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

Great Peace Have They

The place of "resting" is so sweet...
When all is peace within my soul.
Then nervousness and stress and fear
Just cannot take their fearsome toll.

How precious is this place of rest,
Where blessed assurance from above
Guards and covers all I do...
God's wondrous gift of grace and love.

I need not worry, strive or fret
But lean in trust on Jesus' arm,
For He will fill me with His peace
And shield my life from all alarm.

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

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Time

Joe was a wise man, for he had a plan.
He got up early and with prayer began.
He asked the Lord to guide him each day
In how to use time, lest it all slip away.

Then he worked hard and he got much done
And he always finished what he had begun
His life was good, and he moved ahead.
He had enough clothes and shelter and bread.

Then there was Jim, who didn't like work.
He "loafed" a lot, and work he would shirk.
He liked TV and went very slow
Which just wasn't good, for it brought him woe.

He had no money, his house was a mess.
Because he was lazy, he also had stress.
He made up excuse and he wasted his time.
Then he was not happy and had not a dime.

Time is a gift, and we all have the same.
If we waste it, we only have ourselves to blame.
Opportunity knocks on our door every day.
If we choose to use it..... it won't slip away.

"The slothful man does not roast what he took in hunting,
but diligence is man's precious possession."
Proverbs 12:27 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thank You, Mr. Soldier

Thank you, Mr. Soldier,
Whether past or present tense,
For guarding our great country,
For standing in defense.

Thank you, Sir, for bravely serving
In our freedom's cause.
We thank our God each day for you
And give you much applause!!!

In times of danger and of peril
With courage you stood strong.
We owe enormous debt to you
And will remember long.....

How you have given of your life
So we may safely dwell.
We salute each one of you.
You've served our country well!


© 2006 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

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

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

A Weed-Free Life

It sure isn't good to let weeds have their way.
You can't see their roots to know where they'll go.
They take up good space and crowd out good plants.
Then soon they will blossom and more seeds will sow.

We may pull them out and think they are gone,
But where are the roots which have spread out and grown?
They remain covered and may bring surprise
When they sprout up again in places unknown.

"Weeds" in our lives should be unwelcome guests,
For they will grow strong and "deplete" our soil.
The roots which are hidden are really a nuisance.
If they're not removed, our lives they will spoil.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Interesting Road

The Lord takes us over some interesting roads
And leads us to carry some "colorful" loads.
We may not know what He has in mind
Or what precious treasure He'll cause us to find.

He leads through valleys and up some steep hills.
Some paths are challenges, in others are thrills.
He teaches us balance and shapes us with care
And shows us His ways as we seek Him in prayer.

Sometimes we wonder why He "takes so long",
But often the "waiting" is what makes us strong.
As we trust in Him our faith is increased,
And then through our lives His power is released.

God makes each life to be quite unique.
When we follow Him, He then will speak
And use us to further His Kingdom on earth.
There is no calling which has greater worth.

"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths."
Psalm 25:4 KJV

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Angel's 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

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

The Living Word

As I was sitting and thinking abut the Word of God and how it works in our lives, my furnace came on. Suddenly I could feel the warm air coming from the floor vent and filling the room as the furnace fan was circulating the heat through my house. Now normally I would pay no attention to this, but God called it to my attention because He wanted to show me something.....

We function best when the Word of God circulates FREELY in our lives and in our thought patterns. As I began to ponder this I had to ask myself, "How many hindrances (or closed doors) are there in my life or in my thoughts which can PREVENT circulation of the Word? (If you clamp off the blood supply to any part of the body, that part will not function well). This was really something to think about.

The areas which seem the most likely are:
Time constraints and busyness..... just simply getting too busy to read the Word, or reading the Word and then not taking time to meditate on it and consider how to implement it into my living patterns every day.

Cluttered thinking patterns (like a log jam). My mind is filled with many different things in any given day.

Wrong or useless thinking patterns..... these are like "closed doors" and create blockages to circulation.

Failure to stay in the Word..... causing weakened circulation, and therefore a weakened life.

The Word of God is my lifeline. If I determine to make it operative in my life, it will identify every blockage and hindrance I have. It will locate hidden spots and "root out" difficult areas. His Word is alive and wonderful, and will continually bring new life.

And so I am choosing to just take times during my day to repeat Scriptures which I have memorized over time, and to deliberately just sit and meditate for a moment or two. I want the Word to cleanse and refresh my thinking..... to continually circulate within me. The more I do this, the more I feel the presence of the Lord around me. What blessed communion.....

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In The Shadow Of The Cross

When your feet are tired and weary
And each step is full of pain,
And all the efforts that you've made
Just seem to be in vain...

Bring your burdens to the cross
And simply leave them there.
For Jesus will not give you
Any weight you cannot bear.

In the shadow of the cross
Is sweet refreshing for your soul.
The newness of the life He gives
Will heal and make you whole.

He will give you new beginning
To redeem your pain and loss.
Enter into peace and rest
In the shadow of the cross.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

This Very Day

Some memories make us shudder,
And our fears will make us "quake"...
The past and future squeeze right in
Our present joy to take.

It's good to focus on each day
And live it "to the max"!
We can't change what is behind us
Or have anxiety attacks.

God will grace each day for us
With love and joy and peace.
As we choose to live for Him
Our lives will have new "lease".

His purpose is sufficient
To fulfill our deepest dreams.
He will bring us balance
And will keep us from "extremes".

There is promise in THIS day
And "treasure" to be found.
It may be something very simple,
But with blessing will abound.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Ant And The Bee

The ant was so busy
And worked all day long
To gather his food,
Though he was not strong.

Then he saw a bee
Who was flying about
From flower to flower
Sweet nectar to scout.

Ant
"What are you doing?"
He said to the bee.

Bee
"Searching for nectar
To take home with me."

"I fly to my beehive
Where honey we make,
For people like honey
On bread and in cake!"

The ant thought it over
But didn't know why
A bee would make honey
For PEOPLE to try.

Ant
"I take my food
From crumbs people LEAVE!
That you make them honey
Is hard to believe!"

Bee
"God made me a bee,
For He had a plan
That I should make honey
As good food for man."

"So I work hard all day
From dawn until eve.
For me it is better
To give than receive."

"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Acts 20:35b NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Plan

When life is whirling all about you
And upsets come at every turn,
God will be your point of strength
And bring the peace for which you yearn.

He will guide you through the storm
And give you answers for each day.
He will fill you with His joy
And wash your tensions all away.

May He cover and direct you,
Heal your ills and lift your load.
May He carry all your burdens
And direct you down a bright, new road.

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

© 2007 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

Treasured Values

We should not discard the past
In favor of the "new".
That which stood the test of time
We should savor and review.

Let us weave our long-taught truths
Into a pattern for today.
Let us gather up this beauty,
Lest "progress" rob it all away.

Let us always reverence
The wisdom of the past,
And keep a strong foundation
In God's tenets... which will last.

"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints."
Proverbs 2:6-8 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

A HEART OF LOVE

A Heart Of Love.....
Speaks gently,
Sees clearly,
Listens, and is able to hear.

A Heart Of Love.....
Is not weak, but strong,
Does not fear, but is quietly confident,
Gives, without expecting return.

A Heart Of Love.....
Forgives.... and is free,
Shows mercy,
Is patient and forbearing.

A Heart Of Love
Is joyous,
Has peace, and
Is very full of Jesus.

"Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails."
I Corinthians 13:7-8 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Spring Flowers

My garden needs help as the flowers start to show,
But what are these weeds which vigorously grow?
I did not plant them, but somehow they're there,
Looking for space in my flower bed to share.

So I dig and I weed to pull them all out
'Cause my flowers need room to grow and to sprout.
When I've finished my work and my flower bed is done,
I just don't want weeds..... not even one!

Then the slugs and the bugs and the grubworms and ants
Try to come "lunch" on my flowers and plants!
Whenever I see hungry pests such as they,
I chase them away with my dust and my spray!

I feed and I water to make my plants grow.
If I am faithful, they'll make quite a "show".
Each little plant I carefully groom,
'Cause I love my plants..... I see God in each bloom.

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Child's Small Hand

The warmth and the trust
In a child's small hand
Are much to be honored
To help him to stand.

For he reaches up
To the parent or friend
Who offers a hand
With assurance to lend.

He will then follow
And do what he sees,
For he's eager to learn
And anxious to please.

Kind nurture and molding
Of each little child
Will cause him to blossom,
To be gentle and mild.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Psalm 127:3 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Currents

A Call To Prayer

There are "currents" in the land which are creating an "undertow". An undertow in the ocean cannot be seen, but it is dangerous because it can be life-threatening... it can pull one under the water. "Undercurrents" erode foundations and undermine strength. Though unseen, they have the power to destroy and cause collapse.

There are "cross-currents", which interrupt and distract good purpose and delay timing. Often they hinder and scatter and confuse issues... wasting time and causing purpose to sometimes disintegrate.

The power of God is an "electrical" current... with the power to light up darkness, the power to identify undertow and the power to short-circuit cross-currents. This power will be loosed throughout the land by prayer, and it will counter ANY current which is trying to gain presence or credibility, seen or unseen.

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty....."
Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Principle

The "principle of the thing"
Is an oft-repeated phrase
Which seeks to re-affirm the truth
And Godly standards raise.

Integrity and goodness are
The models of it's cause.
Conscience and a moral sense
Will pinpoint any flaws.

It displays a "steady strength",
Unwavering and pure,
The solid rock of righteousness,
A guideline which is sure.

"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."
Psalm 25:21 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Wonder Of Your Love

Oh, the wonder of Your love,
The wonder of Your grace...
That You would care for such as me,
That You would give me place...

When I could only offer You
A sin-filled, broken soul.
And yet You cared so much for me
You touched and made me whole.

You had no need for such as me
But did not pass me by.
You lifted me from pain and woe,
You heard my heart's deep cry.

You gave me hope and wiped my tears.
In You I have deep peace.
Through Your grace and wondrous love
From my sin I have release.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
II Corinthians 5:17 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Dog With Wings

We had a dog
Which you couldn't keep in.
The battle to "fence" him
You just couldn't win.

We put up a fence
Which we thought would work,
But he would get out
And our patience would irk.

He slipped through the space
Which was under the gate.
We added a board there
His fun to "deflate".

Then he dug a hole
And went under the fence.
We sank wire and bricks there,
To foil his keen sense.

When we were not looking
He still would get out.
When we thought he was home
He was "out and about".

It took a long time
Before he got caught.
His secret was NOT
What any of us thought.

We lived on a lot
Which was seventy feet wide,
With a hedge clear across,
Behind which he'd hide.

He ran the yard's width
Behind the old hedge.
He would start out
At the yard's far edge.

To get up some speed
He would run fast and hard,
Climb the fence and jump over
Into the next yard.

Our six-foot tall fence
Did not stop him at all.
He had learned how to climb
Even though he was small.

We used to think
That our dog must have wings.
But his secret was this...
In his back legs were springs!

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Humility Speaks

One wiith humility has accurate vision,
Has no built-in barriers and sees with precision.
Humility rests and will quietly speak,
Won't rush in too soon, and is gentle and meek.

It will not contend for it's own rights or way
But rejoices in peace and is birthed as we pray.
It never will injure or cause undue pain
But will tend to build bridges and healing ordain.

What blessed example of Christ's love in action...
What blessed experience and deep satisfaction...

"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

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Beacon Of Light

In someone's life you may be a beacon,
The sole ray of light which they can see,
The only thread of life and hope
To which they cling precariously.

You may be the pillar of strength
Which lends them courage to go on.
Your strength and light will buoy them up
When they are feeling lost and wan.

If some days you ponder
Whether what you do has worth,
That might be the very day
On which your life gave birth...

To help a crushed and hurting soul
Find strength in which to stand
And in a very desperate time
To not let go God's hand.

Never question anything
That God would have you do.
You may be the chosen one
Whom He is working through.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

100 Years Strong

In memory of my mother, Elsie Franzel
May 4, 1906 to February 11, 2007


One hundred years strong,
Through thick and through thin,
She marched right on
A century to win!

She did what was right
And worked very hard.
She always helped others
Without self-regard.

She raised many kids
And gave them good care.
As a mom she earned crowns
Which she proudly can wear.

She bore many burdens
And walked a long road,
But never did shirk
From carrying her load.

She bravely went forth
And conquered her woes.
No matter the battle
She always arose...

With courage and wisdom,
Perseverance and wit.
This is a lady
Who really has grit!!!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Seasons Of Testing

When things are falling down around us
We shouldn't just pick up and leave.
We will need creative thinking
A semblance of order to retrieve.

We go through seasons which are hard
And wish that things were not that way.
If we're wise we will not run
But choose to "tough it out" and stay.

For in these times we're shaped and pruned
And taught to have a new perspective.
We will find new balance
As we pray and are receptive.

Victory comes through diligence,
And growth through trial and error.
Peace and strength and joy will come
As we reach up in prayer.


"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."
John 15:1-2 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Little Man

When he started his week
He carried a small bag.
Each day it got heavier,
And he started to "drag".

It would be hard
To get through the week.
With this heavy load,
The prospect was bleak.

A Friend came beside him
And picked up his load,
Then carried it for him
As together they strode.

"Why did you do this?"
The little man pled.
"Because I have loved you,"
Is what the Friend said.

"When the weight of the load
Is too much to bear,
I'll carry it for you,
For I'm always there."

"But I do not know you
And cannot give pay,
And yet you'll come with me
As I go my way?"

The Friend looked upon him
With mercy and grace.
The man had ne'er seen
Such love in a face.

His burden was lifted
And he could go on.
The Friend simply said,
"Now do as I've done"...

His life was changed
And healed on that day.
He had met Jesus,
The Light and the Way."

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Growth

Growth happens when we aren't aware,
Through God's faithfulness and care,
When we struggle or make error
And when we seek Him with our prayer.

Growth may happen as we "wait"
And as we trust Him for our "fate".
Growth will happen when we fail
Or do not know what makes us ail.

Stumbling blocks and hurdles steep
May cause us to bow down and weep.
We may not know or understand
Events which come or make demand.

In each day we have the chance
To thank our God for circumstance.
As we praise Him He will do
A work within us which is new.

He'll give wisdom over time.
Each "hill" we face He'll help us climb.
He will help us understand
If we trust and take His hand.

If we WANT to, we will grow.
And though the progress may seem slow,
God is faithful to abide.
He'll always be there by our side.

"Being confident of this very trhing, 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