Christmas Child, The 11-26-21

Don't be confused,

we're not excused.

Just who was born on Christmas Day?

Was Santa Claus?

Just take a pause.

Do we believe in Santa's sleigh?

If you are wild,

don't be defiled,

for Christ can bring you blessed peace.
Just lean on Him
and sing a hymn.

His love for all will never cease.

In days of old

it was foretold

That Jesus Christ would come to be.

And it was swell

Emmanuel

was someone folks could really see.

Would Star not show,

which way to go?

And did an angel speak to them?

The Wise Men knew.

The Shepherds too.

Who did they find in Bethlehem?

Was Joseph's skin,

so envy thin -

when traded inn for 'livestock zoo'?

Did Mary care

that sheep were there,

the oxen, goats and camels too?

They understood

that all was good,

despite beginnings humble there.

Not as tycoon,

but coming soon,

God's Son would help all in despair.

The present world

is being swirled

around commercializing tree.

Don't go adrift.

Accept God's gift:
The gift He has for us is free.

Because He lives

He still forgives,

so come ye meek and come ye wild;

for who did lay

in manger hay...?

None other than the Christmas Child!

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Thanksgiving, Then and Now 10-31-21

The food was very scarce there back in sixteen twenty one.

The old and young went hungry with no time for games and fun

The ship had brought them to a land of opportunities,

but food was somewhat diff'rent than the food from overseas.

And sixteen out of twenty women died one winter there,

but summer months thereafter brought a feast the rest would share.

The Wampanoag had welcomed them near shores of Plymouth Bay

with Chief, Massasoit, a man who lived in Godly way.

With both the treaty and the harvest all but fully done,

the feast that they partook of was a good and healthy one.

We can't compare their hardships to the ones we have today

so we should be most thankful for the food that's on display.

With table set so perfectly so we can all enjoy

a feast of great abundance and a feast for girl and boy.

For God gives us aplenty; things that we do not deserve.

so prayer of thanks is warranted with willingness to serve.

With turkey and the trimmings and the table full of food,

we should give many thanks to God before its fully chewed.

It's difficult to really put ourselves in Pilgrim's shoes

when here we sit among our friends on soft and comfy pews.

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Without A Fear 10-1-21

While winds whisper

and storm cloud's scheme

with thunder's roar

and lightning's scream,

I sit alone.

My teeth I clench.

I think about

this old park bench.

It sets alone

here under tree,

a massive one

protecting me.

It's branches wide.

It's limbs so firm.

It's trunk is huge.

That I confirm.

But time has come

and death is near.

I pray the Lord

still holds me dear.

I don't deserve

His precious grace,

but pray for this:

to see His face.

But rain now falls

and falls quite free,

while I sit dry

here under tree.

Like God, this tree

protects me now.

I am not soaked.

I do avow.

The rain is like

the sin of man,

but God protects.

We know He can.

And He forgives

both me and you.

He keeps us dry

and cleanses too.

The wind has hushed.

Clouds quickly fade,

with thunder too,

for Christ has paid.

I sit so dry

protected here,

without a care,

without a fear.

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Knock, Knock 9-1-21

There was a knock on the old door,

but knew not who that knock was for.

That steady knock was very hard

so it, I could not disregard.

The knocking was so persistent

but I was very resistant.

I placed my ear against the door

and voice I heard, could not ignore.

I opened slow as hinges creaked.

and through the opening I peeked.

I knew straightway of all my sin,

I humbly bowed and let Him in.

Joy overflowed my cup's dry rim

when I gave all my life to Him.

He knocked on my heart's door because

my doorbell's broke.  It doesn't buzz.

Yes, Christ loves you and me, He does.

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Atop A Silly Post 8-1-21

Two places at one time; can I

reside in such a place?

It just may be impossible

to live in such a space.

A fence post, can I sit atop

and balance there alone?

A post between two worlds,

on post that's all my own.

On one side of the fence I crave

the things that draw my eyes.

I yearn for boat or brand new car,

I want for grand surprise.

But that side's so deceptive

I become completely blind.

I cannot see the other side,

the side with peace of mind.

Now if, in faith, I travel there

and seek the real life,

away will be the blindness

and long gone too, the strife.

Can I see past the physical

and open up my eyes?

Can my eyes see reality

before my body dies?

Can I live in the spiritual

so I'm not living blind?

Can I live in the spiritual

the way I was designed?

Designed by my Creator,

designed by God above,

designed to live by faith alone,

designed to live in love.

The next time I am found to be

atop a silly post.

I'll only jump with Godly faith

to Him who loves me most.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Revelation 3:16

King James Version

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Sailing On! 7-1-21

"Why is it...
...when stormy seas toss me about,

I call on You, with distressed shout?

I do not pray when things are cool,

but call on You when out of fuel.

"Decisions, mine.  I'm on my own,

don't do Your will, I sail alone.

And so at times I miss Your docks

and run my ship up on the rocks.

"When seas are choppy, I'm annoyed,

but when it's calm, it is enjoyed.

That's why, when seas are peaceful, still,

I do my own, and not Your will.

"But bilge is full of water now.

I don't know why.  I don't know how.

The pump is on but it's behind.

Another fix, I cannot find.

My best was just not good enough!

My sins now make my life so rough.

And now I'm lost!  I'm going down,

through dark abyss, deserve to drown!

"I can't let go.  Loosen my grip!
Pilot my hopes, my needs, my ship!

You are my breath, my life, my all.

On You, Lord, I'll forever call.

"It's full of leaks and on the brink!

Please intercede!  Don't let me sink!
Lord, take the helm!  I do believe!

Please stay aboard and never leave!

"We now sail peacefully.  It's grand!

I pray you ships will understand.
When Him, you finally call upon,
you'll safely too, be sailing on!"

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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And Christian Be 6-1-21

It's hard to write through intense pain,

but this I know- it's not in vain.

For God so loves.  He offers grace-

while selfish man still turns his face.

So I will write my prayer today

that man will turn from wicked way.

My numbered days, I cannot view

and doctors say I may have few.

So I will change and will not wait

to share His love at this late date.

Please humbly love and then confess

and then repent and He will bless.

For ALL have sinned against His will,

yet grace abounds.  Yes, even still.

There's nothing more I'd rather see

than you accept, and Christian be.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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I love you all.

Simple Poem 5-19-21

This simple poem is just to say

that we are so caressed.

Through God's agape love and grace,

our souls are richly blessed.

If we think we deserve His love,

then we're completely wrong.

For Jesus hung on wicked cross

where really, we belong.

We don't deserve one bless-ed thing

that God has given us.

And that's my simple poem now.

There's no more to discuss.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 3:16

"For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,

but have everlasting life."

Pain For Peace 5-1-21

Pain's misery is haunting.  Good health is best to keep.

This cancer is unbearable, it keeps me from my sleep.

I've been so many months with pain, I don't know what it's like

to break free from these awful pains; to walk, to jog, to bike.

I don't remember what it's like to live without this pain

and it continues stabbing me.  I'm going now, insane.

Now God still holds the miracle and God is still in power
and God can take all pain away in these, each precious hour.

I pray, "Dear Lord, deliver me, if it is in Your will,

and take this awful pain away that I'm enduring still.

I do not have the answers and I do not have the voice.

I do not have the fortitude and do not have the choice.

I don't deserve forgiveness and I don't deserve Your love,

for I have sinned against Your will and Heaven there above.

But grace has set me free from sin.  You've healed me spiritually,

so if Your will is so inclined, please heal me physically."

So many care. So many pray.  So many read my words,

but I would give it all away to fly among the birds.

The blue skies seem so endless up above the tallest tree.

Birds seem to be so free of pain and soar above so free.

I'd praise my Lord with ev'ry song, with ev'ry line and verse.

And could it be, long life on earth, is just a wicked curse?

But if God wills, I'll stay on earth where pain may never cease.

Yet should He will to take this 'cup', I'll trade this pain for peace.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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NOTE:  A day or two after I wrote this poem the pain left me.
God does answer prayers and I thank all who have prayed for me.
May these words praise His name, (not the author).
Thank you Jesus!

Heaven's Gates 4-18-21

"Thy Will be done" is how I pray

but how do I start out my day?

Does God come first or is it rare

that I reach first to Him in prayer?

Alarm clock rings.  I've got to run.

It's long before the rising sun.

The world awaits as Heaven parts,

but I'm on time as 'chemo' starts.

Questions many, but answers few.

And prayer to God is overdue.

Again, again, I sin, I sin.

I've failed to do God's will again.

My best is never good enough

while grace forgives my selfish stuff.

I recommit myself each day

to live according to His way.

It's sobering to see life's end.

I miss family, miss my friends.

My best friend though?  Christ still awaits,

so patiently at Heaven's gates.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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