Passed Quietly, the Waters By 4-12-17

The river stones were gathered 'round.

Their speeches and their words profound.

They thought they were the best on earth -

had much more value, much more worth.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

The rugged stones had bragged aloud

below a soft and puffy cloud,

"We're mean and tough and really cool.

We are the best but you're a fool."

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

"Huge trees?  No match for guys like us!

You cannot answer nor discuss.

Our claims of greatness can't be beat.

This is our club - the great elite."

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

A tiger laid on rocky ledge

and peered below to river's edge.

The river stones looked way up there.

They were not scared.  They didn't care.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

They laughed at the moon and at the sun.
They laughed until the day was done.
They laughed at all that they could see.
They even laughed at you and me.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

One year they gasped and looked around.

The change in them was quite profound.

The years brought change that none could soothe.

Those stones were now, not rough, but smooth.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

Most hadn't known just what took place.

Not many learned of God's good grace.

That it was His undying love

that showered down from up above,

that brought the rainbow and the rain,

that flowed downstream to ease the pain

of each and ev'ry hard, rough stone

so they might learn and might atone.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Give Us Barabbas! 4-7-17

What caught the attention of that obtuse crowd?

What made them determined?  What made them so loud?

"Give us Barabbas!"  Can you tell me why

the people had int'rest in that evil guy?

Was he more exciting and spectacular?
Was he their big hero - strong, muscular?

Could he break big log chains right off of his wrists?

And did he boast laughing- then shake both his fists?

Was his voice like thunder with tongue hard as steel?

Oh, was the crowd taken and how did they feel?

Was it because Jesus stood motionless there?

Was it because Jesus did not have a prayer?

Was Jesus too loving t'ward innocent youth,

Was Jesus judgmental in speaking the truth?

Was Jesus too caring with his healing hands -

or was it because He had much greater plans?

There's no rhyme or reason, so often it seems.
It boggles the mind to such endless extremes.

So why did the crowd have Barabbas set free?

And why was it Jesus who died... and not me?

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

Forgiveness Undeserved 3-31-17

I don't deserve forgiveness and

I don't deserve His love.

I don't deserve His blessings that

He showers from above.

My greatest deeds have missed His mark.

My works were just my will.

My life appears so very dark.

Guilt haunts me even still.

Except for Jesus on the cross,

except for loving grace,

except forgiveness undeserved -

a hope?  No, not a trace.

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

My Beautiful Friend 3-20-17

Oh, why do you tease me, my beautiful friend?

Oh, why do you keep me 'at bay'?

I try and I try to get closer to you,

but you keep on moving away!

I cannot get closer, the more that I walk.

You keep a safe distance from me.

But please do not think that I'm someone to fear.

Just trust me that I'll keep you free.

The colors you wear seem to weaken my knees.
Your beauty I do not deserve.
Your brilliance continues to draw me to you,
so why do you throw me this curve?

Yes, God had created a beautiful 'you'.
You light up my life like the sky.
He keeps all His infinite promises too,
but don't ask me - I don't know why.

I can't get around and I can't get beneath -

yet you are beyond grandiose.

I know no one ever has touched you before,

and I can't begin to get close.

Although I can't touch you or hear what you say,

maybe apart, we aren't far..

And though you don't let me get closer to you,

a beautiful rainbow you are!

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

----

As I Wandered 3-11-17

No, it was not a fairy tale.

I happened on a bloody trail

where groove in dirt had pushed aside the stone.

I walked awhile, then I could tell

by scattered stones that someone fell

while other prints had proved him not alone.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

The sky was dark because of clouds.

but from a distance, I saw crowds.

The screaming that I heard brought me a chill.

Continued I, to walk a spell,

and then I saw it, saw it well -

three silhouetted crosses on the hill.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

Upon the crosses were three men.

I heard loud screams again, again.

I closer got- as this all seemed so odd...

The one between the other two

had uttered prayer- and then I knew

that He indeed was the true Son of God.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

He screamed to Father, breathed His last.

The earth had quaked with such a blast.
For words, I was completely at a loss.

Because my sin had put Him there,

I knew that this just wasn't fair.

It should have been me nailed to the cross.

As I wandered,
I wondered.

Yes, from a manger, virgin womb

and to a planned, but borrowed tomb,

assigned, were guards, each minute of the day.

Subdued and saddened, few had spoke -

but then I heard that Christ awoke -

and I had seen the stone was rolled away!

As I wandered,
I wondered.

An angel of the Lord I saw.

My jaw had dropped.  I stood in awe

and knew that I was standing deep in sin.

So I gave Jesus everything -

for He arose and now I sing!

Through precious grace, He's coming back again!

I wonder,
but don't wander any more.

©2017 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

----

He Showers Me 2-25-17

Jamestown Flood Aftermath 1889

A promise is forever

but words so quickly fade.

They echo once or twice but then

are lost under the shade -

of long abandoned good intents

from where I've long since strayed.

Oh, how can I live sincere life

when failed I, this exam?

Oh, how can I live honest life

when it is but a sham?

And how can promise now be kept

with water over dam?

Embarrassed I, now drop my head

ashamed to show my face.

And guilty I, cry out in vain
that I am in this place.

But then, what does my Savior do?

He showers me with grace!

©2017 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------