Our Blessed Lord

On the cross Jesus carried the pain of the world.
It whipped at His life like a banner unfurled.
Nothing we know could e'er match His pain,
Nor can we fathom all mankind's disdain.

He loved us so much He walked down this path.
To save us from sin He suffered such wrath.
He chose the cross, accepting it's "cup"
That we through eternity with Him might sup.

Forgive us, dear Lord, should we drive a nail
Or by careless action Your great love assail.
Forgive us, dear Lord, if we bring a thorn
Which might cause another to sin or to scorn.

Never has such love been poured out on man
As that which He gave, but this was God's plan.
All glory be giv'n to the Lamb Who was slain,
Who forever will rule and forever will reign!

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
I Timothy 1:17 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Nail-Scarred Hands

Jesus walked a lonely road
To die for mankind's "wrong".
The sin for which He suffered
To Him did not belong.

The cross He bore was heavy,
Yet He bore it all alone.
He redeemed us for all time
From sin which was our own.

As we focus on the cross,
Our knee we humbly bow
And pray that we'll not drive a nail
Or place a thorn upon His brow.

His nail-scarred hands reach out to us,
Salvation to impart.
His death is now our gain
As we receive Him in our heart.

"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God."
Psalm 84:1-2 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heirlooms Of Worth

What heritage can I leave
When my days and hours are spent?
Will the message of my life
Change the world or "make a dent"?

Will the "heirlooms" of my life
Have some value or some worth?
Will the seeds which I have planted
In someone's life give birth?

My prayers are that I will not miss
The doors that God would ope,
To really make a difference,
To bring light and to bring hope.

God brings opportunity
To change the world for good.
I want to leave an "imprint"
And accomplish all I should.

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Truth Will Stand

We seem to need a dictionary.
The news we hear is "fiction"-ary!
Society gives us new title
For time-worn issues which are vital.

Morality is watered down.
(We're told we're not supposed to frown).
Babies' lives are caught in "choice",
Never having had a voice.

Men are re-defining "sin".
Godly values are not "in".
Folks are in deception caught,
But flossy language changes naught.

To those who listen to this "chatter",
What they say won't really matter.
Truth is truth and will not bend,
No matter what the latest "trend"!

"Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosphy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Colossians 4:9 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Hears Every Prayer

Jesus listens carefully...
He hears our every cry.
When we call upon His name
He always will draw nigh.

He is faithful... never fails...
To hear our whispered prayer.
He knows prayers we keep within
Which we can't even share.

Resting in His faithfulness
And drawing strength from Him
Brings release we really need
When prospects just seem dim.

As we trust and wait on Him
His answers will come through,
And when He answers He completes
Those things we could not do.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In Rememberance Of The Cross

It's good to have remembrance
Of the cross and He Who died,
Who gave His life that we with Him
Forever might abide.

The cross for Him was heavy,
And the road He trod was long
As He became redemption
For our sin and for our wrong.

It's good to bow in reverence
And contemplate the cross,
To realize how great His love
So we would not have loss.

Blessed Savior of Mankind,
We offer sweet oblation
Of glory, laud and honor
To express our adoration.

"Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."
Psalm 145:2 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Springtime's Fun

Springtime blossoms on my tree
Fill my day with smiles and glee,
Dressing up each bare brown limb
With flowers as pretty as a hymn.

After winter's brown and grey,
Springtime seems to smile and say,
"It's time to decorate anew
And paint a sweet bouquet for you!"

She splashes color everywhere
With sweet abandon to declare,
"A bright new season has begun!"
I'm blessed to watch her have such fun!

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Favorite Sport

Our doggy grew old... his eyes were quite dim.
He only could see right in front of him.
While out in the yard he bumped into a cat.
Oh, what delight! How much fun was that!

The cat had come out from under a bush.
The dog "came alive", chasing after her... whoosh!
In earlier days, if cats ventured near,
He barked at them loudly and caused them to fear.

To now chase a cat when he barely could see
Was really a treat... he chased her with glee.
He never did catch one, but relished the chase.
And always the kitty cats would win the race.

Our cat was a "friend", but strange ones were game.
He guarded our turf from all cats who came.
Though his age was twelve and his vision was short,
Chasing a cat was his favorite sport.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Better Then Gold Or Silver

Gather God's wisdom and store it within.
Savor it's riches again and again.
Seek understanding, desire it's prize,
That all of God's goodness you may realize.

Which of the treasures the world has to give
Will strengthen and help us much better to live?
The world cannot offer the tools that we need
Or tender the counsel and "food" to succeed.

Wisdom is priceless and cannot be bought,
And keen understanding should always be sought.
Precious rewards from the Father above...
His constant outpouring to show us His love.

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"
Proverbs 16:16 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Special Bond

Thank You, Lord, for those who pray,
Encouragement and love convey,
Whose words uplift and brightness bring,
Who cause us to rejoice and sing!

Bless them, Lord, as they reach out,
For this is what love is about.
With these we have a special bond
In friendship, spirit and beyond.

To be lifted up in prayer
Brings us blessing rich and rare.
For God will listen and give ear
As joined together two draw near.

God has precious blessings stored.
For heart-felt prayer He gives reward.
He is faithful, He is true.
Mighty works for us He'll do.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 18:19 KJV

© 2008 Ar;eme Schwartzkopf

Heaven's Bright Morn

You have one life and choices to make.
When your time is through, where will you awake?
Desires and pleasures your spare time will take,
But what will you do for eternity's sake?

Salvation is calling... to Jesus draw nigh.
He'll give you reward which money can't buy.
The promise of Heaven He will not deny.
With Him you will be in the sweet by-and-by.

When your earthly time is short and well-worn,
Will you be prepared, or are you still torn?
If in God's kingdom you have been reborn,
You can look forward to Heaven's bright morn!

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words We Speak

The myriad words we speak each day
Spring forth in colorful array,
Expressing thoughts and tumbling out,
filled with joy or sometimes doubt.

Hopefully our words are hewn
And issue from a heart in tune
With Jesus' leading and His cause.
To this we always should give pause.

When our hearts to Him incline
Words we speak will then align
And be acceptable in measure,
Bringing joy and godly treasure.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God Cares For You

Our God is able to fix what is broken.
His love is great - it's not just a token
But full of solutions and answers which heal,
Which mend and restore and are very real.

For He, more than anyone, cares about you.
He can untangle what may be askew.
When all seems to fail, He will bring hope,
Give you new courage and help you to cope.

Whisper a prayer, lean on His arm.
Ask him to take your fear and alarm.
Know that He hears every prayer of your heart.
Our God is able to give a fresh start.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my going."
Psalm 40:1-2 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Spring Cleaning

It's time for spring cleaning,
And I am sure leaning
Toward getting a broom
To sweep every room!

