Raindrops

There's sunshine in life's raindrops, reflecting Jesus' love,
A heavenly refreshing which is promise from above.
His "rain" will wash away your tears
Till sunshine once again appears.
Cherish every raindrop as a symbol of His love.

A raindrop on a petal or a leaf which has been dry
Becomes much-needed moisture and the leaf will satisfy.
The leaf will turn it's face to God
And gently in His wind will nod.
Heaven's raindrops bring new life... the leaf to beautify.

So raindrops are a special gift when we are worn and weary
To wash us and again to make us sparkle and be cheery.
Do not question, "Why this rain?"
For hidden in the rain is gain.
Raindrops filled with Jesus' light will change what has been dreary.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Compassionate God

We have such a loving God,
Compassionate and caring.
He is always there for us,
To lift the loads we're bearing.

When we feel we've failed in life
He gives us a clean slate
And helps us then to start again
And have a fresh new "plate".

As He reaches down to us
We feel His gentle touch.
He pours out grace and mercy
'Cause He loves us... Oh so much!

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22 KJV

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Silver And Gold

Silver leaves and filigree,
Woven gold and fleur-de-lis,
Sapphires, rubies, strings of pearl...
These set people's minds awhirl.

Worldly riches have a flair,
But none to Jesus can compare.
Better than the purest gold
Are treasures which His Scriptures hold.

Jesus makes us truly rich.
In Him we find a heavenly niche.
Better far than earthly pleasure,
Jesus' gold is priceless treasure.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

No Worry

Time is lost in needless worry.
Then we sometimes have to scurry
To complete the task at hand,
With added pressure to withstand.

Worry is like sinking sand.
It bogs you down by it's demand.
Rise up from this sinking place
And don't give worry any space.

Before the Lord release your woes.
Let Him battle all your "foes".
To pray takes less time than to fret.
With prayer, good answers you will get.

God redeems our time for us
And teaches us how not to fuss.
Worry just is not much fun.
In prayer are our battles won.

"And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?"
Matthew 6:27 Amplified Bible

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Deeper Insight

Lord, let the scales fall away from our eyes
So we don't miss what is urgent and wise.
Come with Your power. Intercept what we do.
Change how we think so we may break through...

And have holy insight of Your divine will.
Help us to navigate these times with new skill.
Gird us with strength to rise up each day
And let worldly hindrances just fall away.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Beauty Of The Lord

If I could paint a picture
Of the beauty of the Lord
And capture all the love and warmth
In heavn'ly places stored,

My paint brush would be filled with life,
My canvas richly hued,
And colors we have never seen
Therein would be debuted.

I could paint throughout all time
On canvas without end
To try to mix the shades and hues
Which He would have me blend.

And when I thought my work was done
There always would be more.
We cannot even comprehend
The "wealth" which is in store.

If I can paint a fraction
Of His beauty with my brush,
The colors will transcend the norm
And be extremely lush.

Every day I yearn to know
And understand Him more.
His beauty spurs me on and on
His riches to explore.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."
Psalm 27:4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Spring's Happy Song

Spring is peeking 'round the corner,
Turning dull brown trees to "fluff",
Adorned with blossoms soft and pink.
(Of winter, trees have had enough!)

Spring holds promise bright and clear
As flowers once again appear,
Bursting forth in glorious bloom,
Offering to us good cheer.

Spring has "rhythm" of her own
And seems to sing a happy song.
Let her fill you with new hope
As cheerfully she trips along.

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Increasing Joy

"Resting" in God's goodness is a blessed place to be.
Tomorrow's cares are in His hand... in Him I'm truly free.
I can walk in confidence and know things will look up,
Knowing God will lead me on and overflow my cup.

Therefore I am light in heart, not troubled and withdrawn.
I look forward to each day and see a pleasant dawn.
Leaving burdens with the Lord is key to finding peace.
He will shield and lift me up and give my joy increase.

"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill."
Psalm 3:3-4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fruitful Vine

When a vine is overgrown
It's tendrils will need pruning.
This is how God shapes a life
And how He does fine-tuning.

He will clip off extra shoots
Which do not have much worth
So the vine will then grow strong
And to good fruit give birth.

Vines which are not pruned
Tend to grow in wrong directions,
Spreading where they should not be.
Their fruits have imperfections.

Jesus watches o'er His vines
With loving care and grace.
When we feel His pruning shears
His care we should embrace.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Moments With The Lord

Do you need a sweet oasis
In the hubbub of the day?
Do you yearn for some escape
From the pressure and the fray?

Life can be a treadmill
Which will push us far beyond
The limits of good wisdom.
To this we must respond.

Mini-moments with the Lord
Can "freshen up" a weary day.
Give energy for tiredness
And peace for sheer dismay.

He brings rest and balance
So we do not go astray.
Where there is no answer
He will show us a new way.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Joy Of Serving

Serving the Lord will never grow "old",
For in Him I find rich nuggets of gold,
Waiting to be discovered and known,
Practiced each day, and then to be sown...

So others may see and learn and be taught
And worship the Lord in prayer and in thought.
God is so good and loving and kind
And ready to teach us if we're so inclined.

What rich experience to be in His "keep",
To know and to serve Him and His blessings reap!
There is no joy to match such as this.
Those who don't serve Him don't know what they miss!

"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."
Psalm 100:2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Honored Citizens

Seniors are gold and full of much treasure.
When we "draw them out" we learn of the measure
Which caused them to prosper through times which were hard.
We should esteem them with highest regard.

We have not labored to sow as they've sown.
We have not suffered the hardships they've known.
We have not learned the lessons they've learned
Or even come near the honors they've earned.

Their world is fading from times that they knew,
But values they lived by are worth much review.
When we understand their caring and giving,
Then... only then... will we know about living.

"The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head (suggesting wisdom and experience)."
Proverbs 20:29 Amplified Bible

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Twisting Of Words

Words can be twisted to mean anything,
To speak something good or distort it for bad.
Some who are "skilled" may sound very smooth,
But wrapped in their speech are untruths they add.

Words are as "tools" to air one's own thoughts,
But also are measure of what's in the heart.
Without good discernment of what we have heard
We may miss the fact that some words have a "dart".

The "dart" is a lie, or less than the truth.
Clever or flossy, the words may sound right.
Beware of those people who use fancy words,
For sometimes their speech is not "black-and-white".

"These are the things that ye shall do: speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates."
Zechariah 8:16 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Abiding In His Presence

The wise man knows God's presence,
And there he takes up residence.
He finds his joy and strength there
Through relationship and prayer.

In times of trial and terror,
And in failure or in error,
He may be jarred or shaken
But he won't be overtaken.

Because he always is "tuned in"
Challenges won't make him "spin".
In his faith he is well-founded,
And in God's Word he is grounded.

"Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."
Psalm 63:7-8 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Love Encourages

Everybody needs to know
That someone somewhere cares for them.
Though that one be near or far
Their love is as a precious gem.

It's presence is as gold and myrrh.
It's worth is more than can be told...
A precious gift between two hearts
Which can't be bought and won't be sold.

It sparks new life and buoys one up,
Bringing joy and warmth within.
It often brings the courage
Which enables one to "soar" and win.

That one who's loved will often smile,
Knowing there is one who cares,
For love expressed in little ways
A priceless crown of beauty wears.

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

© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Redeemed Time

I wanted just to sit and write,
But "business" was distracting me.
An issue which I could not solve
Was pressing in relentlessly.

I could have spent my writing time
Pursuing answers on the phone
But chose to do my writing first.
Through God the answers would be shown.

Halfway through my writing time
The answer which I needed came.
God had broken through the maze
Which threatened all my time to claim.

While I took the time to write
He went to work in my behalf.
He redeemed my time that day.
My "business" got His autograph!

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Re-Assuring Peace

God's peace brings a stillness
Which will overcome our fears.
By His re-assurance
He will wash away our tears.

It is His desire that
We rest within His peace...
That we lean on Him for strength
And let all worries cease.

His peace keeps us steady
When our footsteps are unsure.
He will "stay" us deep within.
In Him we are secure.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Strong Army

O God, Your power we need in this hour.
Of Your Holy spirit we need a fresh shower.
Fill us anew and raise us up strong
To overcome evil and heal what is wrong.

As warriors we march to conquer new ground.
In battle Your sword of truth is profound.
Weak though we are, in You we are able
To march in great strength, for you make us stable.

We are Your soldiers... to march through the land,
To conquer what's lost and take a strong stand.
We are victorious by Your power and might
To march as an army and fight Your good fight.

"Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Psalm 60:12 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Greater Love

Laying down our lives to serve the hurting or the lost
In ordinary terms may appear to have high cost.
But Jesus looks upon these souls as worthy of His best.
We dare not gaze upon their needs with mockery or jest.

Sometimes we're required by God to lay aside our plan
And take the time to help someone... to serve howe'er we can.
Longterm this can be a test of patience and of strength,
But Jesus doesn't look upon the job... it's width or length.

He is taking us to heights above our own perspective,
And we will start to see His plan as we become receptive.
We can be His vessel to show love to one another.
By serving e'en as He served, with love we bless each other.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Listening To Wise Counsel

Some folks listen, some will not.
To try to help them is for nought.
No matter what advice you give,
Their memory is like a sieve.

