JUST THINKING
ABBA - FATHER
When I gaze out the window,
at all the beauty
You have created,
I’m reminded of “Solomon
in all of his glory was not arrayed
as one of these.”
The ash puts on a garment of yellow
bringing sunshine on cloudy days,
but the coming winter has
no concern for her shivering.
My, how fierce the cold wind comes,
and strips off her lovely coat leaving
only her nakedness.
Now is the time for families
to sit around the fireplace.
They’ll reminisce of days gone by,
and see the hand of
Abba-Father unfolding
the future.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 10/25/02
HOME
Let home be filled with peace and love,
That brightens every nook,
And let it’s old pine shelves be full
Of thought provoking books.
Starched, ruffled curtains hung with care
To let the sunshine in,
And don’t forget the rocking chair
To go in father’s den.
Many pieces full of age
Will dress each happy room,
With window boxes on the sill
In splendor as they bloom.
Thoughts of peace and deeds of love
Will bless this humble place,
As mother tidies up
And puts lilacs in a vase.
Words of welcome grace the door
For the person pausing there.
“Come on in,” someone will say,
“Take off your coat, pull up a chair.”
May home be such a place, indeed
That weary ones will find
A true refreshment there
Of body, soul, and mind
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 5/9/84
A SMALL TOWN
There is a charming quality about a small town
where the living is good
and greeting is pleasant.
A warm expression veils many faces,
while kindliness extends to the stranger.
In the summertime, one can hardly wait
for the county fair to commence.
A sense of excitement fills the air,
from the parade, to the contests galore,
to the equine competitions...
all decked out in shining coats,
prancing with pride and pomposity,
and on to the carnival... while
young and old scream with delight and fear
as they conquer their demons!
The Mayor sings the favorite
country ballads with strong emotion,
while one aspires to Nashville.
How satisfied one is to be from a small town!
There is something akin to Mayberry
in this, our small town.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright July 15, 2003
ICE STORM
Branches bend and creak
As though with old age.
Black crayola marks paint the lawn.
Where the branches
bend and creak.
Branches bend and creak
With the weight of her body
Bedecked in crystal that will
soon drop to the earth,
As the branches
bend and creak.
The masquerading
beauty of winter
has come and gone
With a vengeance
we won’t soon forget!
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright February 18, 2003
IN MEMORY OF MAN’S BEST FRIEND
They say that a dog
is man’s best friend and how
true that must be!
God loaned him to us for awhile,
so every little dog
has a purpose in life.
For you see, he is never
upset with with his Master
even when the Master is flying apart!
He tucks his tail between his legs,
and with his pleading eyes,
very humbly, and in ways known
only to his Master,
he absorbs the anger until
there is no more.
When he senses the anger has passed,
his tail starts spinning like a
windmill once again, and he jumps
up and down much as a child
on a trampoline.
When anyone or anything threatens
his Master’s interests,
he suddenly becomes the King
of his domain.
Again he’s man’s best friend!
When he has come to the end
of his life, he looks at
his Master with eyes full of love,
licks him, and closes his eyes.
Such great, accepting love he gives
totally, sacrificially.
He has finished the purpose
for which he was created.
It’s as though the Creator prepared
a test for mankind – one that shows
how he will respond to one
of His smallest creatures.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright1/7/03
JUST THINKING
Long ago is happening now,
As fleecy clouds are passing by.
“Will I be famous as a star,
“Can it be with one so shy?”
“Will a dream man come along
“And choose me for his own,
“build a cottage in the woods
“As though he,d always known?”
“Will little ones give us joy?
“Some like him and some like me.
“What kind of life will each one have?
“Oh, I wish that I could see!”
Today is yesterday made plain,
With its taste of death, taste of life;
And when I think upon my course,
All in all the blessings are rife!
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 1982
GODLY MOTHER
She is filled with joy as no other,
Yet, a woman of suffering, that is Mother.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 10/15/2002
SUMMER MUSIC IN A PARK
Tall trees sway to the music
of Credence Clearwater and AC/DC.
The tempo of motorboats
hum as they skip a beat
in the glassy water.
Teen’s cars (with motors syncopating)
drive where children
play in harmony.
The light of trailers and tents
will soon be darkened for the night,
as thunder crescendos in the hollow.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright August 9, 2003
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Lord God Almighty, we thank you
For all who gather here,
Friends who have blessed us mightily,
And all who are far and near.
For those who’ve gone on before us
To a land free from pain.
We thank you Lord, though we love them;
To heaven they are gain.
For this bountiful supply of food,
We thank you Lord for it,
For all gathered around this table,
Everyone, we commit.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 11/27/02
SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HOME
The ribbon of road winds
up and down,
threading through lush trees.
And higher still
the ancient mountain climbs,
sprinkled with wildflowers,
while bushes of Rhododendron
and Mountain Laurel
grow untamed.
All of the forest stands on tiptoe
over all created things,
as creatures roam below.
On and on, going higher where
a mist hangs over the
mountains in the distance.
At last, a most charming sight
is in view... the little log cabin
perched on top of the summit.
A sentinel it will be
to the verdant valley below.
Flowers bloom profusely
in a rainbow of colors.
The sunlight moves ever so slowly
enveloping the cabin
in dappled sunlight.
Night falls with a fat moon
and blinking stars
over the little cabin
in the Smokies.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright August 19, 2003
SACRIFICE AT CALVARY
Jesus was a man born to die,
Eons ago it was ordained on high.
To become one of us was His mission,
From God to man, a divine transition.
He was fully God but fully man,
And He left His throne for the Father's plan.
Feel what He felt in the garden alone;
He agonized in prayer and He began to groan.
He sweated drops of blood, could he endure?
There was great suffering for one so pure.
He wanted His father's will, not a crown
So die, He must; for in sin , all were bought.
They whipped Him with a cat-of-nine tails, tore opem His back;
That day in history was black, so black.
Strugling under the cross, the heavy weight,
He was so tired and in such a weakened state.
Finally, He was relieved by one.
The man was unaware it was God's dear son.
No one ever loved like this man;
Hanging there bleeding, from God's presence banned.
He never did one thing wrong;
He just loved and He loved so strong.
He was tortured beyond all belief,
Not once was was there relief.
There were those who wept that day,
And some felt terrified and began to pray.
Darkness came and covered the earth,
While soldiers mocked His Kingly worth.
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
Down through the ages I hear it too.
Oh, the torture as our filthy sins were laid on Him,
But worse would come in this scene so grim.
Such racking pain and agony of soul
In Jesus poor body was taking it's toll.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The demons hovered there in glee.
When all looked hopeless and there was doubt,
Jesus was victorious and let out a shout!
It is finished!
All through the land the sky turned dark,
Our loving Saviour had left His mark.
The veil of the temple was rent in two,
And the tombs were opened and the dead in view.
The centurian was now able to see
That it was God's own Son who hung on the tree.
So they took His body to a rich man's grave,
Hewn out of a rock, a tiny cave.
On the third day the glad news came,
"He is risen," never to suffer shame.
He offers you heaven, eternal life,
Will you surrender that life of strife?
I caution you, do not turn Him away.
The hour is late, call on Him today.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 6/16/94
BILLOWS OF THE SEA
You had a zest for living
But suddenly you were gone,
Moving to a different sphere
As if you were drawn.
The memory of you left
Waves of grief that o'erflowed me,
As sea billows churning,
gales to the meadow to flee.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 2004
ANGELS
If only we could
see the
angels of the Lord,
instead of
demons behind every
tree!
We would know
they excel in strength
with the ability to deliver those
that are His,
that trust in Him!
Oh, the demons exist.
But as for me, I choose to see
God's mighty
angels.
Doris J. Niswonger
Copyright 10/29/02
Just Thinking
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