When I'm not looking,
Or maybe am cooking,
"Stuff" just "sneaks in".
I can't seem to win!

Where does it come from?
It's really quite humdrum
To watch it collect.
To "stuff" I object!!!

As the piles get higher
The need gets more dire.
It's time for a yard sale
On not just a small scale.

As my needs change
I should "re-arrange"
And give "stuff" away...
To prevent disarray!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Faith Is A Ladder

Faith is a ladder upon which we climb.
It has many rungs we reach over time.
With each step we take our faith will reach higher
In trusting our Lord. To this we aspire.

Some of the rungs may seem out of reach,
But Jesus will help us to have faith for each.
It's trusting in Him each step of the way
Which keeps us from falling or having dismay.

We cannot skip rungs. We grow through each one
Throughout our lives as we walk with the Son.
Each has a ladder to climb as he will.
The more rungs he climbs... the greater the thrill!

Faith is a venture which leads upward bound.
It changes our thinking in ways which astound.
Through faith in God we can climb to the top.
His joy is so much we won't want to stop.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Walk Softly

As we travel down life's paths,
We form mindsets and ideas.
But in spite of what we've learned,
We may not have life's panaceas.
Walk softly.

Till we've lived through many seasons
We do not have full perspective.
Facing hardships, working long,
Cause us to be more reflective.
Learning to walk softly...

Experience teaches us to pray
And humbly seek our God each day.
For this is where we start to "see"
And "eye-scales" start to fall away.
Our footsteps soften.

Hindsight brings an overview
And shows us who we need to be.
Over time we change and grow
And then we see reality...
And the need to walk softly.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In Christ We Win

The devil tries to cause a glitch
To keep us from God's perfect niche.
He has much to fear, you see,
When Jesus saves and sets us free.

Then we really spoil his fun
And cause him to be on-the-run.
When we speak about the Blood
His plans fall down and make a thud!

Jesus' name has might and power
To cause the enemy to cower.
When we speak His awesome name
The enemy will lose His aim.

We have victory over sin.
With Jesus we will always win!
Satan's game plan will find end
When we have Jesus as a friend!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
I John 4:4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Well-Watered Soil

Soil will be rich where God's rivers flow.
His waters bring life which will cause us to grow.
Our soil will be free of "nettles" and weeds,
Fertile and rich and full of good seeds.

His waters cleanse and wash away silt,
And bring "irrigation" so we do not wilt.
Soil which is moist and watered of Him
Will bring a high yield... with abundance will brim.

When we invite His waters to flow
A flood of His blessings and goodness we'll know.
His waters will make us much richer by far
Than all we have known or all that we are.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."
John 4:10 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Distractions

We sometimes get "caught up" in thoughts or routine
Which deter us from being spiritually keen.
Multiplied things will vie for attention,
So we must think clearly and practice "prevention".

Our focus gets scrambled... or purpose delayed.
E'en good things we do may be masquerade
To cloud our discernment and get us off-track.
Then we must think how to find our way back...

To that which we set out to do at the start,
Before mere distraction made "plans" fall apart.
When we keep our thoughts on goals of import,
Then we will not find ourselves "coming up short".

The Spirit will guide us and keep us on course.
If we heed His voice we won't have remorse
Or miss what He's doing... a very high cost!
It's best to stay tuned... lest perception be lost!

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God Is My Keeper

My doctors sent me for a test.
Till it was done I couldn't rest.
I longed to hear a good report,
But what I heard was somewhat "short"...

"Come back again for one more test."
I was starting to get stressed!
This, to me, was not good news,
An answer that I would not choose.

I called and asked some friends to pray
As I went back the following day,
Bracing for what could be hard,
Asking God my health to guard.

O'er and o'er the tests were run,
And finally they said, "We're done."
Because the testing took so long
I really wondered what was wrong.

It seems they simply couldn't find
Whate'er the enemy had designed.
What they first saw wasn't there!
God intervened and answered prayer.

He was there... He heard my cry
To cover me and stay nearby.
He did not leave me all alone
But carried me through the unknown.

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 34:4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In The Garden

It's fun to plant a garden
And watch each flower grow...
To see the plants begin to bloom
And each one make it's "show".

When the plants are looking good
We really do feel proud.
We think we can relax a bit.
(Some "bragging" is allowed!)

But seeking shelter underneath
Each precious growing bloom
Are seeds and weeds and foreign plants,
Trying to find room.

They collect there quite unseen
And also start to grow.
And soon we have unwanted plants,
"Sneaking in" below.

And so we must be vigilant
To pull out all the weeds
Which are not meant to flower there
And give off their own seeds.

Seeds and weeds are "foreign".
Don't let them have a place,
For they will just take over.
Don't give them any space!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Quiet Spirit

A quiet spirit does not race
Or try to keep a certain pace.
It will pause and then reflect
On wisdom learned in retrospect.

It will have much clarity
And see with great transparency.
Birthed in prayer and much-desired,
By God's Word it is inspired.

It's wisdom can't be quickly gained
But through Jesus is sustained.
Quiet wisdom will begin
When His beauty rests within.

"Shew 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


© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Watered Garden

When I was small my parents bought some country property which had an artesian well (or water source). Someone had built a cement retaining box over it. The water seeped up out of the ground into the underside of the box, and year around the box was full of clear, cold drinking water.

There was an overflow pipe on the side of the retaining box. Where the water came out of the pipe it formed large pools in the ground and then ran down a gently sloping hill. My brothers wanted to "terrace" the pools, so they began to dig. But when they put their shovels into the ground the water came up everywhere. It bubbled up all around their feet. There was so much they couldn't contain it...

What a vivid picture of our Lord's goodness! He is our supply, our source. Whenever we come to drink He gives abundance. His goodness is more than we can comprehend.

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
Isaiah 58:11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Beneath His Wing

When you're anxious or concerned
Let your eyes be upward turned.
When circumstances o'er you roll
Remember, God is in control.

If you're weary or distraught
And all around you seems for naught,
Trust in His to help you stand.
He will hold you in His hand.

You've no load He cannot bear.
In toughest times, He will be there.
Call on Jesus... to Him cling.
You'll be safe beneath His wing.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Echoes

That which we live and that which we speak
Will be echoed in time in a way that's unique.
The sound of one voice will be heard in another,
And our words will "return" through a sister or brother.

For we leave a trail as we live day-to-day
Which others will walk on as they find their way.
The "sounds" of our lives echo back o'er and o'er,
For they are not lost, but in others find "store".

If we watch and listen we'll hear a reply
In far-reaching echoes we cannot deny.
Echoes reverberate more than we know,
Extending our lives as they move to and fro...

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"
Proverbs 15:23 KJV

"A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children..."
Proverbs 13:22 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Oasis

The transforming power of the Word of God
Is like an oasis in pathways we trod,
A place of refreshing and respite and peace,
Retreat with the Lord where all concerns cease.

To bathe in the Word is a "place set apart"
Where Jesus' sweet voice may speak to the heart.
All other factors recede and grow dim,
And we are renewed as we focus on Him.

His healing waters will cleanse us within
And lift us above the day's stress and din.
We may reside in a place of deep peace,
In the Word's sweet oasis of calm and release.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blind Spots

If I should have a blind spot,
Let the scales fall from my eyes.
Help me see as I should see,
My errors to recognize.

Let my spirit clearly see
The truths that You would show.
Keep me, Lord, from wounding others,
Family and friends I know.

Sometimes I don't realize
Just how I act toward others,
Or how my attitudes affect
My neighbors, friends and brothers.

Help me see the way You see
And hear the way You hear,
That any blind spots I might have
Will quickly fade and disappear.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
James 4:10 KJV

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalnm 19:14 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Children Know

I love the wonderful clarity children have when speaking of the things of God.

My son took his children over to the school in their area where there is a little hill which the kids could slide down in the snow.

There was a man there with a large piece of cardboard which he was trying to use to slide down the hill. It wasn't working very well, and he began to curse, using the Lord's name. My grandson yelled to him, saying, "That's a bad word! You're not supposed to say that!"

The man replied, "At our house we take the name of the Lord in vain all the time."

My grandson called back at him as he was sliding down the hill, "You're not supposed to do that. I go to church, and I KNOW!!!

What a bright moment... an eight-year-old who is bold in his faith and was speaking out what he believes. Hopefully he caused the man to re-think what he was doing and correct his behavior.

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."
Proverbs 20:11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Beauty Of The Lord

If I could paint a picture
Of the beauty of the Lord
And capture all the love and warmth
In heav'nly places stored,

My paint brush would be filled with life,
My canvas richly hued,
And colors we have never seen
Therein would be debuted.

I could paint throughout all time
On canvas without end
To try to mix the shades and hues
Which He would have me blend.

And when I thought my work was done
There always would be more.
We cannot even comprehend
The "wealth" which is in store.

If I can paint a fraction
Of His beauty with my brush,
The colors will transcend the norm
And be extremely lush.

Every day I yearn to know
And understand Him more.
His beauty spurs me on and on
His riches to explore.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."
Psalm 27:4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Giftings Which Shine

The Father in Heaven gives each one some skills
And in every life His giftings instills.
But we may not know His giftings and plan
Until we descern just what He began.

The giftings we have will blossom and shine
When our lives and wills with His plan align.
Then will our skills start to prosper and grow
And have much more impact than we even know.

Without His direction we may come up short,
May even make error and His plans abort.
In Christ we are able to reach higher planes.
When we serve the Lord, our work He ordains.

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
Psalm 90:17 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Beautiful Words

This is one of the cries of my heart...
Let beautiful language not be a lost art.
Contemporized lingo is harsh to the ear
And often is not very pleasant to hear.

Beautiful words inspire me within
And draw me away from life's tumult and din.
Let lovely words come and dwell in my soul,
Bringing refreshing and making me whole.

Words are as light and truly a way
Of escape into luxury all through my day.
They are to my spirit a breath of fresh air...
As heavenly music... exquisite and rare.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
Proverbs 25:11 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Envy - A Burning Fire

Envy is a burning fire,
Unquenchable in it's desire,
Dissatisfied with what it has,
Always wanting more "pizzazz".

It looks at others' "style and grace"
And really wants to take their place,
Begrudging what they have or do
In ruthless form or avenue.

It undermines for selfish gain
It's greedy goals to ascertain.
What destruction envy makes.
Don't enter there... too high the stakes!

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
James 3:16 KJV

"A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones."
Proverbs 14:30 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fullness Of Joy

Though I am weak, in You I am strong.
When I am down, You fill me with song.
When life swirls around me, You give me peace.
In all that I lack, You give me increase.

You make of me more than I could be.
You always complete what is lacking in me.
You are my anchor, my strength and my buoy.
In You there is purpose and fullness of joy.

"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."
Psalm 63:7 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Golden Threads

Weave in me a tapestry
With gold and silver filigree,
With red and purple, gold and blue...
All Your shades of richest hue.

Love and beauty intertwine
To make of me Your own design.
Let my threads be clear and bright,
With creativity and light.

Perhaps Your hands will make of me
A work of art which all may see,
Or maybe just a table cloth
Where homeless come to sip some broth.

Maybe You will weave a shawl
For someone old or very small,
Or maybe a warm coverlet
For one whose life is desolate.

When my threads are worn and old,
May they reflect Your heavenly gold.,
Woven by Your loving hand
With heavenly riches in each strand.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me..."
Psalm 138:8 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fruitful Vine

When a vine is overgrown
It's tendrils will need pruning.
This is how God shapes a life
And how He does fine-tuning.

He will clip off extra shoots
Which do not have much worth
So the vine will then grow strong
And to good fruit give birth.

Vines which are not pruned
Tend to grow in wrong directions,
Spreading where they should not be.
Their fruits have imperfections.

Jesus watches o'er His vines
With loving care and grace.
When we feel His pruning shears
His care we should embrace.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
Johm 15:1-2 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Good Times And Bad Times

"Good times and bad times shall walk hand-in-hand,
But those who know Jesus in dark times will stand."
These are the words which God spoke in my ear.
I knew in my heart that I should not fear.

He is the "balance" so we do not waver
But always look up and His goodness savor.
His light is greater and His love is more...
Above any challenge which might be in store.

He is the Rock... a sturdy foundation
Upon which to stand through trouble's duration.
We can rejoice and not live in fear.
Should we face problems, God's goodness is near.

"But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, 'Thou art my God'."
Psalm 31:14 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Spring's Flair

The hint of spring is in the air...
Waiting now to bloom,
Anxious to put on her show
Of blossom and perfume.

Twigs and stalks and bulbs alike
Are swelling with fresh vigor,
Ready to burst forth in cheer
As spring pulls her sweet trigger.

She will wrap the trees with "fluff"
In her usual happy style,
And suddenly the ground will swell
As bulbs push up with sunny smile.

Folks perk up and come awake,
Anticipating spring's fresh flair.
Winter's "nap" is soon forgotten
As spring's music fills the air!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Compassion

Sometimes little raindrops fall
And cloud our vision of the sun.
Sometimes little teardrops fall,
Gently, softly, one-by-one.