Their thinking patterns are just stuck,
And sometimes mired down in "muck".
Often they just will not try
A new idea when it draws nigh.

If they can't receive advice
They just may have to pay a price.
Pray that they will realize
And learn to seek that which is wise.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
Proverbs 12:15 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Oasis

The transforming power of the Word of God
Is like an oasis in pathways we trod,
A place of refreshing and respite and peace,
Retreat with the Lord where all concerns cease.

To bathe in the Word is a "place set apart"
Where Jesus' sweet voice may speak to the heart.
All other factors recede and grow dim,
And we are renewed as we focus on Him.

His healing waters will cleanse us within
And lift us above the day's stress and din.
We may reside in a place of deep peace,
In the Word's sweet oasis of calm and release.

"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
Psalm 119:162 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Patience Knocks

If you find it hard to wait
And work yourself into a state,
Such as this you can't ignore,
For patience knocks upon your door.

Patience is a hard-won prize
And can't be learned through compromise.
You must choose to let her in
And let her healing work begin.

Patience is a precious gift.
Your thinking patterns she will sift
Until you learn to be at rest
And lean on God through every test.

He will cause stress to recede
And oversee your every need,
Giving you an inner calm
As a well-earned healing balm.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Alone With God

When we find ourselves alone,
More on God we then will lean.
And through these times there will be gain
As depth of wisdom we will glean.

Loneliness is not all bad
(But something that most folks will dread).
Yet God has purpose in these times
To shape us for what lies ahead.

We are strengthened and made rich
As down this path with Him we go.
While loneliness is not our choice,
Alone with Him we stretch and grow.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Heart Full Of Joy

A heart full of joy wants to "laugh, smile and sing"
And to negativity never will cling.
For laughter is healing and will not "look down".
It just won't complain or grimace or frown.

If circumstance crumbles, it counters with hope.
It rests in God's grace and will not just mope.
In joy there is strength... enough for each day.
Encouragement follows and fears will allay.

It really is better to laugh through our woes,
For what good can come from resting in "lows?"
God gives us peace and helps us to say,
"I will look up and choose joy this day!"

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..."
Proverbs 17:22 KJV

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Above The Ordinary

Help me, Lord, to rise above
The issues of the day,
To find the "more important"
And to hear what You would say.

For time can be so wasted
If I don't know Your desire.
If I don't see Your "windows",
Golden timing could expire.

Excitement wells within me
As I glimpse Your will and way.
Your Spirit buoys me up with joy,
Erasing the "blase' ".

My daily "load" can't hold me down
When I have heard Your voice.
My spirit soars, my steps are light.
In You I will rejoice!

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."
Psalm 5:3 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Highest Place

Some of us are seeking God for things beyond our reach,
But sometimes God will slow us down... a parable to teach.
Do we see what is before us, right before our eyes?
We need His perspective first to start to realize...

That small things are important... not just high and lofty goals.
He might have us live and serve in ordinary roles.
Some will rise to lofty heights, but not until they learn
To understand the humble place and wisdom's merits earn.

The greatest works we do in life may be unseen by man,
But count for much eternally when they are in God's plan.
Walking in God's rhythm as we serve Him every day
Is the highest place we reach... His plan, His goal, His way.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Kids And Pets

The day was long and nigh well spent.
My energy got up and went.
I thought I'd just relax a bit.
I really wanted just to sit...

Till Kitty Cat came strolling through
And turned our house into "a zoo".
She had oped our Habitrail
And grabbed a gerbil by the tail.

Our daughter screamed and grabbed her pet
To save it from the cat's dire threat.
The gerbil was intensely scared.
For all this he was not prepared.

He clamped his teeth around her finger!
(This whole scene was some humdinger!)
Now our daughter was in trouble.
The gerbil's problems too were double.

She jumped up and down and screamed,
And "Gerbil" still was not redeemed
Till Daddy grabbed him by the tail
And placed him in the Habitrail.

We called the doctor and the vet
To "mend" our daughter AND her pet.
Kitty liked to "mouse" with pride.
But this time spent the night outside!

Our gerbils needed a new home
Before our cat was free to roam.
We gave them to a family
Where "safety" was a guarantee!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Truth Shines Brightly

Truth is clear - it's black-and-white,
A tested standard shining bright.
But darkness tries the truth to quell
And always works it's lies to sell.

Darkness masks truth's definition
To try to foil our recognition,
Calling sin by fancy title,
Diluting truths which still are vital.

Truth is truth - it will not change.
God's tenets we can't rearrange,
Mixing them with subtle lies
Offered under pleasant guise.

Giving evil brand new names
Doesn't sell it's promised claims.
Only truth will not be moved,
For through all time it has been proved.

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they live in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."
Ephesians 4:14-15 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf