Mountains And Valleys

We long to reach "the mountaintop",
To rest and be renewed,
To glory in God's presence
And express our gratitude.

But way down in the valley
There are needs which must be met.
When we reach the mountaintop
Our "friends" we can't forget.

The mountaintop should spur us on
To listen to the cries
Of those down in the valley,
Their needs to recognize...

Voices crying out for hope,
People wanting to be well,
Homeless lining up for food
Or just a place where they may dwell.

We will not be useful
If we stay upon the mountain,
But having reached the top
Our lives become a fountain...

Of encouragement and healing
For a lost and hurting valley.
As we love and serve there,
To salvation some may rally.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn: to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteous, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."
Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Safe Overview

Without a Godly overview
Life can quickly get askew,
For many are the wiles and snares
Which try to trap us unawares.

Unless we're grounded in the Word
Our vision can be somewhat blurred.
We may not see potential error
Or realize we should beware.

With Scripture we can stay "in tune"
And from these dangers be immune.
Scripture is a trusted guide
And helpful counsel will provide.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Looking Up

We can choose to "look up" or choose to stay down.
It's better to smile than to wear a sad frown.
As we reach up in faith our cares fall away
And we gain a bright focus to govern our day.

God is our strength through each day and each hour,
A faithful companion, a shield, a safe tower.
We have good reason to always look up...
To learn God's perspective on what's in our "cup".

For He has a plan and keeps track of detail.
The size of our challenge will then start to pale.
And we can move forward with joy in our day,
Assured of His covering and care... come what may.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Proverbs 18:10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Special Bond

Thank You, Lord, for those who pray,
Encouragement and love convey,
Whose words uplift and brightness bring,
Who cause us to rejoice and sing!

Bless them, Lord, as they reach out,
For this is what love is about.
With these we have a special bond
In friendship, spirit and beyond.

To be lifted up in prayer
Brings us blessing rich and rare.
For God will listen and give ear
As joined together two draw near.

God has precious blessings stored.
For heart-felt prayer He gives reward.
He is faithful, He is true.
Mighty works for us He'll do.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 18:19 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessed Days

When we walk with Jesus
Every day we can look up,
Knowing He will bless our day
And sweetly fill our cup.

All His purpose for our lives
He watches o'er with care.
We can lean on His strong arm
And know that He is there.

Who can grasp the wonderment
Of how He works in our behalf?
And how when we're at lowest ebb
In Him we still can smile and laugh?

We'll not dread the coming day
When He is in the midst of it,
For we are covered by His love,
And no good thing will He omit.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Deep Joy

Happiness at times is "fleeting",
But joy will be much deeper.
With joy is "satisfaction"...
Of well-being it is keeper.

Joy o'ercomes our circumstance
And gently keeps us steady.
It is a strong foundation
And for challenge keeps us ready.

Joy is given from the Lord
As we're in fellowship with Him.
We have soothing promise
Of his light when days are dim.

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalm 16:11 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words We Speak

The myriad words we speak each day
Spring forth in colorful array,
Expressing thoughts and tumbling out,
Filled with joy or sometimes doubt.

Hopefully our words are hewn
And issue from a heart in tune
With Jesus' leading and His cause.
To this we always should give pause.

When our hearts to Him incline,
Words we speak will then align
And be acceptable in measure,
Bringing joy and Godly treasure.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Laughing At Me

Some days I don't have much "spark".
It seems my mind is stuck in "park".
I must need a "pick-me-up"
Or put more coffee in my cup.

Some days I am just a "klutz"
And "trip" on even tiny ruts.
I think I need to laugh at me
And enter my day merrily.

When my day is "out of sync"
I'lll shrug it off without a blink.
What's the use to fuss and whine?
It's much more fun to laugh than pine!

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Heart Rejoices

When darkness stands in front of me
I know God will light a lamp.
I need not be fearful,
For His angels all around me camp.

He creates a path for me
And helps me always be sure-footed.
Even when I cannot see
My faith in Him is safely rooted.

When I have anxiety
He helps me to be still and pause.
Remembering His faithfulness,
My heart rejoices with applause.

"For thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Thou has enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name."
Psalm 18:28, 36 & 49 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Truth Will Stand

We seem to need a dictionary.
The news we hear is "fiction"-ary!
Society gives us new title
For time-worn issues which are vital.

Morality is watered down.
(We're told we're not supposed to frown).
Babies' lives are caught in "choice",
Never having had a voice.

Men are re-defining "sin".
Godly values are not "in".
Folks are in deception caught.
But flossy language changes naught.

To those who listen to this "chatter",
What they say won't really matter.
Truth is truth and will not bend,
No matter what the latest "trend"!

"Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
Colossians 4:9 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thy Will Be Done

Thy will be done on earth this day,
As it is in heaven, I pray.
Let all men desire Thy will.
May peace reside and earth be still.

Let peoples join their hands in love
And nations bow in prayer thereof.
May all war and turmoil cease.
May suffering peoples find release.

Peace will come when we are still
And yielded to the Father's will.
His will be done on earth this day,
As it is in heaven, I pray.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
Matthew 6:9-10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sowing Peace

If we would have a life of peace
Then we must let all conflict cease.
For peace is birthed in wisdom's meekness
And has gentle, mild uniqueness.

Wisdom's righteousness and mercy
Douse the flames of controversy,
Causing strife to bow it's head,
Bringing good will in it's stead.

Wisdom from our precious Lord
Will always bring us blessed reward.
Only here will we find peace...
The kind that brings us full release.

"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. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
James 3:17-18 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Hears Every Prayer

Jesus listens carefully...
He hears our every cry.
When we call upon His name
He always will draw nigh.

He is faithful... never fails...
To hear our whispered prayer.
He knows prayers we keep within
Which we can't even share.

Resting in His faithfulness
And drawing strength from Him
Brings release we really need
When prospects just seem dim.

As we trust and wait on Him
His answers will come through,
And when He answers He completes
Those things we could not do.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Greater Is He

Deception offers ugly wares,
Packaged in appealing wrap.
It reaches out in myriad ways
Unwary souls to gain and trap.

Oftentimes if we are seeking
Something new and fresh and bright,
This ugly pest is just there waiting
To distract us with it's "light".

Deception tries to sow it's seeds
And offer us alternative,
To draw us off God's chosen path
And blur our thoughts on how to live.

But God is so much greater and
Is able to fulfill our joy
When we keep our eyes on Him
And all His principles employ.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:7 KJV

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
I John 4:4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Spring's Bright Beauty

Crocus blooms and daffodils
Are welcome signs of spring's bright frills.
Then fluffy-petaled, flow'ring trees
Present their fragrant potpourris.

Spring turns everything to flowers
As plants and shrubs become as bowers.
Spring seems bent on blessing us
As she makes her pretty "fuss".

Thank You, Lord, for all this beauty
As spring fulfills her annual duty.
When she opes her pretty door
She brings to us new hope and more.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
Psalm 103:1 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In The Garden

It's fun to plant a garden
And watch each flower grow...
To see the plants begin to bloom
And each one make it's "show".

When the plants are looking good
We really do feel proud.
We think we can relax a bit.
(Some "bragging" is allowed!)

But seeking shelter underneath
Each precious growing bloom
Are seeds and weeds and foreign plants,
Trying to find room.

They collect there quite unseen
And also start to grow.
And soon we have unwanted plants,
"Sneaking in" below.

And so we must be vigilant
To pull out all the weeds
Which are not meant to flower there
And give off their own seeds.

Seeds and weeds are "foreign".
Don't let them have a place,
For they will just take over.
Don't give them any space!

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Strong Family

"Family" is built in love over time
As touches of caring create a strong bond.
Sometimes the tiniest thing we may do
Will "heal" or "fix" or "reach way beyond".

Family "ties" which grow out of kindness
Will never be lost and cannot be broken.
Bonding is strenthened and love is promoted
When words of encouragement gently are spoken.

Commitment to pray and serve one another
Becomes as an anchor against storm and test.
Where family members are bonded in prayer
Then that home will be a haven of rest.

"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything (without weakening)."
I Corinthians 13:7 Amplified Bible

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Perfect Peace

As you walk along life's road,
What is the nature of your load?
Do you walk in quiet peace
And from worries have release?

If Jesus travels by your side
And daily you in Him abide,
He lifts the weights you should not carry
As you walk or when you tarry.

Trust in Him to take your fear.
Let strife and tension disappear.
Draw upon His power and might
And let Him all your battles fight.

"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

His Compassion

Sometimes little raindrops fall
And cloud our vision of the sun.
Sometimes little teardrops fall,
Gently, softly, one-by-one.

And for a season we can't "see"
Because our heart just needs to pause.
To deal with sadness or with loss
The heart is quiet and withdraws.

Jesus' tears will match our own,
And He will feel our deepest pain.
Only He our need has known.
He'll bring the sunshine through the rain.

"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me."
Psalm 42:8 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Slow To Speak

Lord, let my ears be swift to hear
And to Your voice give careful ear.
Let my speech show prudent thought
And honor You just as it ought.

Let my mind not run ahead
Or bypass anything You've said.
Let my lips be slow to speak,
And let my words be mild and meek.

Sometimes silent I should be
And wait until You speak to me.
Help me, Lord, to always pause
And only speak when You give cause.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Healing Hand

Lord, sometimes life is fragile,
So we draw upon Your power
And call upon Your blessed name
To help us in this hour.

You are strong when we are weak,
And we reside within Your palm.
As we trust and hide in You
You pour out precious, healing balm.

Thank You, Lord, for healing hands
Which bring to us a needed touch.
Thank You for your faithfulness
In always loving us so much.

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear."
Isaiah 59:1 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heaven's Bright Morn

You have one life and choices to make.
When your time is through, where will you awake?
Desires and pleasures your spare time will take,
But what will you do for eternity's sake?

