Hopelessly Helpless? 6-28-12

I woke up from sleeping and found myself eating

a piece of old barley bread.

While feeding on breakfast, I thought it most unjust

that yours was a warm one instead.

Though willow branch bends, it cannot make amends

to a place that I'm sitting between.

A rock and a hard place that's hopeless to face -

and torment, the greatest I've seen.

My great sacrifice just wouldn't suffice.

These shoes that I wear aren't by choice.

"We can't refinance" was the bank's 'song and dance'

but who would hear my little voice?

Despite life-long effort, they're selling me short,

my business at such a great cost.

The bank never spared because they hadn't cared,
hence millions of dollars were lost.

So don't store up treasures for everyday pleasures,

in things of this earth that will rust.

The great love of money has never been funny,

for only in God should we trust.

It's so disconcerting my children are hurting,

yet hopelessly helpless I am.

Despite expectations to pay obligations,

I now can't help any of them.

I sit in the shade of these problems banks made.

This willow tree weeps with me too.

The moral of story is not really gory

if we've learned a lesson or two.

Those decades of years bring me sad lonely tears

for they took everything that I had.

But what greater loss - than was Christ's on the cross?

I maybe don't have it so bad.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Evergreen Hope 6-21-12

Spectacular wonder, the view way out yonder,

from high on this mountain slope.

God's great vast creation brings glad adoration

to Jesus who offers us hope.

From just one small seed, a potential indeed,

I crushed, by mistake, underfoot -

so whispered a prayer and stepped over where

another small sapling took root.

And on that rock shelf I thought to myself,

"Oh, how can that seedling be grown,

up here where it toils in dry rocky soils,

in midst of more turmoil not known?"

The seasons and years, the blizzards and fears,

rose doubts that had made me take pause,

It sure hadn't thrived but had it survived -

Had it overcome nature's laws?

Now several years later I found something greater

when I returned back to that tree.

I had to admire, it soared so much higher,

and grew so much taller than me.

I once saw it crushed, but now I am hushed,

and humbled at what God had done.

One tiny example of something we trample

brings life from the tomb of His Son!

A long time ago under hail and snow,

despite its long discord and strife,

its tap root had locked way down deep in the rock

that faithfully brought it to life!

Oh, why can't I be like that evergreen tree,

that grew up so high in the sky?

The greenest of green that I've ever seen,

oh tell me Lord, why cannot I?

Spectacular wonder, the view way out yonder,

from high on this mountain slope.

God's vast great creation brings glad adoration

to Jesus who offers me hope.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Sparrow 6-12-12

A hawk soared high

with hungry eye

for hour after hour.

At times it'd stop

above rooftop,

above the belfry tower.

There it would perch

above this church,

atop the highest tree.

It's Satan's way,

to seek the prey -

for something greedily.

That hawk would plunge,

swoop down and lunge

to seize a tasty meal.

I thought it odd,

so prayed, "Dear God,"

and knew the threat was real.

A sparrow sensed

the danger hence,

and needed quick, to fly.

Through broken glass

I saw, alas,

that sparrow fly right by.

Now safe inside,

it sought to hide

this room it flew across.

What was in store

was answered for,

below the unlit cross.

Though lights were broke,

the sun had spoke,

as stained glass glowed throughout.

And broken pane

caused streaks from rain,

as church was emptied out.

When sparrow see,

should follow, we,

and walk the straight and narrow -

to take refuge

from subterfuge,

with God's most precious sparrow?

If we'll return

to church and learn;

the God that grace is of;

then from all sin

there's safety in,

the shelter of His love.

I learned that day,

that come what may,

there's comfort under wing.

I know because

that sparrow does!

It sure can chirp and sing!

And so could we

if we were free

of peril from the perch.

So lets equip

in fellowship,

the filling of our church.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 10:31 (NASB)

So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Beneath His Willow Tree 6-8-12

So tell me, does God understand,
and can He really see,
a weary widow on this bench
beneath His willow tree?

There were parents busy with,
their children running free,
but no one noticed I sat here
beneath His willow tree.

Of all the people in the park,
I thought of only me.
Could no one know my broken heart
beneath His willow tree?

My husband's recent passing adds
one more bad memory,
to all my pile of heartaches here
beneath His willow tree.

"Please take away my loneliness."
I prayed, "May sorrow flee" -
but felt my tear start rolling down,
beneath His willow tree.

I prayed for one small miracle,
just one drop from His sea -
then found a peace not felt before,
beneath His willow tree.

As Jesus kissed my tear away,
I noticed lovingly,
another weary woman rest,
beneath His willow tree.

And then she shared her loneliness.
A new friend she would be.
We talked and laughed and opened up
beneath His willow tree.

The sun came out and brightened us,
as we sipped green iced tea -
and reminisced together here
beneath His willow tree.

So tell me, does God understand,
and can He really see,
a weary widow on this bench
beneath His willow tree?

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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John 13:34 (NASB)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,

even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Dirty Socks 6-6-12

I sweep my floor and mop it.

Before my mind's at ease,

I scrub as hard as I can scrub

down on my hands and knees.

Now don't we want a spotless house

to honor any guest?

Until my floor is sparkling clean

I cannot be at rest.

Now life is like my tile floor

that looks as though it's clean.

But take a look at my white socks

and you'll know what I mean.

We try to hide our dirty socks

whenever someone comes,

but God sees every dirty heart

and knows of all the crumbs.

Yet Jesus knocks at our heart's door.

Accept God's only Son,

who died so sacrificially

for each confessing one.

Yes, Jesus gives eternal life,

a gift that's always free-

if we give Him our dirty socks

and follow faithfully.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Revelation 3:20 (NASB)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and will dine with him,
and he with Me.

This Little Country Church 6-1-12

So picturesque, the meadow -

though breezes cut with knife,
but water whispers in the brook
as valley springs to life.
So beautiful, the hillside view
of pines, red oak and birch -
but nothing is so lovely as
this little country church.

It stands so straight and solid,
despite these many years,
unwavered by the storms of life,
and many heartfelt tears.
The mem'ries of a time long past
hold to a grim disguise,
as visions of my long lost friends
bring sorrow to my eyes.

Though not a soul in eye-sight,
I am accompanied -
as Jesus walks before me
and throws salvation's seed.
The world, indeed, still wants to change -
a sinful earthly curse
and little church, long empty now,
not better, is for worse.

Yet birds still lift my spirits.
"Have faith!" they seem to say,
as chills from early springtime winds
now dry some tears away.
So somberly, through weathered door
I step in reverently.
A greater flood of mem'ries more
now pounce all over me.

They shake my senses silly
and pelt with bruising flack.
My eyes now rest on walnut pews
as mem'ries pull me back.
Hey Clem, hello!  Yes, Doris too -
and all my other friends...
I stand here frozen all the while
until remembrance ends.

With congregation absent,
(deceptions made them flee),
the root of evil holds them off -
not prayer, nor faith, nor me.
My love for mankind multiplies
as springtime wakes the seed,
but this old world will never find
the Savior who they need.

Our discipline was honored.
Respect was dignified.
Oh, how will children of today
see Jesus glorified?
Setting on a folding chair,
still sets a dusty Book
and tears well up again as I
take yet a closer look.

Stepping out, the chilly winds
condemn my presence here,
but I will surely come again
My heart still holds no fear.
So beautiful, the hillside is
of pines, red oak and birch -
but nothing is so lovely as
this little country church.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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The Ceiling Fan 5-30-12

I felt just like a ceiling fan -

just spinning 'round and 'round,

running, circling, whirling,

not making any sound.

Endlessly, I spun and spun.

I knew life wasn't fair -

just going through the motions,

not getting anywhere!

I, knowing I, more worthy was,

should I'd been called upon,

but stuck here on the ceiling, I

was merely hanging on...

The weeks and months had turned to years

but who was I to kid?

I'd done the same thing every day

and that was all I did.

Now one day when my chain was pulled

I simply was too tired.

I don't know what came over me,

I thought I was still wired.

My owner came and took me down.

I finally got a ride!

I saw new sights!  My dreams came true!

My eyes grew very wide!

I wanted so, to travel -

but this was not the way!

Oh, I was heading to the dump!

I want another day!

I promised I would spin around.

I promised I would try!

I said, "Do not give up on me,

for I'm too young to die!"

But I was not so lucky.

All my hopes were dashed.

He threw me in a dumpster with,

the hot and putrid trash.

I sat there quite awhile and

I prayed so hard and long.

I gave up on a miracle -

until 'He' came along.

He carried me back to his house

and then He took me in.

He held me very gentle, then

He fixed up all my sin.

Oh yes, I'm still a ceiling fan,

and spinning endlessly -

and though I know life isn't fair,

I'll ever happy, be!

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Romans 6:4 (NASB)

 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death,

so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,

so we too might walk in newness of life.

E and M 5-28-12

Here,

take the letters 'E' and 'M'

and you will plainly see -

that if you switch the letters 'round,

you'll get a word called 'ME'.

Meaningless, the 'E' and 'M'

unless they're switched around.

They have a different meaning and

of course, a different sound.

Now though the word 'ME' supersedes

the letters that you see.

the meaning of this simple word

is greater far than 'ME'.

Yes, 'ME' is but a simple word,

for if I have no breath -

there won't be any life because

without life there is death.

So, 'life' is even greater than

a pile of all our words -

for living in His image is,

as farthing for two birds.

Two birds that are not purchased

will fall to desert sod,

but grace is breath for you and 'ME'

and it is all of God.

So,

if 'ME' is more than letters,
and 'life' is more than 'ME',
and God is more than life itself,
then it's all plain to see.
If meaningful, this profound truth
then what are we to do?
What does life eternal mean
and who is God to you?

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 10:29 (KJV)

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?

and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

My Little Box 5-23-12

I cannot prove the miracles
behind salvation's locks,
but if I could, here's what you'd see
inside my little box...

---

If I pulled out, a piece of cross

with blood stains smeared about,

if I had all the photos here,

so you would have no doubt,

if I had froze the moment that

they nailed Him to the cross,

so you could see that gruesome pain

as shadows passed across,

if I had casts from footprints there,

the cross and where it stood,

if I had pulled those massive nails

from deep within the wood,

if I had here the crown of thorns

they pressed down on His head,

so you could know the torment and

the flowing crimson red,

if I had froze that sunset

and showed their facial fear,

if I could show you nail prints

and Jesus' final tear,

if I had filmed the lightning

and veil that ripped in two -

that whole occurrence thoroughly -

to play it back for you,

if I could fill emotions with

the blackness of the tomb,

if I had breathed the fragrance in,

exhaled the old perfume,

if I could pull the linens out

and hold them in my hand,

or show a relic of the stone

so you would understand,

if I took out, in brilliant hue,

a painting so profound,

if I could sing in perfect pitch

with great harmonic sound,

if I had grasped an ocean breeze

beyond the longest docks,

so you could smell its freshness here

inside my little box,

if I held high His halo

and proved His torture wrong,

if I had seized that moment and

then wrote the perfect song,

if I had found the precise words

that Jesus has for you,

then I could prove the love of God

and testify it true.

No...  God requires something else -

a loving, faithful heart -

so grab your eyes and pluck them out,

and rip your box apart!

He sets our anxious mind at ease,

and offers all of us -

a personal relationship,

of peace and faithfulness.

---

If we can see, then we believe -

yet Jesus wills that we,

would never follow with our eyes,

but rather faithfully.

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Grace Awaits 5-20-12

A little child is hungry,

but mother's flying high -

illegal drugs and alcohol

as many beers go by.

A little child is beaten,

but no one hears his cry.

the beatings simply never quit

as many tears go by.

A little child is confused

by yet another guy,

with screaming, fights and arguments

as many fears go by.

A little child becomes a teen,

and sees his best friend die -

the only life the child knows

as many peers go by.

A little child grows in greed.

The world knows not why,

but he becomes quite popular

as many cheers go by.

Another child goes to church

in Sunday suit and tie.

Through love, correction, learns respect

as many jeers go by.

But God sees faith and righteousness

while others steal and lie -

yet grace awaits with patience as

the many years go by...

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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