A Winning Poem 5-1-22

Sometimes my poem's a winner

but often times it's not.

And yet I spend a lot of time

to give it all I've got.

But one thing I will never do

because it's oh, so true.

I will not thank my hand because

God's hand is in it too.

No, never take the praise because

you write for God alone.

Take all your selfishness and pride

and clear your ev'ry bone.

Before you write, please thank the Lord.

Convey a sincere prayer,

that you will do your very best

and write with utmost care.

When you give God the glory first,
from the start to finish,

you'll receive His blessings so your

work will not diminish.

For we're around a world of sin

while He is up above.

So give Him full and total praise

and show Him all your love.

Use a thesaurus if you must

when you can't find the words.

Make your poem flow off tongues

with all your nouns and verbs.

Then go right back and pray again.

The poem's His, not yours.

And work it over perfectly

so poem long endures.

©2022 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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But Should Have Been 4-2-22

They slept and slept with weary eyes

while Jesus prayed with teary eyes.
He prayed in earnest while they slept,

but answered faithful. He'd accept.

It wasn't me.

The night was looking mighty grim.

Then came, they, and arrested Him.

The charge was simple: blasphemy.

He didn't plead nor disagree.

It wasn't me.

And this is how the story goes:

They stripped Him of His humble clothes.

With bone-tipped violence He was whipped

and ev'ry time His skin was ripped.

It wasn't me.

It wasn't something He could toss.

He dropped that very heavy cross.

None could stop them, stop them now

as sweat poured off His heavy brow.

It wasn't me.

They mocked Him with a crown of thorns.

The hate, the words, the sword, the scorns.

It's hard to fathom these details,

then sore, He bore barbaric nails.

It wasn't me.

His sacrifice was perfect love

both here on earth and Heav'n above.

It could have been a total loss

but Christ, Himself, endured that cross.

It wasn't me.

God's solemn will would then prevail,

and tore from top to bottom, veil.

Yes, Christ was hung for my sins then.

It wasn't me... but should have been.

©2022 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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He Too Was In-between 3-1-22

It isn't seen

when you're between

a hard place and a rock.

May be unfair.

Who put you there?

The time goes slow, tick tock.

Though you may shout

there's no way out.
It overwhelms the mind.

Yet on your own

it can't be known,

so answer, you must find.

Did you eclipse

relationships?

Or could it be your debt?

Was it your fault

or some assault?

You wish you could forget.

But here you are -

can't travel far -

for blocking you are sins.

If you stay here

in all your fear,

please tell me now, who wins?

So to escape

you must reshape

your mind.  Don't think it odd.

Won't help to fuss,

it's up to us

to call upon our God.

The answer's still

upon the hill

at our Lord's final task.

The answer's clear,

the answer's near,

if only we would ask.

God never fails.

Christ bore the nails.

Did Jesus intervene?

Because of grace

He took our place.

He, too, was in-between.

It takes a toll

on your poor soul

if you're too proud to pray.

So fold your hands

and understand

there comes a brighter day.

©2022 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Bright Twilight Summers 2-16-22

Betty is sad because friends will all tease her.

Jimmy is mad at his new 4th grade teacher.

Joseph is crying.  His allowance is paltry.

Ruth screams loud because her corn is too salty.

Mary's self centered, says her penniless spouse.

And David is sick of repairing his house.

John still simply envies his neighbor's new car

as Suzie complains that the store is too far.

But Katie has joy despite her bone cancer.

How she loves Jesus who holds ev'ry answer.

God hears those complaining when things don't go right,

but He loves His children content in their fight.

Whatever the challenge, whatever the test,

remember that Jesus knows hardships the best.

So many see crosses on ev'ry small thing...

and they miss the best of what life has to bring.

And don't get wrapped up in the drama of others,

Live God's warm colors of bright twilight summers.

©2022 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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