Salvation is calling... to Jesus draw nigh.
He'll give you reward which money can't buy.
The promise of Heaven He will not deny.
With Him you will be in the sweet by-and-by.

When your earthly time is short and well-worn,
Will you be prepared, or are you still torn?
If in God's kingdom you have been reborn,
You can look forward to Heaven's bright morn!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wave Lengths

People are different with varying wave lengths.
When two can agree they have combined strengths.
But different wave lengths can cause mixed perception
Unless these two people agree on direction.

When one goes "left" and the other goes "right",
Confusion comes in and causes a blight!
They may have shared the very same goal,
But differing methods the victory stole.

The wave lengths won't matter if two understand
That all they attempt should rest in God's hand.
When two can agree in Jesus, our Lord,
He will then help them to be in accord.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:19-20 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Walking In His Timing

Walking with Jesus in His precise rhythm,
Not running ahead nor lagging behind,
And sensing His pace and purpose for us
Is the greatest fulfillment that we'll ever find.

For when we are hearing the beat of His heart
Our movement will be anointed and bright.
Our footsteps will be protected and guided
As we climb our "mountains" and rise to new height.

Moving in sync with the Lord's perfect timing
Accomplishes more than we may think or see.
We will rise higher than we thought we could
When we wait on Him and with His plan agree.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..."
Psalm 37:7 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In Christ We Win

The devil tries to cause a glitch
To keep us from God's perfect niche.
He has much to fear, you see,
When Jesus saves and sets us free.

Then we really spoil his fun
And cause him to be on-the-run.
When we speak about the Blood
His plans fall down and make a thud!

Jesus' name has might and power
To cause the enemy to cower.
When we speak His awesome name
The enemy will lose His aim.

We have victory over sin.
With Jesus we will always win!
Satan's game plan will find end
When we have Jesus as a friend!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
I John 4:4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hope In Him

When all is falling down around me
I will hope and still look up,
For I know I'm not alone.
My God will always fill my cup.

When challenges give constant test,
I choose not to be depressed.
God is not so far away
That I can't see a brighter day.

Seeking God I find new fruit
That He would plant and give strong root.
I am never at the "end".
More blessings He will always send.

As I trust in His kind hand
I know He will help me stand.
Hope is not entirely gone.
God will bring a fresh new dawn.

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth..."
Psalm 16:8-9 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Choose Happiness

Keep a happy frame of mind.
Determine always to be kind.
Walk with lightness in your step,
Even when you're lacking pep.

Choose to have a ready smile
And maybe go "the second mile",
For unexpected blessings come
When we are more than just "ho-hum".

Choosing to be "up", not "down",
Will cause you to forget to frown.
It lifts you to a higher plane,
And satisfaction you will gain.

If you do not make this choice
You may lose chances to rejoice.
Happiness will raise you up,
With peace and joy will fill your cup.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Second Mile

When completing a task, and the "first mile" is done,
Running the second mile some folks will shun.
But those folks who stretch to meet this high test
Will give of their finest and always be blessed.

Industrious people always have work
Because in their duties they just do not shirk.
The mundane and simple, or jobs which repeat,
With grit and finesse they will gladly complete.

They will find honor in all that they do
And have satisfaction when day's work is through.
Knowing they've given the best that they had
They then can rest and truly be glad.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

New Thoughts

We sometimes have so many thoughts
Our minds become quite muddled,
But as we meditate on God
We will not get befuddled.

Spending time with our dear Lord
Will give us needed clarity,
Sort out all our myriad thoughts
And heal our minds that we might see.

When we center in on Him
Needless thoughts just fade away.
His thoughts give us golden insight
As we meditate and pray.

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
Proverbs 16:3 KJV

"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

With My Song I Will Praise Him

Let worship rise from the depth of my being
And be a sweet savor to my Lord and King.
Let adoration well up and burst forth
And cause a new song of praises to ring.

Let every footstep I take on my "walk"
Be pleasing to Jesus and answer His call.
Let me receive the light of His Word
And find strength in Him for things great and small.

He is my joy, inspiration and friend,
A constant encouragement in all that I do.
Let all my actions bring praise to His name.
Let me His honor and glory proclaim.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth: and with my song will I praise him."
Psalm 28:7 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Faith Is A Ladder

Faith is a ladder upon which we climb.
It has many rungs we reach over time.
With each step we take our faith will reach higher
In trusting our Lord. To this we aspire.

Some of the rungs may seem out of reach,
But Jesus will help us to have faith for each.
It's trusting in Him each step of the way
Which keeps us from falling or having dismay.

We cannot skip rungs. We grow through each one
Throughout our lives as we walk with the Son.
Each has a ladder to climb as he will.
The more rungs he climbs... the greater the thrill!

Faith is a venture which leads upward bound.
It changes our thinking in ways which astound.
Through faith in God we can climb to the top.
His joy is so much we won't want to stop.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf