Hurry Up! 4-13-12

We rush to get ready,

grab wallet and keys,

unlock the old car door,

ignore the fresh breeze.

We start the small engine,

rotating the key,

then buckle our seat belts,

turn on the AC.

We roll down the window,

the radio hear.

Adjusting the mirrors,

we slip it in gear.

Our lives are so busy,

we hurry a lot -

of 'here and now' errands,

eternity not.

We run to appointments,

we run on a whim,

our souls unimportant -

until we see Him.

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

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His Hands 4-12-12

"I've cried my eyes out every day.

My burdens, I've out-poured

in never-ending prayers to You.

Why can't You hear me Lord?

"Oh Lord, the stinging hurts me so.

They smear my wounds with salt.

My mind is scarred and You know why.

These burdens aren't my fault.

"And physically, I'm also scarred.

Each hurts a different way.

So tell me... once again I ask,

'Do You hear what I say?'"

"As days go by, I cannot cope.

Will nothing ever change?

If there were different burdens Lord,

I'd happily exchange.

"I'd trade all mine for other ones.

This pain is just too great.

Please let me trade my burdens in,

if it is not too late."

And then I saw my Savior's hands,

cupped high above my head.

He slowly lowered them down to me,

and this is what He said.

"If you wish, then I will trade.

Your Savior understands.

I'll take each burden you don't want.

Just place them in my hands."

Collected I, my burdens all.

They numbered as the stars.

But just before I threw them in,

I saw those nail scars.

Instinctively, I held them back.

Now I was at a loss...

I cannot trade my burdens for

His day upon the cross.

"Oh come, my dear and troubled child -

come rest in my embrace.

Have faith that I will vanquish them

and I will show you grace."

But once again, still weak in trust,

and hesitant, I feared -

Yet one by one I set them in

as each one disappeared!

Now I have grace...  And burdens?  None!

No cross of any kind!

I gave to Jesus everything -

and now have peace of mind.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Good Samaritan 4-1-12

A doctor saw an angry mob -

and money they had stolen,

but then he passed the beaten man

now broke and cut and swollen.

A lawyer watched the boastful crowd

with sly and greedy grin.

He pondered many lawsuits but -

the man just wouldn't win.

A businessman was by the man

and picked up every stone.

A collector may pay hundreds

for each one they had thrown.

A priest was standing with the thieves.

He knew they needed teaching -

then gave the beaten man advice

with all his finest preaching.

Reporters interviewed the crowd

and printed many quotes.

A politician saw the group

and all their many votes.

He held a newborn baby and

he placed a tender kiss -

promised help for everyone -

ran for higher office.

At last, a good Samaritan

passed up the world's reward.

He cleaned his cuts and bandaged him

and paid for room and board.

Does money, fame or pride seize you -

through Satan's evil lies?

Then be 'a Good Samaritan'

and "go and do likewise."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Luke 10: 25-37

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him,
saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
 27 And he answering said,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
 30 And Jesus answering said,
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,
which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way:
and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,
came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:
and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine,
and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
 35 And on the morrow when he departed,
he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him,
Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Are We There Yet? 3-28-12

Vacation! What a pleasure!

To relax, on beaches bask...

but seven blocks away from home,

my backseat driver asked,

Are we there yet?

Vacationing, we drive along -

just spending time together.

It seems that nothing goes our way,

and this time? Rainy weather!

Are we there yet?

Vacation, scenic landscapes.

Now is this all in vain?

Is this, the scenic way the best?

Should we have taken plane?

Are we there yet?

Vacation. What's the purpose -

the drive or destination?

And then distracted with my thoughts,

was handed a citation.

Are we there yet?

Oh, sometimes we are so confused

and so delirious -

living in a world of fun.

Are we too serious?

Are we there yet?

Vacation. Can we live one?

Restoring peace within...

Then broken from my deepest thoughts,

my youngest asks again,

Are we there yet?

So what's our destination

exposed behind each task?

Sweep, do we, sins under rug -

then have the shame to ask,

"Are we there yet?"

Once at our destination,

may judgment not be grave -

when God asks if we've lived for us

or all to Jesus gave...

Are we there yet?

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Tears No Longer 3-20-12

Behind the doors of many homes,

no matter where you go -

a multitude of people weep.

Their tears forever flow...

I sat behind my mommy in

the back seat of our car.

My daddy did the driving, but

we didn't get too far.

My mom and I were talking,

and we were smiling wide,

but someone ran the traffic light

and hit us hard broad-side.

The truck came out of nowhere -

the driver, DUI.

And buckled in her seat belt, mom

had watched my daddy die.

I woke up in a hospital -

in pain for several days.

Our fragile world turned up-side-down

in many, many ways...

"Jesus, heal my broken heart.

I feel emotion's tug,

whenever mommy holds me tight

and gives me daddy's hug.
Embraced below Your sunsets

through visions of the wreck -

I know my mom is crying too.

Her tears run down my neck.

"She says we'll be in Heaven there.

It is her only prayer.

Daddy, mother, also I -

are in Your precious care.

Though she forgives the driver -

forget? She never will.

And though the years are passing by,

our tears are flowing still.

"But please forgive me Jesus -

I can't get on my knees.

Fun and laughter, drugs and beer

is all the world sees.

Is several years of crying worth

some stranger's day of fun?

'They know not what they do' You said.

Our tears forever run.

"You hear all my petitions

My deepest thoughts I share.

Your great omniscient presence

surrounds my wheel chair.

And I am not discouraged.

Through faith in You, I know -

in Heaven, we'll be together -

where tears no longer flow."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Lighthouse 3-11-12

What draws the eye to the lighthouse?

Oh say, what could it be?

Now how could a light on a mighty 'Rock'

forgive lost souls at sea?

There are no ropes to pull them in,

no maps of where to go -

and we hear cries from crashing waves -

under the beacon's glow.

Relentlessly, the wind blows now -

the noise, as a million drum!

The angry sea will swallow scores,

as the weak in faith succumb.

Through rain and hail and deadly fog,

sins weather strangely mixed -

a faint, but 'Guiding Light' shines through -

if eyes are firmly fixed.

The lighthouse sounds its foghorn out,

proclaiming, "Christ is King".

Our voices chime in harmony

as we rejoice and sing!

We find all comfort in the 'Rock'

as the faithful lighthouse calls.

It's then that storms surrender and

receding darkness falls,

What draws the eye to the lighthouse?

Oh say, now what could it be?

How can a Man on an old rugged cross,

help souls still lost at sea?

Secure in the 'Rock', we understand -

as the beacon lights the sky.

And as long as we see the halo -

forgive. "They know not why."

And tell them,

tell them if you dare!

Tell them when they're troubled.

Tell them with a prayer.

Tell them Christ is waiting.

Tell them God is fair.

Tell them Jesus loves them.

Tell them if you care.

Tell them God still loves the world.

Now go, and gospel share.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Adrift! 3-8-12

The waves were crashing everywhere -

port, starboard, forward, aft...

My troubles kept on pouring in,

upon my humble raft.

The typhoon winds of pain whipped up -

first one way, then the other.

My earthly troubles slashed about -

another and another.

Adrift on troubled waters vast,

but where? I did not know!

And here out on the stormy seas -

there was dark death below.

The shark infested waters there

that I remember still -

snapped temptations fangs at me

and broke my fragile will.

And then on top of everything,

it couldn't get much worse -

when wet, dense fog surrounded me -

my little faith, a curse.

I screamed from my position there,

"Do something! Please... You must!"

My fist shook at the Heavens.

I lacked sufficient trust.

I threw my hands up in the air

and wondered, "What's the use?"

Now isn't this the way life goes?

Then sodden ropes let loose!

The wicked waves tore at the logs.

My raft began to split.

Apart, my hopes had scattered off.

What could I do, but quit?

And then when giving up on life -

I saw - but could it be??

Walking troubled waters there -

my Lord had came toward me!

But my raft finished breaking up.

The waves were just too great...

My groping arms flung out to Him -

but He was just too late...

With remnants of my raft adrift -

this Jesus disappeared!

Out in the fog He vaporized -

a sick mirage, I feared.

The gift of life is special, but -

eternal life much more.

For Jesus was my sacrifice,

and who that cross was for.

Were hope and faith both obsolete

as waves crashed on my back?

Last remnants of my raft dispersed -

and everything went black.

Engulfed by churning breakers then,

my feet touched solid stone...

God's precious love threw me to shore!

I never was alone!

I'm thankful God broke up my raft.

Could I have asked for more?

That raft was really nothing with -

my Jesus on the shore!

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Psalm 23:4
 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

As God Whispers 03-02-12

Don't give me a brand new computer

to type all the words on my mind -

just give me an old scrap of paper

and maybe some words I can find -

to write with my old, stubby pencil,

a poem or two I think of,

to soften the hardest of hardened hearts -

and write a few words of God's love.

And no, I do not have erasures.

I used them up long, long ago -

for mine was the worst of all wicked hearts -

and lowest of all of the low...

I tried to erase every one of my sins,

that I scribbled for years on my heart -

but only a cross where Jesus shed blood

could give me a "born-again" start.

Though I am not better than anyone else

no matter how I have been livin'...

There's only one thing that has set us apart -

and that is, through faith, I'm forgiven.

So please give an old scrap of paper,

to someone contented to be -

writing, as God whispers breezes,

in shade of this old willow tree.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Hearts 2-24-12

This world has many prideful hearts

that pound like selfish drums,

and angry hearts that sting me so -

until great sorrow comes.

Some hearts are much too busy to

amass a caring thought.

So many think they know it all -

and they cannot be taught.

There are so many greedy hearts

that seldom weep or cry -

and people with a hardened heart,

will never even try.

Now that is when I'm really hurt

by those I could condemn,

but as God whispers soothing words -

it's then I pray for them.

Their hearts are mean and frigid -

and others, simply bad.

Some hearts grow very weary and,

some others are so sad.

Relationships will often die

before hearts carved in trees -

and only God can mend those hearts -

above two humbled knees.

Some hearts are very fragile -

as fine, thin window glass -

that break our friends to pieces when,

they see a loved one pass.

Their troubled hearts are shattered and -

some have been many years.

Those heavy hearts still only pump

up moisture into tears.

It seems that soft and tender hearts

hurt most when torn apart -

but it's okay God gave me one.

I'm blessed to have this heart.

And God once formed a special heart,

so lovingly and rare.

It is unique and that is why -

my mom's beyond compare.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Thank You! 2-23-12

I felt I was trampled by thousand-cow herd -

and hoped I could write it in poetic word -

but first I sat down and I started to pray,

and saw God's creation so all I could say,

was "Thank You!"

My eyes rose up high to a picturesque sky -

while thoughts ran off rampant to years gone by -

where burdens all settled on one special day,

that flooded my soul - so all I could say,

was "Thank you!"

Though breezes blow storm clouds around to and fro -

and every so often still trouble me so -

the sun always shines above all the fray,

dispersing the storm clouds - so all I can say,

is "Thank You!"

A rainbow appears o'er the old rugged cross -

a cross much more painful than my finite loss.

A sacrifice, perfect - but that was God's way.

And now tears are falling and all I can pray,

is "Thank You!"

"Thank You for mangers, Your great humbleness.

Thank You for crosses and all who You bless.

Thank You for being the God that You are.

Thank You for wearing those great many scar.

"Thank You for grace that's so endlessly pure.

Thank You for strength that will always endure.

Thank You for showing a new perspective.

Thank You for faith and a brand new directive.

"Thank You for children who make my heart glow.

Thank You for loving them now as they grow.

Thank You for teaching them how to respect.

Thank You for blessings despite my neglect.

"Thank You for lifting me out of sins' hole.

Thank You for Pastors who challenge my soul.

Thank You for churches, all joined at the hip -

and thank you for friends and the great fellowship."

So now when I'm trampled and my life is blurred -

I open my Bible - God's great living Word.

It's then I see clearly, it's then I can pray -

and though I'm tore open, it's all I can say.

"Oh, Thank You!"

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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