Salvation's Gift

Salvation picks up the lowliest soul,
Gives him new hope and makes him whole.
Salvation chooses the soul we can't touch,
That one who has nothing... but then will have much.

Salvation is able to wash away sin,
To replace stain and spot with beauty within.
Salvation transforms and always makes new.
This is Christ's gift... to me and to you.


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Perfect Work

Patience is a virtue which will
Always start quite small,
But as it's practiced over time
Will "stand", whate'er befall.

It often is the factor
Which ensures that we will "win",
For it spurs us on in "battle"
From the time that we begin.

As we learn to rest and wait
And diligence pursue,
We will learn about God's grace
And have a whole new view.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 1:4 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Wind Of The Spirit

When the wind of the Spirit blows hard in a life
To remove cumulation of rubble and strife,
Uncovering gold and cleansing within,
Preparing that life a new work to begin...

There is a point of not looking back
But moving ahead on a positave "tack",
Of walking in faith toward a God-given goal,
Trusting in Him to be in control.

By His able hand we reach a high place
As we are submitted and walking in grace.
How high the goal? How high the sky?
That our God is able we cannot deny.

Only in Him can we fulfill our call,
Climbing our mountains, however tall,
Learning each day just how we should live,
Walking sure-footed each path He would give.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
Psalm 18:32-33 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Book Of Life

When my life is written down
And I await my heav'nly crown,
How much love will there be found?
Will God's beauty there abound?

Have my writings been for others,
Friends and sisters, children, brothers?
Has compassion brought sweet rest
To someone needing to be blessed?

May my record kindness show,
May my pages shine and glow
Because I've bowed at Jesus' feet.
Only there is life complete.

So when my life is written down
And I await my heav'nly crown,
I pray my "book" will be unique
And into many lives will speak.

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Colossians 1:10 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Building Blocks

Building blocks of prayer and wisdom...
Sturdy platforms for each day,
Firm foundations built in prayer
Which will not shake or lean or sway.

These are built on holy ground
And will not crumble or decay,
But will stand and blossom forth
In holiness with sweet bouquet.

Barrenness will find new life,
Deep desires will take on form,
Beauty will rise up to "speak"
With answers far beyond the norm.

Building blocks of prayer and wisdom
Will not falter but will grow,
Bringing us God's wondrous answers,
And His blessings to bestow.

"Pray without ceasing."
I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

"Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
Proverbs 4:7 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Soft Touch

Kindness speaks softly.
Kindness does not compete.
Kindness does not fear.
Kindness moves forward quietly, doesn't look for attention.
Kindness has quiet strength.

Kindness is forgiving.
Kindness rests in confidence... is not intimidated.
Kindness is loving and gentle.
Kindness has it's eyes open to the needs of others.

Kindness smiles... and reaches out.

"And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another (readily and freely), as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32 Amplified Bible

© 2008 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

A Safe Haven

Through Christ we have promise of goodness and love,
Of joy and of peace from the Father above.
In Him we have strength, though we may be weak.
In Him we find hope when the future looks bleak.

Whenever we face what may be unknown
We have assurance that we're not alone.
He is our haven, our place of retreat.
In Him we are "able", in Him we're complete.

"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him."
Psalm 91:15 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Bright Candle

Let me be a candle bright,
A beacon shining in the night,
Reaching out with joy and hope
To save a soul or help one cope.

I may be a tiny link,
But often bigger than I think.
For some may only need my prayers
Or some to know another cares.

Let my beacon ne'er go out
But beam Your love and light about.
Through the distance, through the night,
Keep me shining, keep me bright.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Changing Values

Strong foundations, built in truth, endure with strength and power
And will sustain us over time from foes which would devour.
But many falter, many stray, because they've not learned truth.
Godly tenets are not taught and are denied our youth.

"Haziness" of values has become a daily norm.
How sad that truths are watered down until they are "lukewarm"!
Lack of clear direction will cause the land to ail.
Without the truth of God to guide society will fail.

Oh, that we would soon return to holiness and prayer
And study to discern God's truths... to always be aware
That wisdom is a precious gift... a necessary tool...
To build a strong foundation and weakness overrule.

"And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Be Still

When your day is "off and running"
With many quotas to fulfill,
Your stack of work is waiting
And some "battles" are uphill...
Be still.

Keep your spirit quiet,
Don't let "schedule" make you ill.
Ask the Lord to give you peace
And strengthen you until...
You're still.

Draw upon His steadiness.
Your spirit He'll refill.
He will take you through your day
And add to you His skill...
Be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Great Creator

Our awesome God brings the rain as He wills
To refresh the land and wash away "ills".
All nature responds and is sweetly declaring,
"How rich is His love, how great is His caring!"

He is the maker of rain and of snow.
He makes the tides and the rivers to flow.
The mountains and hills, the valleys and plains,
Shall lift up their praise and echo sweet strains...

Acknowledging God and giving Him glory.
Creation will tell this jubilant story!
When nature in reverence it's anthem shall raise,
All heaven and earth will be filled with His praise.

"Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps! You lightning, hail, fog, and frost, you stormy wind fulfilling His orders! Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars! Let them praise and exalt the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted and supreme! His glory and majesty are above earth and heaven!"
Psalm 148:7-9, 13 Amplified Bible

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Treasured Values

We should not discard the past
In favor of the "new".
That which stood the test of time
We should savor and review.

Let us weave our long-taught truths
Into a pattern for today.
Let us gather up this beauty,
Lest "progress" rob it all away.

Let us always reverence
The wisdom of the past,
And keep a strong foundation
In God's tenets... which will last.

"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints."
Proverbs 2:6-8 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Happy Note

Always people seem to need
A happy note to cheer their days.
A smile, a wave, a bright "hello"
Can bring a change which will amaze.

Often it will not take much
And really is a joy to do.
And when you bring good will to others
It will then return to you!

Choose to brighten someone's day.
Shower others with good will.
When you walk this happy trail
Your joy will be greater still!

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Faithful Soldier

Faithful Soldier of the Cross,
If you may have suffered loss,
There awaits a golden crown
And a spotless, linen gown.

For when you've stood for what is right,
Through weary days and dark of night,
You will have a sure reward.
God's love on you will be outpoured.

More than you can comprehend
His love and grace He will extend.
Faithful Soldier, you are treasure,
And to Him bring joy and pleasure.

"The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."
Psalm 147:11 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Old Church Choir

Singing in the old church choir
And praising as we sang along,
We became a family.
Our hearts were joined in song.

Worshipping in harmony,
Blending voices with each other,
We learned to listen carefully
And be in tune with one another.

Rehearsing for each Sunday morn,
We were always very blessed.
Preparing worship to our Lord,
Love for God our hearts expressed.

We didn't have a fancy band
Or drums, guitar and 'lectric bass,
But praised Him with uplifted voice.
His glory shone on every face.

Sometimes I stopped singing
Just to hear the other voices.
Even now as I look back
In memory my heart rejoices!

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."
Psalm 100:2 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Knowing The Difference

In some things we should follow,
In some things we should lead.
To learn to know the difference
Is to learn how to succeed.

To wisdom we should listen,
From folly we should run.
When we discern the difference
Great problems we will shun.

Some things are quite urgent,
And some things may be pressing,
But sorting out the difference
Will avoid a lot of "stressing".

The Word will give us wisdom,
The "world" it's own advice.
As we perceive the difference
Our "walk" will be precise.

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding."
Proverbs 3:13 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Meekness

We can't see clearly if we are not humble,
And when we have pride we err and we "bumble".
Pride will distort and alter our vision,
Causing a warp when we make decision.

Meekness is pure and cannot be muffled.
It rests in deep peace and cannot be ruffled.
Meekness is gentle and sees with precision,
Piercing through issues with unclouded vision.

Meekness is wisdom and measures each word,
Answering gently to all it has heard.
It does not hurry or waver or fret,
But speaks with great care and will ne'er have regret.

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble."
I Peter 5:5 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Flying Blind???

We never would drive with our eyes tightly shut
Nor walk without care, lest we step in a rut,
Ignoring the dangers which might lie in wait,
Not giving much thought to what might be our fate.

We would not try to make a long trip
Without proper planning and having a "grip",
For we might not reach our true destination.
When we failed we wouldn't have good explanation.

And yet every day we may make this error
Of moving about without thought, without prayer.
For every life God will chart a strong course.
His direction is sure, and He will be our Source.

And then we wonder why things have gone wrong,
Or we fuss and we fret when we are not strong.
We only need ask and then follow His lead
To find our right path and how to proceed.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fields Of Flowers

Lord, I want to sow some seeds
Of love and laughter, joy and grace,
That these seeds might multiply
And sorrow, fear and gloom displace.

Let my words go forth as seeds
And cause a field of "flowers" to grow,
With foliage, size and beauty rare
And fragrance wafting to and fro.

Let me seed a rich bouquet
To broadcast Your Good News about,
Bringing hope to many folk
Through times of trial or of doubt.

In the wind of Your sweet Spirit
May these seeds blow far and wide.
May they rest in fertile soil
And in hearts and lives abide.

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Colossians 4:6 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heaven's Blessing

May your footsteps guided be.
May your path of stones be free.
May your thoughts be full of joy
And angels be your constant "buoy".

May you rise to brave new height
And in your spirit oft take flight.
May Heav'n ope her lovely door
And many insights on you pour.

Even though still tied to earth,
May God's Spirit in you birth
Joy and beauty, love and peace,
And of His goodness give increase.


© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Good Reflection

I will choose to praise Your Name
Early in my day...
Before the daily "grumbles"
Try to find a place to stay.

I will set my mind on You
And hear what You would say.
Then I will rise above those things
That rob my joy away.

What place do problems have for me
Except to pull me down?
I will not even "go there"
For they only make me frown.

I find that when I look to You
I'm able to see clearer.
And at day's end when I reflect,
I see YOU in the mirror.

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
Psalm 16:8 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sanctuary With HIM

SANCTUARY WITH HIM

In sanctuary with the Lord
Are quietness and peace,
Escape from "humdrum" of the day...
A place of sweet release,

Blessed place of strength and hope,
Refreshing for each day,
To keep us centered deep in Him
And all our fears allay.

We're changed in times of fellowship
And quietness with Him
And helped to be more confident
Through all times... bright or dim.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Home

"Home" feels good and is good when it becomes a sanctuary away from the din and "push and shove" of the world, when it becomes an oasis from which to drink in the "pressing" times of life... a place of refreshment... when it becomes a place of residence for the Lord and a place of worship and gratitude for God's goodness.

These things cannot be seen with the eye, but they bring rest in the spirit and can truly be felt by all who enter. Honor and reverence for a Holy God will establish a home on it's foundations as nothing else can. In this kind of home, happiness and joy reside. It is not dependent upon beautiful furnishings or "position" in life or who our friends are. It is dependent upon Who we know... Jesus. In Him we may dwell in peace and beauty.

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
Proverbs 24:3-4 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Timing

Don't try to fix what isn't broken.
Leave uninvited words unspoken.
Don't "rush in" without a thought
Or just assume more than you ought...

For fools rush in where angels won't.
Wisdom simply says... "Just don't".
Others need their very own "space",
And it is best we hold our place.

If we watch and wait, we'll see
Whether God would have us be
An instrument of love or hope
To help another pray or cope.

But He may choose to use another
To help that sister or that brother.
He will save us many an error
If patiently we'll wait in prayer.

"Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known."
Proverbs 14:33 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Cross

The cross is a blessed place of relief
Where one can lay down all sorrow and grief
And find strength and courage to face a new day,
Where burdens are lifted and sin's washed away.

At the foot of the cross is peace for each day...
A good place to come to worship and pray.
The cross is a symbol of God's awesome love,
Outpoured for His people from Heaven above.

This is where Jesus, our blessed Savior died
That we might be saved and in Him abide.
All things are changed in the light of the cross.
The shed blood of Jesus has covered all loss.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16 KJV

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103:2-5 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Laughter Is Healing

I have leaned to laugh at me
Whene'er I tend to "stumble",
And when I cannot get things done
Maybe not to grumble!

Laughter is a happy tool,
Easing tensions and duress,
Bridging over many gaps
And solving problems with finesse.

A merry heart is wonderful
And becomes a healing balm,
Touching others with it's joy
And soothing tensions with it's calm.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..."
Proverbs 17:22 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Beacon Of Light

In someone's life you may be a beacon,
The sole ray of light which they can see,
The only thread of life and hope
To which they cling precariously.

You may be the pillar of strength
Which lends them courage to go on.
Your strength and light will buoy them up
When they are feeling lost and wan.

If some days you ponder
Whether what you do has worth,
That might be the very day
On which your life gave birth...

To help a crushed and hurting soul
Find strength in which to stand
And in a very desperate time
To not let go God's hand.

Never question anything
That God would have you do.
You may be the chosen one
Whom He is working through.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Artistry Of God

I see heaven in a flower,
And in a bird's wing see God's power.
Everywhere God's love abounds
In painted beauty which astounds.

Only God could build a "mount"
Or cause a bubbling water fount,
Fill the oceans and the seas,
Or bless us with a gentle breeze.

His artistry in rich array
Blesses us in every way.
All worship be unto His name!
All glory to our God proclaim!

"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"
Psalm 8:9 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Lord's Tears

My people suffer, not knowing the Word.
They sorrow and weep, and their vision is blurred.
I sometimes can't reach them - they go their own way.
When they do not listen, they soon go astray.

I'll be their peace in the midst of the storm.
I will bring joy and great wonders perform.
Oh, that My people would draw near to Me
So I might love them and set their lives free.

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 7:25 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Little Man

When he started his week
He carried a small bag.
Each day it got heavier,
And he started to "drag".

It would be hard
To get through the week.
With this heavy load,
The prospect was bleak.

A Friend came beside him
And picked up his load,
Then carried it for him
As together they strode.

"Why did you do this?"
The little man pled.
"Because I have loved you,"
Is what the Friend said.

"When the weight of the load
Is too much to bear,
I'll carry it for you,
For I'm always there."

"But I do not know you
And cannot give pay,
And yet you'll come with me
As I go my way?"

The Friend looked upon him
With mercy and grace.
The man had ne'er seen
Such love in a face.

His burden was lifted
And he could go on.
The Friend simply said,
"Now do as I've done"...

His life was changed
And healed on that day.
He had met Jesus,
The Light and the Way."

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf