His Holy Name 10-31-20

Completely crushed, my fragile heart.

So lonely then, I fell apart.

My life was incomplete.

Of all the poems 'round the world,

this simple one, in wind, was twirled

and landed at my feet.

I'll live the life that God gave me

and do His will so free, gladly.

This life, I live for Him.

I took this poem at my feet,

inhaled the words without defeat,

then sang my fav'rite hymn.

For joy now fills my empty soul.
God simply touched and made me whole.

On knees, to Him I came.

I hold this poem that's so dear

and lift my hands without a fear

to praise His Holy Name.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Through All Eternity 9-10-20

Can eyes appreciate the smell of fresh-cut grass;

or nose appreciate the woodwinds and the brass;

or ears appreciate a chip in fav'rite dip;

or tongue appreciate a handy workmanship;

or hands appreciate the footsteps to a cross;

or feet appreciate the torture and the loss;

or brain appreciate the message of His love;

or heart appreciate such grace from God above?

While body can't appreciate all that there is to be,

salvation makes the soul rejoice through all eternity.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Empathy 8-15-20

Such anger, like a waterfall, had hatred spilling o'er.

I thought that I knew everything- and indeed I showed her!

The way she spoke would pain my ears.  My brain was being fried.

I tried to make her see my side.  I tried and tried and tried.

Such arguing?  My specialty, through muscle-tightened joints.

The big dispute had gone my way and I had proved my points.

I spoke much faster than she could.  My words would never cease.

I seized the moment, stole the time, with spoken masterpiece.

Though Jesus knew that the results were not remotely fair,

we know what had occurred when Pilot spoke to Jesus there.
Christ offered full forgiveness when our sins came into view
and prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I told that nagging woman who I thought was so naive,

"Just give me one more good excuse, because I'd love to leave!"

Then finally, I let her speak... and that's when I was told,

"You've got that 'grumpy' part down good.  Now work on getting old."

My anger, like a waterfall had hardened one more heart.

The lesson that I should have known?  I'll lose before I start.

True facts are not enough if hatred floods out Heaven's love

so empathy must live in what discussions are made of.

Christ offers us eternal life through Heaven's painful loss

and time has proved His empathy had permeated cross.
Christ cares for all His 'children' and He loves them through and through.
God's saving grace is endless if our faithfulness is true.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Selflessly 7-18-20

My lonely soul was destitute.

Abandoned, was my heart.

So desolate in lonesome thoughts,

so empty, torn apart.

If you could understand these words

then you'd know that is why

my life was just some lonely words

that made me want to cry.

Awake, I laid, night after night.

I didn't have a clue.

Those lonely words kept nagging me

and breaking me in two.

I found a friend, a friend indeed

who understands me now.

I used to never care or love,

but He had showed me how.

He never spoke a single word,

at least not audibly.

But He has blessed so very much,

this undeserving me.

My heart now overflows with joy.

My soul no longer cries.

The loneliness has been replaced

with sparkle in my eyes.

I'll not be focused on myself.

For Jesus, I will live.

No longer do I live for self

and selflessly will give.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Halo's Glow, The 6-18-20

Who really cares?  Who understands

the rusty spikes through feet and hands?

His feet wore dust that turned to mud

when mixed with his own sweat and blood.

And then, of course, some thorns were found

and weaved into an ugly crown.

A painful mocking, gross insult

(but we know now the end result).

He was so sore and in such pain,

yet love for us would somehow gain.

He gave us life and gave us breath!

He saved us from eternal death!

When we have judged His greatest foes,

then we are just as bad as those.

Let's praise His work, His will, His way.

Let's bow and give Him thanks today.

But we pray for expedience
while He seeks our obedience.

Remember His beatitudes!

Let's change our selfish attitudes.

I tell you world, I can't compete

with such a love that's so complete.

There is no greater love than His

and that is what the greatest is.

From greatest love, for greatest foe,
can we not see from here below?
From greatest love, for greatest foe,

can we not see the halo's glow?

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Beneath That Old Cross 5-17-20

Your grace draws me to You as I have observed.

But I linger often.  It's so undeserved.

Your love overwhelms me, Your strength holds me tight,

forgiveness is calling but guilt is my plight.

Effects of my sins are embossed in hard stone.

I cannot undo them.  I can't, not alone.

A carp without fin or a crow without wing,

I try as I might but can't fix anything.

Regret is the shadow I cannot outrun,

I cannot erase it or kill it with gun.

I cry for your blessings to shower as rain,

on those I have hurt so that peace they obtain.

Please hold them and guard them and don't let them fall,

then bless me with life that is pleasing to all.

Reminded of what I have put others through,

I so need forgiveness, but leave that to You.

I cry out in anguish.  I cry out in shame.
I know life is real and cry out Your name.
Please shake me of old days and don't let them kill
a future of loving and doing 'Your will'.

Immersed in contrition as life goes along,

dear Lord, please forgive me for all I've done wrong.

Your grace, so sufficient, Your love, so immense,

was proven at Cal'vry at Your great expense.

Please bury my burdens and bury my guilt,

beneath that old cross where Your blood had been spilt.
Remembering all You still do from above,

my tears now replace these mere words with my love.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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