Complacency

He who is complacent
Is self-focused to a fault.
He's really rather comfortable,
And his reasons will exalt.

He doesn't see the need for change.
He's pleased with self... and smug.
He's closed his eyes to truth,
Is content and feeling "snug".

His eyes are blind, his ears are deaf,
His mind is clouded o'er.
He simply likes the way he is,
And change will not explore.

Complacency will always fail.
It has no firm foundation.
But if it opes it's shackled eyes
Will find sound motivation.

"Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."
Proverbs 1:31 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hidden In His Peace

When thoughts are whirling in my head
And pressures start to build,
I pause to focus on the Lord.
And by His peace I'm "stilled".

If I'm rushed He keeps me steady
So I'm on "the cutting edge".
I do not feel ruffled,
For His peace is as a "hedge"...

Surrounding me in all I do,
Bringing calm within...
A blessed, sweet oasis
From confusion and from din.

The peace He gives is as a shield,
A hidden place of rest.
By His peace I'm comforted
And very, very blessed.

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance."
Psalm 32:7 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Healing Words

Have you ever noticed
How a soft word brings a smile...
How kindness of expression
Seeks to "go the second mile"?

Even though the words we hear
May not be very pleasant.
Kindness and a soft approach
Will show that love is present.

A smile can show acceptance
And encourage one who's down.
Gentle words can heal
And erase another's frown.

This may not be easy
If the other won't "relate",
And yet it's really worth a try...
You'll find that the rewards are great!

"A soft answer turneth away wrath....."
Proverbs 15:1 KJV

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

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Change

It may not be the best idea
To bring about a change
Of patterns which we know and have
For something new and strange.

We should look at what has worked
And move in that direction,
Eliminating what has not
And working toward correction.

We must guard our strong foundation,
Seek to make it better,
Carefully weighing what is new,
Not becoming "Change's" debtor.

Wisdom, truth and righteousness
Will always work long-range.
Adhering to these principles
Will bring the brightest change.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Running Our Race

As we jump o'er hurdles and run in our "race",
We rest in God's mercy, encouraged by grace.
He never forsakes us to run all alone
But is close by our side when our path is unknown.

How faithful His watchcare in all that we do.
His covering prevents life from going askew.
He gives us courage and strength when we're weak,
When mountains are high and valleys look bleak.

He always is there to lend us a hand,
To cheer and inspire us and help us to stand.
When we face a challenge which we must transcend
We find we can do it, 'cause He is our friend.

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Better With Age

The little man was weary
And could not walk as fast.
He now limped and worried
That his usefulness was past.

He had lived through many-a-change
And travelled many miles.
His life was rich in treasure...
He had triumphed over trials.

So his value did not hinge
On his physical well-being.
He had wisdom deep within,
And this was very freeing.

So he shared with those he met
About the joy of living,
Of reaching out to others
And learning to be giving.

Even though he now moved slow
His purpose would increase.
He could say, "I'm doing well".
Helping others brought him peace.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

"Simple" Is Better

"Simple" is better...
It often is best.
When things get complex
We sometimes can't rest.

Planning ahead
Is a good place to start.
Then things won't pile up
And we won't "fall apart".

We tend to have much...
And want even more,
And all of our "stuff"
Becomes one great big chore!

Our schedules push us
And just wear us out.
We sometimes lose track
Of what life's all about.

If we take stock
We will probably find...
"Simple" is better...
It brings peace of mind!


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Lovingkindness

God's love can plumb
The depths of a soul
To touch what is there
And make a life whole.

It's never too late
To make a life change.
Whatever is needed
Our God can arrange.

Never give up
Or "throw in the towel".
Don't let discouragement
Cause you to "foul".

When you're bent low
Or can't face tomorrow,
He'll fill you with hope
And take all your sorrow.

Lift up your eyes
To the Father above.
Receive of His goodness,
Receive of His love.

"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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God Is Our Helper

If man does you wrong
It is God's place to judge.
Let Him take your burden,
But don't hold a grudge.

Our God is able
To sort out the wrongs,
But our "feeble" efforts
The trouble prolongs.

If one does you wrong
Rely on God's grace.
Don't hamper His efforts
Or get in "His space".

Lay down your pride
And bow at His feet.
Let Him be the judge
And recompense mete.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."
Proverbs 16:7 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Service - A Gift Of Love

Service is a lovely gift...
A blessing for another.
It sees and meets a real need
For neighbor, boss or brother.

Reaching out with loving hands,
It sends a big smile from the heart.
Serving with compassion
Is a very precious art.

It seeks to put another first,
Not thinking of itself as "best".
To satisfy another's needs
Is it's focus and it's quest.

A gentle sensitivity
Flows throughout it's being,
Causing it to have perception
And to be far-seeing.

What a blessing, what a gift,
For family or friend...
To wear a servant's mantle
And acts of kindness lend.

The lowliest of tasks performed
The greatest gift may be.
Servanthood translates
Into a word, L-O-V-E.

"By love serve one another."
Galatians 5:13 KJV


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Reach Out To Jesus

If your life is in torment, your heart is bent low,
Your happiness waned, with naught left to show...
Reach out to Jesus....just whisper a prayer.
When you reach out you will find He is there.

If you have reached the depths of despair
And are so worn out that you almost don't care...
Reach out to Jesus and whisper a prayer.
Your load He will carry, your burden He'll bear.

In Him there is hope and peace which is real.
He'll reach out to help you and hear your appeal.
Reach out to Jesus and whisper a prayer.
The answers you need you will always find there.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 55:22 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Size Of God's Love

How can we measure the size of God's love?
It's depth and it's width are simply beyond
That which our thinking can e'er hope to grasp.
We simply reach up and to Him respond.

All that we have is from His own hand.
He showers us daily with mercy and grace.
In all of our ways He guides and protects us.
We simply need rest in His mighty embrace.


"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 8:38-39 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fun Playground

A Children's Poem

It would be fun
To swing on a star,
To climb up on moonbeams
And see from afar,

To run all about
On a cloud of white fluff,
Or just ride around
When the wind blows a puff,

And maybe on moonbeams
To slide and to ski.
I might find stardust
To bring home with me.

The sky is a playground
Which I want to see...
A whole new fun place...
It would fill me with glee!


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Yoke Is Easy

Sometimes the yokes that we bear are too much,
But there is no yoke which our Savior can't touch.
We need only ask Him to carry our load.
We're not meant to live in an "over-taxed" mode.

Sometimes the yokes that we carry are wrong...
When we take them on then we struggle along.
We should ask God what we're meant to bear,
For He will not give us more than our share.

What others put on us will only cause stress.
These are not burdens which we should address.
Our God will show us what truly is ours,
And by grace He will save us from that which devours.


"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


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Scrapbook Of Memories

A scrapbook of memories is fun to review.
It brings back reminders of good times we knew.
It's pages have captured events in our lives.
Our life is stored in it's paper archives.

But the scrapbook has pages which are not yet filled
Which offer excitement and new ways to "build".
The best pages wait for ideas and thought
Which have not yet come but need to be sought.

May your scrapbook be filled with beauty and worth
And burst at the seams with unending mirth,
May goodness and service fill all of your days
And your pages record events which amaze.

You'll be surprised at what Jesus can do...
So much more than you thought could come true.
In Him you will have excitement and fun,
And your scrapbook will say, "Just look what He's done!"

"Being confident of this very thing, 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

A Good Report

When someone has a good report
Or brings a word of cheer,
It brightens up the atmosphere
For all who may be near.

Sometimes it isn't easy,
But it really can be done.
To look upon the bright side
Will bring smiles and joy and fun.

So even though you may be down
Choose good words to speak.
Soon you will feel better
And your day won't seem so bleak.

Then those around you will be cheered.
Your joy may be contagious.
And you may help someone who's down
To smile and be courageous.

"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat."
Proverbs 15:30 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Anger

Don't let anger enter in.
It's fiery darts just cause chagrin!
Don't ope the door and give it place.
It doesn't need to take up space!

"Keeping cool" will douse it's flame
And animosity will tame.
It wastes much time and energy,
And robs your joy in great degree.

Anger is an ugly snare.
Avoid it's trigger points! Beware!
There is so much to be gained
When "cool" and "calm" can be maintained.

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
James 1:19 KJV

"A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."
Proverbs 15:1 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Weathering The Storms

We always are hoping for God's very best
And don't like to think that we may have a "test".
There surely will be times when we just get weary,
And that which we face may not seem all that cheery.

We sometimes can't conquer life's trials on our own,
But we have God's promise we'll not be alone.
He will not forsake us in trials we face
But will pour out His mercy, His love and His grace.

He gives us perspective and helps us to see
That our own solutions have no guarantee.
As we then trust Him and seek Him in prayer,
In all of our circumstance He is right there.

He won't let us stumble or waver or fall
But will help us through trials... whether great big or small.
In Him we have joy... no matter the trial.
He carries our burdens and helps us to smile.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Snowflakes

Snowflakes gently falling, drifting,
Wrapping all my world in white,
Covering the winter grey,
Making all look clean and bright...

It almost seems that "peace" is falling.
Oh, so quietly it comes,
Making all serene and pure
As the tired earth succumbs.

The beauty of new-fallen snow,
Clothing branch and twig and bough,
Paints a very pretty picture
As it covers nature's brow.

Snowflakes gently falling, drifting,
Wrapping all in fluffy white,
Seem to overcome the "drab"
And for a "season" make things bright.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Voice Of Thunder

When I saw lightning with fierce thunder
I was filled with awe and wonder.
Our God sometimes speaks with force
To help His people stay on course.

Lightning bolted through the sky
Creating bursts of light on high.
The thunder booming overhead
Made me wonder what God said.

Such display of might and power
Made me know He could devour
All to Him which does not please.
This thunder seemed to make "decrees"!

Perhaps it was a "wake-up" call
To remind us, big and small,
That God still rules and He is greater,
Our omnipotent Creator!

"Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth! Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth."
Job 37:2-3 Amplified Bible

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Worldly Goods

Material things are "not for sure".
They may not last more than a day.
Should all we have and all we've known
Be removed or blown away...

We would have a clearer view
Of what has worth and what does not.
For we would start to realize
That peace and joy cannot be bought.

And so our focus should not be
On "getting all we can" in life.
Peace and joy are born within
And can't be jarred by loss or strife.

God will give us inner strength
Through times of challenge or dismay.
In Him we find our true perspective
And true "treasure" for each day.

"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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Special Angels

Surely we meet angels
As we go about our day,
For every time I need one
I hear an "angel" say...

"Let me help you, dear," or
"I think you need a smile,
Or maybe need a hug and
Just to rest a little while."

Angels unawares bring us peace
And lift us up.
They bring re-assurance
And with joy they fill our cup.

They are those God uses
Who are willing to reach out
In service and in caring.
It's what love is all about.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers.....

Who break down walls by their gentle speech.
Who break through defenses by reaching out in love.
Who will not take up an offense and then repeat it to another.
Who will speak blessing to the unlovely.
Who are patient when others are angry or pushy.
Who will forgive the transgressions of others.
Who will pray for those who offend them.
Who will take time to speak positive encouragement into a negative situation
or a broken life.

"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
James 3:18 KJV

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Romans 12:18 KJV

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
Colossians 3:15 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Loose Ends

When knitting or crocheting
One must fasten all loose threads
Or soon the stitches ravel
And the knitting falls in shreds.

If the knitter pays this heed
Her work will be "secure".
Her diligence to this detail
Fine knitting will assure.

Now things may just not work like this
As through each day we travel.
Even though we've planned a lot
Things may still unravel.

And that which we've relied upon
May suddenly have "holes"
Which need some quick attention.
We may even need new goals.

We may have to start anew
If our plans are getting "frayed".
Anything we have not faced
We no longer can evade.

God will help us with loose ends
And will help us find our way.
He will knit our lives together
And help us day-by-day.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Bright New Year

Wishing you a bright new year,
Full of blessing, full of cheer,
Brimming over in all it's ways
With laughter to delight your days.

May Jesus be your precious wellspring,
Causing melody on your heartstring,
Filling you with rich new treasure,
Adding happiness in full measure.

May your footsteps happy be,
Your heart be light and fancy-free.
May your spirit find new wings
To rise and soar in all God brings.


© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Family Of God

The family of God is precious indeed,
Full of much love and full of "good seed".
Fellowship times are joyous and warm.
Often the love there will heal and transform.

We are not meant to "stand all alone",
And we treasure the friendship of those we have known.
We can stand strong... in hope we abound
As this "family" we love gathers around.

Brother and sister, "standing" together,
Encourage each other and life's storms will weather.
Knitted and bonded in love for our Lord,
We give God the glory in joyous accord.

"... Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:18-20 KJV


© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

So Great His Mercy

If by sin you are bent low
And your heart is sore within,
Bring your burden to the cross.
Ask forgiveness for your sin.

Sin will weigh and drag you down,
Will surely rob your joy and peace.
But Jesus calls, "I love you, Child.
I can make your pain to cease."

"Let Me heal and make you whole
And free you from your stress and sorrow.
I'll wash your life as white as snow
So you can face tomorrow."

When sin's dark weight is washed away,
Never again can it be found.
Jesus gave His life for this.
His love and mercy are profound.

"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalm 103:10-12 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Balance

Though men may debate, God's wisdom will stand,
Even though they quibble throughout the land,
Promoting ideas with man-made intent
About which they endlessly fume and lament.

Then TV and radio replay all this "news"
So we may "learn" and maybe will choose
Which side to be on... should there be a vote.
First we should pray and of wisdom take note.

God's view is clear and will give good perspective.
He'll guide us and help us to be quite selective.
If we trust Him He'll show us when there may be error.
From Him we should learn and of man's views beware.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
James 1:5 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Repair Shop

When something is broken which we can't repair
We find a repair shop and take that need there.
If something is worn and it just will not start,
We go to the store to buy a new part.

But what do we do when something is lost
And we cannot meet the size of the cost?
Sometimes the problem just isn't resolved
And it seems the dilemma cannot be solved..

If this were a clock or a mower or car,
We might just say, "This has gone too far!"
But if it's your heart which is broken or weary
Repair shops can't help with this kind of a query.

Friendships and hearts need the Master's kind touch
To bring back the "health" which is needed so much.
He is able to heal and is good at repair!
Whenever we need Him He always is there.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end."
Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Year's Prayer

Let peace and good will within us be birthed.
Let all of our days have merit and worth.
In all of our actions let time be redeemed
And through us God's kingdom be highly esteemed.

Let us bring love where discord has been
To help restore joy and peace once again.
Let us bring healing to one who is down
Or offer a smile to counter a frown.

In some little act of kindness each day
Let us be envoys God's love to convey.
Let us be ready to walk in God's grace
And His precious leading to always embrace.

"...On earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:14 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf