Poet Friends 1-7-15

They write soft words with loyal pens

about God's love that far transcends

our drear, dark worlds of futile ends.

So thankful I, for poet friends.

Though Bibles have at times been banned,

we've come to search and understand

that narrow pathway God has planned

which leads us to the Promised Land.

For each of us who are forgiv'n

and faithfully are ever liv'n,

a unique journey God has giv'n

from home on earth to home in Heav'n.

It's true, so let each poem gird

creation's rainbow, rose and bird

and other things that run in herd

with Heaven's rhyme, with Heaven's word.

Away from earth's distracting din,

in Heav'n we'll read these words again,

so write some poems.  Now begin.

Make readers smile with widest grin.

Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we smile,

sometimes the words, we can't compile -

and though we cry through earthly trial -

our God shines through.  It's all worthwhile.

From earthquake to the mourning dove,

God's great creation speaks thereof,

so I give thanks to God above

for poet friends and poets' love.

Thank you!

©2015 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Coexist? 1-3-15

Took root, a little baby vine

had grown from tiny seed -

but it was insignificant,

so meaningless indeed.

It drew all our attention to

its cute, industrious scene -

and it seemed very harmless here

in suited leaves of green.

It hugged a tree so gracefully.

We thought we understood.

We thought it just a compromise.

We thought it all so good.

But was it we were taken in

to 'ends' we thought would be -

through 'means' by which it made its mark

upon one healthy tree?

That tree had given all it could.

"I welcomed you," it said.

Yet that one vine continued up,

consuming tree... 'til dead.

Because of its misfortune here,

our hill became abuzz.

Persuasive and invasive and

persistent that vine was.

But care?  Oh, no.  Us bothered?  Not!

For we could never fall.

We each had thought us healthier

and stronger than them all.

Well, one by one our trees did fall.

The vines grew larger still.

They grew the way they wanted to

while thieving our good will.

I should have stopped that little vine

that squeezed a bit too tight.

It's hug was a deceptive one

that never seemed quite right.

We all had thought that we were safe,

but we were taken in.

Our hill of trees was killed off by

just one deceptive sin.

No, sometimes we can't "coexist"

when others want their say,

when others prove gross disrespect,

when they demand their way.

From cults to sick be-headings and

abortions, right-to-die,

have we forgotten, God is Love?

The rest is all a lie!

We cannot coexist with sin.

God's truth and light we need.

If Jesus lives within our hearts,

He kills that sinful seed.

We forest trees majestically

had stood atop that hill.

If only we'd been prudent and

been faithful to His will...

One Nation under God we were -

but we had thought it fine,

so we allowed a monster here

through cute and tiny vine.

©2015 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 7:15 (KJV)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Heaven Bound 12-29-14

In one quick flash, I hear a splash,

The trouble some get in!

They scream and shout and then yell out,

"Please help me from this sin!"

The selfishness of those God blessed!

May lightning strike them down!

They misbehave.  Let Jesus save -

or let them sink and drown.

Life guard, to be, is hard you see,

and I'm a nervous wreck.

To help someone?  I'd rather run

than risk my precious neck.

I disappear in church right here

with friends, safely on shore -

and say on cue, "I'll pray for you"

then keep track of the score.

It really stinks when someone thinks

the obligation's mine.

Though sin assault, it is their fault!

And that's the bottom line!

Am selfish, I, if I don't try?

I'm just one lone observer.

I have my place.  I have my grace.

I have my 'life preserver'.

By now you've guessed that I've been blessed 

and Heaven-bound indeed!

So don't be blue.  They'll rescue you

and other folks in need.

Who cares 'bout sin - and things within

that dark and angry sea?

Why should I care who's thrown in there?

(unless, of course, it's me).

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Through His Love 12-28-14

I can't speak true of single hue

nor can I write hereof -

for there's a bright and vivid white

that glistens through His love.

---

There's no more green, but view's serene -

with frost on valley vast.

Through winter hills, my God fulfills

with blessings unsurpassed.

Yet, so hungry, some love money.

Satan always lurks.

And God, so great, they can't relate

to all His awesome works.

Each frosted plant, God has enhanced

and all should understand -

we're not to cease His Christmas peace,

in this, His wonderland.

The shepherds came.  They learned his name.

And Jesus was that boy.

Though light was dim, they stayed with Him

and all were filled with joy.

Below that star, directed far,

three wise men bearing gifts -

with gold and myrrh.  In awe they were,

for spirit, Jesus lifts.

Are we too old?  Are we too cold -

to see His loving face?

Are we too blind?  Is Christ too kind -

that we can't know His grace?

Already sent if we repent.

Eternity is near!

Still offers choice, that still, small voice,

upon the humble ear.

Though few can hear, it does endear.

It's free and there's no cost.

Untouchable, yet visible,

His sunlight off the frost.

His faith is sure and sparkling pure

on landscape so endowed.

He floods His grace upon this place.

Emotion screams out loud.

---

I can't speak true of single hue

nor can I write hereof -

for there's a bright and vivid white

that glistens through His love.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Stars, Friends & Blessings 12-22-14

The midnight stars were very bright.

"But many small" said I,
"and are not fit to take up space
in God's majestic sky."

Hence, I removed them.  But some more

were smaller than the rest.

So I disposed of those as well -

a little bit obsessed.

Then after my accomplishments,

I looked at all God had.

But now the sky was very dark -

my good intentions bad.

---

My friends were like the midnight sky,

"But many small" said I;

so small, so insignificant.

I snatched them from the sky.

I threw out all the "lesser ones",

believe me, I can tell.

And all those friends of little use?

I threw them out as well.

Had only they'd been there for me.

It really was a shame.

But then upon completion of -

so lonely, I became.

---

My blessings?  There were many,

"But many small" said I -

so many insignificant

that I plucked from the sky.

Those things, some think are blessings,
I thought were nothing much -
I wanted more excitement and
a lot less of His touch.

Now here I am in dire straights.

Have I not been forgiven?

If only God had understood!

Oh, why did God not listen!?

---

A dark and lonely life I'd lived.

No blessings, friends or stars...
My life - oh, who had understood
my self-inflicted scars?

But Christ forgives!  So why my scars!?
I did not understand!
And why did Jesus not erase
the scars on His own hands?

I must forgive as Jesus did
to understand His sky,
to understand true friendships and
His blessings.  That is why.

©2014 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Galatians 6:7 (NASB)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.