Lights Of Christmas 12-16-08

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With people running to and fro
Christmas time would come and go.
All in smiles, in sunshine grow -
but I, in blackness, could not glow.

Inside living differently,
sorting through my mess -
yet nothing changed inside of me
Confused I lived in darkness.

Christmas days - I'd learn to cope,
I'd live through each quite aimless.
But this time though - a speck of hope,
pierced right through my darkness.

This Christmas night - a manger scene,
was lit under the blackness.
I saw it no more as routine -
as something pierced my darkness.

A simple manger in the night
that only God could bless.
And just that little speck of light
pierced right through my darkness.

That night a star - shone up above,
so bright the night could not suppress.
And that was when - a speck of love
pierced right through my darkness.

I saw that day - a baby boy,
Surrounded by all humbleness.
And then I knew - a speck of joy
pierced right through my darkness.

As I felt my sorrows cease,
and knelt there to confess,
was then I felt - a speck of peace
pierced right through my darkness.

I heard behind me snickering
I felt the chilly breeze.
but it was there I saw the light
while praying on my knees.

That blackness in me fell apart.
I knew there at that stable,
a light had pierced my buried heart.
I glow - for He is able.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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Humble Child 12-15-08

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Dreams, a wish, a want and cloud,
I chased a rainbow all allowed....
I saw futility.

Career, work, a job and more,
opportunities, times, an open door....
I grasped futility!

I entered life I could not shut -
in filth and mud - then in a rut....
I wore futility!

I scaled the ladder - oh, so high -
the lights below I couldn't buy....
I lived futility!

In total darkness, there I was -
you asked me "why"? I said "because"....
In full futility!

Then humbled there, I saw a child,
as I looked down, He saw I smiled....
- and then He set me free.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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The Pain Of Sin 12-14-08

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It has started every war.
Don't believe, and see what is in store.
It deceives. It’s rotten to the core.
Sin's killed millions – hundreds of millions -
and it will kill millions more.

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - to stop man's ugly riot?
Someone lies to everyone. Despite all efforts, you can't forget.
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, and break out in a sweat?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - when it is all but quiet?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - but no one hears a peep?
Someone wrongs you, no one hears - as pain hits bottoms' deep.
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, but have no tears to weep?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - and can't go back to sleep?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud? You've heard the same old song.
Someone hurts a lot of folk. You could see it all along....
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, though you have done no wrong?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - and knew you don't belong?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - and yelled, "I told you so!"
but it doesn't do a bit of good - as you hear their hot air blow?
Have you had nightmares, where you're in pain, because of "quid pro quo"?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night – and sometimes yell out "NO!"?

Have you ever cried and screamed out loud - but it's all inside your head?
Someone kills a lot of folk - and you can see them dead?
Have you had nightmares - where you're in pain? Could it be you instead?
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night - as you see it ahead....?

It has started every war.
Don't believe, and see what is in store.
It deceives. It’s rotten to the core.
Sin's killed millions – hundreds of millions -
and it will kill millions more.

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org
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Where Is The Greater Love? 12-14-08

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Where is the greater love?

when someone hugs another,
when a wee one hugs her mother,
when strangers hug each other?

Where is the greater love?

when a king respects his base,
when two enemies embrace,
when a smile grows on a face?

Where is the greater love?

in those who haven't any clue,
in those who cannot follow through,
in forgiving those who know not what they do?

Where is the greater love?

when truth is now uncovered,
when a babe is soon discovered,
when sacrifice is finally covered?

Where is the greater love?

when one forfeits his very gun,
when presents are for merely fun,
when God gave us His only Son?

Where is the greater love?

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org/

Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
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Shattered Glass 11-24-08

A gold fish swam inside the bowl.
It's tail fin made the water stir -
against the glass. It peered beyond
but it could swim no further.

I reached out too - but couldn't through.
That invisible glass prevented me -
but living in our little worlds
just isn't meant to be.

We have our eyes but what deceives?
For everything will come to pass -
this side of the present tense,
and out beyond the solid glass.

Sins law, like glass, invisible.
It's nothing but a deadly lie.
I reached but couldn't feel His touch.
It held between my God and I.

For I was deep in waters sin,
within there is no air.
There is no grace inside the law -
and faith cannot live there.

But then one night some time ago,
in quietness, the world heard -
a star shone bright above a babe.
Something big on earth occurred.

Reputed, He, our wisdom there.
His death on earth did pass,
but heard before that quiet night -
the shout that shattered glass....

Yes, "Abba, Father" shattered it.
Sin's law shattered everywhere -
forgotten, forgiven, gone.
Grace unlocked us from despair.

Hope washed us ever closer then.
Free from circling without breath,
free from sinful bondage where,
the wages of sin is death.

Some day we'll occupy our graves -
yet sin no longer holds us slaves.
The glass is broken. Make no waves -
just tell the world that Jesus saves!

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Armor's Yoke 11-22-08

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(Ephesians 6)

I STAND FIRM in
the armor of God. (vs. 13)
and in gospel's PEACE
my feet are shod. (vs. 15)

I STAND FIRM -
will not transgress. (vs. 14)
Wearing my breastplate
of RIGHTEOUSNESS, (vs. 14)

From each crevasse
in the world, (vs. 16)
fly flaming arrows
at me - hurled. (vs. 16)

I'm not slack
and will not yield - (vs. 16)
but raise up high
my FAITH, my shield. (vs. 16)

And with the belt
of TRUTH I'm gird. (vs. 14)
I seize the sword
which is His WORD. (vs. 17)

Darkness, wickedness -
I'll not allow. (vs. 12)
SALVATION'S helmet,
I take now. (vs. 17)

If perseverance
stays alert, (vs. 18)
I'll Pray and fast,
and won't get hurt. (vs. 18)

When I believe
and do what's right,
His Yoke is easy,
His burden, light. (Matt. 11:30)

©2008 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
www.ganderpoems.org

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Wheelbarrow Christian 11-20-08

I pulled you hard from deep within,
from a trash heap dead in sin.
From your true and certain peril -
I lifted you - a wheelbarrow.

You long outlasted rusty peers
and persevered for many years.
Diligent, you worked all day -
never asked an ounce of pay.

Your tire worn - you didn't care.
At times you'd need a little air.
Your wooden sides were warped and bowed
but never once, refused a load.

Working streets or fields of clover
you, at times, would tip right over.
Though humbled there, one might expect,
you hadn't any disrespect.

So willing you, without excuse -
would faithful take all sins abuse.
Whether weeds or rocks contained,
you never, ever once complained.

And burdened down with dirt or stone,
you never once had worked alone -
for I was there - I pushed a bit,
because I knew you'd never quit.

I gave you every push and shove -
but did it all in Godly love.
Yes, you surpassed the near and far,
and you, my faithful servant are.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org//

2 Peter 1:4-8 (NASB)
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Think About It.... 11-19-08

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There's a fork in the road.

I'm looking for a new career.

I choose one or the other,

Now where do I go from here?

There's a rock in my path.

I must make it clear.

I work hard to roll it off,

Now where do I go from here?

There's brush on the trail.

I really must persevere.

I work a lot to clear it,

Now where do I go from here?

Troubles are a way of life

and never disappear.

I've tried to fix all my troubles,

Now where do I go from here?

When I am on my deathbed,

and life is in the rear.

What do I look forward to,

And where do I go from here?

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:

That Trampled Rose 11-18-08

I so remember long ago

a Fair had came to town.

People talked for many weeks

and came from miles around.

Now there were several contests.

Two roses were compared.

It seemed like only yesterday

the way the people stared....

A mass of people circled.

Around the roses, stood.

But sitting in my wheelchair,

I couldn't see too good.

One received the highest prize,

the other one was tossed -

as people cheered the winner and,

ignored the one that lost.

Now for the rose that lost its case,

the judge just cast aside.

It then was trampled under feet.

Its owner nearly cried.

The winning rose was held up high

for all the world to see.

The people crammed around it close,

and oh, they did agree.

For better look, the crowd in back

stood high on their tiptoes.

They shifted 'round for greater view,

and trampled on that rose.

Then finally, a little boy

'bout three for four years old,

picked that trampled flower up

and gave to me to hold.

It's stem was crushed quite thoroughly.

It wasn't very long -

now hardly recognizable

with most it's petals gone.

I wanted nothing of it -

to see the other rose!

But I sat in my wheelchair.

That's how this story goes.

The boy stood right beside me.

He thought he'd done me good.

He never said a single word -

he just misunderstood.

There on my lap it laid until

I got back to my room.

I tossed it in the trash can as -

it would not ever bloom.

But then a few days later,

the County Fair had passed;

when all excitement dwindled,

when people left at last...

I unburied that dead rose,

and pressed it in a book.

Now when I'm most discouraged,

I take another look.

Pressed deep within the pages

of Psalms One-hundred-three;

I often think of that small boy -

the love he showed to me.

The winning rose has long since passed

and gone, its worldly shine.

Though others long for other things,

that trampled rose is mine.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 103 (NASB)
Praise for the LORD'S Mercies.
A Psalm of David.
1"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name."

BEWARE 11-15-08

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Walk the straight and narrow. (Matt. 7:14)
God protects the sparrow, (Matt. 10:31)
BEWARE! Don't tread on streets of dung.

A wise man is prudent. (Prov. 16:21)
The foolish - ignorant. (Psalm 73:22)
BEWARE of sin, the foolish young.

Do not betray the truth. (Mark 14:11)
better now a broken tooth. (Prov. 25:19)
BEWARE of promise - Judas hung.

Do not be deceived. (Jeremiah 9:5)
Can truth be retrieved? (Matt. 24:43)
BEWARE of sweetness when lies are sung.

Watch for the blitz (Mark 15:13)
from all hypocrites. (Matt. 22:18)
BEWARE - hot air from anyone's lung.

Whether from man, (Luke 2:1)
or the great satan; (Gen. 3:4)
BEWARE of the one with the silver tongue.

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

Genesis 3:4 (KJV)
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"

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