A Painted Face

Deception wears a painted face.
It tempts and woos, but has no grace.
Though it offer you a “prize”,
Your future it could jeopardize.

It swirls around us every day,
So “information” we should weigh.
Sift it by God’s Holy Word
To make sure if it’s truth you’ve heard.

The truths of God will wear no mask,
And He will lead you if you ask.
He’ll save you from deception’s snares,
Exposing all its “slippery” wares.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Beautiful Language

What has happened to verbal expression?
Folks do not seem to use much discretion.
Beautiful language becomes as an art
And shows the condition of one’s mind and heart.

We must let good thoughts crowd out the bad
And fill our minds full of thoughts which are glad.
Let us tune out the language that’s coarse
In TV or magazines... what’e’er the source.

The fruit of the Spirit, working in us,
Will soften our speech and be a real plus.
Beautiful words are laden with treasure
And add to the hearers blessings and pleasure.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22 KJV

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Never Lost

We cannot get so far away that God will not be with us.
He is there right by our side, no matter where our path may lead
There will be those times in life when we will feel we’re all alone...
We’re struggling and filled with fear and do not know how to proceed.

These are times when we will grow, if, with our “all”, on God we lean.
He will teach us by His love and keep us in His close embrace.
His faithfulness and power and grace are always there to lift us up.
We can know that He is there, whatever circumstance we face.

God will never “let us down” or leave us in our time of need.
His mercy, love and kindness are beyond our comprehension.
Without these life experiences we will never learn His depth...
That all-surpassing love for us in heavenly dimension.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schweartzkopf

A Healed Heart

If your past is full of sorrows
And you struggle with its memories,
The Lord will lift the heavy “weights”
Of bygone days and give you ease.

Jesus heals and sets us free
When we set our eyes on Him.
He brings refreshing, joy and peace
And makes the former sorrows dim.

Always there is hope in Him...
A brand new day and a fresh start.
If you’ve suffered or bogged down,
Jesus’ love will heal your heart.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds - curing their pains and their sorrows.”
Psalm 147:3 Amplified Bible

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy and steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction, You have taken note of my life in distresses...”
Psalm 31:7 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Soft As Dew

The touch of the Lord is like dew on a petal.
With each new dawn it’s softness will settle.
He brings refreshing and promise each morn,
Your day with rich blessing and joy to adorn.

Be as a petal and welcome the dew.
God’s mini-oasis which says, “I love you”.
He is so faithful to meet all our needs.
All of our hopes and dreams He exceeds.

Rest then in knowing that He cares for you.
His gentle healing comes down as the dew.
Quietly, tenderly dew drops appear
As loving reminder to say He is near.

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong House

When we seek to do good we will build a strong house.
Its structure will stand against challenge and storm.
All that we do will prosper and grow.
Peace, love and joy will be its sweet norm.

Should sin enter in, though it may be tiny,
If we don’t reject it our house will be weak.
When “thunder” and shakings come, how will it stand?
Its future may waver and be very bleak.

Practicing goodness will be as a fortress...
A bulwark of strength which just will not bend.
“Good” is a winner... a spiritual “glue”...
The mortar on which our house will depend.

“A good man obtains favor of the Lord...”
Proverbs 12:2 Amplified Bible

“He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind...”
Proverbs 11:29 Amplified bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Book Of Memories

In a Book of Memories,
When God is given glory,
Gifts of self shared over time
Will make a very lovely story.

Each small thought or smile or call,
Coming from a heart of caring,
Makes a sweet remembrance
Of sweet friendship and of sharing.

Over time, as “gifts” are shared,
The pages of the book will swell
And be a glowing recollection
Of a life of love lived well.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Philippians 2:4 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Jesus Changes Lives

He makes good folks out of bad
And downhearted people glad.
He will fill an empty soul
With His love and make him whole.

He will heal a wounded child
Whose aching heart has never smiled,
Or give courage to the fearful
And sweet laughter to the tearful.

His compassion is a gift
To those who dearly need a lift.
His faithfulness is truly great...
His goodness we should celebrate!

“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”
Psalm 63:3-5 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

No Condemnation

Condemnation is a bully.
It “beats you up” and calls you names.
It tries to say you don’t have worth
And magnifies its many claims.

Many folks do this to self
For things they may have said or done.
Their minds repeat how they are less
Than who they should be... not A-1.

Don’t let condemnation start.
“Kick it out” and close the door!
Don’t look down on who you are,
For you God has good things in store.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Righteousness

The Lord will bless a righteous soul
And give him favor as a shield.
All His workings in that life
Will bring about a bounteous yield.

That life with love will brightly shine
And be as manna to the world.
The joy and wisdom which reside
Will be a mighty flag unfurled.

Righteousness is strong and wise
And has perspective which is clear.
You will be a righteous one,
If to God you will draw near.

“For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:12 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heart For Others

My father’s family came from Russia in the early 1900’s. They had been people of means in Russia, but when they came to the United States they had only the two sets of clothes on their backs. Dad learned to work hard early in his life, and as I look back I remember him as always working very hard. But I also remember him as having a heart for poor people and for those in need.

This story comes to mind.... we had a crab apple tree in the backyard which attracted neighborhood children. They would pick the apples (green crab apples are very hard), throw them and have fights with them. Dad was afraid they would hurt each other or break windows with them. He told them that if they would stop picking them, when they were ripe he would give the apples to them. The children became his friends, and he did give the apples to their family.

Numerous times he helped our neighbors... fixing plumbing, catching moles (he knew just how to set the traps and he got them every time), repairing bicycles or whatever else needed fixing.

But one of his best “works” was mowing a neighbor’s lawn every week in addition to doing our lawn. The couple across the street were both crippled. The man was in a wheel chair, and his wife had had polio. (One of her legs was much shorter than the other). Even though he daily worked physically hard, he never missed doing their lawn. He loved helping them.

The stories are many... he always tried to help others when he saw a need.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Philippians 2:4 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Simplicity And Common Sense

Some will study many years
To become what they call “smart”.
But the many books they study
Common sense will not impart.

Learning wisdom throughout life
Is a different kind of school.
Wisdom is as oil in gears...
A very necessary tool.

Watching, listening, hearing facts,
Gaining expertise and skill,
Show us that good common sense
Will keep our problems down to “nil”.

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of “the giving God (Who gives) to every one liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Healing And Hope

Let your spirit be at peace
From grief and burdens find release.
If you’ve suffered any loss,
Leave your burden at the cross.

Healing flows and tears are dried,
And weariness is laid aside.
Hope and sweet tranquillity
Will bring you rest and set you free.

Find refreshing... be made new.
Know the Lord will “bring you through”.
He gave His life upon the cross.
Jesus heals our pain and loss.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 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 53:4-5 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Two In Agreement

Sometimes we need to lay down our “rights”,
For often these “rights” dissension ignites.
We may complain, “it just is not fair.
I’m misunderstood and I did not err.”

“Claiming our rights” can have a sharp edge,
Building a fence or driving a wedge.
The more vital issue is living in peace,
Working together and letting strife cease.

“Rights” build a “block” in us toward another.
Just lay them down and work with that brother.
Two in agreement will get a lot done.
Don’t think of “self”... agree to have fun!

“And be at peace among yourselves...”
I Thessalonians 5:13 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Beautiful Portrait

A beautiful countenance is formed over time,
Is tempered by kindness and love’s paradigm.
When God’s love resides deep down in the heart,
Then that which is etched in the face is His “art”.

Kindness and love will soften a smile,
While anger and angst it’s beauty defile.
If we let God soften our heart by His grace,
His radiance reflects in the eyes and the face.

Our beauty increases and glows as we age.
As we in His wisdom and kindness engage,
God creates beauty which truly is rare.
His love in us is a beauty we wear.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us...”
Psalm 90:17 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Do It Right

Have you ever had a job
Which you just knew would be “a task”,
And wish that someone else would do it
But you knew you shouldn’t ask?

“Do it right” is hard to face
When “do it right” suggests hard work.
But you will have to do it over
If some details you would shirk.

To simplify or “make quick work”
Would shortchange or just be “half way”.
The finished work would have its flaws
Which may show up another day.

If your work is quite a challenge,
Take a deep breath and “plunge in”.
For when you choose to do it right
You’ll finish well and you will win!

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men...”
Colossians 3:23 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heart Full Of Peace

A gentle heart is full of calm,
Joy and peace and healing balm.
But when anxiety comes in
The heart experiences “chagrin”.

The answer is to “practice peace”.
This will take some expertise.
No matter what the circumstance,
Pray, and do not take a chance.

Let your peace push back the stress.
Don’t allow it to oppress.
God will give you inner rest,
And by His peace you will be blessed.

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

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...”
Colossians 3:15 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Gathering Wisdom

Listen to counsel, store it within.
Gather good wisdom - a shield against sin.
For wisdom and knowledge will be as a hedge
To help you to be on the “cutting edge”.

Those who don’t learn have little to say,
And when they are old they’ll be quite blasé.
But learning will be as a spark and a fire,
Igniting new interest which then will inspire.

Listen to counsel, become as a light,
Expanding your wisdom to know what is right.
And when you grow older, you too then can share
The “nuggets” you’ve gathered to others who care.

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
Proverbs 19:20 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn's Artistry

When Autumn enters into view
Her artistry brings brilliant flair.
Orange and bronze and gold and red
Adorn our landscapes everywhere.

Her kaleidoscope of hues
Creates a montage laced with beauty.
Truly does she seem to revel
In her annual, autumn duty.

Hearts are warmed by her bright cheer.
She brings a cordiality.
We’ll remember all her charm.
We’ll miss her personality!

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Longing To Hear Church Bells

How I long to hear church bells
Ringing out across the land,
Reminding us of holiness
And that for which we stand.

Our beginnings, birthed in prayer,
We simply can’t forget.
We must change the path we’re on,
Lest we have deep regret.

Let us honor our foundation.
Let us bow to thank our God,
Take a look at whence we’ve come
And prayerful footsteps we have trod.

Let those footsteps not be wasted.
Let our past not be discarded.
Let our focus be renewed
And Godly format be regarded.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
Psalm 33:12 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf