A Lovely Gift

Today the Lord has blessed my day.
He sent two butterflies my way,
Quickly catching my attention,
Introducing sweet dimension.

Butterflies bring sheer delight,
Fluttering in gentlest flight.
Lightly moving through the air
They just don't seem to have a care.

Only God could paint a wing
And quietly such beauty bring.....
Delicate in every way,
With brilliant color on display.

His handiwork is everywhere
His awesome beauty to declare.
Even in a butterfly.....
So small and sweet and shy.


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Riches Untold

Do you want to be wealthy or want to be rich?
Do you want things to be without hitch, without glitch?
Do you want to reach for the stars or the moon
And don't want to wait..... you want it all soon?

True wealth and riches are patiently learned.
Success in this world by hard work is earned.
But seeking the Lord for wisdom and knowledge
Will bring understanding..... is like spiritual college.

To be rich in Him is the very best goal.
This will bring honor and wealth to your soul.
So reach up to heaven for riches untold.
Have faith to reach for HIS silver and gol.d

"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

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Eagle's Wings

I want to fly with the wings of an eagle.
And I want to catch the wind of the Spirit with my wings.....
To soar and to be lifted up.

For the wind of the Spirit will take me to high places
And I will be able to see clearly.

I want to ride in the wind of the Spirit.....
To feel the current beneath my wings, carrying me.....
And I will reside there.

For there I will ride above the storms of life.....
Not hindered..... unable to be touched by that which would pull me down.....
Powerful and strong.

The eagle discerns the Wind..... and is free!

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
II Corinthians 3:17 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Trust In The Lord

Are you fearful and shaky, nervous and fretful,
Or tired and weary and sometimes forgetful?
Maybe you're rushed, and push comes to shove.
You're just plain worn out, with no rest thereof.....

Stop where you are and turn to the Lord.
He will bring peace, and you'll be restored.
For moments you give Him will be multiplied
Back into your life..... with blessings beside.

All things are easier when left in His hand.
He is your hope when you don't understand.
He'll bear your load and will make it His own.
In Him you'll have answers and not be alone.


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

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Day

This is a new day..... unlike any other.
It does not look back or mimic another.
It gives opportunity for a fresh start
And offers us time, in which we have part.

How will we use it to please our dear Lord?
Where would He send us..... or what point us toward?
This precious day offers very wide choice.
When Jesus directs us, then we can rejoice!

It's just "one more day" till we find His design,
And then it explodes into "brilliance and shine".
The day is unique, with His signature on it,
And becomes like a lyric and beautiful sonnet.

May all of our days be "signed" by His hand
And have mighty impact as in Him we stand.
May each day be filled and have a rich story,
Accomplish His purpose and bring Him much glory.

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In God We Trust

In God we trust, in Him believe,
Into our lives His tenets weave.
We have chosen His Word to read
To find the wisdom that we need.

Often what we think is right
May seem okay... but isn't quite.
So we can search within the Word
And let His wisdom undergird.

When we're not sure which way to go,
It's best to wait until we know.
Always He will keep us steady,
And He will move when He is ready.

He may not move just as we think,
But from His voice we will not shrink.
For always He will know what's best.
In that we have His blessed rest.

In God we trust.....

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.'"
Psalm 91:1 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Busy Little Squirrel

A Children's Poem

Little squirrel, hurry, hurry.
Winter's coming! Scurry, scurry!
Gather food so you won't worry
When you see the snow's first flurry!

Little squirrel, busy, busy,
Worked so hard that he got dizzy,
Worked himself into a tizzy!
Gee whiz! This little squirrel was busy!

When the winter is cold and breezy,
He won't worry and feel queasy.
He won't be hungry or be sneezy
But will rest and take it easy!

"It is unusually wise to store up food for winter.
Even ants that are not strong do so."
Proverbs 30:24-25 (Paraphrased)

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Perseverance

Perseverance wins it's race.

Perseverance
Breaks through barriers,
Jumps over hurdles,
Reaches the top of the mountain.

Perseverance
Keeps it's eye on the goal,
Doesn't give up,
Finishes it's job.

Perseverance
Looks neither to the left nor to the right,
Doesn't look back,
Accomplishes much.

Perseverance wins!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Paint Project

One summer I really was in the mood to repaint the rooms of my house. And so I set about painting, one room at a time, until I had the whole house done. This project spanned over a period of about three months.

The last rooom to be completed was the dining room. It was getting late in the evening, but since I was so near being all finished, I just continued painting. I didn't want to get up to even one more day of it. I wanted to get done!

It was close to 11:00 p.m., and, with just one more small section to paint, my paint pan ran dry. So I took it down from the ladder, set it on the floor and poured more paint into it. Then, as I was moving my ladder over a bit, the next few moments became chaotic and hilarious.

Our dog Scruffy was in the basement with the youngsters when all of a sudden he heard "Daddy" come in the front door. (Daddy was his favorite person). Daddy was just coming home from work. I didn't hear him come in, but the dog did! Scruffy came flying up the stairs, through the kitchen, THROUGH THE PAINT PAN, across the dining room and living room, and took a flying leap toward Daddy, expecting to get caught in mid-air and cuddled. I started yelling, "He's full of paint! He's full of paint!" Daddy had on a navy blue suit and the paint was WHITE!

He caught the dog in mid-air and just held him there, but the dog, in his excitement, was wiggling and wagging and wasn't easy to hang onto. So I called the youngsters upstairs to rescue the situation. They took him down in the laundry tray and gave him a bath. He was a mess!

Luckily Daddy didn't get painted, but the living room carpet did! So now I had a row of white footprints to clean up. I cleaned the carpet and then finished painting. Now it was really late, but I knew when I washed out the paint roller this time I wouldn't have to do it again. The job was done!

The job came to a more exciting climax than I expected! It seems when you have pets that they wind up in the middle of everything..... even the paint pan!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Work Of My Hands

When I've finished all my labors
And I think my work is done,
Have I really made a difference?
Perhaps my work has just begun.....

Could it be that I'm not seeing
What is right before my eyes.....
Your true meaning for my life.....
And simply do not realize?

Lord, help me see as You would see
And do what You would have me do,
So I will know I've found Your purpose
When each precious day is through.

"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us....."
Psalm 90:17 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn

When summer starts to yawn and
yields her tired labors.....

Autumn steps in with enthusiasm of color and
paints her bright note far and wide.

Surely it seems that God "pulls out all the stops"
in brilliant display of color!

A lovely space in time..... with rich bounty of harvest,
with brisk, invigorating air,
with flurries of activities in preparation
for the new season.

A time of exaltation and thanksgiving
as we celebrate the beauty of creation and
the fullness of God's provision for us.

And then the leaves begin to fall
as all nature seeks a time of rest.

And as winter knocks in her own time,
autumn shuts her door quietly and slips away.

But in memory, our hearts have been warmed
against the coldness of winter
by a very loving God!

"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."
Psalm 33:5b NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Something To Ponder

What example am I in my daily walk.....
How does my life speak in the way that I talk.....
Who may be watching my actions each day.....
"Actions speak louder than words," so they say.....


Several years ago we had some neighbors who had three small children. As we began to get to know this family, we realized that they were very, very poor.

Late one summer, as the school year was approaching, I realized that the children were not going to have any new clothes for school. The family simply didn't have enough money to buy them any. So I decided to make dresses for the two girls and a shirt for the boy..... to surprise them. Now this wasn't any big thing for me to do, since I sewed all the time and had fabric on hand. For me, this was a fun project.

Well, I finished the clothes, gave them to the children, and never thought any more about it.

But several years later someone in my family, who wasn't a Christian, made comment about how nice she thought it was that I had done this for these children. Her statement jarred me to the very core of my being. I did not realize that this person had been watching me.

We never know who may be watching us and how much effect we have on others by the way we live. We can, unknowingly, lead others to change their pattern of living just by the example we set. In this we have awesome responsibility and unending opportunity.... to serve others.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Computer And Me

Sometimes I can't type,
Sometimes I can't spell.
And my words look quite funny
When my fingers rebel!

Then sometimes my bifocals
Play tricks on me.
They make things look funny
When I'm trying to see.

So words I've ne'er seen
Appear on my screen...
Hilarious sentences
With typos between.

I do not think
That I'm getting old.
"These things just happen",
Is what I've been told.

It seems that my mind
And my fingers don't "click".
I find I can't hurry...
I'm not quite as quick.

Don't want to slow down
'Cuz I'm having fun.
But I sure need to "proof"
Everything I have done!

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

People Who Inspire

Beverly

I first met Beverly in a church choir, and I soon learned that she was a music teacher in our school system at grade school level. She had a special gifting to teach children and took a special interest in encouraging children to be better than they thought they could be. She was an encourager.

As it happened, she taught music at the grade school where my nephew, Tim, attended. Tim had an interest in learning to play the piano, and he asked Beverly if she would teach him. She was willing, but Tim had no money for the lessons. So they worked out an arrangement where Tim would go and mow her lawn, and then in return she would give him piano lessons. She really did inspire him, because he pursued this avidly and practiced diligently, becoming quite a good pianist and later enjoying playing classics as an adult.

A few years later Beverly and her family moved to another church where she and her husband later became the childrens' pastors. She had wonderful children's choirs there, and her husband was known to all the little children as "Papa John". Their two daughters taught Sunday School there also.

In her latter years Beverly was known for her prayer journals. She had ill health and suffered quite a lot of pain, but whenever she got a prayer request, she would write it in her journal. Then she would keep track of it and continue to pray until the answer came, writing down the answers. She filled the pages of a number of journals..... how faithful she was!

Beverly loved the Lord with all her heart. Only in heaven will it be known how many children's lives were encouraged and changed because of her love and devotion and caring. She was a wonderful friend and very beautiful in the Lord. I feel very privileged that I knew her.

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."
Psalm 146:1-2 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Strength

Lord.....
You are my footing..... my firm foundation.

You are that safe place to stand..... when everything is shifting.....

Where I cannot be intimidated by the enemy,
Where I will not lose my footing,
Where I may find courage,
Where I will not fail,
but may have confidence.

You are my strength.


"It is God Who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places."
Psalm 18:32 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn Smiles

As summer starts to fade away,
Autumn bursts forth in brilliant dress
To bring to close another season
And usher in the winter's rest.

She adds her own sweet offering
To summer's easy-going days
By painting everything she sees
In fiery colors set ablaze.

But her winds and brisk, cool air
Bring a message of their own.
She will cause us to awake
Out of the summer's ease we've known.

For winter follows close behind.
She, too, will bring her very best.
All the land she will embrace
And bring to all much-needed rest.

Seasons come and seasons go,
But autumn has a secret story.
As she smiles with brilliant color,
She shows to us the Father's glory!

"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."
Psalm 33:5 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Almost Late

A Children's Poem

I can't find my coat.....
And where are my shoes?
All of my things
I just seem to lose!

If I don't hurry,
I'll be late to school.
And being on time
Is a very good rule!

I didn't put
My belongings away
Because I was "busy"
And wanted to play.

I've misplaced my things,
So now I'm in trouble.
And if I don't hurry
My trouble will double!

I guess I should learn
Not to just lay things down,
'Cause when I can't find them,
It sure makes me frown!

I must remember
To put things away.
This would be better.....
And prevent this delay!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Listening To The Heart

Listening to another's heart
Is a very sensitive art.
For all that dwells so deep within
Desires expression to begin.

We cannot learn to know another
With many words which just will "smother".
The heart is heard in quietness...
In times of listening... without stress.

It's possible to miss "the gold"
Which in quietness would unfold.
A tender heart it's gold will hide,
It's treasure resting deep inside.

For truly listening is a skill
Gained in learning to be "still".
When a heart's deep words are lost
We sadly pay too high a cost.

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Romans 12:10 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessed Peace

How blessed is a home
Filled with peace undisturbed,
Where all is at rest
And all unperturbed.

For where strife comes in
Are contention and hate.
Relationships suffer
And tension is great.

In peace there is healing,
In peace there is rest.
And all who make peace
Will be very much blessed.

The Lord does not want us
To worry and fret.
When we lean on Him
All our needs will be met.

If we learn to love
And will "sit at His feet",
We will partake
Of His peace..... so very sweet.

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

".....Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
II Corinthians 13:11 KJV

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

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Psalm 119:165 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Prayerful Call

Our nation needs to bow it's head
And bend upon it's prideful knee
To humbly show it's gratitude
For freedom and prosperity.

For God has kept His hand upon us,
Watching over us by night,
Honoring the cries of those
Who prayerfully stand for what is right.

Today we call upon His name,
Repenting of our spot and sin,
Asking Him to heal our nation,
Restoring righteousness within.

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

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong Nation

We must be a people strong,
Armed with prayer against all wrong,
Vigilant to stand our ground
And keep our guard up all around.

Powers of darkness would destroy
And evil practice would employ,
But people of God on bended knee
Can keep our nation safe and free.

Prayer warriors side by side
Will overcome the evil tide.
We have a God of power and might,
And we will stand for what is right!

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

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fall Colors

Autumn wonder on display.....
It's color splashed in full array.....

The hillsides and the valleys wear
God's vibrant colors painted there.

Flaming red and brilliant gold.....
Shades of orange so bright and bold.....

When God gives color in richest hue
He blesses me and blesses you.

Thank You, Lord, for lovely days.
We humbly bring all laud and praise.


"And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food."
Genesis 2:9 NKJ


© 2003 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Leadeth Me

When I place my hand in the hand of the Lord, I am not afraid. I don't need to be.

Wherever He leads, I will be safe. He is my covering.

He is my strength. Therefore my weakness doesn't matter.

He is able when I sometimes am not, and He does not make error.

He knows me through and through, so I may trust His direction even though I sometimes don't understand it.

He will enable me, by the leading of His hand, to achieve higher levels of accomplishment than I might otherwise know.

He is faithful, and He is always there.


"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
John 10:4 KJV

"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

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Giving Heart

When our children were in grade school and still small, our family attended a large church which had very wonderful worship in their services. We didn't have a "song book", nor did we use an overhead projector. The people would just learn the songs as they came each week and sing them from memory. The worship was beautiful as the people sang and worshipped from their hearts and raised their hands in praise to the Almighty God.

After one of the evening services I was standing by the piano, and a young man from India came to me to inquire if there was a source or a song book where he could get some of the songs we sang. I told him that our church didn't have such a book, but that there was a small chorus book with some of the songs which was available in our church book store. He thanked me and left.

Now sometimes after the services we would give our children change to go to the book store and buy something. That was true this particular evening. Our son came back with a refrigerator magnet about Jesus..... he collected them. But our daughter didn't have anything when she came back. I said to her, "Why didn't you buy something?"

This was her answer: "A man came into the store to buy a song book. It cost $1.25, and all he had was a dollar, so I gave him my quarter."

This so touched my heart..... and I'm sure it touched the man's heart too, because our daughter was only seven or eight years old at the time.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:35b NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Being Light

Lord, let the witness of my life
Be pure and holy..... always true.
Every day I want to walk
In a way that pleases You.

I may be the only light
In another's weary road.
Help me to be sensitive
And maybe lighten someone's load.

Show me, Lord, if I make error,
Finer-tuning all my ways,
So my light will brighter shine
And bring You glory all my days.

I want to be an open vessel,
Always useful in Your sight.
What a joy to live for You.....
Serving You is my delight!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 KJV


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Early Lessons

A little boy went off to school
To learn about the Golden Rule.
The book he read was "Pilgrim's Progress".
Bible truths he could express.

The Ten Commandments then were taught
And students learned them as they ought.
Godly standards were the measure.
And classrooms then were full of "treasure".

The freedoms which those children had
Have been denied the current grad...
The culture that we have today
Has made bad choice and lost it's way.

America, you've come too far
Away from who you really are.
Godly men who fled oppression
Founded you through intercession.

Faith in God will heal our nation
And restore our firm foundation.
If in God we trust and wait,
Prayer and faith will keep us great.

"Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He Who shall tread down our enemies."
Psalm 60:12 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Man Of Worth

I met a fine man
Who was full of real gold.
He was not rich,
But his worth was untold.

For hidden within
His quiet facade
Were a beautiful heart
And the wisdom of God.

He reached out to others
By lending a hand.
He sought not a "name"
And made no demand.

In all that he did
He served with a smile.
He quietly worked
And would go the "nth" mile.

His heart was sincere
And gentle and true,
Loving and kind
And honest clear through.

Some may not notice
And fail to behold,
But his life is written
In silver and gold.

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

One Sunday Morning

A True Story

The singing was nice in the church that day,
As we readied to hear what the preacher would say.
But before he would speak we would have celebration
As a family came forth for a baby dedication.

While the preacher was praying, their child bumped the flowers,
Drenching the floor with un-needed "showers".
The water ran into a vent in the floor
With a loud dripping sound you couldn't ignore.

An elder came in with a pail and a mop
To clean up the mess so the dripping would stop.
He mopped up the water... cleaned up every drop,
Each time making noise when he squeezed out the mop.

The wife of the elder sat by me in choir,
Trying to act "reverent", as manners require.
Though harder and harder she tried not to giggle,
She was shaking so hard she made the pew wiggle.

I was biting my tongue to keep a straight face,
When just then the elder... Without any grace
Backed into the pail, and the water all went
Back onto the floor, dripping into the vent.

The elder's wife "lost it" and now the pew shook.
I stared down in my lap, afraid even to look.
I was laughing so hard, it made my sides ache,
Wondering what the next clean-up would take.

Then once again he started to mop,
As the water in the vent went, "plop, plop, plop".
He finally finished and went out with the pail.
Now the preacher could preach and order could prevail.

The preacher kept speaking through all of the fuss.
He tried to stay focused, which was a real "plus".
When the service was over, much to my dismay,
I didn't remember the message that day.

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Eyes Of A Child

How blessed is a child
Whose unclouded vision
Sees all of the world
With startling precision.

His words are so simple,
His view is still clear.
Observations he makes
Are pure and sincere.

Lord, help me to see
Through the eyes of a little one,
Whose special perspectives
Are priceless and fun.

".... Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise....."
Matthew 21:16 NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Humble Heart

Pride is selfish - and very blind.
It puts self first and is not kind.
Ego blurs the way it sees.
It will not bend or try to please.

It always thinks it's way is best.
To be around it is a test!
It's haughtiness will bring one low,
Will problems and contentions sow.

A man of humble spirit hears
And words of wisdom he reveres.
He has learned to quietly wait
And not let pride his way dictate.

He will pray and seek the Lord.
From this he will receive reward.
Much wisdom does his heart embrace.....
A humble heart brings honor and grace.

"...Be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time....."
I Peter 5:5-6 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf