"I want to thank all those who come from around the world and read the poetry that God has inspired me with to make the world a more pleasant and peaceful place. This site shall always be totally free for everyone with no tracking, pop-up ads & videos or other distractions." ~louis gander

February 28, 2010

When In Doubt 2-28-10


When friends and family disappear -
when pride and courage turn to fear -
when all is gone and all seems lost -
when spirit dies, then what's the cost?

When at a loss and don't know why -
when all we do is cry and cry.
When time goes on, but we cannot -
what if, about us, God forgot?

When sin controls and we're pitch black -
what happens if God turns His back?
Oh, what if God just didn't care
and let us fall in deep despair?

Should we give up and lose all hope -
when there's no way in life to cope?
No. God is faithful, God is just -
and in Him only, we can trust.

For God so loved - and sent His Son -
who did not quit - 'til He was done.
So when in doubt, just say a prayer -
Remember God is always there.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

February 21, 2010

Through Blurry Tears 2-21-10


So angered by their lies, I felled,
with raging hate that I had held -
livid by the wrongs that gripped,
and trying to escape, I yelled!

I sought a place so far away -
where I could go, forever stay -
from evil, sinful, wicked men -
I quickly left, without delay.

Then on a park bench feeling low -
my tears began to really flow.
Dark and dreary was that eve -
I had no place to really go.

"WHY me, dear God," I asked down in,
"allowed you why, man's evil sin -
to break me down in pieces so -
and bring me torture deep within?"

I lost my job - have You no clue?
I lost my car and savings too -
I lost all love for other folk.
Your answer God, is overdue."

Heard I, a voice that caught my ears -
his age, at most, was ten short years.
Embarrassed I, so hid them quick -
my lonely, sorry, selfish tears.

I could not look him in the eye -
nor let him see this old man cry.
I stared down at the ground is all.
"Hello" I said, but was a lie.

He had few words, but gave support -
oh, no one could my problems sort.
And least of all this tiny boy,
who's lived a life so very short.

But there, he listened patiently
and took his time to talk to me.
He seemed to understand my pain -
and somehow we could just agree.

The minutes spent seemed very few,
our little friendship grew and grew.
"Just ask me any question, son -
and maybe I can help you too."

I felt some sorrow in the air,
when he asked me, "Why's life unfair?"
So I looked up through blurry tears,
and noticed then, his wheel chair.

I sat there stunned and never moved -
and problems mine, were not removed -
but lesson learned, I'll not forget,
"And now, my God, a life I'll prove."

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Revelation 22: (KJV)
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

February 7, 2010

Valentine's Day 2-7-10


"Love our dear Valentine" we always say,
whenever we think of Valentine's Day.

Big hugs and kisses and also some fun -
is love's expression for our 'special one'.
Flowers, dinner, and maybe some wine -
as we treat our 'sweethearts' especially fine.

But oh, long ago on one fateful day -
when we threw our greatest of loves away -

Hatred surpassed all the love we had won -
as hugs were not there when the nailing begun.
Thorns replaced flowers, and then sour wine -
and that's how we treated our Lord divine.

"Love our dear Valentine" we always say,
but how do we love the Savior today?

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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February 3, 2010

Nudge the Seed 2-3-10


Do you -

-remember well, the mustard seed -
so trivial and small?
Has our faith ever touched it yet -
or been close by at all?
Mere faith can move the mountains high,
and beckons at the call.

Remember well, the miracle
when Jesus calmed the storm?
Could once, we simply execute -
or tiny one perform?
How close could be our little faith
from halting one life storm.

Remember well, protection when -
God came with comforts aid?
Now bow we ever lowly for
mistakes so great we've made.
We ask for one more miracle
and humbly we have prayed.

With trouble, insurmountable -
will faith to death now bleed?
No! God provides for many 'wants',
supplies our every need!
Will our faith move the mountains too -
if we don't nudge the seed?"

First nurtured deep in grace and soul,
and watered too, must be -
then with a perseverance -
faith grows a mighty tree -
to carry off the mountain,
and throw it to the sea.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Luke 8:15 (NASB)
"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."

February 1, 2010

The Other Side 2-1-10



Creation crafted meadows green,
with mountains tall and wide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

Our lives fulfill the greatest dreams,
as beauty seeks the bride.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

A small inscription marks a coin,
and notice we, a pride.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The clouds will cap the valley low,
and skies, the clouds can hide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The waters mask the ocean floor -
some only notice tide.
Believe the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

It is appointed. We're to die.
And after we have died?
What's on the other side, my friend?
What's on the other side?

The waves, as time, come crashing in -
Believe that there is more?
What's on the other side, my friend?
What's on the other shore?

A still, small voice through Heaven's gates,
calls softy, yet is heard.
God whispers low His message now -
through His celestial Word.

