The Peace Of God

Your peace in the midst of "noise" is astounding...
A "bubble" against all which is confounding.
Your peace "adorns" and softens and cheers,
E'en when disruption threatens with fears.

Your peace becomes the voice of the moment
To guide us and help us receive Your bestowment,
Enabling us then to move with great ease
And handle confusion with calm expertise.

You are the peace which gives us retreat.
You bring the wisdom to make us complete.
Your peace comes forth in ample amount,
Sufficient our problems to always surmount.

"Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Redeemed Time

Many things we do are good,
And some folks do more than they should.
But sometimes "good" is not the need.
To something "urgent" God might lead.

If with His leading we agree,
Important issues we will see.
He will prompt us what is best,
And by His timing we'll be blessed.

His perspective will save time,
And we'll accomplish what is prime.
Urgent needs will not get missed
When God's great wisdom we enlist.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tiny Footsteps

It seems when progress is quite slow
And forward movement doesn't show
That we aren't having much success
And there are things we must address.

But tiny footsteps aren't all bad.
It may be that we should be glad!
The special things we learn each day
We might not learn another way.

God will show us when we're ready
And train our footsteps to be steady.
If His wisdom we will heed,
In His timing we'll succeed.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Soaring Above The Storm

Do you rise above the storm,
Reaching heights beyond the norm?
Do you see with distance vision
And with well-thought-out precision?

Storms of life will come and go,
Buffeting us to and fro,
But when the storms are come and gone,
Do you soar, or are you wan?

God is with us in the storm,
Our lives and thinking to transform,
Lifting us to greater height,
Greater wisdom to ignite.

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."
Psalm 107:29-30 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn's Music

How lovely is the countryside
As Autumn is preoccupied
With splashing beauty everywhere
And causing trees bright hues to wear.

Autumn has a certain flair
And spends great effort to declare,
"I won't let the winter come
Until I've danced and "played my drum".

Her bright rhythm and her song
Invite us all to hum along.
She works hard to bring us cheer
As we move toward the end of year.

Autumn has a special gift,
Her warmth and glow our hearts to lift.
She always does her very best
And causes us to be much-blessed.

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
Psalm 98:4 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heart With Good Seeds

When planting a garden we must dig out weeds
And loosen the soil before we plant seeds.
If we leave roots the weeds will grow back
And crowd out our seeds. We cannot be slack.

Sometimes our hearts have soil which is hard.
And weeds can creep in if we let down guard.
If soil is tilled with prayer and the Word,
By goodness and beauty our hearts will be stirred.

The Word gives instruction in how to "pull weeds"
And plants in our hearts some very good seeds!
The riches of God will blossom and grow,
And a garden of blessings will happily show.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Meekness And Wisdom

Show me, Lord, if I have pride,
Lest somewhere in me it abide.
Help me to be meek and wise
And see myself with humble eyes.

Meekness stills the sting of strife
And opens up fresh streams of life,
Quieting and healing pain,
Causing it to cease and wane.

Help me bear much peaceful fruit,
Born of gentle, sincere root.
Let me take "the quiet road"
And always walk in humble mode.

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 3:17 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

You Are...

You are light in darkness
And provision amidst starkness,
Courage when life's winds blow hard
And strength when rain and storm bombard.

You are blessed covering
When challenges are hovering
Or when we're simply caught off-guard
And feeling just a little jarred.

You bring strength to spur us on
Whene'er our confidence is gone.
You provide our every need
And all our fondest hopes exceed.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth: and with my song will I praise him."
Psalm 28:7 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Music Of The Heart

When rhythms of two hearts agree
Then life becomes a melody...
A pleasant song with lovely tune.
With love and joy the hearts commune.

When apart the hearts still sing
The tune they know... to it they cling...
For when they first became as one
A lovely journey was begun.

On and on the song will play
To brighten each and every day.
When it rests within the heart,
A special love it will impart.

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Too Many Distractions

The enemy wiill use distractions
To detour our thoughts and actions.
He makes noise and gives us flack,
Our goals and focus to set back.

He will fill our time for us
If we listen to his "fuss".
If we try to do too much
Then we hurry and "lose touch".

God will give us certain goals
And define for us our roles.
When we focus just on Him
We'll avoid distraction's whim.

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."
John 10:10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Listening Quietly

If my spirit is not still
What I "hear" is nearly nil.
My "vision" isn't quite as clear,
And I don't see what's very near.

Distraction clouds ability
To "rest" and have tranquillity.
When I have the peace of God
My steps with "quietness" are shod.

Before I make important choice
I listen for the Spirit's voice.
He is faithful when I pray.
He will help me "find my way".

"Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:4-5 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Wise Man

A wise man "sifts" what he will share
And how much knowledge he will "air",
Lest others bend what he has said
And on his wisdom they will tread.

The fool just doesn't want to hear
Or to the truth come very near.
His willful ways make him quite blind.
To foolishness he is inclined.

Knowledge spoken to a fool
Is "wealth" that he may ridicule.
So a wise man will be slow...
His words he will discreetly "sow".

"A prudent man concealeth knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness."
Proverbs 12:23 KJV

"Wisdom rests (silently) in the mind and heart of him who has understanding."
Proverbs 14:33 Amplified bible

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Seasons

Summertime is near it's close
And autumn hastens near our door.
It's time to think of season's change,
For lazy summer days are o'er.

Autumn, dressed in brilliant color,
Paints the world with new dimension.
(Until she has to look ahead,
And to winter pay attention.)

Autumn is a glorious time,
Reminding us of myriad reasons
Once again to worship God
For His watchcare through all seasons!

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Secret Place

I draw into "the secret place",
To find His peace and know His grace.
For there I find great rest and calm.
His presence is my healing balm.

I feel refreshing in my soul
As He restores and makes me whole.
In Him I hope and am set free.
He is life and breath to me.

When day is done and labors cease,
From weariness I find release.
For when I'm in "the secret place".
He gives me peace and pours out grace.

"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."
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

No Mountain Too High

When barriers seem uncrossable,
God will make it possible.
Though life's hurdles may seem high,
Don't give up or sit and sigh.

God can reach the highest peak
And to your mountain clearly speak.
When things seem too hard for you,
Trust in Him to see you through.

He will reassure your heart,
Love and joy and grace impart.
Trust in Him, for He is there.
He hears your cry and fervent prayer.

"Ah, Lord God! Behold thou hast made the heaven and
the earth by thy great power and stretched out
arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee."
Jeremiah 32:17 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sifting The News

When you hear a news report
And sense that truth it will distort,
Sift the "grain" out from the chaff,
For truth is sometimes less than half!

Measure what is true and just,
For all you hear you cannot trust.
We must be alert and wise
And able to discern white lies.

Righteousness must be the rule
When media brings ridicule.
We must stand for truth and light
Lest darkness lead us into "night".

"The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so."
Proverbs 15:7 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Unshakeable Peace

The peace of the Lord is gentle and pure...
For any anxiety... a wondrous cure.
As fresh, cooling waters it soothes and it calms...
An oasis of rest and sweet, healing balms.

Let it become the water you drink,
The air that you breathe, the thoughts that you think.
The peace of the Lord will change how you live.
A restful perspective and joy it will give.

Peace is a "fortress" of God's might and power
Where we may rest in troublesome hour.
He is our shelter from wind and from storm
Or anything else which just is not norm.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Young folks frown upon "the past"
Because they're traveling too fast.
"It's passe', it makes me yawn.
I have no intrerest... it is gone!"

They desire "the latest thing".
Whatever's "in"... to that they cling.
They are caught up in "today".
"Near the action" they will stay.

Some are speeding toward tomorrow,
Buying things (for which they borrow).
They are in a fruitless race
And need to find a balanced pace.

The past had values all should learn,
And for it's wisdom they should yearn.
To have perspective for today,
Important choices they must weigh.

Some things change, but some things don't.
Jesus' life and teaching won't.
Foundation which He gives is sound.
In Him is right perspective found.

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

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tiny Doors

If sin can find a tiny door
To enter in, it will bring more.
At first it just might not be seen.
Discernment must be very keen.

For sin will multiply and grow
And suddenly it's face will show.
It must be pulled up by the root
Before it makes good things "kaput"!

It's wise to keep a constant "guard"
So you by sin will not be "scarred".
God will shield you from it's pain
If in your life you give Him reign.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Covered In Him

Thank You, Lord, for watchcare
In these times of war and terror.
How we need Your wisdom,
Lest we falter or make error.

Guard and guide us by Your hand,
And keep us 'neath Your wing.
Help us walk in holiness
And to Your tenets cling.

Many dangers, threats and snares
Confront us every day.
For Your constant covering
We intercede and pray.

You are able to defend
And stave off all our foes.
On Your power we depend...
To save us from these woes.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Kindness Heals

When relationship is troubled,
Sometimes tensions then are doubled.
Too-quick answers, not thought through,
Can cause more havoc to accrue.

Kindness bridges many gaps
And "rough edges" gently wraps.
It defuses angst and ire
And by it's softness will inspire.

Kindness never will "react"
But respond with love and tact,
Choosing words with carefulness
And always with much prayerfulness.

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:32 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Parents, Your Children Need You

Parents, hover o'er your children.
Dangers which they face are great.
Each child is a precious gift.
Guard them from a "worldly" fate.

Alone, they cannot navigate
Life's storms. They really do need you.
Children are priority
And come before all else you do.

Nurture and spend time with them.
Guide them through life's daily snares.
Raise them up to know the Lord.
Undergird them with your prayers.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Psalm 127:3 KJV

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Season

Sometimes in life God closes a door.
The "season" we're in will end and be o'er.
When God changes plans we should not look back
But thank Him for placing us on a new track.

Change is not easy, but do not have fear.
One step at a time, He'll make His plan clear.
Though the experience may feel new and strange,
The path and provision our God will arrange.

All of our "seasons" should rest in His hand.
He will promote us and help us to stand.
We then move on to fulfill our "role",
Have new potential and reach a high goal.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Take Time To Pause

Through the day take time to pause
And give the Lord heartfelt applause.
Give Him praise and honor due
For all the gifts He's given you.

Look into His lovely face
And ponder His redeeming grace.
The love He shows to you and me
Is as an endless potpourri.

His beauty will refresh your day
And push your worries far away.
Receive His beauty... breathe it in.
He'll cause your day to be win-win!

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
Psalm 29:2 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Watching And Waiting

Are you watching and waiting for Christ's soon return?
In all your endeavors, how much do you yearn
To be in His presence and look on His face,
The worries and cares of the world to displace?

In the blink of an eye God's trumpet will sound,
And we shall rise up... no longer earthbound...
To worship our Lord, our God and our King,
All glory and honor and reverence to bring!

We do not know the day or the hour
When He shall appear in glory and power,
So we must be ready and look to the sky.
For Jesus is waiting and soon will draw nigh

"Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
I Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
Luke 21:28 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Merry Heart

Laughter and joy are good for the soul.
Cheerfulness is a wonderful goal.
It isn't dependent on how life might be.
It's more about choice and the way that we "see".

We needn't be glum when life gets us down.
Light-hearted perspective will offset a frown.
When challenges come, remember to smile.
Laughter and fun will lighten your trial.

Choose to be positive, whate'er may come.
Laughter is good if your day is ho-hum.
You will have joy... your trials will feel lighter.
With changed perspective your life will be brighter.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
Proverbs 17:22 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Highest And Best

Since God has provided for every need
I want to know Him and follow His lead.
He is my Maker, and He has a plan
To help me fulfill the work He began.

If I should bypass the plan He has shown
And try to accomplish my goals on my own,
I can get sidetracked or even hard-pressed
And may never find God's highest and best.

The path where He leads me will have much to learn.
If I don't question, His merits I'll earn.
He will prepare me, His goals to fulfill,
And prosper me greatly with God-given skill.

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments."
Psalm 119:73 KJV

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
James 1:17 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Upward Bound

Lord, let my thinking e'er be upward bound.
There in the Spirit are treasures profound.
Let me rise higher until I am "caught"
Where heavenly riches will fill all my thought.

Let me partake of the Spirit's rich flow
And my understanding be opened to know
All of Your purpose and broader dimension.
Help me, O Lord, to have comprehension.

Lift me, O Lord, up to Heavenly places
Where I may taste of Your spiritual graces
Until that day when I finish life's story
And enter into eternity's glory.

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Wake-Up Call

The news isn't pretty... some don't want to hear.
Some are too busy and don't lend an ear.
Others ignore it and seek something pleasant
And don't realize that danger is present.

Our God is calling out "Open your ears!"
Right now it's time to wake up and change gears.
The enemy stalks by day and by night
To snuff out America's freedom and light.

We must discern and listen and pray,
For media voices have led some astray.
We cannot relax or sink into laze
But prayers for God's wisdom constantly raise.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Is Our Help

Lord, how we need Your healing hand
To move across our precious land,
Touching those whose lives are hurting,
Bringing hope, despair averting.

Some are overwhelmed with fear
And need Your strength to persevere.
Many suffer, weep and toil
And need Your gentle, healing oil.

You are strong when we are weak.
You bring joy when times are bleak.
By Your hand, we shall not fail.
With Your help, we can prevail!

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

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."
Psalm 27:5 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf