The Footsteps of Jesus

The footsteps of Jesus
In the sands of one's heart
Leave beautiful imprints
And new life impart.

But when strong winds of change
Blow the sand all around,
Then after a time
The prints can't be found.

So if we welcome Him
Again and again,
Our hearts will be full
Of His imprints then.

And though the winds blow
Or the waves overflow,
The imprints He made
Will continue to show.

Over time He is etched
In the sands of a heart,
And He can be seen
By the love we impart.

"Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling aroma."
Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Joy

LORD.....

You bring the laughter in my day.....

Your joy is as rippling waters in a brook.....
Waters traveling happily on their way downstream.....
Light-hearted, delightful.....

Waters which bubble up and over stones and obstacles
And are not troubled.....
They do not look back.....

Waters singing freely as they travel to their destination.....
A happy stream flowing through my day.....

"He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."
Proverbs 15:15b NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Prayerful Call

Our nation needs to bow it's head
And bend upon it's prideful knee
To humbly show it's gratitude
For freedom and prosperity.

For God has kept His hand upon us,
Watching over us by night,
Honoring the cries of those
Who prayerfully stand for what is right.

Today we call upon His name,
Repenting of our spot and sin,
Asking Him to heal our nation,
Restoring righteousness within.

"If My people who are called by My name will hunmble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Mirrors

The mirrors of the soul,
when filled with the Spirit of God,
reflect myriad colors and dimensions...

Rich hues and glistening light...
beyond what the mind comprehends.

As His Spirit moves within a life,
that life is as a living, revolving, glass ball
with many facets of light...

Beautiful to see...
A kaleidoscope of God's glory
resting there and causing change.

The beauty of the Lord in residence...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Special Day

God bless you on this special day.....
"What special day is this?" you say.....

Today was made for you and me
By our loving God..... That we might be
A blessing or a joy to one
Who doesn't know His Precious Son.

God gave His Son that we might live.
Now we have chance His love to give.
Those to whom His love we show
His Glorious Son may come to know.

What greater joy can fill this day
Than knowing one has found His way.....


"This is the day which the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 NKJ

© 2003 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Gossip

Gossip seems to sneak around...
Behind one's back it can be found!
It starts a fire which won't go out
And really is a gadabout!

Lots of times it isn't true
And isn't worth the time to chew.
It can "upset the apple cart"
And many troubles it will start.

Do not speak what may be "hearsay".
Only truth should we convey.
True friends won't repeat a matter.
Neither will they lie or flatter.

When gossip rears it's ugly head,
Do not share what has been said.
From memory let the words erase
And thereby offer love and grace.

"He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates the best of friends."
Proverbs 17:9 NKJ

"Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases."
Proverbs 26:20 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Daily Bread

Give us this day our daily bread....." Surely this was the prayer of many back during the depression years, for not many were working.

During that time our family lived next door to a man who owned a greenhouse, but who didn't have enough money for food. Mom learned of his situation and invited him to come have dinner with our family so that he would have at least one meal a day. He hesitated, saying, "I work in a greenhouse where my clothes get dirty, and also, I wouldn't want to interrupt your family time, but if you will set the meal on the fence, then I will come out and get it."

Now this couldn't have been easy for Mom, because at that time she had three small children and a baby to take care of. But each day she would fix a plate of food for him and take it out to the fence, and he would come out to get it. She did this every day for two years, until one day, when she placed the plate of food there on the fence, he didn't come out..... he had passed away.

Mom had seen a need and she met it faithfully every day.....

"She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy."
Proverbs 21:20 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Worry

Worry is an ugly critter.
We shouldn't be it's babysitter!
What good is worry anyway?
It never will our fears allay.

Worry is a constant nag
And makes a happy spirit sag.
It robs and steals our energy
And keeps our minds from being free.

It fusses, frets and just won't rest.
Repeats itself and is a pest!
We can't allow this pest to stay
So we will walk in faith and pray.

When we're feeling very stressed
The Lord will give us perfect rest.
In trusting Him we find release...
That blessed place where there is peace.

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:25 & 33 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Time of Plenty

Thanksgiving time is drawing nigh...
The season when we glorify
The God of plenty and provision,
Praising Him for what He's given.

A time to give, a time to share,
A time for others' needs to bear,
For many lives have been displaced
As circumstance has laid them waste.

A time for kindness and compassion,
Reaching out in prayerful fashion,
Truly caring from the heart
For those who need a fresh, new start.

A time to give, a time to share,
A time for us to show we care...
By reaching out in Jesus' Name
We to them God's love proclaim!


"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in..... Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:35 & 40 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong Nation

We must be a people strong,
Armed with prayer against all wrong,
Vigilant to stand our ground
And keep our guard up all around.

Powers of darkness would destroy
And evil practice would employ,
But people of God on bended knee
Can keep our nation safe and free.

Prayer warriors side by side
Will overcome the evil tide.
We have a God of power and might,
And we will stand for what is right!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord....."
Psalm 33:12a NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Grace

His grace is so real
An everyday friend;
More than is possible
To comprehend.

It cannot be measured
In terms that we know,
But provides the space
In which we can grow.

It covers our faults,
Overlooks all our sin,
And is present to help us
Each race to win.

A full measure given
From the Father above
His awesome expression
Of mercy and love.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJ

© 2003 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words

Let us measure every word...
Let only careful speech be heard.
Words leave marks for good or evil.
Choice of words can wound or heal.

Careless words have no import
And Godly purpose sometimes thwart.
Lying words much damage do
Because they cover and misconstrue.

How much suffering, how much pain
Are caused by sharp words of disdain,
But words of kindness and of truth
Bring joy and peace, will heal and soothe.

Lord, help our words to careful be,
Only You can set us free
From speaking irresponsibly
And causing great calamity!

Let us ponder every word
And let not frivolous speech be heard,
But only words we carefully season
With Godly wisdom and with reason.

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:6 NKJ

©2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Best Plan

When man thinks he knows
What the next step should be,
If he has not prayed,
How foolish is he!

For man cannot guess
What the future will be
Without divine wisdom
To help him to see.

Prayer is the key
To make all things work out.
God gives us instruction
But we must not doubt.

Trusting in Him
Is the most blessed way
To have peace and success
In our lives every day.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Changing My World

I can offer a smile...
I can speak a word...
I can choose to see the best in others...
By this I may show love.....

I can speak an encouraging word...
I can speak a blessing...
I can pray for healing...
By this I may bring hope.....

I can take time to listen...
I can reach out and touch...
I can offer a helping hand...
By this I may bring joy.....

One small event at a time.....
I can make a difference.

"You are the light of the world...
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14a, 16 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Best Friend

All my thoughts are turned to You
To learn Your ways and know Your heart.
Throughout the day I wait on You
Fresh revelation to impart.

For You are Life and You are Light,
The answer for my every need.
Strength and purpose found in You
Will help me prosper and succeed.

I cannot walk through life alone.
I wouldn't even try.
For you alone direct my path.
Only You can satisfy.

You are my lifeline...my best friend!
I long to hear Your voice,
That I might have a deeper walk.
What reason to rejoice!

"For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You."
Psalm 63:7-8 Amplified Bible

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn Winds

I do not see from whence you come
Or know just where you go.
In rustling leaves and bending boughs
I hear you moving to and fro.

You seem to tell me with your voice,
"We're in a brand new season."
You've wakened me from summer laze
With urgency of reason.

For though I love the lively feel
Of autumn's brisk, fresh air,
I know that for the winter season
I must soon prepare.

The same way that I see the signs
As seasons come and go,
The Spirit whispers in my heart
Each thing I need to know.

In the Spirit's changing wind
I know I'll find direction.
I'm ever grateful to our God
For covering and protection.


"When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will
guide you into all truth; for He will not speak
on His own authority, but whatever He hears
He will speak, and He will tell you things to come."
John 16:13 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

People Who Inspire

RUTH

Ruth was a woman who had a bubbly personality and who loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a woman of prayer, and she believed in His healing power.

When she was eighty-four she went into the hospital for evaluation of a liver condition. Her husband Milt came to see her in the evening, and as he came into the room he heard the woman in the bed next to Ruth crying. (I never learned the name of the other lady, but will call her Mary for purposes of this story). Milt poked his head in through the curtains around Mary's bed to see what was the matter.....

Mary, who was seventy-five years old, had been brought into the hospital with severe pain from arthritis in both hands and both feet. Her hands were very crippled, and her feet were twisted out of shape. She could no longer walk and had been in a wheelchair for several years. She was crying from the intensity of the pain. Milt asked her if she would let his wife Ruth pray for her because Ruth believed in the healing power of God. She said, "yes." So Ruth got up from out of her own hospital bed and went over and laid hands on Mary and prayed for healing.

Around 4:00 a.m., the next morning, Ruth heard Mary call out quietly, "Ruth, Ruth." Then again she called, "Ruth, get up. Come here." So Ruth got up and went to see what Mary wanted. God had totally healed both of Mary's hands and both of her feet. She was excited and wanted to show Ruth.

Mary said to Ruth, "Just wait. I'm going to get up and take a shower", which she did with no help. Then she got herself dressed, and she was able to even button her own clothes, which she could not do before. Now all this was going on without the nurses down the hall even realizing these two women were up.

Mary was rejoicing and she wanted to tell somebody. So she and Ruth went down the long hallway to the nurses' station. When they got there one of the nurses asked, "What can I do for you?"

Mary answered, "Nothing! Ruth here prayed for me and I don't need anything!" She was healed and she was free of pain. Her hands and feet were normal again.

When Mary came into the hospital she was in a wheelchair. When she went home she was able to walk out of the hospital.....


"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today
and forever."
Hebrews 13:8 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf