Masks And Facades

Some go through life behind masks and facades,
Hiding their pain and feeling at odds,
Covering their heartaches behind a big smile,
Forging ahead..... while in self-denial.

But with our God we don't need a facade.
He sees our heart and the paths that we trod.
With Him we don't need to put on a mask.
If we have a need, we simply should ask.

We can relax and be just who we are,
And need not pretend if we're not up to par.
What a relief..... and what peace that we have.
His love is as oil and a warm healing salve.

So we can discard all our masks and facades
And exit the ranks of those still at odds.
We have a God Who gives total peace,
Who sees through our masks and gives us release.

".....The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Rest In Jesus (of the Bible)

The peace that He gives is as soft-fallen rain
Which gently replenishes life's daily drain.
The healing He brings in the depths of one's soul
Tenderly washes to change and make whole.

His love is as warmth on a crisp, wintry day,
Like red, glowing embers which drive cold away.
The joy which He gives is a sweet-scented gift.....
As fragrance of myrrh..... to bless and uplift.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matthew 11:29 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Sweet Refrain

The people sang a sweet refrain.....
A great old hymn from long ago.
The music flowed in beauteous strain.
It warmed my heart and made tears flow.

How sweet the hymns which have been penned
In worship to our Lord and King,
With words which all my cares transcend
And make me want to praise and sing.

Worshipping in hymn and psalm,
Singing words from ages past,
Brings an inner peace and calm,
And stirs up memories which last.

".....Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord....."
Ephesians 5:18-19 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Just One Of Those Days

There just are those days
When you cannot keep up.
And try as you will
You're like a "whipped pup".

The day seems to be
Always two steps ahead
Of where you should be,
And you just scratch your head...

Saying, "How did this happen?
I'm so far behind!
What can I do
To get out of this bind?"

Take a deep breath
And say a small prayer.
God is your help
And He really does care.

Some things are urgent,
Some things are not.
He'll even take care of
The things you forgot!

So if you are having
Just "one of those days",
Cheer up and be happy
And give God the praise!

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

People Who Inspire

Tillie

I only remember Aunt Tillie from when I was a young girl, but in retrospect, as I think back, she was a very remarkable woman.

A a young woman, Tillie had the misfortune of losing the lower part of her right arm in an industrial accident. Back then the medical field did not have the knowledge to reattach limbs as they do today. So she went through life without a hand and forearm on the right side.

But Tillie had remarkable determination to do everyday tasks and do them well. I can remember how she ironed. She had a "cuff" fitted over her short arm which attached to the handle of the iron. (Back then there were no drip-dry clothes. Everything needed ironing). Yet everything she wore was always neatly pressed and spotless.

She was a very neat housekeeper. Everything was always clean and tidy. You couldn't find one thing out of place in her home. If she had a cup of tea before she went to bed, she would always wash the cup out so she wouldn't have to get up to even one dirty cup the next morning. When she sold her home the real estate man commented that he had never seen such a clean house.

In spite of her handicap, Tillie was industrious. She even learned how to crochet again. Though she struggled with many things, she never let self-pity overtake her. She overcame her handicap with wonderful courage.


"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:27 and 31 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Courage

Courage is birthed in the heart over time.
As we trust in God, then we start to climb
To higher achievements in all that we do,
For He is our strength in whate'er we go through.

Life brings us challenges which we must face,
And sometimes we think we cannot "meet the pace".
Opportunity knocks and we don't feel prepared,
Yet if we say "no", then we may have erred.

Our courage will come when we fully depend
On God for our strength, for He will attend
And cause us to go forth with heads held up high.
We need not fear, but on Him rely.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
II Timothy 1:7 NKJ

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heavenly Threads

Lord, I want You to be interwoven into every thought I have.....
To be threaded through every fiber of my being.....
To be the pattern and design of my life.

To be the color in me which is visible to others.....
To be as shimmering threads which reflect light into darkness.

If the fabric of my life is in Your hands,
Then it will be more beautiful than anything I could conceive.....
For Your hands are loving and creative.

I want those around me to see You, and not me.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.


"For we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
II Corinthians 3:18 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Happy Words

Some people gripe, lament and complain.
Being around them is really a strain.
They fuss and they muss and their troubles discuss.
I wish they would go far away from us!

A growl and a scowl make a sorrowful jowl.
Looking at them makes me just want to howl!
They grumble and mumble, they groan and they moan.
Not being humble, on and on they will drone.

They mutter and sputter and no good word utter.
Help! Get me out of this unhappy splutter!
A positive word would make all seem quite bright,
Would happiness bring..... with a smile of delight!

