Through Winds in Chime 2-23-19

Through life's tough test I did my best.

Some thought it odd I followed God,

but in His footsteps I found joy.

Please don't destroy, but do employ

the love of Christ and sacrifice -

for one day you will follow me.

In my steps be, just wait and see.

Your times are cast in ages past

in places that no longer thrill.

For it's God's will that waters still,

as deaths relate to Heaven's gate.

The case for all here by and by.

So do not cry or say good-bye.

For Heaven lives and Heaven gives!

So wonderful!  Believe me now.

There is no cow, nor ox nor sow.

No money lend, no work or end

and God's not penned His final rhyme.

For there's no time through winds in chime

o'er meadows green, where it's serene,

at that great place I've come to rest.

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Through life's tough test, I did my best.

Some thought it odd I followed God,

but in His footsteps I found joy.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Filthy Man 2-2-19

I was the only usher here

inside our little church.

The sermon was just starting and

for truth, we'd always search.

Now everything was normal there

right up to and until,

the door creaked slowly open and

we all grew very still.

In pastor's long mid-sentence, the

strange silence first began,

for standing in the doorway was

a poor and filthy man.

Appeared, he did, atrocious there

and homeless quite awhile,

with clothes severely tattered, but

I staged a phony smile.

Now everyone had noticed him -

and not just quite a few.

so ushered him, I quickly to,

the end of nearest pew.

As if there were a final drop

of coffee in each cup,

all heads were tipped a-way, way back

with noses sticking up.

Now pride was quite a problem back

since Adam and since Eve

and even today's Christians who

may claim that they believe.

Continued then, the pastor did

and when was said and done,

we wanted to leave quickly but

the nervousness begun.

It happened, as you may have guessed,

the filthy man had stood.

He then walked down the empty aisle.

It didn't look too good.

Each member there stood silent and

embarrassed, froze, aghast -

for all eyes were upon him as

the filthy man walked past.

Not knowing what to expect next

with pastor silent too,

all time came to a stand still as

he walked past ev'ry pew.

Right to the front of church he walked

when there he seemed to freeze.

A moment later just collapsed...

right down on dirty knees.

The congregation was so stunned

as he confessed it all.

His prayer was for repentance and

to God we heard him call.

Now no one spoke and no one moved

until a small girl came -

and knelt down right beside him there.

Then all was not the same.

An old man also quickly came

and asked forgiveness too.

And even I came to the front

with others just like you.

Now maybe love had tugged our hearts,

or it was by design -

but seen, a single dry eye?  No,

and those included mine.

It wasn't long before we all -

the children, women, men -

all us who held our noses high,

became humbled again.

It took a poor and filthy man

to open up our eyes

and wash our filthy hearts again

with humble, humble cries.

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Tears Numbered More 1-19-19

A hard worker, I was, with zig and with zag,

but God said that my work was one filthy rag.

I said, "I'm a self-made multi-millionaire."

But God said, "You're prideful and I do not care."

I argued, "I poured my whole life into this."

But God then responded, "What life did you miss?"

I said, "I deserve my most hard-earned reward.'

But God said, "I'll give you a cross like your Lord."

I cried, "You can't do that!  I'll commit suicide!"

But God said, "I know that.  You once almost died."

Screamed I, "Seven properties!  It just isn't fair!"

But God whispered gently, "I still do not care."

I cried in my pity.  My tears hit the floor.

But God answered kindly, "I promise you more."

They've stolen my hard work and all of my years!"

I pointed in anger, "See my pool of tears?"

He knocked on my heart's door.  I said, "Go away."
But God kept on knocking... yes, day after day.

I fell to my knees in emotional stress.

But God reassured me, "It's you I will bless."

"Just how will you bless me?" I asked selfishly.

And God answered softly, "Come here close to me."

I got up but I just stood stubbornly there.

God simply responded, "Life never is fair."

I said, "I can hear you.  What next?" I had sighed.

Then God again answered, "Come here to my side."

Not sure of His motives, I came to Him then.
He held me.  He loved me.  I cried once again.

"I confess, I repent, I now understand you."

Then God said, "Forgiven.  Now here's what you do."

I listened intently now free of all sin.

The vine was quite diff'rent.  He grafted me in!

My job was to bear fruit, the best that I could.

There were abused children and help them, I would.

My elders, my neighbors, the sick needed care.

The years were before me.  Good friends I made there.

Once filled up with money, my heart nearly froze.

Now I'm loving others, my warmth overflows.

Remember, my God, when I acted as child?

You guided and taught me to be meek and mild.

I'm sorry, my God, when my tears filled the floor.

Then God said, "Don't worry.  My tears numbered more."
---
No matter how heavy our tears today flow,
our God's love is greater than we'll ever know. ~louis gander

©2019 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In Language Seldom Heard 1-2-19

Near foot high grass on contoured lands

on winding stream where timber stands,

I longed to be on nature's sod

where furry ones and pilgrims trod.
While sitting there within my dream

on boulder overlooking stream,

I dreamt of living in the wood,

of peace and hopes among the good.

A little fish had caught my eye.

I asked of it, "Please tell me why...

why do you seem so content

without the shelter of a tent?"
It simply made a little splash
and said, "I don't need home or cash.
I am content when water's clean.
I don't need man to intervene".

A little fawn on nearby path

was soaking in a sunlit bath.

I held my breath and held my thrill,

as I sat there so quiet, still.
It's soft tan fur just begged a touch

but me, it didn't care for much.

It jumped off quick around a tree.
Where it had gone, I couldn't see.

I heard a nearby sparrow sing.
It wasn't rich and wasn't king.
But it enjoyed its outdoor space
away from man and human race.
Now it was happy, that I knew,
but when I sang, it quickly flew.
I knew that it would be alright
and watched 'til it was out of sight.

I wondered what would happen next,

what I could write within my text.

I felt the breeze and breathed it in,

then heard all nature's prayer begin.

It was in language seldom heard

from fish or beast or even bird,

yet nature praised the God above

with all its beauty, all its love.

Black city streets are not for me.

The stink, the noise should never be.

Encroaching here upon this scene

are man-made things grossly obscene.

They're out of sync and out of place.

It's just not right, a huge disgrace.

God gave this beauty to the man

and has for us a greater plan.

Our God will bless if we've obeyed,

so please protect what He has made.

All this is God's and that is fine.
It isn't yours and isn't mine.

Creation spoke to me in wood

in lovely word now understood.

Still, I fell short when I replied.

In faded echoes my words died.

©2019 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Gifts 12-22-18

The gift of life.  The gift of air.

The gift of mother's loving care.

The gift of water I can drink.

The gift of mind so I can think.

The gift of sweet and sour taste.

The gift of food that fuels my haste.

The gift of beauty from the rose.

 The gift of fragrance as it grows.

The gift of hearing with my ears.

The gift of feeling through my tears.

The gift of fingertips and touch.

The gift of hugs that matter much.

The gift of singing fav'rite songs.

The gift of healing all my wrongs.

The gift of knowing Jesus Christ.

The gift of grace, so overpriced.

The gift of marriage- man and wife.

The gift of everlasting life.

These gifts of love are on display,
these gifts of God from day to day.

These gifts abundant, always near,
these gifts of God from year to year.

©2018 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Unequaled Thrill 12-8-18

A placid picture about God, a poet cannot pen.

For who can comprehend it all?  Not selfish, sinful men!

If only eyes could see the truth.  If only ears could hear...

but noise of earthly living seem to make mere words unclear.

Incessant, louder beating drums in earphones is not peace -

and rancid words corrupting minds just seems to never cease.

While sinful men ignore God's words in heart and soul and mind,

the Judge of all the universe is patient, loving, kind.

So grasp your pen with loving thoughts and set your glass aside,

then write to your heart's full content until you're satisfied.

We may not be a preacher that the sinners come to see,

but by our words, through loving hearts, we might a teacher be.

We will not know where our words go, but I can only say -
that if we do not write the words then they aren't on display.

So pen a placid picture on your clear and empty page,

so people see your humble gift that only God can gauge.

Just give all glory unto God and let Him do His will

and may all sinners wake one day to that unequaled thrill.

©2018 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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