Two Thieves

We choose very carefully where we will go
And guard against problems, lest we should have woe.
We filter our reading to make sure it's pure
And only choose friends of whom we are sure.

But still we have open both window and door.
Our computers and TV's much evil can store.
Approach with discretion the use of THESE two.
Into our lives much info they spew.

If we're not careful, our homes they will fill
With exposures which harm or can even make ill.
They may "color" or taint with darkness and fear
All of our thoughts and those things we hold dear.

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..."
Psalm 101:3 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Humility And Goodness

Humility won't criticize
Or judge another's action.
It will not point it's finger
Or in pride find satisfaction.

Humility has good perspective
And won't practice guile.
It's strength is found in thankfulness
Through good days and through trial.

Humility has quiet strength
And doesn't need to strive.
It's grateful, loving heart is that
Which causes it to thrive.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 6:8 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Sweet Gift

To hear sweet counsel from a friend
Is a gift which will transcend
The fears and questions which you have,
As a fragrant, soothing salve.

A friend who stays right by your side,
One in whom you can confide,
Will bring dimension, love and light
And cause your days to be more bright.

True friendship is as gold and myrrh
And oftentimes your heart will stir...
A bonding filled with warmth and joy,
A treasured gift, a heavenly buoy.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

New Balance

A Prophecy
April 23, 2008


There will be rumblings and tremors and shaking... at the highest levels and deep within. There will be shifting of power as yet unseen.

There will be "eruptions" internally, happening as a sort of "fireworks"... a flash here, a flare there... attacks which surprise and expose... a shaking out into the open of that which has been hidden or covered up.

And while this will be upsetting and will shake many, there will begin to be a balance of understanding and new insight which will come to the forefront. There will be explanation and answers for questions unspoken. Inner struggle and turmoil in many places shall finally be released.

A new balance will be seen.

(Note: I believe this has to do with government, organizations, leadership, present-day systems and situations...)


© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Harmony

We do not know or understand
The beauty of a heav'nly choir...
How harmonies from God Himself
Our weary spirits can inspire.

Harmony is God's own gift,
And melody is from His hand,
But man has added his own "touch"
And changed all that which God had planned.

God has spoken to "be still",
But man is given to want noise.
A simple song is better far
Than all the sounds which man employs.

There is no sweeter sound on earth
Than voices singing pretty songs.
Surely this must bless our God,
For harmony to Him belongs.

"I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee."
Psalm 144:9 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Time To Pause

Lord, I don't want to go so fast that I am never still.
If I'm always "on the run", my cup You cannot fill.
I must pare my thinking down... to enter into "calm".
For I desire to know You more and feel Your healing balm.

An empty cup is just not good. To "run" is such a waste!
For I could "miss" Your Spirit, or Your glory might not taste.
Thoughts propel me forward, but I will stop to pause,
For any day I leave You out will certainly have flaws.


"Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob."
Psalm 132:3-5 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Truth's Bright Light

Let truth's bright torchlight ne'er go out.
Let it's flame cast evil out.
Let it's banner always fly
And it's standard be held high.

Let us stand against all wrong,
Be unwavering and strong,
As evil looks for compromise
And parades in slippery guise.

Let our firm foundation stand.
Let God be honored in our land.
Marching forward in His light
Our future will, through Him, be bright.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Lovely Crown

Maybe today you can't see the sun
And don't see results from all you have done.
On days you "can't win", and it gets you down,
Don't let this depress you and cause you to frown.

There always will be a brighter day coming,
When you will feel good and your heart will be humming.
Tomorrow has promise to be a great day,
So chase all your burdens and worries away!

Let laughter and merriment brighten your day.
Wear them as flowers in a colorful lei.
Find today's promise... a lovely jeweled crown...
And wear it with joy... then you won't feel down.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Healing Balm

Dear little child, do not be discouraged,
For I know the measure of your every need.
When you're sorely tested and face daily trials
I dispatch my angels with haste and with speed.

My spirit hovers through day or dark night,
Constantly guarding and bringing defense
Against powers of evil which rob and destroy.
For these I will bring you My sweet recompense.

For you are My child... I take note of your days.
You've been in My keeping through storm and through calm.
I'll never forsake you nor once look away.
You can rest in this promise as sweet healing balm.

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Psalm 91:11 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessings

May God give you blessings
Which rain as a fountain,
And raise you up strong
To scale every mountain.

May beauty and wonder
In your path abound,
And melody ring in your voice
With sweet sound.

May joy be as sunshine
To fill all your days.
May God's myriad blessings
Your spirit upraise.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Angels' Song

Oh, that I might sometime feel
The gentle brush of angel wings
And hear them sing or play upon
Their heavenly instruments of strings...

With harp and lute and mandolin,
Their voices wafting to and fro,
With heaven's harmonies and song,
Drifting down on those below...

Myriad voices praising God
Resounding throughout heaven's sphere,
Echoing their glorious chorus
And blessing many far and near.

In the stillness of the night
I long to hear the angels sing,
Just to know a touch of heaven
And hear them praise our glorious King.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Always Look Up

When there's nowhere to turn, I will always look up.
For though I be poor, God will give a full cup.
My soul and my spirit He surely will feed.
He is sufficient to meet all my need.

Though life whirls about me, I shall not thirst.
By His lovingkindness my life is immersed.
He gives inspiration and strength deep within
And pours out the confidence I need to win.

I will look up and in His promise dwell.
In Him I will prosper and surely excel!
I have no challenge which He cannot meet.
All my provision in Him is complete.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heartfelt Prayer

Let my worship holy be,
As sweet incense unto Thee.
Let my voice speak words of praise
And my hands to Thee upraise.

Let my heart be pure and true,
And Thy Holy Spirit woo.
Let my life have vibrant savor.
Help me, Lord, to never waver.

Let me be a constant blessing,
Gratitude to Thee expressing.
Let my life Thy love declare.
To bless Thee is my heartfelt prayer.

"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations."
Psalm 108:1 & 3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Computer Fun

My computer needs help... sometimes it gets stuck.
I need help to fix it... or maybe need luck!
It thinks for itself and does some strange things.
When it won't work, frustration it brings!

I did not think I needed to get one,
But then when I did I found it was fun...
Until it "goofed up"... (it just can't be me).
And the answer I need I can't seem to see.

How did I live without one of these...
This funny machine which I can't seem to please?
And what did I DO before I had this.
It sure keeps me busy... sheer bliss.


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sowing Good Seed

It's fun to plant seed, to sow a good crop,
To speak into lives and happy seeds drop.
Seeds can be "scattered" wherever we go,
And when they take sprout we will soon see them grow.

Positive "seed" is golden in worth,
For sometimes a seed to action gives birth.
A thought or idea when "seeded" away
Will be as a gift... a fragrant bouquet.

Inspiration might grow in a heart that was bare,
Or new hope and purpose might offset despair.
A kernel of wisdom can give new direction
To one who may need a seed of correction.

Good seed is found in the core of God's Word
And brings bright return in hearts which are stirred.
For the hand of the sower, by spreading good seed,
Can change many lives and bless those in need.

"...To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward."
Proverbs 11:18 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Serenity

Serenity in times of stress
Is more than "mettle" or finesse.
It's reservoir is deep within
And shields one from life's daily "din".

Serenity is birthed in prayer,
A precious resource, rich and rare.
It's cooling waters soothe and calm,
Refreshing as a healing balm.

The presence of the Living God
With quietness our feet will shod.
He becomes our inner peace,
Causing stress and strain to cease.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Cross-Sheltered Life

A cross-sheltered life with joy will resound,
For deep in it's shadow are blessings profound.
At the foot of the cross we find Heaven's door
And seal our destiny forevermore.

There we are sheltered and truly secure,
And in Christ's identity grow and mature.
The cross brings us depth and balance and vision,
And helps us to have a quiet precision...

Gentle and loving, forgiving and kind,
Full of compassion and service-inclined.
Rooted in faith and strong in position,
Here we are brought to glorious fruition.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Healing Touch

Peace and healing be to you,
Gently falling as the dew,
Coming as the light of morn
Your life and body to adorn,

Sweetly soothing all your pain.
(May it's presence quickly wane).
May strength and vigor be your pleasure
And each new day be as treasure.

May your healing be complete.
May you feel God's presence sweet,
Lingering with you day by day
As a fragrant, prized bouquet.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103:2-3 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Happy Outlook

In early morn it's good to pray...
A blessed way to greet the day.
Then praise or hum a tune or two
To brighten up the morning's view.

You'll accomplish quite "a bunch"
Before it's even time for lunch.
Bright outlook is the key to this,
(And tension you won't even miss!)

Laugh and sing another tune
To help you with your afternoon...
Another chance to add some cheer,
And soon your work will disappear!

When happy, time goes quickly by.
When praising, things won't go awry.
When we pray the Lord draws nigh
And makes our time just seem to fly.

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

© 2008 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 Arlene Schwartzkopf