Saturday, July 31, 2010

Seeds

Seeds, when planted in a heart
Their own identity impart.
We must guard our hearts from seeds
That would become as prickly weeds.

Tiny seeds we think don't matter
Grow and then more seeds will scatter.
Diligence will root them out
Before they start to grow and sprout.

Little seeds have much potential
And will be quite influential.
A seed which tiny seems to be
May just grow up to be a tree!

"But other (seeds) fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."
Matthew 13:8 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, July 30, 2010

God Bless America

May all of our leaders before our God bow.
Reverence ahd holiness may they avow.
For God's ways are high... above all we know...
And will keep us from wavering to and fro.

We were established on firmest foundation
And need to respect it's Godly creation.
Surely God's favor has brought us this far.
He is our help... our bright, Shining Star!

May all who lead be found on their knees,
Seeking God's face for His expertise.
Therin lies promise for bright days ahead,
That through prayer and wisdom we may safely tread.

"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
Psalm 33:11-12 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hope Of Heaven

When we leave earth our lives are not through.
Eternity hinges on that which we do.
We have two choices... Heaven or hell.
To attain Heaven we must live well.

God made provision when He sent His Son,
Desiring that none should be lost... not one.
When we know Jesus our future is sure.
Our promise of Heaven is sealed and secure.

Our God would draw us to be at His side,
Forever and ever in Him to abide.
Even today He calls out to the "lost"
And offers escape from hell's gruesome cost.

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
II Corinthians 5:1 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Gentle Word

A gentle touch will heal and soothe and set a person free,
For healing comes through nurture and sensitivity.
Wounded folks with deepset need are often tightly bound,
But by the love and grace of God true freedom can be found.

Even simple hurts and "snags" can cause folks to be "numb",
But if we show them love and grace they'll start to overcome.
What joy it is to watch one rise from sorrow into joy
As we by gentleness become to them a needed buoy.

We can cheer so many folks by showing that we care
And lift them out of woundedness just by being there.
They can find the strength to stand because they're not alone
And triumph in their lives again because of love we've shown.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Heavenly Balm

In the stillness, in the quiet,
Silently You come...
Breaking through that weariness
Of life's continual "drum".

What refreshing! What sweet peace!
What endearing calm!
Sharing in these moments
With You is heav'nly balm.

Here I listen to Your heart,
The whisper of Your voice,
And linger in Your presence,
To weep and to rejoice.

Quietly I wait on You
In fellowship divine.
Little else is of import
Except with You to dine.

"In thy presence is fulness of joy..."
Psalm 16:11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, July 26, 2010

A Foundation Of Truth

If your situation may seem to demand
That you make a change from where you now "stand",
The change may not be much more than a mite,
But in light of God's word, is it really right?

Change can be subtle and not seem to matter,
But then over time will weaken and scatter
Foundations of truth on which you have stood.
Carefully weigh this... it may not be good.

God's Word is truth and it cannot change.
Upon it's foundation we then should arrange
Our footsteps and lifestyle, lest we be derailed.
As we seek His truth, our eyes won't be "veiled".

"His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A Fragrant Flower

A rose bush, though it brings forth the loveliest of blooms, isn't very pretty. It's stalks are woody and covered with thorns, and sometimes it's leaves are troubled by blight or insects. And if it isn't pruned it's shape becomes rather unsightly. But in spite of all this, it is capable of producing beautiful blooms with fragrance only God could create.

What a picture! God created a beautiful rose in each of His children, meant to blossom forth and spill out His fragrance. But in some cases it just may be surrounded by thorns and blights and troubled circumstances.

If sometimes you are troubled in life because your circumstance is not pretty, and you see too many thorns, or are annoyed by "insects"... and you think the rose God placed in you may never have a bloom with lovely fragrance, do not give up. God wants to bring forth the loveliness of the flower He placed within you. If you look to Him for nurture and receive His pruning as a gift to prosper you, surely fragrance will pour forth.

God has placed His potential for loveliness in you. As you are rooted in the Word you will become the gift of beauty and fragrance which He designed you to be.

"He has made every thing beautiful in his time..."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, July 24, 2010

God's Holy Word

God's Word is holy, and He does not change.
What He has spoken man can't rearrange.
If man just reads to "suit his own taste",
From that point with error his actions are laced.

All of the Word is needful to learn
If evil and wickedness we would discern.
How could we choose which portions are best?
Obedience demands that we make full quest.

Excursions of learning in God's Holy Word
Will pave a safe road and man's heart will gird.
Always the Word will lead us in truth...
Parents ahd children, old folks and youth.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, July 23, 2010

People Who Inspire - John M.

John was an humble person and loved the Lord deeply. His transparency was remarkable and beautiful.

He gave a testimony in church one morning, and this was one of the statements he made... "I have discovered that without Jesus I am capable of just about anything"... (meaning sin). This was many years ago, but I've never forgotten what he said. How honest he was! And how honest we all need to be.

To the degree that we let Jesus into our lives is the degree in which we will be free from error and fault. In Him is light and freedom. He is our guide, our helper, our teacher, our fortress. He "tempers" us in all things.

Let Him come in... be free.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Changed In His Presence

We wear many "hats" each day,
And sometimes they begin to weigh.
But when we enter Jesus' presence
We find rest and peace in reverence.

Here we let all tensions go,
Things which pull us to and fro.
Daily thoughts will seem as nil
As we are waiting and are still.

We are changed as we wait there
And of His healing are aware.
His presence is a blessed "retreat",
And there in Him we're made complete.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

In His Time

The eagle, in God's rightful time,
Will catch the wind and soar and climb.
It cannot soar when not quite ready...
Only when it's wings are steady.

Skill and "savvy" must be learned.
By practice is his high flight earned.
High flight when his wings are weak
Could make him fall and havoc wreak.

Eagles triumph in the sky
And to the doors of Heav'n draw nigh.
In God's timing, seasoned well,
On wind of Spirit they will dwell.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. He hath made everything beautiful in his time."
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Fashioned By God

If you haven't found God's purpose for your life and for each day,
You may be treading water as His best plan slips away.
Searching for fulfillment without His guiding hand
May cause you to make error or may leave you feeling bland.

God's design will bring you to a place which is unique
And give you opportunity... much more than you would seek.
Any venture hand-in-hand with God is better than
The goals and works and simple tasks which you yourself might plan.

How unfortunate the loss when "purpose" isn't found
And life becomes a treadmill where you just go 'round and 'round.
"Purpose" formed by God's own hand is joyous, full and rich.
And what He has designed for you is your own special niche.

"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me..."
Psalm 119:73 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, July 19, 2010

Worship On My Mind

Worship wafts throughout my day
In colorful and blessed array,
Bright'ning every thought I have,
Cheering me as healing salve.

Threads of song and lines of praise
Become as sunshine's warming rays,
Lifting me from daily task
And causing me in joy to bask.

Time is happily defined
When I have worship on my mind.
God is awesome... to be praised.
Let all my thoughts to Him be raised...

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
Philippians 4:4 KJV

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, July 18, 2010

A Mighty Tower

Jesus' name is our strong tower,
A place of refuge in this hour,
Filled with strength and filled with might,
A bulwark... safe against the "night".

We are sheltered from the storm,
To fear and doubt will not conform.
We will "hide" in Jesus' nanme
And to the world His power proclaim!

Jesus' name brings hope and peace
And from our worries brings release.
Jesus' name will be our tower,
A place of "resting" in this hour!

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Cent Or Two...

What we offer may be small...
A cent or two or such...
But offered from a heart of love,
The Lord sees that as much.

Jesus looks upon the heart
Of one with lowly means,
And has joy in that faithful one
Who on His promise leans.

He will honor that small gift
And blessings multiply,
Pouring out His goodness
And His love in sweet reply.

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
Luke 21:1-4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Gift Of Color

God must have a giant brush...
Offering colors which are lush...
Painted beauty everywhere
For mountains, trees and plants to wear.

Nature bursts with color's gift,
Our spirit and our soul to lift,
Painted there to bring delight,
His loving signature to write.

"Wrapped" in color, we are blessed
And by His artistry impressed...
Shades and hues of warmth and light
To cheer our lives and make them bright!

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, July 15, 2010

High Places

In God we have purpose and reach for high goals.
He guides us and helps us to find our true roles.
But each time we think our labors are done
God may have new work which He has begun.

He stretches and bends us to prosper and grow.
He leads us to dwell where His fresh waters flow.
To be in the center of God's perfect will
Will fill us with wisdom and prayerful skill.

He is the strength and the power and might
Which carry us bravely to breathtaking height.
We need not look back, but always look up.
With His richest blessings He will fill our cup.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Master's Touch

When we start out, we are but clay.
Without God's hand, clay we will stay!
If we submit to His skillful touch,
He will adorn us with beauty and such.

What great adventure to rest in His hand
And let Him adorn us as first He had planned!
We cannot capture or know His intent
But joy in the "artwork" we know He'll present.

When He has made us a vessel of worth
He then will fill us with heavenly mirth,
Perfecting us daily with wisdom and grace,
Holding us carefully in His embrace.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Many Doors

Life will offer many doors.
Behind each one are varied "stores".
God will show us where to knock,
But on some doors He'll place a lock.

Some we really need to ope,
For inside we'll find joy and hope.
Each door is an entry way
Of wisdom which He would convey.

What is there may be unknown
And cause us inwardly to groan...
But if God unlocks the door
Inside must be golden "store".

Many doors our lives entice,
And some will carry quite high price.
But if we do not compromise
We will find God's highest prize.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, July 12, 2010

Bless The LORD, O My Soul

We cannot even measure God's benefits to us.
Oh what blessing, oh what joy, His goodness to discuss.
More than we imagine He hovers near our side
And joys in being with us to cover and to guide.

All that we can fathom is only a small start
Of that which He would give us and wishes to impart.
We are subjects of His love and awesome, healing touch.
Glory be unto our God that He would care so much!

Let us offer vibrant praise and worship with our voice.
Magnify His holy name, give honor and rejoice!
God is high above the heav'ns, yet hears our every prayer.
With our lives and in our hearts His goodness we declare!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name"
Psalm 103:2 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf