"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 22, 2012

One Exceptional Word 2-22-12


For hours and hours I lay in my bed
as thoughts of new poetry enter my head.
I want to help others - so many abused -
and wonder if one special word could be used...

With each crying mother, child or dad -
what one perfect word can stop making them sad?
Can there be some comfort with something inferred?
...or maybe there is one exceptional word.

One single word that forgets all our past -
one single word that brings peace at last.
One single word that is really worthwhile -
replacing our tears into our biggest smiles!

So could it be 'faithful' or could it be 'grace' -
or maybe it's 'love', if even a trace...
Maybe 'forgiveness' or maybe 'confessed' -
or maybe it's 'thankful' or maybe it's 'blessed'.

It might be 'repentance' or even 'salvation' -
or maybe its 'Bible' or 'sanctification'.
It still could be 'cross' if anyone cares...
or maybe, just maybe, it's in all our 'prayers'...

So here in my bed, I've laid hours and hours -
some day to replace it with casket and flowers.
Oh, how will I say it and will it be heard -
when lips utter, 'Jesus' - my very first word?

Yes,
that 'word' - just a 'name' - but it happens to be,
the Name above all names. He cares about me.
He cares for you too so get down on your knees -
(even if one of the 'least of these')...

'Jesus' - the word that belongs to God's Son -
'Jesus' - the Name who still 'loves' everyone.
Jesus 'forgets' everything in our 'past' -
Jesus, our Savior, who grants 'peace' at last.

Physical, emotional pain - all there is...
He takes all our scars - and He puts them on His.
Soon, we will forget all our fears and our tears -
when living with Jesus, eternity's years.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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February 14, 2012

Feel The Breeze? 2-14-12


See the waves?
Hear the seas?
Smell the shore?
Feel the breeze?

WAVES of sin; Virgin birth;
God so loved; Walked the earth.
Healed the sick; Raised the dead;
Calmed the storms; Thousands fed.

SEAS of hate; "Crucify!"
Bloody Cross, standing high.
In my place, Jesus died;
God in flesh; Crucified.

SHORE of death; Crossed alone;
Buried deep; Sealed in stone.
God's command; Christ arose.
Death is dead; Hell exposed.

BREEZE of God, graces dawn.
Spirit fills; sin is gone.
Feed His sheep; Break His bread;
Drink His wine; Spirit fed.

See the waves?
Hear the seas?
Smell the shore?
Feel the breeze...?

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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February 11, 2012

The Gun Fight! 2-11-12


The sun was rising in the east
behind some hitching posts -
and weathered boards, on buildings old,
had nothing left to boast.

But I wore fancy cowboy duds,
I was a handsome sight.
A crowd of people gathered 'round
to watch this old gun fight.

The street was dead and empty
except for sin and I.
I somehow ended up out here.
I'm really not sure why.

A bullet? Very perilous
if we've no self-control -
and sin is much more dangerous,
because it kills the soul.

Now noon met with humidity.
The sun was dry and hot.
Some beads of sweat rolled down my face -
my stomach, in a knot.

But no, I wasn't nervous -
though duel had begun.
I counted out ten paces -
then turned and drew my gun.

But sin is faster, furious -
much quicker than the eye.
Oh please! Dear Lord and Saviour -
I do not want to die!

And then... in just an instant,
I dropped down to my knees.
I fell as peace passed over me
and felt the gentle breeze.

But something stood in front of me.
Its shadow crossed my face.
I then saw Jesus on that cross.
He took my very place.

Ashamed, I dropped my pistol.
My pride was killed that day -
as I pulled off my fancy boots
and flung my hat away.

Now humbled on the dusty street
with crowded eyes on me -
my every pride had vanished as
I learned humility.

In faithfulness, I stood again,
though I was at a loss...
Oh, how could Jesus love me so
from that old rugged cross?

The sun was setting in the west
behind some hitching posts.
And weathered boards, on buildings old,
had nothing left to boast.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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February 8, 2012

A Brand New Start 2-8-12


In the beginning God had made
foundation's rock where I have laid -
all my troubles, all my lies -
all my heartaches, all my cries -
all my burdens, all my sin -
all my heartaches here within.

But now, a Christian, I ride seas,
ride His oceans, ride His breeze -
ride His clouds where angels live -
optimistic, positive -
high on grace and high on love -
high on Jesus, free above!

A God of love, a God of peace,
a God of hope where sorrows cease -
where I have gained and hold no loss
because of Jesus and the cross -
because of grace that pardoned me -
because of faith that sets me free!

And all that my dear Savior knows,
my Comforter and Spirit shows -
in the Heavens, where God built -
a place where flowers will not wilt -
a place where Angels sing in voice -
a place where Christians will rejoice!

So pray for father, sister, mother,
brother, friends and one another,
fellow workers, enemies -
and ne'er forget the 'least of these'.
For those who give a broken heart -
will then receive a brand new start.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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February 5, 2012

A Joyous Life 2-5-12


Burned alive, my soul was,
despite my swings and thrashes -
and I had been completely dead,
a filthy heap of ashes.

And Heaven, I forgot about
when living with the masses.
So futile there, my soul was -
and learned life quickly passes.

Excuses weren't accepted.
Results were very vile.
I had to stop and think a bit -
and cry for quite awhile.

But that was then and this is now.
I want you all to see -
that I had no one else to blame
except for 'little me'.

Then sought I Jesus, by and by,
above the clouds and birds.
His grace was free. Now so am I
to leave these loving words:

If you would simply just repent -
and let His Spirit free -
through faith, you'll find a joyous life
and so contented be.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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January 24, 2012

Sin Still Stinks! 1-24-12

Based on a true story
during gooseberry picking season, 1934
as told to me by my mother, Ruth.

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On our old North Clayton farmstead -
my brother, sister, I -
were picking berries with our mom,
when brother caught my eye.

In each our hands, a bucket with,
our minds on all our work.
We each were very diligent
'til brother went berserk.

Wisconsin's early summer brought us
many ripe gooseberries -
but never could we match what mom,
within her bucket carried.

God's trees stretched high above our heads,
His briers pulled our clothes -
yet creek ran faithful, east to west -
while heat, with sun, had rose.

You may not know our brother yet,
but all of us could tell,
that trouble followed him around
and knew him very well.

He said, "Look at this big kitten!"
He poked it with a stick -
but when it turned and raised its tail,
our mother shouted quick.

Although it wasn't humorous,
we giggled in our fun.
But when mom said it was a skunk -
we sure knew how to run!

Now sin can sure deceive us.
It's fun, this world thinks -
but it is not to play with so,
remember, sin still stinks!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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January 19, 2012

The Little Kitten 1-19-12


A tiny little kitten
whose feet were very sore,
wandered through the drifting snow
and right up to my door.
The weak meowing stirred me,
and drew me when she cried.
I crossed my room with aging feet,
inviting her inside.

She shivered and was hungry,
was frightened, very weak.
Confused, she wasn't trusting,
her future somewhat bleak.
Now even though I loved her,
I saw a troubled sign.
I thought about it for a bit -
compared her life to mine...

As she warmed up to me a bit,
I let her eat and rest -
but ran, she did, if I came close -
afraid of me, I guessed.
Now I was like that kitten,
and it became quite clear -
that I was frightened, ran away,
when Jesus got too near.

Then as the days kept rolling by,
she finally did prefer -
to be around and close to me.
She found that I loved her.
Before I learned that God so loved,
my life was very grim.
And though He loved me very much,
I had no faith in Him.

Knowing that I love her so
and take good care of her -
knowing that I listen when
I hear her prayerful purr -
defines a word called "faithfulness",
defines a true belief -
not wandering out aimlessly
in blowing snow and grief.

So now you'll find her in my lap,
a tiny ball of fuzz -
but she had taught me faithfulness.
I know it's true because -
I roamed once like this kitten,
where snow and drifting harms,
but now I lie in pastures green,
with Jesus- in His arms.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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January 10, 2012

A Simple Frame 1-10-12


With Christmas season over,
and presents put away -
with most the decorations packed...
what's wrong with life today?

My dead tree still is standing -
that I have yet to cast -
but cannot help but wonder -
has Christmas spirit passed?

That single, empty, simple frame,
is dead inside and out -
and seems to cloak the truth of what
pure 'Christmas' is about.

Although some evidence remains
with dead tree standing there,
needles scattered on the floor...
there's something in the air.

There's something that I'm missing.
There's something not routine -
and somewhere in this old dead tree -
there's something I've not seen.

Could I derive from hint and clue
if pieced, I could, together -
in my head, I wonder if -
I wonder - wonder whether...

My tree once held the ornaments...
Another held a Man!
And long before mere presents came,
the gift of grace began!

A simple frame against the sky
in perfect silhouette -
a couple thousand years ago -
if we can see it yet...

see, by Jesus' sacrifice -
that all God's grace is free -
if we repent and humbly trust,
our Savior faithfully!

Last Christmas never ended,
as I walk along life's way -
I will forever, always -
live Christmas every day!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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December 31, 2011

Sunday School Lessons 12-31-11


We walked to school each Sunday morn.
Those unique belfry chimes,
rang old familiar gospel hymns
we sang so many times.
In full respect, wore Sunday best,
the women, fancy hats.
The preacher sounded serious -
then after church, the chats.

I never understood it then,
the meaning never came -
but now I fully comprehend
and nothing is the same.
There's reason in my conscience.
It's true - all I was taught.
There's purpose in my actions,
and good in every thought.

God alone receives my faith.
I hold within the ranks.
I wear Salvations armor
and win, though Satan flanks.
He tries to interrupt me,
deceive and lead astray -
telling me that life is good -
to live it my own way.

But life is just a vapor
that hovers near the ground -
with dissipating subtlety,
until we're not around -
when one day we are breathless,
and blood no longer flows -
when warmth escapes the body,
and with it, soul goes.

Those times I went to Sunday School,
have taught me very well.
I pray for Godly wisdom so,
that I, in turn, can tell -
others who are hurting,
with pain within their face -
those also needing Jesus
and everlasting grace.

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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December 22, 2011

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Jesus 12-22-11


To the tune of:
"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

It's beginning to look a lot like JESUS,
everywhere I go.
I still look at the virgin birth.  Knowing Him here on earth -
still warms my heart and makes my spirit glow.
It's beginning to look a lot like JESUS,
miracles in store -
but the prettiest sight I'll see
is the baby that will be -
who I can't ignore.

A cross with no handles, with no pair of sandals,
He carried it right up until -
our actions horrendous with weight so tremendous -
He fell halfway up the hill.
The soldier men so full of sin, just wanted to torture and kill.

It's beginning to look a lot like JESUS,
faithful as before -
and we Christians must always be, like the Jesus that we see -
through a world at war...

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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