And for a season we can't "see"
Because our heart just needs to pause.
To deal with sadness or with loss
The heart is quiet and withdraws.

Jesus' tears will match our own,
And He will feel our deepest pain.
Only He our need has known.
He'll bring the sunshine through the rain.

"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me."
Psalm 42:8 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Praying Church

The sanctuary drew me in.
I felt God's presence there.
I could feel His holiness
And knew there had been prayer.

The "atmosphere"was beautiful...
My spirit felt release.
Because the Lord resided there
I had total peace.

God's Spirit moved in sweetness,
Touching all who entered in,
Healing lives and changing those
Whose lives were caught in sin.

The beauty of the Spirit
Shone on people who were there,
For miracles are done
When a church is wrapped in prayer.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Eternal Treasure

Earthly goods have no real worth...
To heav'nly life cannot give birth.
Heaven's treasure is priceless gain...
The highest prize we can attain.

All we have will pale and dim
As we see Christ and worship Him.
What joy will come within the soul
As we shall reach our heavenly goal.

No more tears and no more strife,
Which often touch our present life,
But fellowship before the throne
With Christ and those who are His own.

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him..."
II Timothy 2:12 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

"Thank You's" Are Important

Expressions of gratefulness need to be spoken,
Especially to those who are weary or broken.
Some folks work hard to serve and to please.
A big, hearty "Thank you" their tensions might ease.

Thankfulness shown brings good will and cheer,
A bright note which any and all like to hear.
People around us will know that we care
When we take the time our "Thank you's" to share.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

O Taste And See

Much of what we eat is "processed",
Altered from it's natural state.
So often we might really wonder,
"Was there 'food' in what we ate?"

Healthy food brings strength and might,
Sustaining us through "wear and tear",
Building us to meed demand
And have some energy to spare.

The Scripture offers spiritual food
Upon which we may feed and dine...
Rich and pure, unblemished fare,
Holy sustenance divine.

Scripture's truth will meet all needs
And cause us to be richly blessed.
Always it will strengthen us.
The food we find there is the best!

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste: yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Psalm 119:103 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Seasons

Seasons of waiting, seasons of rest,
Seasons of growth, or seasons which test,
Seasons of blossom, seasons of glory...
Each of these seasons will speak it's own story.

Each in it's time will build us and shape us.
When God brings a season, it will be a "plus".
He is our Guide, and we're not flying blind.
We're "safe" in our seasons when by Him they're signed.

In each of His seasons is much we can learn.
The wisdom He gives is a rich prize to earn.
In this we are thankful and take time to pause.
All of God's seasons are for a good cause.

"My times are in thy hand..."
Psalm 31:15 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Kids And Pets

The day was long and nigh well spent.
My energy got up and went.
I thought I'd just relax a bit.
I really wanted just to sit...

Till Kitty Cat came strolling through
And turned our house into "a zoo".
She had oped our Habitrail
And grabbed a gerbil by the tail.

Our daughter screamed and grabbed her pet
To save it from the cat's dire threat.
The gerbil was intensely scared.
For all this he was not prepared.

He clamped his teeth around her finger!
(This whole scene was some humdinger!)
Now our daughter was in trouble.
The gerbil's problems, too, were double.

She jumped up and down and screamed,
And "Gerbil" still was not redeemed
Till Daddy grabbed him by the tail
And placed him in the Habitrail.

We called the doctor and the vet
To "mend" our daugher AND her pet.
Kitty liked to "mouse" with pride
But this time spent the night outside!

Our gerbils needed a new home
Before our cat was free to roam.
We gave them to a family
Where "safety" was a guarantee!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Peaceful Home

A peaceful home is full of "tools",
Prayer and wisdom and good rules.
Where these rest the home has joy.
It's "tools" become a precious buoy.

Humility will stop a fire,
Softly speak and dampen ire,
Is serene and always calm,
Soothing with it's healing balm.

Love "assures" and offers hope,
Gives it's "all" new doors to ope.
Strengthening sweet friendship ties,
It blesses and it beautifies.

Forgiveness heals a painful error,
Erasing woundedness with prayer,
Freeing us from anger's blight,
Bringing restoration bright.

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 KJV

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heaven's Harmony

Music in my spirit flows,
Harmony of worship grows,
Bursting forth in songs of praise.
Constantly the music plays!

Hearing many angel voices,
Deep within my soul rejoices,
Causing me to want to sing
And to God all glory bring!

Heaven's music, rare and sweet,
Is a place of prized retreat,
Where I may step into God's presence,
Pause and rest and give Him reverence.

"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God..."
Psalm 40:3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In Days To Come

I heard knocking on my door. Usually I don't answer the door unless I know who is there, but this time I did answer it.

I didn't know how much God was going to impact me by this visitor. There stood a man, very slight in stature, perhaps only five feet tall. He was elderly, at least in his seventies, neatly-dressed, and had a long grey beard which touched his chest. He was very kind-looking and leaned on a cane. His appearance was like that of a patriarch out of the Bible.

He inquired about the young man who lives next door to me. We exchanged a few sentences and then he turned to walk away. As he started down my steps, I realized that he was struggling to walk. I asked him, "Can you get down okay?"

He answered, "Yes".

But I was still concerned. I asked him what had happened to him, and then I noticed that he had a brace on one leg. He said, as he was walking away, that he had broken his knee and that he needed a new knee joint, but it was going to cost $25,000.00 and his insurance had been cancelled. My mind was racing at this point and I felt that I should pray for him, but then he was gone.

I closed the door and, feeling jarred in my spirit, sat down for a moment to review what had just happened. I knew God was trying to show me something, and I was trying to wrap my mind around what I had just seen. After pondering this, I believe this is what God was saying to me...

"In days to come people are going to have many needs, and there won't be enough money to meet them, and that they will need to rely more and more on prayer for these needs to be met. He will provide." Also, I believe that He is saying, "Many needs will come to your door. Be prepared. These are hungry people crying out... people who need comfort and healing and are hungering for God. Be prepared. You will see this... in days to come."

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Gold Afghan

I saw an afghan laying there,
Two-toned gold and showing wear.
The afghan waits, it's warmth to give
To one who's ill but wants to live.

You see, this afghan is a friend,
And to it's owner still will tend,
Bringing coziness from cold
With loving warmth in every fold.

The afghan there seems out of place
Without it's owner to embrace,
Hoping it will soon discover
That one for whom it is a cover.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Voice Of Thunder

When I saw lightning with fierce thunder
I was filled with awe and wonder.
Our God sometimes speaks with force
To help His people stay on course.

Lightning bolted through the sky,
Creating bursts of light on high.
The thunder booming overhead
Made me wonder what God said.

Such display of might and power
Made me know He could devour
All to Him which does not please.
This thunder seemed to make "decrees"!

Perhaps it was a "wake-up" call
To remind us, big and small,
That God still rules and He is greater,
Our omnipotent Creator!

"Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and the sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth! Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth."
Job 37:2-3 Amplified Bible

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Doors

Sometimes when a door closes it is just because a "season" has been completed. There is a peace and a rest in the closing because it is a natural timing. And so when we look back or think back about that door we are at peace and feel no tension there. But then there are times when a door has been closed too quickly, or with loose ends dangling. We don't feel peace but don't know what to do.

I was in a situation where the door of a friendship closed because of misunderstanding. I didn't know how to correct the situation because confusion had come in and caused much damage. It was very painful. For a long time I prayed and "weighed" what to do. I went to the card store and tried to find the prettiest card I could to send... but could not find "just the right one". I went home and got out my prettiest stationery and sat down to write a letter, and I asked the Lord to give me the wording. I sat there for the longest time, but heard nothing. Weeks and months, and a year, and then another year went by, then several years, and I didn't really have peace in my spirit. I just didn't have a sense of "completion" about this situation.

Then one Sunday morning I saw this woman in church She sat just across the aisle from me. Immediately I asked the Lord, "Lord, is it time now? Is that why she is here this morning? Do you want me to speak to her?"... and still nothing. Week after week went by this way, with her just across the aisle from me, but I did not feel a release to speak with her. Then one morning at the end of the church service, the Lord said to me, "Now is the time. NOW." I stepped across the aisle, took her hand and began to speak as the Holy Spirit led me... and the Lord did a healing. It was blessed and wonderful. Finally I had release in my spirit. This was TEN years later.

I pondered why this had taken so-o-o long, but then the Lord showed me that it could not have come sooner. The timing was in His hands and I could not move sooner. God is faithful to help us in all our relationships, and when He brings restoration then there is beauty and wholeness again.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Blame Game

There is a game we shouldn't play,
Yet some will play it every day.
We'll always lose if we take part.
We shouldn't even let it start.

It happens when we just can't face
"What really is" with truth and grace.
So we start to place some blame,
And soon this mode becomes a game.

When this happens we don't grow,
But tend to focus on each woe.
If we start to face what's wrong,
We soon will sing "a different song"!

Our own problems we can't shirk,
And blaming others just won't work!
If the problem is with me,
"Facing up" will set me free!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Special Angels

Surely we need angels
As we go about our day,
For every time I need one
I hear an "angel" say...

"Let me help you, dear," or
"I think you need a smile,
Or maybe need a hug and
Just to rest a little while."

Angels unawares bring us peace
And lift us up.
They bring re-assurance
And with joy they fill our cup.

They are those God uses
Who are willing to reach out
In service and in caring.
It's what love is all about.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Sturdy Rock

Though men may scorn and daily mock,
Our Jesus is a sturdy rock!
He will rule and He will reign
O'er those who live their lives in vain.

He has paid salvation's cost,
And He desires that none be lost.
He will never turn away
A sinner who will pause to pray.

He is hope and He is sure
For those whose lives are insecure.
He is Lord and He is King.
May all men their praises bring!

"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Romans 14:11 KJV


© 2009 Arlene schwartzkopf

Honored Citizens

Seniors are gold and full of much treasure.
When we "draw them out" we learn of the measure
Which caused them to prosper through times which were hard.
We should esteem them with highest regard.

We have not labored to sow as they've sown.
We have not suffered the hardships they've known.
We have not learned the lessons they've learned
Or even come near the honors they've earned.

Their world is fading from times that they knew,
But values they lived by are worth much review.
When we understand their caring and giving,
Then... only then... will we know about living.

"The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head (suggesting wisdom and experience)."
Proverbs 20:29 Amplified Bible

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Silver And Gold

Silver leaves and filigree,
Woven gold and fleur-de-lis,
Sapphires, rubies, strings of pearl...
These set people's minds awhirl.

Worldly riches have a flair,
But none to Jesus can compare.
Better than the purest gold
Are treasures which His Scriptures hold.

Jesus makes us truly rich.
In Hin we find a heavenly niche.
Better far than earthly pleasure,
Jesus' gold is priceless treasure.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth 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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Song Of Love

A song of love is written
As hearts commune and share...
A melody that finds it's notes
Because two people care.

Simple joys and friendship warm
Are woven as a thread
Of harmony and lovely chords
E'en when words are left unsaid.

As time goes on the song of love
Becomes a precious strain
As hearts that listen hear the tune
And sing it's sweet refrain.

The song will always bring new joy
And swell in beauty rare
Because it's written in the hearts
Of two who really care.


© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Consider His Love

A Song

Consider the love of Jesus, our Lord.
Consider the love which has been outpoured.
It reaches the valleys and the uttermost place.
How great is His mercy and rich is His grace.

No other one can touch us like He.
No other one shall ever be worthy.
He gave His life for you and for me.
He came to save us and set us free.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 KJV

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Stitch In Time (Saves Nine)

My grandson was given a school uniform sweatshirt which was used, and it needed mending badly. The knit cuffs were badly frayed and damaged. My son brought it to me for mending in hopes that it could be salvaged one more time... to save buying another new one. This was the hardest mending challenge I had ever tackled. The cuffs looked as though they had gone through a lawn mower.

The side seams of the cuffs were separated, so I stitched those. Then I re-attached the cuffs to the sleeves where those seams were coming apart, binding the seam on the inside with many, small stitches. There were many small "runs" in one cuff, so I whipped the edges of each run together, trying to catch in each stitch of the knit so it wouldn't ravel again. Now I still had the frayed edges of the cuffs to fix, so I turned the edges inward and whipped the edges together. Then I proceeded to fix holes under the arms where the seams had split. When I got done the shirt was presentable and wearable again.

There was a real lesson in this sweatshirt. In our spiritual lives, when we don't do good maintenance, our lives will become tattered and worn. If the situation drags on too long there will be some loss. (After mending the edges of the cuffs by turning them inward, they were no longer as wide.)

There may be scars (where I mended the "runs" you could see the mending a little bit); or separation (seams were opening up); or, evidence of wear and tear (the shirt didn't look as nice as it could have, had it had care). Recognition of good values had been lost (didn't care enough about the shirt to mend it properly).

When we turn to God for "repairs" (sometimes a little late), out of His great love He will do everything in His power to heal our lives. He will tenderly and gently mend our situations. Even as I needed to "catch" every little stitch of the ravelled cuff with my needle to prevent further ravelling, God will diligently mend every aspect of our lives.

He is our Healer, and He is able to make new.....

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body, on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
I Peter 2:24 KJV

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Bright Side

Criticism seems to thrive
On always tearing something down.
It picks and tears at what is good
And seems to wear a constant frown.

How much better it would be
To train one's eye on excellence
And always choose to praise good works
With gladness and benevolence.

Encouragement will build one up,
Praise will spur another on
And may fill an empty "cup"
In times when they may feel quite wan.

Train oneself to speak of beauty.
Good words flowing heal and mend.
Every day will seem more bright
When criticism has it's end!

"Love... is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride): it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly."
I Corinthians 13:5 Amplified Bible

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Choices

All our days are filled with choices
And our ears with many voices,
And evil wears diversive guise
To sway us from a choice that's wise.

With Jesus' help to make our choice
We can prosper and rejoice.
He knows better what we need
And He will help us to succeed!

When we walk in His design
His benefits will far outshine
Any blessing we might find
When we make choices "flying blind".

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."
Psalm 68:19 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Gentle Breeze

God brings "soothing" in a breeze,
Gently swaying grass and trees...
His peace and calm in sweet bouquet.
All tension seems to float away.

He gives softness for the soul
To bring refreshing or console.
His Spirit hovers in the breeze
And seems to bring sweet joy and ease.

So when I feel a gentle breeze
Or see it swaying grass and trees,
I'll linger there a little while...
Just to praise Him... and to smile.

"...He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow."
Psalm 147:18 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Looking For The Gold

Look for the "gold" in others you see,
Those who are quiet and serve faithfully,
Those who don't look for credits or fame
And oft don't receive reward or acclaim.

Some of these folks work so hard to please.
It's good to acknowledge their kind expertise...
Waitresses, janitors, clerks in a store,
Or parents who labor to give their kids more.

This kind of "gold" is tested and pure.
It has been "fired" and o'er time will endure.
These are the folks whose lives have deep worth
And quietly to inspiration give birth.

"Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."
Proverbs 29:23 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Light

Illumine my darkness, I pray.
Let there be light in my way.
Lest I may stumble,
Lord, help me stay humble.
Help me to not go astray.

Help me to always be kind
And to love and peace be inclined.
So much is gained
When peace is sustained,
In this let me never be blind.

Help me to reach up and out,
To have increased faith and not doubt.
For I want to grow,
Your wisdom to know,
And to spread Your love all about.

"For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness."
Psalm 18:28 Amplified Bible

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Nature's Chorus

Soon the little crocus flowers
Will poke up through the snow,
In anticipation smiling.
They just seem to know...

That spring is not so far behind.
A bright new season's coming.
When spring's promise starts to sing
All nature will be strumming.

Bursting forth in color and hue,
Painted there with loving flair,
All creation joins in chorus,
Expressing God's love everywhere.

Little crocus in the snow,
You surely are an early sign
To tell us God will once again
Paint spring with glorious new design.

"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens."
Psalm 8:1 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

As The Lilies

Our prayers of faith are heavenly seeds,
And God goes before to provide for our needs.
He says, "Don't worry at what each day brings
Or labor and fret about worldly things."

"Come unto me, and I will return
More than your needs or what you could earn.
My math is better than that which you know,
And living for Me causes blessings to flow."

"All that you have, when placed in My hand,
Is more than enough to help you to stand.
For I will give increase to all that you own
And multiply goodness beyond what you've known."

"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"
Matthew 6:28-30 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Bright New Day

Do not look back. Look forward and "run".
Rejoice in the good things which God has begun.
A new day is here... it's one of good cheer,
A time to start fresh and not to have fear.

Be filled with joy and savor His peace.
Walk in His goodness and find new release.
He will bring breakthrough and open new doors.
He will pour out His wealth and His "stores".

Discard the burdens and everyday sadness.
Walk in His favor and put on His gladness.
Worship His name and walk in His light.
In Him will this season be wondrous and bright!

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
Numbers 6:24-26 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Blood Of Jesus

Just one drop of blood
Was enough for all time
To redeem man from sin's
Ugly stain, spot and grime.

One drop of His blood
Was so filled with power,
It reached from the cross
Into this very hour.

As fresh as the day
It was shed on the "tree"
Is the power of His "healing"
For you and for me.

Just one drop of blood,
Spilled out with great love,
Brings eternal life
From the Father above.

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven."
Colossians 1:19-20 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Safe Tower

When I am weary and anxious in thought
And can't seem to focus just as I ought,
I know if I turn to Jesus and pray
He'll give me His peace for fear and dismay.

I need not carry my weights all alone
Or worry and fret about what is unknown.
He is my tower... a safe hiding place.
And there I can rest in His mercy and grace.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Proverbs 18:10 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heaven's Door

On that all-important date
When you stand at Heaven's gate,
Will the gate be open wide?
Or will you sadly be denied?

We don't know the time and place
When we shall see Him face-to-face,
But if you know our precious Lord
You'll receive a sure reward.

Jesus died to pay the cost...
That all mankind should not be lost.
To all who in His grace abide
Heaven's gates are open wide.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Happy Child

The giggles and fun of a child's delight
Seem to wash away "gray" and make the day bright!
How much we can learn from a sweet little child,
Whose view about life is so gentle and mild.

His spirit is fresh and his mind is not clouded.
His life with worry and stress are not crowded.
When he runs and he plays he is "free as a breeze".
He inspires me to hear and see as he sees...

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Time To Consider

...A time to consider the needs all around us,
To share and to give to those who have less.
For something good happens way deep down inside us
Whenever we reach out and "caring" express.

Giving births hope and shows someone cares
To those who are hurting and may be hard-pressed.
We do not know how others may suffer,
But be reassured that they will be blessed.

God multiplies the resource we have
Each time we remember that some have it rough.
Helping another is good for the soul,
And always we'll find we have more than enough.

"(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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Prudence

"Prudence" is an old-fashioned word,
One which young people may not have heard.
Oh, how we need more prudence today
And good common sense lest we go astray.

Prudence would say, "Use caution and care."
"Of hasty decisions we should beware."
Discretion and forethought are really good tools
To keep us from error and acting as fools.

Prudence says "watch", and sometimes says, "wait",
To make sure we're on a path which is straight.
Prudence has practical wisdom to give,
And when we listen will change how we live.

"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."
Propverbs 14:15 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Each New Day

I cannot greet the gift of dawn
Unless I've greeted Jesus first.
For when I wake in early morn
My heart and soul are quite athirst...

To read His Word and hear His voice,
To have the joy that He would give,
To know what He would speak to me
That I triumphantly might live.

He would not have us walk in pain,
Dragging through each weary hour,
But to overcome through Him,
By His might and strength and power.

The more I seek Him, He is there
To guide my day and make me whole.
His voice is like a waterfall,
Cascading through my heart and soul.

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall contiinually be in my mouth."
Psalm 34:1 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Orderliness

When we have order and discipline in our lives there is more room for God to work...

Even as it is easier to start a project on a table which has been cleaned off, it is easier for the Lord to present new "projects" or ideas to us when we are prepared and ready and don't have a backlog or pile-up cluttering up our time and space and thinking.

He will show us how to simplify the complex and to sort out the unnecessary from the necessary. He will show us how to pare down our belongings and ideas and time concepts to a workable size so that we are not encumbered by too heavy a load.

What a blessing, when the Lord has something for us, to be able to move right into what He gives us and not have to deal with thought patterns that hinder, unreadiness, or "too much stuff". There is no organization like that which the Lord will give us. For though we may give up much (seemingly), our "gain" and freedom will be ever so much more than we could have anticipated.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..."
I Corinthians 14:33 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heart Full Of Joy

A heart full of joy wants to "laugh, smile and sing"
And to negativity never will cling.
For laughter is healing and will not "look down".
It just won't complain or grimace or frown.

If circumstance crumbles, it counters with hope.
It rests in God's grace and will not just mope.
In joy there is strength... enough for each day.
Encouragement follows and fears will allay.

It really is better to laugh through our woes,
For what good can come from resting in "lows"?
God gives us peace and helps us to say,
"I will look up and choose joy this day!"

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

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace In The Storm

When destruction would tend to lie at the door
And you're asking yourself, "O God, how much more?
I'm hurting so much and I'm just very weary.
Is there one thing about which to be cheery?"

May God be your strength in the midst of the storm.
May He carry you through and His wonders perform.
No sea which is troubled is too large for Him,
E'en though the outlook would seem to be dim.

He is able to lift you from seas which o'erwhelm,
To rescue and guide you and be at the helm,
To help you find balance and stand strong again,
To prosper and bless you. Amen and amen!

"Peace, be still..."
Mark 4:39 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Artistry

God has a palette of colors and hues,
Beautiful shades from whcih He will choose,
To color our lives with beauty and flair,
To bless us with riches, unusual and rare.

His are the colors, we are His art.
He "paints" us with beauty and sets us apart
For His special purpose and holy design.
It is HIS artwork that makes us to shine.

"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."
Psalm 100:3 KJV

"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself..."
Psalm 4:3 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Living For Jesus

Lord, You are welcome in my heart,
In every "room", in every part.
Dwell within me... this I pray.
Direct my footsteps day-to-day.

Heal my "failings, save my soul.
Fill my spirit, make me whole.
Shape me by Your gentle hand
To be the person You had planned.

As I walk the path You give
Daily show me how to live,
That I might share Your precious light
And be for You a message bright.

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Acts 16:31 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Treasure Store

The faithful man of God
In righteousness will walk.
The conduct of his heart
Is reflected in his talk.

Wisdom and discernment
Form an excellence which shows.
He is richly filled
With a joy that overflows.

His strength is found in God
As he reads the Word and prays.
He takes to heart God's leading
And in close communion stays.

How beautiful the life
Of a man who serves the Lord,
For he has boundless riches.
God's treasures there are stored.


"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Psalm 1:2-3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Going Too Fast

When I'm "stuck" in racing mode
And need to have my thinking slowed,
Then I feel the Father's prod,
"Be still and know that I am God."

What sweet soothing from the Word,
Deep within my spirit heard,
Bringing me a sense of calm
As a wondrous, healing balm.

I am helped and am at peace
Because I've found His sweet release.
Whene'er I need Him, He is there
To slow me down and give me care.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Prayer For Our Nation

Let righteousness and truth prevail.
Let sin and greed and evil pale.
For those burdens which we bear,
We beseech You, Lord, In prayer.

Give us wisdom day and night.
Let our beacon e'er shine bright.
Lord, we need Your mighty power
To guard us in this crucial hour.

Guide our leaders, one and all.
Let them always hear Your "call".
Our great strength lies in Your hand.
By Your mercies we will stand!

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Instant "Fix"

We have instant everything...
From food to photo pix,
So when we get in trouble
Then we want an instant fix!

It may not be that easy
Just to find a quick repair.
We may need to spend some time
In quiet thought and prayer.

The problem may be rooted
In an attitude or "view",
A blind spot or a need to learn
Why things have gone "askew".

A hurried "fix" may not be best
Or bring a good solution.
Fixes may take time to heal
For peaceful resolution.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
Psalm 27:14 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fresh New Page

The new year is a fresh new page
Upon which we may write.
As we pray to find direction
God will fill it with His light.

We don't need to wonder
What it's monthly plans will hold.
He will guide our every step
And bless us manyfold.

As we fill it's pages
With His heavenly design,
The book we write will have much worth,
Reflecting Jesus in each line.

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."
Proverbs 16:9 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Workmanship

When we serve God in our everyday lives
We often may wonder just what He is doing.
We sometimes can't see the scope of His plan
Or don't understand what "gold" is accruing.

For "service" may even seem "dull" day-by-day
And may have appearance with not much import.
But nothing is lost in God's overall plan.
If we wait on Him, we'll not come up short.

He always will further His best plans for us
And lead us up mountains which we might not climb.
In the everyday workings of God in our lives
We can excel to great heights over time.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tiny Trees

Children are as "seedlings"...
As tiny growing trees,
With tender, spreading boughs
Swaying in the breeze.

With nurture they will grow strong roots,
With trunk and limb of swelling size.
And they will grow in inner strength
As of wisdom they apprise.

As they grow in stature
And mature into strong trees,
They'll give shade or bear good fruit.
Their lives will surely please.

In every season of their growth
Each tree will be a blessing.
And by the nature of their lives
God's praise will be expressing.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Angel Prayers

Prayers sent on angel wing
Peace and love will softly bring.
Gentle as the morning dew,
These sweet prayers make all things new.

Friendship prayers from the heart
Cause earthly problems to depart.
These are blessings flowing out
Like a healing waterspout...

To bring refreshing from above
And touch us with the Father's love.
I'm sure glad for friendship prayers.
It makes me know an "angel" cares.

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sparkling Clean

Dust collects quietly.... and without fanfare. And at first it isn't apparent. But then when things begin to feel grimy we realize, "Oops! I need to start cleaning!" So we dust or wash away all it's traces to make everything sparkle and shine again.

This is what happens to us daily as we are dealing with people and situations. In our spirits there is a "coating" or "clogging up" which happens, and it rests there as a layer, or sometimes even as a barrier. It makes us dull and prevents us from being on the cutting edge spiritually.

As we spend time in the presence of the Lord and in the Word and in prayer, the Lord will "polish" us up and make us sparkling clean. He cleanses away the dust of daily living, and we are free in the Spirit to be and do our very best!

"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow..."
Psalm 51:7 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Scrapbook Of Memories

A scrapbook of memories is fun to review.
It brings back reminders of good times we knew.
It's pages have captured events in our lives.
Our life is stored in it's paper archives.

But the scrapbook has pages which are not yet filled
Which offer excitement and new ways to "build".
The best pages wait for ideas and thought
Which have not yet come but need to be sought.

May your scrapbook be filled with beauty and worth
And burst at the seams with unending mirth.
May goodness and service fill all of your days
And your pages record events which amaze.

You'll be surprised at what Jesus can do...
So much more than you thought could come true.
In Him you will have excitement and fun,
And your scrapbook will say, "Just look what He's done!":

"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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Warm Touch

Neighbors come and neighbors go,
But some we never get to know.
We don't know the heavy cross
Which some may carry... or the loss.

But we can bless them by our prayers
And let them know that someone cares.
We can be a ray of hope
To those who cannot seem to cope.

Some may only need a smile
To help them go an extra mile,
Just to know they're not alone,
Because of friendship we have shown.

The world is harsh and cold for some,
But warmth we show may be the "crumb"
To perk them up and bring them joy...
A shining light and needed buoy.

"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat."
Proverbs 15:30 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Not Meant To Judge

People make much error
When they chance to judge another.
Only God discerns the heart
Within a friend or brother.

Well-meaning "friends" oft pray amiss
Because they think they know
Just what the other person needs,
Then condemnation sow.

Unless we ask the Lord for help
In knowing what to pray,
We cannot bring encouragement
Or say what God would say.

Opinions just don't matter,
And perceptions may have flaw.
We need to see through eyes of love
And judgment should withdraw.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
Matthew 7:1 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Breathe On Me

Breath of God... breathe on me.
Impart new life and set me free
From earthly mindsets in my day
Which bog me down and bring dismay.

Breathe on me, Your truth bestow,
And holy inspiration show.
Heavenly thoughts will give me vision
And bring to me a fresh precision.

Breathe on me, sweet Breath of God,
And heal the weary steps I've trod.
For when I have Your overview,
Every day is fresh and new.

"The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."
Job 33:4 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Staying On Target

It is wise to measure
How much we do each day
And not to fill our days so full
That we don't even weigh...

The end result of "much ado"
And how it takes a toll.
If we do this long enough
We seem to lose control.

When we are propelled along
By schedule and demand,
The goals we should be working on
Are lost and will not stand.

It's wise to take some time each day
In quietness and thought
To contemplate all that we do
And focus as we ought.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 KJV

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
Psalm 127:2 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Made New

When Jesus lifts the weight of sin
And washes us deep down within,
We are freed to rise and soar
To heights which we've not known before.

Chains of bondage fall away
When we give Jesus place to stay.
Every day is fresh and new
As He transforms us through and through.

Joy and laughter have increase
As He brings hope and love and peace.
Jesus waits to hear us say,
"Come into my heart today."

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Acts 16:31 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Heroes

There are special people
Who really show they care.
They reach out and encourage
With a smile or with a prayer.

They may not even realize
How much they've "spurred you on"
Or how much strength they've lent to you
When life was looking wan.

Their example or their kindness
Then became a stepping stone
To reach a higher plane in life
And realize you weren't alone.

These are God's true heroes.
They live their lives for others.
They don't seek recognition...
Not from strangers, friends or "brothers".

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Moles

Moles are funny critters,
And they give my lawn man jitters.
When he makes the yard look neat
The moles come through and cause defeat.

We don't know they're there until
They surface and they make a "hill".
They root around and make a mess...
A problem which we must address.

People's lives can be like this
When situations are amiss.
Problems hidden deep within
Can surface and expose deep sin.

Wisdom says to root sin out
And not to leave a room for doubt.
For sin is like a hidden mole
Which burrows deep within the soul.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
I John 1:9 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong Army

O God, Your power we need in this hour.
Of Your Holy Spirit we need a fresh shower.
Fill us anew and raise us up strong
To overcome evil and heal what is wrong.

As warriors we march to conquer new ground.
In battle Your sword of truth is profound.
Weak though we are, in You we are able
To march in great strength, for you make us stable.

We are Your soldiers... to march through the land,
To conquer what's lost and take a strong stand.
We are victorious by Your power and might
To march as an army and fight Your good fight.

"Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Psalm 60:12 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Is Our Help

When money is short and we feel "the pinch",
When progress is slow and moves "inch by inch",
We are then challenged to dig deep within,
To ask for God's wisdom on how best to "win".

These are those times in which we can grow
And ask God His patience and insights to show.
He will give answer, our thinking will change,
And all that we do He may rearrange!

He brings solutions which we may not see
To strengthen and guide us and help set us free.
We can meet challenge with Him by our side.
He is safe shelter in which to abide.

"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."
Psalm 63:7-8 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Minding Mom

When my son was six years old I had reason one evening to bring correction to his behavior. He was playing with several children in the yard but was playing too vigorously, and I didn't want any of the children to get hurt. After a couple of "warnings" I called him in, thinking he needed to sit down for a few minutes. He had been in "race mode".

In an effort to "slow him down" I asked him to sit and write ten times, "I will mind my mother." This is what he wrote:

"I am going to mind my mother.
I'm going to mind my mom.
I am going (to) mind - I really am.
I am going to mind - really.
I'm going to mind from now on.
Mom, I going to mind.
I am going to mind my mother.
I'm going to mind anyone.
I'm going to mind.
I'm going to mind my Dad."

His creativity was hilarious, but after this exercise he was willing to listen to me and he played very nicely with the other children.

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Year's Prayer

Let peace and good will within us be birthed.
Let all of our days have merit and worth.
In all of our actions let time be redeemed
And through us God's kingdom be highly esteemed.

Let us bring love where discord has been
To help restore joy and peace once again.
Let us bring healing to one who is down
Or offer a smile to counter a frown.

In some little act of kindness each day
Let us be envoys God's love to convey.
Let us be ready to walk in God's grace
And His precious leading to always embrace.

"...On earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:14 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IN THE QUIET PLACE

In the quiet place,
In the still and the serene,
The presence of the Lord shines forth.
His beauty there is seen.

The depth of His great love is felt.
He reaches deep within,
And we can know His bounteous grace
For all our error and sin.

The touch of His sweet Spirit
Is as gentle as the dew.
His tender, loving presence
Will heal and make us new.

He adds to us His quietness...
The still and the serene,
And we are changed and blessed
When His beauty we have seen.

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is
fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalm 16:11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf