"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

November 13, 2013

Taste God's Love Again! 11-13-13


Tall trees are swaying to and fro.
The stiffness of the breeze is such
that I can feel the frigid wind.
I try, but cannot see its touch.

My nose is nudged by autumn's breeze,
but what is really meant -
by fragrances that breezes send?
I try, but cannot see its scent.

There's rustling from some fallen leaves
that swirl around the ground.
They seem to try to speak to me.
I try, but cannot see their sound.

I savor flavor on my tongue,
that it not go to waste -
yet stomach yearns for sustenance.
I try, but cannot see its taste.

The feel or scent or sound or taste -
our eyes won't comprehend.
We, only by our eyes, believe.
On senses, we depend.

Accumulate, we do, so much.
We see the things we've stored.
We search all our possessions through.
We try, but cannot find the Lord.

If hands can't hold the truth of life,
if lungs can't breathe the thrill,
if ears can't hear His still small voice -
then taste our death, we will.

The purest blood may fill the vein
and freshest air, the lung -
but blind and dead we'll ever be -
if we but taste with tongue!

IF we touch only physical.
IF follow we, our nose.
IF hear we, only mortal words
we'll taste but earthly woes.

But feel, if we, the spiritual,
and peace can fill our lungs,
and truth can teach our selfish ears,
great joy can voice our tongues!

So feel it now - the Master's touch -
and breathe His blessings in -
and hear the music of God's grace -
and taste God's love again!

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Jeremiah 5:21 (NASB)
21 21 
‘Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
Who have eyes but do not see;
Who have ears but do not hear.

November 5, 2013

Tears Of Joy 11-5-13


I'd worked and sacrificed and slaved with neverending toil -
and planted many seeds of doubt in rich, organic soil.

The cultivated soil that I, had worked down deep within,
was fertilized with years of pain that nourished all my sin.

Then when the ground that I had worked had watered all my seeds -
astonishing, the lesson learned - that I had planted weeds.

Depressed, I was and feeling low.  This isn't what I'd planned.
Oh, why was I so tired of life?  I didn't understand.

I dug them up, the big and small - those sins that tore me up -
and then confessed them to my Lord - who overflowed my cup.

So now when weeds of doubt arise, my God and I destroy -
and He replants my seeds to life, while I cry tears of joy.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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October 11, 2013

Above My Bloody Fist 10-11-13


The waves would make, across the lake,
their way to other side.
I had a task, so I had asked
if I could hitch a ride.
"We are not fools.  We follow rules.
Just find a boat to rent."
So "No." they said, which turned me red,
in deep embarrassment.

The breezes blew.  I knew them too -
but could I fly away?
I know I'm old and not so bold -
and much too shy to say,
"Please do not fail to let me sail
up where the seabirds soar.
We'll get along.  I won't be long..."
then tried so, all the more.

In all the earth, have I no worth?
I wondered, "Was it true?"
I saw leaves dance and viewed my chance.
They seemed to beckon too...
But then they yelled, "Hey, duck your head -
for we are passing by!"
My eyes got red.  I bowed my head -
as tear came to my eye.

The places vast, the faces masked.
The people know me not.
And now today, I'm in their way -
Memories - all I've got.
To do what's right we had to fight.
There was no other way.
The heroes I had fought beside
had met their Lord that day.

With muddy gun, it was no fun -
not like a hand-held game.
The bombs were real and I could feel
the pain that always came.
There was a time when 'will' was mine
and I had much more hope.
It was a chore to take the shore
and scramble muddy slope.

The bullets flew, the booming grew -
when planted with a twist -
but colors loomed when wind resumed,
above my bloody fist.
Oh, how we fought!  The wounds we caught
as blood mixed with our sweat -
but showed the world when it unfurled,
the flag that we had set.

Though day has dawned, my friends are gone.
The waves march 'cross the lake.
Though friend or foe, no man can know
the liberties they take.
For if they knew what we went through
(where they were never sent) -
they'd not uproot, but would salute
our sacred monument.

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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October 6, 2013

Bridge, The 10-6-13


A hungry crow soars high above where wicked winds doth blow
to see if there will be some scraps of tasty food below.
Our train is flying down the tracks.  On 'hope' and 'change', we go.
The bridge between the mountain's out, (but no one's in-the-know).

We're asked, while on our merry way, to pay what others owe -
in premiums.  Obamacare, it's good for 'so and so'.
Will we be forced to pay for it?  Will they take all our dough?
And soon extinct - 'good healthcare' gone - a thing of long ago.

The engineer had parts delayed, attempting to forego
a sure disaster for his friends, while doctors are in woe.
They scatter from their practices as lines for healthcare show.
We ask, "Oh, please negotiate" -but engineer screams, "No!

"Just shut down everything we have, from seas to rivers' flow,
from monuments for veterans to where sequoias grow!
Then shut down everything we do - except still stomp the toes
of all who disagree with me and hosts of their talk shows!"

Exemptions paid off union shops but no, not "plumber Joe" -
who rides with all us passengers and sees that starving crow -
which soars the highest mountain tops - peers canyon floor below.
As train is flying down the tracks, what halts a big ego?

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Where's the incentive to be responsible- if it's acceptable to be irresponsible?
Where's the incentive to save money- if others are required to pay our bills?
Where's the incentive to love others- if it's all about loving ourselves?
Where's the incentive to help others- if it's just all about us?
A soul, once dead, is not always lost -
but a Nation, once lost, is forever dead.
Ask Rome.

September 27, 2013

Soft Crosses 9-27-13


I'm under the leaves of tall coconut trees,
(on trunks that are warped in a curve).
They rustle up high in the oft windy sky.
Enjoying the shade, I observe...

...the Heavens above that are filled so with love
and grace only God can bestow -
from free virgin birth for the people on earth.
I ask, "Have I failed Him so?"

Am I like the leaves that everyone sees,
that wave to and fro in the wind,
drawing attention as if I'm important?
Could that, my dear friends, be a sin?

His sheep, under wool, must be fully faithful -
not warped as the coconut trees.
How is it fitting if I am still sitting -
not helping the poor "least of these"?

How disconcerted am I that Christ suffered?
I hold my small cross close to me.
Genteel, I'm living, but what am I giving?
Are soft crosses not meant to be?

Oh, should I be stunned if my cross isn't cushioned?
I'm carefree- and comforts I seek!
Is love, au contraire, to this cross that I bear
as others are hungry and weak?

Our God sits above and He fills us with love.
We're blessed with His soft, gentle breeze -
on tropical islands with soft, idle hands,
enjoying a lifetime of ease.

I'm under the leaves of tall coconut trees,
(on trunks that are warped in a curve).
They rustle up high in the oft windy sky.
Enjoying the shade, I observe...

2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
"No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

September 24, 2013

Grandpa's Wisdom 9-24-13

Homer 1896-1991

Before the jets, before the planes,
before the cars and traffic lanes,
before genetics changed our corn,
before the IRS was even born,
before CD's and movie stars,
before the rover got to mars -
was born a man, a little tot,
who endured much, but learned a lot.

His life saw many swinging doors
including two hard world wars.
Depression great.  Its pain would gnaw -
and many other things he saw.

I knew him well and we were close.
At times he'd offer me a dose -
of wisdom gained along his way.
I'd listen close to what he'd say.

The years passed by as he grew old
but many truths he had foretold -
respect would lack, expensive gas...
It seems it all has came to pass.

Now, it's not hard to peer beyond
a lack of faithful family bond -
where babies know their father not -
and debt would bury quite a lot.

Where morals lack, great pain will be
and little things called bankruptcy -
yet we can wipe our whole slate clean
and make it so it's never seen.

But when amiss at what we're taught,
when our responsibilities are naught,
when we're in need of steak or ham
we'll ask for more from Uncle Sam.

It seems we do not want to pay
for all the things we have today -
nor want to ever pay, when due,
the moral debt we're going through.

But unlike others 'on the lamb’,
my grandpa was a faithful man -
who read his Bible inside-out
and knew what life was all about.

Oh, one day man will find it out,
(make no mistake and have no doubt),
after kings have misbehaved,
after money buys their slaves,
after parents kill and die,
after homeless babies cry,
after we've lived life our way -
and after death on judgement day.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

(if you enjoyed this poem, you may enjoy reading more about 'Homer' here):
http://www.ganderpoems.org/2009/05/homer-5-16-09.html

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Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.

September 15, 2013

Morning Light 9-15-13


From ancient times, the church bells chimed
to open up our eyes,
with predawn light from Heaven's might,
to bold and brighter skies.

Above the crops and mountain tops
and score of evergreen -
this fleeting night sees hints of light -
though sun is not yet seen.

On baby blue an amber hue
now glows on fringe of clouds.
So few will glean this wondrous scene
throughout earth's massive crowds.

And here, in flaw, I stand in awe
as I stretch high my hands!
I want to touch - I do, so much -
but life has such demands.

I need some clothes, yet glad for those
who need be highly viewed -
and scarcely live that I might give
so others have some food.

My insides ache, for goodness sake,
for those who have to cope.
Oh, there's no gain from earthly pain
for those who have no hope.

I never knew what I could do -
for I am just a man.
But it's not strange that God can change
the heart that He began.

So now today, I see a ray
as clouds bright edges glisten.
A still, small voice is still the choice
if only we would listen.

Through fervent tears, beyond my years,
I see the birds are singing.
I harmonize now ears and eyes
as church bells keep on ringing.

From ancient times, the church bells chimed
to bold and brighter skies.
Now morning light from Heaven's might,
has opened up my eyes...

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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September 12, 2013

Those Nail Scars 9-12-13


Must we see it to believe it?
Must we ask the Lord if we
may touch His prints to get some hints
of what has come to be?

A 'doubting one' had seen God's Son.
He saw our Master's hands.
Did Thomas learn and then discern
mere facts to understand?

Are we to seek and take a peek
for proof so we might know?
Are we remiss within our bliss
that our faith fails to grow?

Those nail scars were never ours.
Pure sin had seized those crowds.
But in the end, Christ did ascend
up through the yielding clouds.

So many view, but there are few
who understand 'the fall'.
Through burdens' weight, our Lord was great -
then rose above it all!

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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September 9, 2013

One More Day 9-9-13


My life is not worth one red cent
for I was never innocent.
I chose to live my selfish way -
and lived it every single day.
So soon prepared, rectangle hole.
They'll close the casket on my soul.
"For all have sinned" and it will be
that I had wished I'd lived for thee.

And when they lay me down to sleep -
they'll dig that hole and dig it deep.
Lost soul, forever, under sod
who lived for 'self' instead of God.
If I had known grace can't be bought,
if I had given life more thought...
If God would grant me one more day,
I'll be sincere and this I'll pray:

"Please humble me, I quote the hymn,
"without one plea...", "just as I am..."
Please grant me faith instead of grief
and save me as you did the thief
who humbled self, who was a man,
who did repent as I, too, can.
Forgive my debts, forgive my sins,
then help me boldly tell my friends."

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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September 5, 2013

Know It All 9-5-13


While robins sing, alarm clocks ring -
and our whole day is planned.
Birds perch steady.  We get ready.
We settle in quicksand.

The leopard lurks while we're at work.
It seeks its fragile prey.
Important though, our Savior know -
yet we still fail to pray.

Forgetting cross, we please our boss,
while truth is right at hand.
God's loving face and lasting grace -
yet we don't understand.

Do you know what?  Our minds are shut,
when we hear Jesus call.
A life of ease - and then Hades.
We think we know it all.

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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