"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."
I Peter 4:9 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Giving And Sharing

In this land of "great and plenty"
We never think we have "enough".
We always think we need some more
And soon have too much stuff.

We don't have time to use it all
But relish having "much".
We may not even need the things
To which we tightly clutch.

The way to solve this problem
Is to learn to share and give.
It's very much more joyous
And a better way to live.

Reaching out to other folks
And sharing what we own
Will bring to us a blessing
We won't otherwise have known.

Many people have deep need
And don't know what to do.
The answer to their problem
Just might come from me or you.

"Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share with others."
I Timothy 6:18 Amplified Bible

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hope In Jesus

Always with Jesus there is a new day.
Always with Jesus HOPE comes into play.
Hope brings a future..... a bright second chance.
Hope lifts us up and confidence grants.

Hope is a lifeline..... a vision for some.
Hope is the promise of good things to come.
In Jesus are answers which cannot be seen.
Jesus brings hope..... and on Him we can lean.


"If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
Romans 8:25 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn's Gentle Reminder

In the autumn when the leaves begin to fall and the earth readies itself for a much-needed rest, it seems nature is issuing a "call".....

Autumn brings to a close all of the "fullness" of the year. For the year has spilled out it's goodness in the quiet reflections of winter, in the loveliness of spring, the beauty of summer days, and in the glorious blaze and harvest of colors in autumn.

It calls us to a time of rejoicing for the multiplied bountifulness of the year..... to give thanks to an incredibly giving Father..... to affirm our foundations in Him anew..... to be in Him and to honor Him in all facets of our existence. Autumn is our reminder to be grateful in all things and always to bring thanksgiving to our loving God.

It is a time of great rejoicing. We serve an awesome and wonderful God!


"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms, for the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Psalm 95:2-3 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

True Worship

A Vision

The church was full that morning..... As the service started, the people moved quickly into praise.

As we moved from praise into worship the singing was glorious - hundreds of voices in harmony, with hearts and hands raised to our Living God. I looked across the auditorium, seeing a sea of faces and hearing the awesomeness of the worship, and I was deeply moved.

Then my eyes were drawn upward..... and I began to see what was going on in the Spirit. The auditorium had a high, beamed ceiling. The space above the worshippers was totally filled with fine silver threads, strung in every direction..... almost like spider webs. I could see currents of energy pulsing through the silver threads, with sparks of fire everywhere. If I had reached up, my hand would have bumped some of the threads because there were so many going in every direction.

I was literally seeing the power and movement of the Holy Spirit in that room. The air was alive with the presence of God. And I knew that lives were being changed and people were being healed.

How great and awesome is our God.....

"Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool;
For He is holy."
Psalm 99:5 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Morning Rush

I have a comic picture..... but really not so funny,
Of a fellow going off to work, with need to make some money.
He sleeps until his clock alarm awakens him from sleep,
Then dashes through his morning, his starting time to keep.

He grabs a cup of coffee and glances at the news,
Then tries to beat the traffic lights on his morning "cruise".
But halfway through the morning, he starts to feel the "crunch".
He's frazzled and he's weary..... and it isn't even lunch!

He got caught up in work-day "rush" and failed to recognize
That taking time to pray each morn would probably be wise.
Taking minutes at the start and giving God some time each day
Facilitates the working day and is a blessed and better way.

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers....."
I Peter 3:12 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Prayer For Our Nation

A tired people, worn and weary,
Praying, standing..... in travail.
Hear our prayer and heal our nation.
Let truth be known and light prevail.

Protect our country, we beseech Thee,
Help us stand and not make error.
As darkness threatens to destroy us,
Strengthen us and hear our prayer.

Guide our leaders, keep them strong.
Let them seek to know Your way,
May they always use Your wisdom
Every hour throughout the day.

Quench the fires of hate and turmoil
Stirred within by evil men.
Help us, Lord, to work together,
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

"Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."
I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Moving

Moving means work..... and a time of review.
There are cupboards and boxes and drawers to go through.
Where did it come from..... all of this "stuff"?
If we move half of it we'll have enough!

We'll rediscover some things we had lost.
Now we must deal with what should have been "tossed".
All of those things that we tried to collect
We really don't need..... as we stop to reflect.

Moving is "painful"..... it's not any fun,
And we sure will be glad when it's over and done.
We've learned not to store stuff and think we will find
We won't even miss that which we leave behind.

This is a picture of how we will feel
As we follow Jesus and learn what is real.
He will make change in our lives every day
And cause all our "baggage" to just fall away.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Colossians 3:2 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Gardens Of Life

Life is as a series of gardens that we walk through.....

In some we may sit and rest and enjoy the loveliness which is all around us. These are gardens of refreshing and healing and renewal. But in some we will toil and labor..... the ground may be rough and rocky, and the soil may not be easy to till. As we struggle there we will learn new skills and acquire new "muscle"..... wisdom.

Some of the gardens might be somewhat barren, and we will learn there to lean on the Lord for understanding and provision. These might be called gardens of trust.

Occasionally we might pass through a garden of sorrow. In our time there we will know comfort and the depths of God's love and caring.

Or we may pass through a garden where each path has specific directions which we must follow..... signposts everywhere. Some of these instructions we may not understand, but as we carefully walk the paths of this garden we will learn obedience.

Perhaps we will find ourselves in a hidden garden..... isolated and out of the way..... and wonder what we are doing there. It is there we learn to be contented with whatever daily measure God gives us. We learn gratefulness.

There will be many gardens and many experiences along the way, but as we live and walk in these "gardens" we will begin to know God. Each of these gardens will bring blessings of perspective and understanding which we could not have found any other way. We will begin to see the flowers of God's goodness around us in each of the gardens.

To avoid or rush out of a garden too soon is to miss God's precious handshaping of our lives, for in each garden lies a treasure. As we pass through each garden then it's fragrance and understanding will become part of our lives.


"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
II Peter 1:5-8 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Special Blessing

May He lift you up this day,
Guide your path and light your way.

May His angels watch o'er you
To keep you safe in all you do.

May His Spirit hover near
Your needs to meet and prayers to hear.

May He fill your heart with song
And give you blessing all day long.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Footpath

God will make a footpath
When you cannot find your way.
He will show you where to step
And all your fears allay.

His path may be the only one
As light of day grows dim,
But you can find that footpath
As you trust and wait on Him.

He will not forsake you
Nor leave you all alone,
But faithfully will guide you
Through those times which are unknown.

You can trust in Jesus.....
That He will light your way
And guide you in a careful path,
Every hour and every day.

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies."
Psalm 27:11 NKJ

"My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber."
Psalm 121:2-3 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

You Are The Lesson

You are the lesson your children will learn.
In all of your actions the truth they'll discern.
They'll do as you do and act as you act.
Your patterns in life they will surely enact.

For a child loves to mimic his mom and his dad.
He'll be glad when you're glad and sad when you're sad.
The best gift in life for any young child
Is a parent whose life after Jesus is styled.

He'll learn of the Lord in your actions each day.
He'll learn to be loving and he'll learn to pray.
As you follow Jesus, then he'll know Him too.
For He will see Jesus in all that you do.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Kitty Cat's Nap

Our wonderful cat climbed on a soft chair.
She had decided to take a nap there.
She washed her paws to make sure they were clean,
Then rolled onto her back and was very serene.

She stretched out her body in quiet repose,
Expecting to have quite a nice winter's "doze",
When the shade right above her flew up with a "snap",
Making quick end to the kitty cat's nap!

She rose up in the air, three feet off the chair!
She was not prepared for this kind of a scare!
She "flew" out the door on this cold winter's night,
With need to recover from her sudden fright.

Cats need nine lives..... she lost at least two
From this sudden excitement that she had gone through.
When the old roller shade rolled up with a "snap"
It frazzled her nerves and ended her nap!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Perfect Balance

Some days are full of too many challenges.
Pressures and tensions pull this way and that.
Others' demands and work expectations
Will tend to make this problem hard to combat.

Finding a balance and easy solution
Are not necessarily easy to do,
But as we seek God He'll help us to start
Sorting out our priorities and think all this through.

For often the "best" things in life can get lost
In a pile-up of busyness out of control.
We needn't keep pace with what the world says
Or yield to what others think should be our goal.

God will give wisdom and practical insight
To show us what should be a comfortable pace.
Only in Him will we find our true balance
And endless frustration finally erase.

"Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path....."
Psalm 27:11 KJV

"Thou wit keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Isaiah 26:3 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Well-Oiled Gears

Today I am reminded of a creaky old combine, sitting unused and starting to rust. And it's gears and it's mechanisms are stuck from lack of use.

Sometimes in life our relationships or situations, or families or jobs, become like that. All workability seems to have gone past, and we have a "machine" which is no longer working. And sometimes discarding the old for something new seems like a quick and easy answer.

But by the power (the oil) of the Holy Spirit the gears of the "machine" can be lubricated and made to function smoothly again. And that which is of much value will function and move forward once again. An "old" machine of fine, tempered steel is much better than something "new and synthetic". But the machine needs maintenance and must be valued enough to not be discarded.

In life, as our relationships and situations are maintained and well-lubricated with the oil of the Spirit, we will not have discards or breakdowns or "creaky joints" which groan and complain from lack of care. Well-oiled gears run quietly without struggle. And that which we think may be a loss will, by the power of the Spirit, become a treasure of greatest worth.


"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever; even the spirit of truth....."
John 14:16-17 KJV

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Will You Trust Me?

Will you trust Me, My child,
When I'm shaping your life.....
When I "press in" to mold you
And change what is rife?

For I know your "change-point"
And what it will take
A vessel of worth
And import to make.

Will you trust Me, My child,
When the "fire" becomes hot
Or you don't understand
Exactly your lot?

I'll never forsake you
Nor leave you alone,
But will constantly guard
What to you is unknown.

I will make beauty
And merit and worth,
And to virtue and honor
I will give birth.

Will you trust Me, My child
And savor My touch?
Will you trust Me, My child?
I love you SO MUCH!

"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."
Isaiah 64:8 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Morning's Promise

As I drink in the freshness
of the morning.....

And see God's creation all
around me.....

I am energized
And renewed in my spirit.

In Him
Opportunity is limitless.....
Possibility stands waiting.....
Promise is given.....

Each day is His special gift,

And I am refreshed.


"The Lord's mercies are new every morning; great Is Your faithfulness."

" ' The Lord is my portion,' says my soul. ' Therefore I hope in Him!' "
Lamentations 3:23-24 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Paintings

The artist has a palette
Of bright colors he can use.
And he blends them as he paints
In a potpourri of hues.

The writer uses words,
As he "paints" with much detail,
To convey his thoughts and stories
In a colorful portrayal.

Paintings made with words,
Using beautiful expression,
Can heal and bring contentment
Or make valuable impression.

Blending words together
In delightful camaraderie
Can brighten up a rainy day
With stories, warmth and comedy.

The artist and the writer
Speak the language of the heart
With paintbrush and with pen.....
One in writings, one in art.

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Much To Learn

For Students

Study a lot
And learn, learn, learn.
This is the way
Higher levels we earn.

The path to achievement
Will not sit and wait.
We must pursue it
And not hesitate.

What opportunity,
What treasure store
Is waiting there for us
To find and explore.

It really is fun
To learn something new.
We may be surprised
At what we can do!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Greatest Love

O Father God..... from beginning of time
You had a plan..... a flawless design.
Not in a lifetime, not in a day
Could we comprehend just how much You would pay.

Your love is so great that You sacrificed all
So we might be saved from effects of "the fall".
How great Your compassion, Your mercy and grace
..... That You should love us and our sins erase.

You didn't forsake us or cast us away,
But provided redemption..... our debts to repay.
O Father God, Your mercy and grace
Flow freely and richly our lives to embrace.

We are wrapped in Your love and eagerly wait
For the time when we see You and enter Your gate.
What blessing and honor and joy that will be.....
To be in Your presence eternally.


"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
nor principalities nor powers, nor things present
nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other
created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Another's Shoes

We do not know the sufferings of others
Unless we have walked where they walk.
We cannot know how much they are hurting,
Except when they sometimes will talk.

Help us, O Lord, to not criticize
Those things which we don't understand
When we simply don't know the weight of their load
And what in their life makes demand.

May we learn compassion and never "look down",
May we curb our critical talk.
But for the grace of our loving God
We too might walk where they walk.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
I Peter 3:8-9 KJV

© 2006 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

The Wonder Of Your Love

Oh, the wonder of Your love,
The wonder of Your grace.....
That You would care for such as me,
That You would give me place.....

When I could only offer You
A sin-filled, broken soul.
And yet You cared so much for me
You touched and made me whole.

You had no need for such as me
But did not pass me by.
You lifted me from pain and woe,
You heard my heart's deep cry.

You gave me hope and wiped my tears.
In You I have deep peace.
Through Your grace and wondrous love
From my sin I have release.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
II Corinthians 5:17 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Little Sheep

We have a loving Shepherd.
He cares so for His sheep.
He watches over all His flock,
Their welfare to safe-keep.

He teaches and He nurtures them,
Gently meeting every need.
His watchful eye is on each one
To pray and intercede.

Little lambs are tender
And are not so very strong.
Without the Shepherd's loving touch
They falter and go wrong.

Little sheep, it's wise to stay
Within the Shepherd's fold,
For He will guard you all your days,
And even when you're old.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf