I take fish or bird -

express their beauty in mere word?

Or on my paper, what remains

when grasping fragrance from spring rains?

Into my words, do rainbows melt?

Is, on my paper, sunshine felt?

Can words expose a flower's bloom?

Can page bring music to a room?

While we can see and smell and touch

and hear, we do not know so much.

Mere words are dark and empty holes

just like our dead and empty souls.

Our pride stands in the way of Christ

while we all think we've sacrificed!

So humbly pray to God above

through miracles of peace and love.

We're like mere words as body dies.

But spirits live above the skies

to see in Heaven all the more -

His miracles, like none before.

©2016 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Traditions and emotions give, but if not hearts, we cannot live -

eternally in Heaven where, these things on earth do not compare.
~louis gander