The other side has Heaven's gates -
with cries for you and me.
Just listen for His still, small voice.
His grace is pure and free.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 Kings 19: (KJV)
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Hebrews 9:26-28 (KJV)
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

January 31, 2010

Walking Faith 1-31-10

Water is scary,
when overboard thrown.
Water is scary,
as drownings have shown.
Water is scary,
but way overblown.
Water is scary,
when it is unknown.

Walking on water,
not saying I should.
Walking on water,
not piers made of wood.
Walking on water,
I would if I could.
Walking on water,
so misunderstood.

Faith is the secret,
when water's ignored.
Faith is the secret,
with all one accord.
Faith is the secret,
so let's get aboard.
Faith is the secret
to come to the Lord.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 14: (NASB)
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

The Prize 1-31-10


I sat beside my window.
With all that I could see,
the breeze was blowing slightly as
the sunlight fell on me.

I noticed younger children
outside that warm spring day -
they ran around in circles and
enjoyed their active play.

One boy - reached up for something -
invisible it seemed -
as he would run and jump up high,
still grabbing for his dream.

Now was he catching sunlight?
My face just simply grinned.
He seemed to have a reason for
his grasping at the wind.

Then stopped, he with his hands clasped.
He slowly peeked inside.
And then suspense - amazement heard,
"A butterfly!" he cried.

The bills we know are overdue,
an endless task it seems -
but life from children shine on me.
How futile are life's dreams.

I sit here in the sunlight,
on God's tremendous earth,
I soak in all its beauty and
find peace, therein its worth.

I know I grasped for other things,
I willed to 'get ahead'.
But now as years have passed me by
I've found the prize instead.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Genesis 1: (KJV)
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

January 30, 2010

Over, Under & On 1-30-10



Over temptations hellish flames,
over my selfish, foolish games,
over my ego, over my pride,
and over all evil desire inside,

Over my wants and over my needs,
over my endless, selfish greed,
over the impulse of this land,
for something, somewhere, I must stand.

Over my wasted days and years,
over my sad and futile tears,
over possessions and over my shoes,
over my travels, I must choose.

Under the stars, the sun, the moon,
under the clouds of midday, noon,
under the clouds which turned to gray,
I saw in the sand, for me, the way.

Under the message, I could sing,
under the crown of thorns, my King,
under the face of endless love,
I was fully unworthy of.

Under temptations people stray,
under Barabbas, come what may,
under both nails that pierced His hands,
noticed my purpose in the sands.

Under the sword that pierced his side,
over the grave and grace inside,
under the feet, securely nailed,
over all clearly - I had failed.

Under excuses that I'd built,
over depressions from my guilt,
under the cross, my Lord's upon,
there lay His sandals, I put on.

On with compassion so humbly found,
on with a purpose completely sound,
on, despite others who might be appalled,
on to a mission for which I was called.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Remember those in need in Haiti
and others in true need around the world.

Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV)
31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'

44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'

45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

January 18, 2010

My Horse 1-18-10


The course was very narrow,
the trail, straight and long -
I moseyed on that perfect path
where I could do no wrong.
I kicked my big, white stallion,
up rocky slopes one day -
and when I made this clearing,
I knew I'd found the way.

And while I sat there on my faith,
atop the highest hill -
and as I peered on valley low,
I judged folks all until -
I found great fault in everyone
no matter, great or small -
so I could sit up highest on
my saddle, straight and tall.

I prayed; "Oh, those pathetic souls
are hardly good for thee -
for never are they good enough,
unless they're just like me.
Just look at their bad habits,
just look at all their stuff,
and why don't they attend my church?
They are not good enough!
They sin in many different ways,
they fall in numbers too.
They just don't understand that they -
are not like me and You."

Now after telling God that they
had wandered way off course -
t'was then that I was bucked right off
my high and mighty horse.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Matthew 23:12 (NASB) "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

January 12, 2010

Horizon's Path 1-12-10


When all the richest people rest in graveyards,
before their grand possessions rot and rust,
I turn my eyes and humbly look to Heaven,
for Jesus is the only one I trust.

When all the famous celeb's rest in graveyards,
and all their loyal fans find other 'stars',
I turn my eyes and humbly look to Heaven,
for Jesus is my friend who holds the scars.

When all the greatest rulers rest in graveyards,
down underneath their oxen and their plows,
I turn my eyes and humbly look to Heaven,
for I have life which only God allows.

When all the folks around me fall to pieces,
solutions sought - but they can find them not -
I shake my head in wonder with the Heavens,
for I have Him whom they have all forgot.

When all the world can wonder why I'm happy -
and simple minds can't seem to understand,
I simply trust God's promises in Heaven,
continuing to hold His loving hand.

When friends and family wonder why I journey,
to places in my thoughts they'll never know -
horizons of my faith still kiss the Heavens,
as that's the path I'm traveling below.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Job 23 (NASB)
10 "But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11"My foot has held fast to His path;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
12"I have not departed from the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.