Good vs. Evil

Evil teases with it's guile
And hides behind a "friendly" smile.
Beware of evil's slippery plan!
All it's innuendos ban!

Good brings joy and peace and health
And holds within uncommon wealth.
Goodness is a graceful shield
And promises a fruitful yield.

Goodness counters evil's blight,
O'ercoming darkness with it's light.
Goodness smiles and does it's best
And wins it's battles with finesse.

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:21 KJV

© 2008 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

Never Wanting

Jesus always cheers me on
And helps me run my daily race.
He is there to give me balance
For each challenge I may face.

I am confident in Him
In times of weariness or stress,
It is He Who buoys me up
And keeps me strong against duress.

What a joy to walk with Him
And daily hear His precious voice.
Knowing He is there with me
Is constant reason to rejoice!

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want..."
Psalm 23:1 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Footsteps Toward Eternity

Footsteps toward eternity...
We're given just so many.
We should make them count for good,
Not sacrificing any.

Our talents, time and giftedness
Can make the world much better.
As we use them for our God
We will not be life's debtor.

Giving, sharing, loving, caring
All contribute to His cause.
Doing all in Jesus' Name
Will foster heavenly applause.

As we walk our daily paths
We can bring a Heavenly touch
To many who don't know our God,
And then our lives will count for much.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..."
Isaiah 52:7 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wind Chimes

My wind chimes have a gentle sound
As breezes cause them to resound.
As I hear their pretty "ring"
Something in me starts to sing.

Without the breeze chimes don't "say much".
The "music" happens as they touch.
God's Spirit moves through wind and chimes,
Bringing gentle, thoughtful times.

The soothing music which I hear
Brings Jesus' presence very near.
I sense His Spirit in the breeze
Ministering beauty, peace and ease.

... A time of meditation sweet
With the Savior to retreat.
... A time to listen for His voice
And in my spirit to rejoice.

"When He uttereth his voice... he bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures."
Jeremiah 51:16 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Laughing With Us

God must need a sense of humor
As He watches us each day,
Tripping, fumbling, getting stuck
As we try to find our way.

Aren't you glad He "picks us up"
And "dusts us off" and smiles
And says, "Okay, let's try again"
When we are having trials?

Aren't you glad He's full of love
And "pats us on the back"?
Even though we may have failed,
His grace is never slack.

When our "feeble" efforts
Are just comic in some way,
Surely He laughs with us,
And He helps us day-to-day.

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..."
I John 3:1 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Happy Home

A home is built by love and prayer
And lots of tender loving care.
Warmth and laughter are it's measure.
Praise and worship are it's treasure.

Gentle speech and kind expression,
Much forgiveness and confession,
Bring about a special peace
And cause anxieties to cease.

Humbly serving one another,
Sister, Mom, Dad or Brother,
Causes family to bond...
A touch of heav'n and far beyond.

"Every wise woman buildeth her house..."
Proverbs 14:1 KJV

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Walking Softly

May my moccasins tread lightly
In the ways You have me walk.
May my manner e'er be gentle
In expression as I talk.

May my spirit be serene,
Undisturbed in any way.
May my life be a reflection
Of Your beauty every day.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..."
Galatians 5:22 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Storage Rooms

As we keep things in our hearts
And store things in our minds,
We soon have many storage "rooms",
With facts of many kinds.

To keep these rooms in order
It is wise to add God's Word,
For this will keep us balanced
And our strength will undergird.

Perhaps some rooms are closed,
And we haven't oped the door
Because we are not ready
To address what's there in "store".

But God will search our hearts
And discover deep within
Our hidden pain and sorrow
And our deep regret of sin.

When God's Word is welcome
It will balance what is weak.
To every issue we may face
His Word, in love, will speak.

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
Proverbs 30:5 KJV

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Shcwartzkopf

A Greater Calling

Lord, show us that which we should do
That we might spend our time for You,
Working to fulfill Your call,
Completing tasks both great and small.

No greater calling can there be,
No greater triumph will we see,
Than when we simply make the choice
To follow You and hear Your voice.

In Your plan we'll stretch and grow
And gather wisdom You bestow,
Becoming more than we could be
...Beyond our own ability.

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
Psalm 90:17 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Your Yoke Is Easy

Everywhere I look are needs
But I need to stay within
The guidelines which You have for me
Lest my energies wear thin.

I must only choose to "carry"
What You give me in each day.
Then I won't get "scattered"
And my focus go astray.

I can get the right things done
When I keep my eyes on You.
Your yoke is easy, this I know.
How much these words have proven true.

"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

Mirror Image

In the mirrors of my life
What reflection will folks see?
In my actions every day
What then will the message be?

Deep within I can't "perform"
Nor "drum up" images to show.
Any image I might have
Will happen as in Christ I grow.

When Christ is inside He'll shine through
And cause reflections in my mirror
Which then cause the folks who look
To see His beauty become clearer.

The mirrors are dull without the Lord,
Clouded o'er without much light.
But when Jesus lives within
Then the mirrors are clear and bright.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Higher Road

In all our daily "walk and talk"
There is a higher road,
Beckoning that we should come
And take up new abode.

For when we seek to rise above
Our present daily norm,
We will find a higher plane
To which we may conform.

In Christ we may rise higher
And never will be bound.
As we choose the higher road
His blessings are profound.

Travelling this road with Him
Our way may be unknown,
But we may rest in perfect peace.
In Him, we're ne'er alone.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places."
Psalm 18:32-33 KJV

© 2008 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

Lullaby

Angel wings, hovering...
Angel wings, covering,
Bringing peace and rest and sleep.
May their watchcare safely keep...

Singing gentle lullabies,
Of flowers and pretty butterflies.
Slumber on, O little child.
May your dreams be soft and mild.

Till you wake up to the dawn
And greet the new day with a yawn,
May your rest be heaven-sent
As angel wings provide your tent.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

America, Stand Tall!

America, we must stand tall
And seek to answer wisdom's call!
Lest moral fiber have decay,
Let not good values slip away!

If Godly values should be lost
We would sorely pay high cost.
We were birthed with firm foundation.
God has prospered this great nation.

Listen keenly to His voice,
And through prayer make good choice.
He will guard and guide us still
If we will seek to do His will.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Glad Tidings

... Myriad faces seeking love,
With tear-stained cheeks and weary eyes,
Needing hope and needing promise...
Oh! that they could realize...

That Jesus gave His life for all
And knocks upon their very door,
Offering answers they will need.
He longs to share His love... and more.

But who will tell them, who will go?
How will they hear, and who will care?
They sometimes live right in our midst,
So Jesus might send us to share...

A loving touch or maybe prayer,
A helping hand... or tender care.
We might be whom He would send,
If we're open and aware.

"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
Romans 10:15 KJV

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words Which Heal

"I will listen..."
"May I help you..."
"I have time..."

I will listen when you're hurting,
Maybe lonely, scared or weary.
I will listen to your heart
And try to speak a word that's cheery.

May I help you in some way,
To lift your load or reach your goal?
May I help you find some rest
...Or refreshing for your soul?

I have time and will not rush.
I'll take a moment just for you.
For you are more important
Than whatever else I have to do.

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"
Proverbs 15:23 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Wealth

Wisdom stored within the heart
Is wealth which can't be robbed away.
E'en when banks and systems fail,
God's wisdom "stays" us day-by-day.

Precious wisdom stored within
Becomes a bulwark and a hedge,
A reservoir from which to draw
Whene'er we "teeter near the edge".

As we seek to honor God
And to His Word stay very near,
He will lead and guide us through.
Our prayers and outcries He will hear.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Pet

Said the dog to himself...
I don't like this cat!
She gets in my way
Wherever I'm at!

She's nosy and curious
And sure isn't shy.
She "gets in my face"!
I sure don't know why...

My owners weren't happy
With just having me.
The reason they got her
I can't seem to see!

I do not like being
With someone like her!
I can bark loud,
She only can purr!

She wants to be "friends"...
This sure is a trial.
I guess I'll get used to her
... After awhile.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Always With Us

As we move through life we have "frameworks" around us
Of families and friends who lend us support..
But sometimes we find ourselves standing alone.
It is then we reach up and the Lord's help we court.

But all of the time He was standing quite near,
Ready to reach out and give us His hand.
When leaning on others we sometimes forget
It is Jesus Who steadies and helps us to stand.

He is our source and help for each day.
When we're not strong He always is able.
No matter the depth of the storms we go through,
We're never alone but in Him will be stable.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Best Course

We need You, Lord, to search us each day,
To guide and direct us lest we go astray.
Search deep within us and root out all flaw.
Help us make change and from error withdraw.

By Your guiding hand we find our best course,
Avoiding the pain of sin and remorse.
Show us Your truths and help us to weigh
Each step that we take... every hour, every day.

"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:4-5 KJV

© 2008 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

Time To Be Still

Finding time to be still
Is increasingly hard,
As people "come at us"
Without much regard.

If we aren't careful
We soon can feel "drained".
And then life becomes
Somewhat weary and strained.

We need time with God,
In stillness and thought,
To wash away tensions
Which pressures have wrought.

For in times of stillness
We start to see clearer.
Our vision is opened
As though in a mirror.

And quietly we are
Refreshed and renewed.
And stillness becomes
A blessed interlude.

"Be still, and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Grace For Our Nation

The heart of the nation is aching and sore,
And many folks tremble at what is in store.
But healing will come if we'll seek the Lord's face.
We're truly in need of His mercy and grace.

Let us bow down in reverence and prayer.
Let us cry out and all our sins bare.
Our destiny lies in the palm of God's hand.
It is He Who will strengthen and help us to stand.

We need His direction to cure what is ill
And need much correction the turmoil to still.
Man cannot solve this by instinct or pride
But sorely needs God to turn this ill tide.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

No More Tears

God will wipe away your tears.
He is there... your prayers He hears.
He knows the aching of your heart.
He can make the pain depart.

He'll hold your heart and help you heal.
His loving care is very real,
And though your faith might feel quite small,
He will help you stand up tall.

He'll work within to make you strong
And fill you with a happy song.
He is able to make new.
He is faithful... He is true.

"Thou hast 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

Helping One Another

Communities and neighbors
Standing strong in times of need,
Helping one another,
Bring recovery with speed.

We're not meant to stand alone
When we are under stress.
Many hands can make light work
And quickly ease duress.

Encouraging and reaching out
Helps folks to start to cope.
When they're hurting and in need
Others can bring love and hope.

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them..."
Matthew 7:12 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Lord's Path

Sometimes the Lord will plan footsteps for us
Which lead us through the unknown,
But better a pathway in darkness with Him
Than a pathway in light all alone.

Vulnerable we, when we strike out alone,
Foolish and open to error.
When we lose direction, where do we turn?
Who then will save us from terror?

We should not embark on a path led by chance,
Assuming that we'll be okay.
For we cannot see around the next bend,
And that which we had slips away.

So it is best to walk the Lord's path.
He'll guard us and show us the way.
We then are safe in His covering and care
As we trust in him day-to-day.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn's Gentle Reminder

In the autumn when the leaves begin to fall and the earth readies itself for a much-needed rest, it seems nature is issuing a "call".....

Autumn brings to a close all of the "fullness" of the year. For the year has spilled out it's goodness in the quiet reflections of winter, in the loveliness of spring, the beauty of summer days, and in the glorious blaze and harvest of colors in autumn.

It calls us to a time of rejoicing for the multiplied bountifulness of the year..... to give thanks to an incredibly giving Father..... to affirm our foundations in Him anew..... to be in Him and to honor Him in all facets of our existence. Autumn is our reminder to be grateful in all things and always to bring thanksgiving to our loving God.

It is a time of great rejoicing. We serve an awesome and wonderful God!


"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms, for the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Psalm 95:2-3 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Glorify His Name

God has given each a voice
With which to worship and rejoice.
Let us glorify His name
And His majesty proclaim.

Let us lift up song and praise
And grateful adoration raise.
Let us praise and magnify
The great I AM Who reigns on high!

"Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord."
Psalm 150:2, 6 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Covered And Safe

In the storm and in the night
When we are fearful and uptight,
Our God will keep us stable.
He is able. He is able.

When circumstance is pressing
And we pray instead of guessing,
Our God will give us peace
And cause all our fears to cease.

We do not stand alone,
For He watches o'er His own.
His eye is on His sheep,
To always cover and to "keep".

"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."
Psalm 121:2-3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf