Another's Shoes

We do not know the sufferings of others
Unless we have walked where they walk.
We cannot know how much they are hurting,
Except when they sometimes will talk.

Help us, O Lord, to not criticize
Those things which we don't understand
When we simply don't know the weight of their load
And what in their life makes demand.

May we learn compassion and never "look down",
May we curb our critical talk.
But for the grace of our loving God
We too might walk where they walk.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
I Peter 3:8-9 KJV


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friendship's Warmth

Fellowship and conversation
Bring us smiles and warm the heart.
What a blessing to have friends
Of whose lives we can be part.

As we share our special thoughts
In sweet exchange we stretch and grow.
The joy we find in one another
Will rest in memory with warm glow.

Thank You, Lord, for all my friends,
Young and old, far and near.
Each one is a treasured gift
And each one is so very dear.

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17 KJV

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."
Proverbs 27:9 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Interruptions

Sometimes when we're going too fast
We start to lose track of detail,
Or we may not have full perspective
That something is about to fail.

In these times God sometimes will
Make interruption in our path.
He will cause a change of plan
To save us from some unknown wrath.

We may not know just what His reason
But must trust in His full care
Of all things that pertain to us.
Our God will never make an error.

He daily saves us from our foes
And oversees our every need.
His lovingkindness reaches out
To help us know how to proceed.

"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand."
Psalm 121:2-5 KJV

© 2007 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

Mommy And Daddy

A Children's Poem

I have lots of toys,
And they tell me I'm blessed,
But hugging my Mommy
And Daddy is best!

We can ride bikes
Or just go somewhere,
But I love it the most
When they show that they care.

They help me with things
I don't know how to do.
(When I was little
We played "peekaboo").

When I am sad
They make me feel glad.
My favorite people
Are my Mom and Dad.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Facing A Mountain

Are you facing a "mountain"
Much bigger than you?
Are you bogged down in work
And not sure you'll get through?

God can move "mountains",
E'en though they be large.
Whisper a prayer...
Let Him be in charge.

He'll be your strength
In your time of great need.
He will sustain you
And help you succeed.

He'll make you equal
To what stands before you.
When you lean on Him
He will help you break through.

"For verily I say unto you, 'If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.'"
Matthew 17:20 KJV

© 2007 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

Blessing Others

When we look upon another
We do not know their sorrow.
Within they may be wondering
How to face tomorrow.

And then again when we see smiles
Happiness may not abide.
The smile may be a cover-up
For fear and aching deep inside.

The heavy burdens people have
May cause them not to act just right.
It's best to show some patience,
Not to judge them or to be uptight.

To "judge" a person hastily
Is a sign of pride and error.
It really would be better
If we bless them with a prayer.

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them....."
Matthew 7:29 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Promise Of Heaven

Jesus washed me and cleansed me
And made me whole.
In His salvation
Was rest for my soul.

My sins which were scarlet
Were made white as snow.
The sin debts I had
I no longer owe.

He lifted the burdens
I carried each day.
When I laid them down
He took them away.

How grateful I am
That He gave me new life.
I have promise of Heaven
And won't face hell's strife!

I am blessed every moment
By His love and grace
And look forward to Heaven
When I finish my race.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
John 10:27-28 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Victory's Song

Victory's sweet song is simple to sing,
But from battles hard fought will maturity spring.
For without coming through some struggles or fire
We are not molded as God would desire.

He sometimes allows us to walk through the flame
So we will grow and not be the same.
As we trust in Him and His leading obey,
He then will guide us each step of the way.

There is no victory if there is no test.
Victory comes when we are hard-pressed.
Each challenge we meet will bring us up higher.
It is then we can sing in victory's choir!

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
I Peter 4:12-13 NKJ

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Many Voices

There are many voices in the land
But only one that matters.
When we heed the voice of God
All "darkness" flees and scatters.

Who can stand before our God
And think that he is right?
Oh, how sad the state of man,
How pitiful his plight.

He with insight will entreat
The favor of Almighty God
And ever seek His wisdom
For each step his foot must trod.

Society has changed it's "views"
But truth and justice still will stand.
God is great in power and might...
We need the blessing of His hand.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Proverbs 9:10 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Compassion

Compassion for the "hurting"
Is a light within the heart...
A generous gift of mercy,
Love and kindness to impart.

Reaching out to one who's lost
Or lifting one who's just worn out,
Encouraging a fearful soul
Is what this "gift" is all about.

Compassion has a message
Which speaks "There is hope for me"
To one who may be failing
And wants to be set free.

Compassion speaks of Jesus' love
And pierces through the dark of "night",
As a lighthouse on the shore,
Sending out it's healing light.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
I Peter 3:8-9 KJV

© 2007 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

Little Hummingbird

Precious little hummingbird,
Flitting quickly through the air,
I see you in amongst my flowers,
Seeking nectar, hovering there.

I love to watch you come and go.
Do you know you bring delight?
You're just so tiny and so cute...
You always make my day seem bright!


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heart Pillows

Sometimes the heart needs a place of softness... a place of comfort upon which to rest and be safely held... where there is warmth and healing, deep satisfying rest from weariness... a place where the heart can shed it's pain and find new hope... and can be renewed in it's joy and happiness.

For the heart is tender and needs to be nurtured in gentleness. As it finds comfort, then laughter will return... and zest for living... and the capacity to love without fear.

The gentle hands of Jesus hold many pillows for the heart... and He is able to restore. He knows the heart's sorrows and will cause it's many scars to fade away.....

Rest in Him.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me..... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness....."
Isaiah 61:1,3 KJV

"Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness."
Psalm 30:11 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Love

I stood at the window looking down at the beach. And all was still except for the lapping of the waves. It was early in the morning, and the sand was smooth from the washing of the waves through the night.

As I watched, a family with children came walking down the beach. The children had sticks in their hands and were writing in the sand and digging holes.

After the family passed by, the sand looked "messy". There were holes and debris everywhere. The serenity I had seen was no longer there.

Then a big wave came in and washed over the whole scene. As the water receded, once again the sand appeared smooth and untouched... as though nothing had happened. The stillness and beauty were there again.

And God spoke... "My love is like that..."

It continually washes and restores ...
Even as the waves washing on the beach...

"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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39 NKJ

© 2003 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Transitions

Transition and change can be quite unnerving
When we want to be steady, at peace and unswerving.
We know where we've been, just not where we're going.
As creatures of habit we long to have "knowing".

As we trust in God He'll help us make change,
And all of our "loose ends" He will arrange.
He is our "bridge" in whatever we face.
He will be our "footing" when in a new place.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Gentle Breeze

God brings "soothing" in a breeze,
Gently swaying grass and trees...
His peace and calm in sweet bouquet.
All tension seems to float away.

He gives softness for the soul
To bring refreshing or console.
His Spirit hovers in the breeze
And seems to bring sweet joy and ease.

So when I feel a gentle breeze
Or see it swaying grass and trees,
I'll linger there a little while...
Just to praise Him... and to smile.

"...He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow."
Psalm 147:18 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Music Of The Heart

The music of the heart
Is best formed when tuned to You,
For it will have a gentleness
As soft as morning dew.

It's melody is lovely
As it gently ebbs and flows
In strains which only You could give
And no man could compose...

Heavenly songs with harmonies
Beyond what ears have heard
Which flow in sweet abundance,
And the heart is deeply stirred.

All of life holds loveliness
When the heart contains
These wondrous chords and harmonies,
These blessed, heavenly strains.

"Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."
Psdalm 42:8 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Prayer For Our Nation

A tired people, worn and weary,
Praying, standing.... in travail.
Hear our prayer and heal our nation.
Let truth be known and light prevail.

Protect our country, we beseech Thee,
Help us stand and not make error.
As darkness threatens to destroy us,
Strengthen us and hear our prayer.

Guide our leaders, keep them strong.
Let them seek to know Your way,
May they always use Your wisdom
Every hour throughout the day.

Quench the fires of hate and turmoil
Stirred within by evil men.
Help us, Lord, to work together,
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

"Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."
I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJ

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Wise Answer

A wise man will ponder
And study to know
Just what is the truth,
So he will be slow...

To speak or make comment
On that which he sees.
He never will hurry
Or just try to please.

For he understands that
Haste can cause error,
So he carefully weighs things
And seeks God in prayer.

When he gives his answer
You'll know he is right.
Because he has prayed
His words will bring light.

"Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding....."
Proverbs 14:33 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Many Paths

The paths of life lie waiting.
They beckon and they call.
Opportunities are many.
Some are big, but some seem small.

The pathways seem to look alike
At first... they do not vary,
But down the road, around the bend,
They may be just plain scary.

The choices are in front of us...
We don't know which is best.
But only as we're in God's will
We'll find the path that's blessed.

It may not be an easy path,
But He knows what we need.
We will find the choicest one
When we humbly follow His lead.

"He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
Psalm 18:33 KJV

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Memories

It's good sometimes to reminisce,
Lest we forget just where we're from.
The "good old days" were lots of fun
And helped to shape who we've become!

We didn't have electric lights
And used a woodstove to keep warm.
We hauled water from a well
(And outdoor plumbing was the norm).

My roller skates clamped on my shoes,
My scooter was wheels on a two-by-four.
Radio shows brought much delight...
And five-cent cones at the grocery store.

SOFT ice cream from Dairy Queen
Was new and really tasted sweet.
Comic books cost just a dime,
And drug store sodas were a treat!

All these things bring many smiles
And help to make me realize
That joy was found in simple things.
These are memories I will prize.


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

LogJams

Logjams may start very small
With just a little twig or stick,
But if there starts to be a pile-up
Then we must do something quick.

Logjams happen in our lives,
Demanding that we take some action,
For we could soon be overcome
With problems and distraction...

Preventing us from moving forward,
Causing issues to be blurred.
We can't ignore those "twigs and sticks"
Which sometimes seem to have occurred.

"Floods" may come and overflow
Our lives with unexpected speed.
Keeping channels free of pile-ups
Will cause the waters to recede.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Jealousy's Spark

Jealousy "wants" and demands and controls.
It "batters" and hurts many innocent souls.
It smolders within as a hot-burning flame.
"Getting it's way" is it's primary aim.

What havoc it wreaks with it's "power" and it's greed.
When it is harbored, ill health it will breed.
Jealousy's spark is a miserable snare,
But it can be conquered by love and through prayer.

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 3:16-17 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartakopf

The Waters Of The Spirit

I want to live in the "stream" of the Spirit.

I want to get out where the "current" is, so that I might feel the Spirit's movement.

Where the current is flowing there is fresh water (fresh rhema)..

The current washes away any "debris" that would collect in my life. It cleanses and purifies, and keeps me from having "logjams".

Wherever the waters flow... that is where I want to go. For if I "keep my feet wet" in the waters of the Spirit, then I will always be in touch with God.

And there I will find new life and refreshing and health.


"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God , for the living God..."
Psalm 42:1-2 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hope For The Hurting

JOYOUS HOPE

Can the laughter come again...
After sorrow and dismay?
Will it come another day
And wash these many tears away?

Will merriment and joy
Overtake this pain and loss?
Is there anything to lift
A heavy burden or a cross?

Never, ever give up hope!
Yes! Laughter will return!
Our God will lift you up and bring
The joy for which you yearn.

The events which we go through
Are written in the heart.
But God is able to replace
The hurt with a new start

He will wrap His love around you
And His peace will be your "stay".
Yes! Again you'll find that
You have laughter in your day!

"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Psalm 34:18 KJV

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

© 2007 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

Just One Of Those Days

There just are those days
When you cannot keep up.
And try as you will
You're like a "whipped pup".

The day seems to be
Always two steps ahead
Of where you should be,
And you just scratch your head...

Saying, "How did this happen?
I'm so far behind!
What can I do
To get out of this bind?"

Take a deep breath
And say a small prayer.
God is your help
And He really does care.

Some things are urgent,
Some things are not.
He'll even take care of
The things you forgot!

So if you are having
Just "one of those days",
Cheer up and be happy
And give God the praise!

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

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thoughts On Love

Love is a strong foundation.
Love is as oil when the gears of living seem to be sticking.

Love repairs... when something is broken.
Love breaks through barriers.

Love reaches out... is not lethargic or self-absorbed.
Love is sensitive... has it's eyes open in awareness.

Love carefully measures it's actions and words.
Love encourages, but never controls.

Love bypasses anger and circumstance.
Love sees beyond fear.

Love is not in a hurry... it rests.
Love doesn't give up.

"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it..."
Song of Solomon 8:7 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf