What A Story! 3-1-21

This gentle breeze puts me at ease.
Envision, if you will;
Stars, each with spark, lake in a park,

and trees beside the hill.

As if in trance, the leaves still dance

attached to tiny twigs.

From up atop, the acorns drop.

Nearby a squirrel digs.

A dancing willow bending low

has kissed the water's face.

Then drake I find, with hen behind,

and ducklings in a race.

But 5AM, a flower stem

is bent under great weight.

It's gravity's audacity!

It hampers it from straight!

OR should we know, (as stories go),

for every one, two sides?

So could it be that we can't see

the burden bloom provides?

Is bloom at fault, that it exalt,

the beauty it bestows?

And fragrance too, what would we do

without our tempting nose?

Or would it hurt to blame the dirt...

or bees?  There's much to tell.

And could we blame, that moisture came

and watered it too well?

SO, we could claim, they're ALL to blame,

but sunrise here is near.

When sunlight peeks, our Father speaks,

and burdens disappear.
Does blame turn in... to angry sin?

Does sin drive us to hate?

Are we not taught that evil thought

will burden us with weight?

When it's of God, it isn't odd

that nature's love forgives.

Here by the lake, there's no mistake

that His creation lives.

Can we still claim that we're the same

as nature?  Do we live?

I think instead, that we are dead

when we do not forgive.

As dawning breaks, our dark mistakes

have brought us to this time.
But don't dismay, God has a way.

It's not an uphill climb.

There's no debate with stem now straight

and flower standing tall.
What a story of God's glory!
He loves us, one and all!

This gentle breeze puts me at ease.
Envision, if you will;
Stars, each with spark, lake in a park,

and trees beside the hill.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In Full Conceit 2-1-21

A little ant was working hard

atop his little mound,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

A weasel saw that little ant

but didn't make a sound,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

A groundhog saw that weasel near

his home there in the ground,

and thought that he was taller

than anything around.

My dog was not the least amazed

and for them, he was bound.

He knew that he was taller still

than anything around.

I was the man who saw them all.

I shook with scoffing laugh.

In full conceit I stood there tall.

Behind me?  A giraffe.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Unfurl Our Flag Again 1-1-21

I pledged full allegiance when I, in school,
would dress with respect and live 'golden rule'.
Respecting the elders without a smirk,
I studied for quizzes, did my homework,
I didn't drink beer and I didn't smoke
and didn't laugh when I heard dirty joke.
This "churchy-boy" bullied to the extreme,
so often I cried with crushed self-esteem.

Oh, I am so wrong in this up-side-down world,
where God is removed and freedoms are furled;
where truth becomes myth, if someone hates it,
with standards all lost- Hell's bottomless pit;
where lies become truth if said many times;
where chaos breaks out with killings and crimes.
With ethics abandoned, the innocent die.
Can someone please tell me- why, why, why, why?

The standards I live by, they were not forced,
but from those clean morals, they had divorced.
For fame they had bribed naive voting blocks,
but they were exposed with clicking of clocks.
Nuclear proliferation, dead schools,
riots, looting, killings- they changed the rules.
Pushing boundaries to see the truth bend,
was it not them who hurt fam'ly and friend?

Because they're elected and hence empowered,
they think this 'churchy-boy' can be devoured.
So many times now, their lies we have heard,
but the precepts of peace are in God's Word.
Lies will be buried with them under sod.
Unfurl our flag again. We Trust In God.
They thought they were smart and thought we were dumb,
but we know our God will one day soon come.

©2021 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Don't Read This 12-12-20

Children,

I told you not to read this but you're reading anyway,

and do you disobey when Satan tells you it's okay?

Are you enticed by cunning words that sound like violins

that sing so sweetly to your wants they tempt you into sins?

Do your eager ears tickle when you hear of something odd

and make you disobey when you aren't list'ning to your God?

Do you think you are stronger and that you can break the chains

of sins that claim they're better than the God who gave you brains?

If not, then when you see temptation lurking at your door,

just tell yourself it's wrong and you won't give in anymore.

Do not be that old dog that only chases sins of sticks,

because it learned bad habits and no longer learns new tricks.

So many men thought they could change at anytime they wished,

but sin got full control of them and they got fully squished.

So don't read this and don't obey if you are smarter than

the selfish, grumpy, lying cuss who's now a crass old man.

For God so loved the world that He has given you His Son

and Comforter to guide you through the life that you've begun.

I pray that you will live your life in good and special way,

so everyone around you will see sunshine ev'ry day!

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Memories 11-14-20

Oh, to remember walks in parks,

ocean sands and ocean mists.

Oh, to remember holding hands,

sharing thoughts, giving gifts.

Oh, to remember wedding day,

lacy dress, church and cross,

Oh, to remember sharing vows, 

placing ring and bouquet toss.

Oh, to remember children's pains,

children's laughs and children's fears.

Oh, to remember fun and games,

silly times and laughter's tears.

Oh to remember that last touch,

that last hug, that last kiss.

Oh, to remember pretty face,

my true love I really miss.

Oh, the mem'ries I hold dear,

all those mem'ries... ever sweet.

Oh, to remember precious times.

If good times only could repeat.

What's better than those memories?

Please don't misunderstand.

Just don't compare to yesterday,

tomorrow's Heavenland!

Oh, to meet each other there!

With Jesus, we will stay!

Oh, to share that wonderment

forever and a day!

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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His Holy Name 10-31-20

Completely crushed, my fragile heart.

So lonely then, I fell apart.

My life was incomplete.

Of all the poems 'round the world,

this simple one, in wind, was twirled

and landed at my feet.

I'll live the life that God gave me

and do His will so free, gladly.

This life, I live for Him.

I took this poem at my feet,

inhaled the words without defeat,

then sang my fav'rite hymn.

For joy now fills my empty soul.
God simply touched and made me whole.

On knees, to Him I came.

I hold this poem that's so dear

and lift my hands without a fear

to praise His Holy Name.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Through All Eternity 9-10-20

Can eyes appreciate the smell of fresh-cut grass;

or nose appreciate the woodwinds and the brass;

or ears appreciate a chip in fav'rite dip;

or tongue appreciate a handy workmanship;

or hands appreciate the footsteps to a cross;

or feet appreciate the torture and the loss;

or brain appreciate the message of His love;

or heart appreciate such grace from God above?

While body can't appreciate all that there is to be,

salvation makes the soul rejoice through all eternity.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Empathy 8-15-20

Such anger, like a waterfall, had hatred spilling o'er.

I thought that I knew everything- and indeed I showed her!

The way she spoke would pain my ears.  My brain was being fried.

I tried to make her see my side.  I tried and tried and tried.

Such arguing?  My specialty, through muscle-tightened joints.

The big dispute had gone my way and I had proved my points.

I spoke much faster than she could.  My words would never cease.

I seized the moment, stole the time, with spoken masterpiece.

Though Jesus knew that the results were not remotely fair,

we know what had occurred when Pilot spoke to Jesus there.
Christ offered full forgiveness when our sins came into view
and prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

I told that nagging woman who I thought was so naive,

"Just give me one more good excuse, because I'd love to leave!"

Then finally, I let her speak... and that's when I was told,

"You've got that 'grumpy' part down good.  Now work on getting old."

My anger, like a waterfall had hardened one more heart.

The lesson that I should have known?  I'll lose before I start.

True facts are not enough if hatred floods out Heaven's love

so empathy must live in what discussions are made of.

Christ offers us eternal life through Heaven's painful loss

and time has proved His empathy had permeated cross.
Christ cares for all His 'children' and He loves them through and through.
God's saving grace is endless if our faithfulness is true.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Selflessly 7-18-20

My lonely soul was destitute.

Abandoned, was my heart.

So desolate in lonesome thoughts,

so empty, torn apart.

If you could understand these words

then you'd know that is why

my life was just some lonely words

that made me want to cry.

Awake, I laid, night after night.

I didn't have a clue.

Those lonely words kept nagging me

and breaking me in two.

I found a friend, a friend indeed

who understands me now.

I used to never care or love,

but He had showed me how.

He never spoke a single word,

at least not audibly.

But He has blessed so very much,

this undeserving me.

My heart now overflows with joy.

My soul no longer cries.

The loneliness has been replaced

with sparkle in my eyes.

I'll not be focused on myself.

For Jesus, I will live.

No longer do I live for self

and selflessly will give.

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Halo's Glow, The 6-18-20

Who really cares?  Who understands

the rusty spikes through feet and hands?

His feet wore dust that turned to mud

when mixed with his own sweat and blood.

And then, of course, some thorns were found

and weaved into an ugly crown.

A painful mocking, gross insult

(but we know now the end result).

He was so sore and in such pain,

yet love for us would somehow gain.

He gave us life and gave us breath!

He saved us from eternal death!

When we have judged His greatest foes,

then we are just as bad as those.

Let's praise His work, His will, His way.

Let's bow and give Him thanks today.

But we pray for expedience
while He seeks our obedience.

Remember His beatitudes!

Let's change our selfish attitudes.

I tell you world, I can't compete

with such a love that's so complete.

There is no greater love than His

and that is what the greatest is.

From greatest love, for greatest foe,
can we not see from here below?
From greatest love, for greatest foe,

can we not see the halo's glow?

©2020 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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