A Special Legacy

When we finish our race and enter into eternity, what legacy will we leave behind?

For some there will be the legacy of astounding accomplishments or gifted showmanship or high learning skills. But for some it may be daily service to others from a heart of love, not necessarily receiving appreciation or notice for our labors.

What measures the worth of a legacy is whether it was done heartily as to the Lord. In the sight of God the simplest act we might have done may have the greatest worth. And sometimes the imprint of a life will be greater in retrospect.

We may not even be aware of how God is using us, but as we serve Him He will cause our lives to have the greatest possible impact on those around us. Nothing will be lost.

At no time should we give up and think there is nothing more we can do. The greatest thing we do might come at the last second before we slip away. If we pray that God will help us complete all that He has for us to do, then our legacy will not be lacking in any measure.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Colossians 3:23 KJV

© 2009 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

Quiet Balance

We sometimes get so caught up in the schedules of the day
That we forget to celebrate God's goodness in our "way".
When we have too much to do and hurry to and fro
We lose quiet balance for a long day's ebb and flow.

Measuring how much our load and spacing out it's weight
Will help us to avoid having too much on our plate.
Making place throughout the day to "listen" and to pause
Allows us to have insight and to give our God applause.

We may labor very hard to get a day's work done,
But somewhere in that busy day should pray and not just "run".
Precious moments spent with Him refresh and keep us free.
Renewing quiet balance is the answer and the key.

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin."
Matthew 6:28 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Be Contagious

Have you ever noticed how, when another person is enthusiastic or excited about something, their joy rubs off on you and it is good to be around them?

I walked into church one morning and greeted a young man, asking him how he was. He answered me with, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!" (Psalm 103:2); and "Let everything that is within me bless His holy name!" (Psalm 103:1).

The Scripture was flowing out of Him as a river of living water, and it impacted me. He was greeting people with the Word! My spirit immediately came alive, and I began to rejoice. What a moment! He was on fire, and the Holy Spirit was fanning the flame.

Be contagious for Jesus! Spread His joy around. Let His joy spring up within you and splash out on others! Be as a spark which lights a fire and, as on a prairie, let your spark be fanned into a mighty sweeping fire for God.

Fan the flames of the Good News of Jesus!

© 2009 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

On Eagle's Wing

The eagle rises in the wind
And seems to glide with ease.
The power in his practiced wings
Great majesty decrees.

There is none to equal
The great skill with which he soars,
Sweeping upward through the sky
As the heavens he explores.

God has promised us as much,
That we too would have power
To mount up as with eagles' wings,
E'en in our weakest hour.

"Waiting" on our precious Lord
We find new strength each day.
We become as eagles
And we mount up as we pray.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let Freedom Ring

Freedom comes at fearsome cost
And must be guarded, never lost.
Men have suffered, bled and died
That we in safety may abide.

Evil battles for control.
Ungodly men it would enroll
To serve it's own agenda thus.
Let us pray it not touch us.

March in prayer and rise up strong!
Firmly stand against this wrong!
Let our cries be loud and clear,
That our nation God might steer...

Around these dangers, toils and snares.
May God rule in these affairs,
Lest we drink the cup of sorrow
And not have freedom for the morrow.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
I Timothy 2:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Poetry Of Life

The "poetry" of daily life is sometimes a conundrum.
Some "events" which happen... well, I wonder where they come from!
Things which ought to work together sometimes will not rhyme.
And when I need to change my "tack", I find I'm losing time.

Smoothly should my life's "lines" flow, in harmony of wit and charm,
My rhythm moving to and fro, free from problems and alarm!
But life takes tricky twists and turns and writes it's own "lines" of concern.
So I seek God for every verse. For every word He gives, I yearn.

This is how the rhythm of a missing line improves:
When God gives out the perfect verse, then the rhythm "moves",
Having lines which ebb and flow with symmetry of sound.
The Lord brings forth a cadence which is lovely and profound.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Draw Nigh Unto God

"Draw nigh unto God..." I heard this so clearly in my spirit.

In the time of trouble, draw nigh unto God. He desires to gather His people unto Himself and to encourage and comfort them in these times.

He is our shelter... our place of safety. He is our cloud by day and our fire by night. He is our confidence, in Whom we shall not be afraid.

He is working to protect His people. Do not resist the movement of His hand, but draw nigh into oneness with Him, and be at peace.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 91:1 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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Inner Healing

Much "knitting together" happens in a life over the years, and the constant knitting creates layers and layers of covering over the events of that life. What is in the underneath layers becomes hidden and covered up... so much so that we forget or no longer can even reach or define what is there. Sometimes the "layers" of our life weigh us down and we lose the ability to function as God designed. Only He, by the searchlight of the Holy Spirit, can identify what is there.

And so we must put the knitting needles down and hand the thread of yarn into the hands of God, in trust. With tender, loving care He will begin to unravel the complexity (or tangle) of layers which has accumulated over time. Some of the layers may have been knitted by those around us or by circumstance, but oftentimes we have knitted the layers by our own thinking or actions.

Because we have a merciful and loving God we should not fear this unraveling process but look forward to the fullness of life He would give us. What a blessing it is to have God uncover the knots and tangles and missed stitches and, when He is through, to wear a new garment of beauty, knitted by His hand.

"Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou has put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness..."
Psalm 30:10-11 KJV

© 2009 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

Safety In Him

(An Answer To Prayer)

Every day I pray over the cars and vehicles I and my family members drive or ride in. And God has been faithful to answer my prayers and keep us safe. This week my son was in an accident where a 19-year-old who had been drinking hit the semi-truck my son was driving. His truck had a 48-foot trailer, and the other vehicle went under the trailer, hitting the axle, and then spun off to the side.

My son starts work around 3:30 a.m., and anytime I hear the phone ring when it's still dark and see his name on my caller i.d., it's usually a call for prayer. It was 6:15 a.m., and I heard him say, "Mom, I've been in an accident. I'm okay, but please pray for the guy that hit me. We are waiting for Life Flight."

The fire department came and got the young man out of what was a twisted pile of metal and rubble, and Life Flight took him to the hospital. He is in fair condition, and we are grateful that he is alive, although to look at pictures of his vehicle you would have to wonder how he lived through the crash.

We are grateful that God covered this situation so completely. He somehow helped my son to not run over the other vehicle when it was coming at him head-on (this was on a two-lane highway with not much room to pull off), and He helped my son to stay cool in the situation. He did not get hurt and was able to go back to work the next day.

May God keep His hand on this 19-year-old young man, heal him and use him mightily.

God never lets us down in our time of need. He is faithful! He is always there, and He is awesome! May His name be praised!

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Faithful Messenger

The following story is about something that happened approximately ten years ago, but I am sharing it because the message in it is urgent for these times.

I was at church early one Sunday morning and was approached by a pleasant-looking, gray-haired couple. As the man began to speak I realized they were from a foreign country. He said that they were from Czechoslavakia and that God had given him a message to take to the churches of America. The message was this: "Is this church praying for the children of America? Are YOU praying for the children of America?"

After he spoke, they were gone. Because they left so quickly I pondered at first whether I had just met angels. Whether or not this was true, at this point I knew that this man was a messenger of God to our church.

A week or so later he appeared on a Wednesday evening just before our service. Again he said to me, "Is this church prayinig for the children of America? Are YOU praying for the children of America?" And again, he was gone. And yet a third time he returned and connected with our pastor with his message and then left.

This man had been going from church to church to church, speaking this message which God had given him. I could only praise God for his obedience to leave his homeland in his senior years and bring this message to America. This is even now more urgent than when the Lord first sent him. We must be praying for our children.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Autumn's Flair

Autumn paints with brilliant flair
To dress the land in colors bold.
She will pull out "all the stops"
And splash about her red and gold.

She'll celebrate the passing year
In festive manner with her art
And show to us her myriad hues
Before the winter has it's start.

Autumn leaves a special warmth
To cheer us on in days to come
And then she quietly withdraws
As winter starts to play it's drum.

"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"
Psalm 8:9 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Forgiving Heart

The cost of unforgiveness is an aching, ailing heart,
A malady which penetrates and pricks one as a dart.
The torment grows in size o'er time and robs deep joy and peace,
Bringing illness and despair, causing love to cease.

Jesus Christ forgives us of our actions and offense,
So we should practice to forgive, to lay down our "defense',
Praying for each other as the Lord would have us do.
He will lift our "woundedness" and heal us through and through.

Oh, what happiness we have when we lay down our "woe".
As we love, and do not hate, His healing waters flow.
Jesus prayed, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do",
Even when He knew that He would die for me and you.

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:34 KJV

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

©2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Leaning In Prayer

When making a decision it is wise in prayer to stand,
Or we could soon be living in a dry and "foreign land".
Should we make an error, all around us will feel strange.
But if we wait on God, a good path He will arrange.

God knows all our needs, and the answer which is best.
Trusting in His guiding hand will cause us to be blessed.
So patiently we wait on Him, with courage and with hope,
Leaning, growing, trusting, till a new door He will ope.

For anwers which are "no", or which may not be our choice,
We should not have question but in Him we should rejoice!
Always He will steer us clear of obstacles and error.
Our well-being rests in Him... He is our burden-bearer.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A New Pace

(A Word Of Encouragement)

God's hand is moving in ways which astound
To free up His people who long have been bound.
He is our healer, our "mender", our Source.
He is now moving... to keep us on course.

We will find answers which we have long sought.
Hard hearts will soften and change as they ought.
We will see movement we did not expect...
Good change which only our God could perfect.

God has new timing to put things in place.
That which He does will have quickened pace.
God is preparing us for a new day,
And we'll see His moving as we watch and pray.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Anchored Faith

We won't have a worthy anchor
If for worldly things we hanker.
It's distraction is too much
Whene'er we get involved in such.

Having anchor in the Lord
And studying the two-edged sword
Will make us as a bulwark strong
Against the tide of evil's wrong.

Shakings, tremors, flood and wind
An anchored faith cannot rescind.
Those acquainted with God's power
Have safety in the darkest hour.

Should our days grow gray and dim
We will find true strength in Him.
He will answer when we call.
His strength is great when ours feels small.

"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
Ephesians 6:10 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Prayers

Prayer knows no distance,
But reaches 'cross the miles,
And comes as soothing, healing balm
To ease our daily trials.

Prayer changes circumstance
And really isn't bound.
When we rest within it's arms
God's healing is profound.

Prayer brings God's healing touch
And ushers in sweet heav'nly sphere.
Oh, what comfort, Oh what peace,
As God replies and hovers near.

God pours out His lovingcare
And fills us with His joy and peace.
When we speak a heartfelt prayer
Graciously He brings release.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Holy Place

The Holy Place.....

That place of sanctuary where every whisper of my heart can be shared with my Lord, and where every whisper is heard.

That place where God's presence and love surround me, and where He awaits my coming.

That place where the communication and the sharings of our hearts together... His heart and mine... bring light and insight and encouragement.

A place set apart from the din and noise and distractions of the day... my hiding place.

A place of wonder.

A place which is so rich and wonderful that time is of no consequence... only the desire to stay and absorb it's beauty.

The Holy Place... a place of unspeakable joy.

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fine Apparel

God's people are not dressed in "rags".
He clothes us with His gladness.
We can put off our sackcloth
And put away our sadness!

We can wear salvation
And a garment of bright praise.
We have robes of righteousness
To wear throughout our days!

Glory be unto our God
For giving us rich ornament.
He has given us His best...
Our clothes are Heav'n's adornment.

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

"The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek... 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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Call To Thanksgiving

This is a call to return to prayer, to times of thanksgiving and reverence for God. The people of our nation have been lackadaisical in their attitudes and are remiss in not acknowledging His goodness.

God Himself will not allow us the life of ease which we have known for so long because many have become lazy and arrogant with pride. And we have not been diligent to thank Him for His outpouring upon this land. We have presumed upon His goodness and let His blessings slip away from us.

Our God is awesome, and much to be worshipped. He is the giver of all good things. In Him are all benefits and wisdom found, freely given out of His great love and mercy. All glory be to His name!

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised..."
Psalm 48:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Eventide

In quiet hush of eventide
God hovers oh, so near.
When the "dust" of day recedes
His gentle voice I hear.

"The day is done, it's battles won.
Peace, My Child, be still.
Let your spirit rest in Me
And find sweet sleep until...

I bring another fresh new morn,
Sparkling softly with the dew...
My gift to you... of Son-lit day
When all is fresh and new.

In quiet now of eventide,
Hush, My Child, be still.
Let My angels watch o'er thee
And blessings o'er you spill."

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Greatest Miracle

God's greatest work is done in hearts
When His salvation He imparts.
Who else could bring a sinner home
When he determined just to roam?

Who could make such wondrous change,
A wasted life to re-arrange?
Who could bring a heart of stone
To kneel and pray, for sin atone?

He will reach into deep "sludge"
And save a sinner with a "nudge",
Pouring out His love and grace,
Offering His own embrace.

What an awesome God we serve.
His love is more than we deserve.
No one else could e'er compare
Nor give to us such lovingcare.

"Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
Luke 15:10 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Set Aside With Him

When we have to make a change
We may not know God's plan long-range.
"Separation" oft is hard
And leaves us feeling somewhat jarred.

And yet His plans are for our best,
Giv'n for growth or as a "test".
A change may be God's "wake-up" call,
A time to lean on Him for all.

And when He calls us to His side,
Alone in prayer to abide,
This precious time we should not rush
But let Him all resistance crush.

If we flee this holy mission
We may forfeit God's fruition.
What a sad loss that would be...
Not to gain His victory.

"Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed: I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob."
Psalm 132:3-5 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Ready Heart

Lord, every day is fresh and new,
With chance to do some thing for You,
A brand new opportunity
To shine in our "community".

"Community" might mean "our street",
A stranger or a friend to greet,
Or maybe be the corner store
Or the one who lives next door.

"Community" might be at home
Where little children play and roam.
It might be in our own back yard,
Or places where we've not tried hard.

Every day we can make choice
Encouragement and cheer to voice.
We only need a ready heart
The love of Jesus to impart.

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

True Wealth

There are so many who just live to "get",
And, in their "getting", they worry and fret.
Labor is good to meet daily need,
But "getting" and hoarding have symptoms of greed.

Wealth can be empty, and houses don't speak.
Money can't buy the joy which we seek.
True wealth is found in sharing and giving.
This is the secret to beautiful living.

All that we give our God will return
With much bigger blessings than we could earn.
He multiplies the work of our hands.
In Him we have wealth to meet life's demands.

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
II Corinthians 9:6-8 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Beautiful Canvas

Lord, what would you paint on the canvas of my day?
If my life could speak today, what would you have it say?
Help me to be patient as I wait for Your brush stroke.
Let me wear Your colors as a treasured, velvet cloak.

Would You paint me brightly, as a banner of good news?
Or add to me serenity in soft and gentle hues?
Maybe You would try new shades and make of me a blend
Of a rainbow's varied tints... Your beauty to extend.

I await Your brush strokes in the early dawn of day,
Anticipating artistry in fresh and new array.
Each day is a portrait, filled with flair and great finesse,
A painted, heavenly design, Your goodness to express.

"On thee do I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:5 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Be On Alert

Facade and deception are "slippery" as oil
And God's ordained plans will subtlely foil.
Facade is not truth and covers intent
To have it's own way, whatever it's "bent".
Deception is crafty and fools many folk
And blinds them to truth with it's charm and false cloak.

May scales fall from eyes and discernment increase,
Lest lies and deception our well-being fleece.
For God will ordain His very best plan
And by heart-felt prayer these evils will ban.
He hears our cries that truth will be spoken
And honors our prayers, lest we should be broken.

People who pray can break through this cloud
Which unthinking people have wrongly allowed.
Let all facts be known and righteousness sown.
Let us see through sham and our minds sharply hone
To rightly divide the "message" we hear.
God gives us answers, in Him truth is clear!

"His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Squirrels Need Provision Too

We used to live in a home which was surrounded by large trees. As the trees increased in size the neighborhood squirrels could travel from the front to the back of our large lot without ever touching the ground. They just leaped from tree to tree.

Our neighbor had hickory nut trees (hickory nuts are a squirrel's favorite food), and we had a large oak tree with lots of acorns, so the squirrels were quite contented to live there.

One morning I heard my mom start shouting, and she was knocking hard on the window in her room. I rushed in there because I was afraid the glass might break, and I didn't want her to get hurt. Also, I wondered why she was upset. What I saw out the window was hilarious.

The day before Mom had mopped the floor, and afterwards she propped the mop up (string end up) against our persimmon tree to dry. A squirrel had discovered the string part. When I looked out the window I burst out laughing. This little critter had chewed off much string from the mop. Big fluffy wads of it stuck out of it's mouth on both sides. All I could see was two tiny eyes, barely peeking over the top of the fluff, peering back at us through the window.

At that point it didn't matter what had happened to the mop. This funny picture was worth the loss of part of the mop. The squirrel probably had the plushest nest in town!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf