COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING
Lord of all the earth and sky,
the great “I AM’ who can satisfy.
Thank You for Your creation.
the sweetness of the lark’s bright song,
the beauty of an oak so strong,
the power that makes day break each morn,
We thank You, Great Creator.
O Lord, who has created man,
And designed the family in Your plan,
For this we thank you.
for love that blossoms in the home,
for precious children that You loan,
to need and be needed by someone,
For this we thank You.
O Lord, who gave to man a soul
And provided a way to make him whole,
For this we thank You.
to know the sweetness of Your grace,
the forgiveness that our sins erase,
the joy of Your presence through our days,
For this we thank You.
And one day when our faith is sight,
To be in Your presence, what delight
At last to be able to give thanks aright,
Then, Oh Lord, we will thank you forever.
“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Psalm 95:2
The Secret
The curious cow remarked one day
while chewing on a cud of hay . . .
“People are a funny brand – our farmer I can’t understand
his corn is wet, the mortgage’s due,
but I just never see him blue.
Even though some things go wrong,
still he whistles out a song.”
Then spoke up the wise old cat,
“That man is smart; I’ll tip my hat!
I get around….and I have found
that people either smile or frown.
Some tarnish life with discontent,
while other people’s days are spent
in counting all the blessings sent.
Happiness is quite an art.
The secret is a grateful heart.”
by Doris Stensland
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Dear Lord,
It seems that I forgot
to thank for all the little things
that brighten up my lot —
a newsy letter in the mail
a plant upon the sill
sunshine dancing on the rug
morning coffee cups to fill.
A “mmmm….that’s good!” at mealtime
a freshly laundered sheet,
The happy sound of giggles
and the patter of family feet.
For it’s all these many little things
that make my days so sweet.
Amen
by Doris Stensland
Mother’s Day Writings
On this Mother’s Day, am sharing some writings about Mothers: “A Mother’s Arms” (written 2013) and two in On The Back Step: “What Is A Mother?” and “Mother Love” Mother’s Arms There’s something about being hugged with a mother’s arms, like nothing else. It provides relief, comfort and […]
After Easter
Reminder that Jesus is with us always! After Easter Is it back to old routines? Just living on the fading joys of Easter morn? ‘Twas after Easter that excitement reigned as followers beheld HIS face; at unexpected times and place, LO, HE WAS THERE! […]
Don’t Ever Take Salvation Lightly!
That night in the garden, He sweat drops of blood As He struggled with the assignment That would bring us good. On His knees He agonized in Gethsemane – Oh, don’t ever take salvation lightly! As He hung on the cross in pain and disgrace, Even bereft of His Father’s face, Willing to […]
And the Cock Crowed
Another Holy Week writing And the Cock Crowed Luke 22:60 Good Friday morning was dawning as the rooster mounted its perch. Its cock-crow blared – once twice three times. It didn’t realize its cock-a-doodle language would bring weeping. It […]
Happy New Year!
Sharing Doris Stensland writings regarding New Years. One for today “Prayer for the New Year”: PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR O Lord, my God….. Were I a lady Solomon with any wish to choose, Before the new year just ahead I’d make this one request, ‘HELP ME TO LEAN.’ I stand upon this […]
I Heard My Name
Many years ago when in bible study, I was SO excited when reading Isaiah 43, particularly that God called me by name! I HEARD MY NAME God’s advances could not penetrate The shell around my heart, Till he placed in his bow Isaiah forty-three And aimed each verse at me. “I have called you by […]
Old Testament Women
Doris led a bible study this summer about Women in the Old Testament. She used her writings about these women in Old Testament: Eve, Rachel, Naomi, Hannah, Abigail, The Shunammite Woman and Esther. JUST LIKE YOU (about Eve) Once I was flesh and blood like you. I made a man’s heart skip a beat, […]
Conversations With Eve (from “On The Back Step”) by Doris Stensland
JUST LIKE YOU Once I was flesh and blood like you. I made a man’s heart skip a beat, Held babies on my knee. Knew joy and sorrow, heartache and regret. I blazed the trail of womanhood as wife and mother, grandma too. I lived and breathed and laughed and cried. I was a real […]
