Transition And Change

When we are "comfy" we don't want to change.
We may have fear the "new" will feel strange.
We must assess the place where we are,
For factors of change our comfort may jar.

Change will affect our patterns of thought
And stretch us in ways we may not have sought.
To make a big change we need lots of grit
And willingness in our hearts to not quit.

Transition speaks of progress and movement,
And, yielded to God, will bring much improvement.
He is our "bridge" in times of transition
And covers us as we our lives reposition.

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Being Ready

Should God present the "perfect occasion"
To make change and prosper or fulfill a dream,
Would you be ready to "pick up and go"...
To be called into opportunity's stream?

Often we ponder and yearn to be used
But are not attuned as to how to prepare.
God may be trying to bring about change,
But then we are busy and less than aware.

Whatever His leading, we need to respond,
Though sometimes His leading may not make much sense.
He will prepare us in His perfect timing
And help us be ready new work to commence.

We need not fear that we won't be ready.
By Him we're seasoned and fit and equipped.
We then can move in His perfect timing.
He is our Guide, His Word is our script.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Song Of Joy

Sing a song of love and joy,
Blessed gifts men should employ.
How we need to spread good cheer
To every person... far and near.

Good will flows forth from the heart
And many blessings will impart.
Gladness offsets many frowns
And love produces lovely "crowns".

Let joy sing from deep within.
Let light-heartedness begin.
Joy brings comfort, hope and calm...
A welcome, wondrous, healing balm.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
Philippians 4:4 KJV

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Creative God

All that God does has exquisite design.
His attention to detail is matchless and fine.
But some of His "benefits" may seem quite plain
(And try as we will, just cannot explain).

He has a purpose to make us the best
And tempers our lives so we will be blessed.
As we are faithful to follow His plan
We reap all the blessing of what He began.

His creativity makes us unique.
Into each life His beauty will speak
And bring special blessings which in Him abound...
Outpouring from God which is truly profound.

"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves..."
Psalm 100:3 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Sweeping Wind

The Spirit of God is as wind o'er a prairie,
Sweeping in power it sometimes will tarry.
If we're alert we will witness His power
As God's hand is moving and working this hour.

The Spirit won't linger when His work is done
But quickly moves on, a new course to run.
He touches down in lives which are yielded
Unto God's will and by His Word shielded.

Pray that you'll know the work of God's hand
And stay closely tuned to learn what He's planned.
The Spirit moves quickly, His work to complete,
And often His timing is "sweeping" and fleet.

"When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
John 16:13 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Gentle Touch

Most folks need a gentle touch
And will appreciate it much.
Kind words are as gifts of gold
And offer hope on which to hold.

Gentleness will bring a smile
And often go the second mile
To let folks know you really care
And lift them from life's wear and tear.

A gentle touch is just so nice.
A gift of warmth beyond all price.,
Offering a ray of light,
Making someone's day so bright.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..."
Galatians 5:22 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Clear Vision

To see real beauty, my "sight" must be changed.
My thoughts and perception must be rearranged.
I must re-think the way that I see
So I won't miss beauty which may surround me...

Training my heart to always see good
And seek out God's beauty wherever I should,
Cutting through haze which fogs up my vision,
To recognize worth with Godly precision.

Gold may be hidden in folks whom I know.
I could encourage that beauty to grow.
Lord, help me see the way that You see
And hopefully be all that I should be.

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Psalm 119:18 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Love Is Able

Love is able to transcend and heal that which is broken.
By our actions and our words it's language will be spoken.
Love is humble, faithful, quiet, honest and true-blue.
It will cast out fear and doubt and bright hope will pursue.

Love takes time and deep commitment... sometimes through a storm,
But has a way of breaking through, it's wonders to perform.
In sharing and in caring of another's life to lift,
Love and tender friendship shown become a wondrous gift.

"Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end)."
I Corinthians 13:8 Amplified Bible

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..."
I John 4:18 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Place To Rest

In the Word are wealth and riches
Where we find important "niches"...
Resting places which are sure
And healing streams of water pure.

We will find no greater treasure...
Full of wisdom beyond measure.
Scripture is God's precious gift,
Our souls to heal and lives to lift.

Pause there... meditate and rest.
By His wisdom you'll be blessed.
Any answers you may need
The Word will always far exceed.

"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
Psalm 119:162 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace

Anxiety challenges deep peace of mind
And brings confusion of every kind.
Don't let it in and cause you to grieve.
In God have trust. In Him believe.

He gives us strength to push fear away
And gives us well-being when things go astray.
We can be stable and strong in a storm,
So let peace surround you... let it be your norm.

Peace is a shelter, a lifestyle and "home"...
A place which is real from which we don't roam.
Peace is from God and covers us well,
A blessed retreat in which we may dwell.

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Psalm 119:165 KJV

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts..."
Colossians 3:16 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Simplicity's Gift

What ever happened to simple, clean living,
Going to church, sharing and giving?
Folks have lost track of life's simple pleasures,
Rushing right past... to gain worldly treasures.

Simple is best... will always have worth.
Good common sense will often give birth
And open up doors we may not have seen,
God's riches and pleasures to taste and to glean.

Society's treadmill becomes as a race
And has it's own rhythm with too fast a pace.
Oft it's complexity is as a snare,
But simplicity is a breath of fresh air!

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Matthew 6:19-21 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong Finish

Everyone has loads to bear
And knows God hears us when we pray.
He's our hope and peace and joy
And we find strength in Him each day.

If the road is long and hard
We sometimes labor and we toil.
And if we do not feel well
We cry out for God's healing oil.

He will help us to complete
Those tasks which sometimes linger long.
By His grace and loving care
Our finish will be sure and strong.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6:9 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thank You, LORD

Your lovingkindness warms my life.
Your grace and mercy make it glow.
For joy and laughter in my heart
A debt of gratitude I owe.

I rejoice in Your great love...
For You have saved me from my sin.
No one else could heal my fears,
But now I have deep peace within.

Your love always lifts me up
And helps me to stand tall and strong.
To know You is my richest gain.
Your lovingkindness is my song.

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."
Psalm 63:3-4 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sheep

It's so good to be a sheep
With the Shepherd giving keep,
Grazing 'neath His watchful eye,
And sheltered as the night draws nigh.

Listening to the Shepherd's voice
And resting in His flock by choice
Bring surety and comfort wise...
Nurture which His care supplies.

Sheep need cov'ring day and night
For all their needs... however slight.
The Shepherd hears their ev'ry bleat.
In Him they will have safe retreat.

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice."
John 10:4 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Book To Be Read

Every life is as a book...
Events and stories from the past...
Written by the things we do,
Remembrances which truly last.

Hopefully our books are filled
With inspiration, love and hope,
Penned with wisdom and good will,
Encouragement with depth and scope.

When our lives draw to a close
We leave pages to be read.
Here our light may brightly shine,
By which many will be led.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Colossians 3:16-17 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Everyday Goodness

We go to church one day a week
The Lord and all His ways to seek.
What we've learned can be a light
In someone's dark and dreary night.

But through the week we get sidetracked
In how we live and how we act
And oft forget that which we've learned...
For others to be more concerned.

Goodness isn't once a week.
Everyday it's love should speak.
Choose to live by what you've heard,
By Christ's example in the Word.

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power - making it active, operative, energizing and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and (the immortal) spirit, and of joints and marrow (that is, of the deepest parts of our nature) exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Listening

How much do we long to hear the Lord's voice...
Are we too rushed in Him to rejoice?
Often He waits until we are still
To share of His goodness and speak of His will.

When we are still and ready to hear
Then He will whisper His love and good cheer.
Hearing His voice we find we are changed,
The thoughts of our hearts in Him re-arranged.

In His sweet presence we find His rich treasure
And taste of His goodness in beautiful measure.
Taking the time to listen and "wait"
A blessed dimension for us will create.

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee... My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips."
Psalm 63:1, 5 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let Truth Be Known

Let truth be as a beacon bright,
Our steps to guide and path to light.
May we be prepared and ready.
May our progress e'er be steady.

Challenges may come our way.
We can meet them as we pray.
God will keep us from grave error
And shield us from the blight of terror.

God is faithful and is able.
He will keep us strong and stable.
Darkness cannot quench His light
Or stand against His power and might!

"When he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."
John 16:13 KJV

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand)."
Psalm 91:1 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Rushing Waters

A Prophecy
January 31, 2012

In my spirit I see rivers washing their banks away... mighty rivers... powerful waters.. changing the course of lives, laying out new guidelines, the new replacing the old, new parameters for living.

Many have been living too close to the edge of the river. The waters are tearing at the banks. It is time to re-establish their lives on firmer ground.

Re-think what is really important. This wll be a new guideline. Discard that which is unnecessary or no longer useful. Move to higher ground. Be ready. Look forward.

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Soft Touch

A soft touch is better than "wars" we would wage,
A much wiser tool our fears to assuage.
Thoughtfulness, gentleness, calmness and peace
Oft will encourage all discord to cease.

Walking in peace will heal and soothe,
Causing our "paths" to be happy and smooth.
If we will choose to have a soft touch,
Rewards will be many and peacefulness much.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
Colossians 3:15 KJV

"Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath..."
James 1:19 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf