No Longer Broken

Our God knows what to do with broken pieces! When we are broken He gently gathers up the pieces of our lives and puts them together in a beautiful new pattern.

He bonds them with the oil of love and compassion, and His healing brings hope and courage in place of darkness and impossibility. He lends strength in place of weakness and confidence in place of fear. He brings peace and tranquility as a soothing, healing balm.

In Him brokenness can be erased... and we have the ability to start anew.

How wonderful is our God!

"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

Where Are The Enemies?

Are the enemies within, or are they without?
What are the battles in life all about?
Some of our enemies lie in the heart
And when we can't cope become as a dart.

And so we must deal with what is within
Before bigger battles we can hope to win.
Anger, self-pity and pride are the worst.
And there may be others which should be reversed.

Battles within will keep us quite weak,
And if they're not dealt with, havoc will wreak.
When we rout out the enemies within
We will be warriors who conquer and win!

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friendship's Caring

The laughter of a caring friend
An aching heart will help to mend.
For love and laughter lift one up
And seem to empty sorrow's cup.

Friendship is a healing tie...
A special love we cannot buy.
It speaks a message of good cheer,
"I care for you and I am here."

It seems to make the sky more blue
To know that someone thinks of you.
It brightly causes hope to rise.
This is friendship's special prize.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Learning To Fly

How shall we begin to fly
And some day mount up in the sky?
How shall we learn secret things
And master heights with able wings?

God can teach us how to soar
And show us vistas to explore.
Deep in Him is knowledge found
Of how to soar and not be bound.

Silently with Him we learn
And there His skillful merits earn.
He will give us wings to fly
And take us high into the sky.

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Fountain Of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a flowing fountain,
Healing waters for each "mountain".
Woundedness will find release,
And animosity will cease.

Pride and grudges love will foil...
Forgiveness is the needed oil
Which sponsors health and love and joy
And cancels barriers which destroy.

Forgiving hearts are filled with balm
And have a restful, inner calm.
Forgiveness never keeps a "count"
But always is a healing fount.

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Ephesians 4:32 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

So Much Beauty

If God could make oceans and mountains and skies,
Fill heaven with stars and make the sun rise,
If God could make seeds to grow from the ground
And create a tree or flowers which abound...

How could we question His caring and love,
Showered around us from Heaven above?
Should we not praise Him for all He has done?
Who could compare to Him? Not even one!

Our God is greater... beyond all we know,
The world we live in... One marvelous show
Of His love and beauty and wondrous delight,
A glorious display of power and might!

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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Learning To "Rest"

Learning to "rest" is not quickly learned.
Experience will tell us it slowly is earned.
"Resting" is all about learning to trust,
For God's perfect timinng we cannot adjust.

Oh, what sweet blessing to rest in His peace
And feel anxiety's misery cease.
God brings tranquility... this is the place
Where we can relax and learn of His pace.

We are not meant to stand all alone
And manage our struggles and fears on our own.
To lean on our God and be wrapped in His peace
Is Heaven's sweet gift to bring us release.

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

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sturdy Foundations

A solid foundation is not built on sand,
Because over time it just will not stand.
This isn't much better than building on stilts.
When flood waters come the whole structure tilts.

We need God's wisdom to know how to build,
And from His great knowledge we'll learn to be skilled.
We will have structure which cannot be shaken,
And by storm and flood will not be o'ertaken.

If all that we do is anchored in God
The footsteps we take with safety are shod.
We cannot be jarred to the left or the right
Because we have chosen to live in God's light.

"As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation."
Proverbs 10:25 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Don't Forget Prayer

We rush about to make a living
And don't take time for much thanks-giving.
When daily pressures overtake
We really need a prayer break!

For all we have may be as chaff.
We probably don't need but half.
And what we do may not have worth
Or to God's work give any birth.

It is good to oft take stock
So we don't just run out the clock,
Waste our time and come up short
Or do a work of no import.

How we steer our lives will matter.
Let our prayers be more than "chatter".
All our efforts can't compare
To what is done in fervent prayer.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Philippians 4:6 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The "Blind" Will See

We may have eyesight but be very blind.
Our "vision" is blocked by the thoughts of our mind.
Only the Lord can open our eyes
And show us direction and that which is wise.

Our blind spots are many, so we need His light
To penetrate shadows and open our sight.
How can we find the way we should go?
If we can't "see", we just will not know.

Lord, let the scales be gone from our eyes.
Heal our shortcomings that we may be wise.
All that would hinder must now fall away.
That we might have vision, we earnestly pray.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Praying Parents

When we see a precious child
Turn to walk a worthless road,
It's so hard to watch their steps
And see them waste the "seeds" we sowed.

And yet if we have raised them right,
We have promise they will turn,
Give up all their foolish ways,
Come back to us and truth discern.

How grieved our God in Heav'n must be
When our children go astray
And do not choose to honor Him
But follow their own selfish way.

As parents we must trust and pray
That God will save them from their errors.
He will hear our heartfelt cries
And bring them back because He cares.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Potholes And Ruts

Sometimes our lives get stuck in a rut...
We're facing a wall and all doors slam shut.
Or life's bumpy road with potholes is fraught.
We just can't get going as we think we ought!

The potholes and ruts just may be from God
To cause us to change the path which we trod.
Or maybe He's trying to get our attention
To cause us to grow or see new dimension.

Our welfare is safe in the palm of His hand.
We sometimes must grow to meet new demand.
We can move forward while standing in place
If we'll learn from Him and lean on His grace.

"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 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Riches

A dwelling filled with wisdom
Is a dwelling rich in treasure.
The grace and goodness of our Lord
Becomes it's daily measure.

Wisdom's gift will heal and bless,
Refreshing all who dwell within,
Covering with peace and joy
Against life's "noise" and daily din.

Wisdom holds life's "answer store",
Is always willing to share more.
Help us, Lord, to comprehend
How much Your wisdom is our friend.

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise..."
Proverbs 21:20 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Better Way

Each day we have so much to do
And sometimes struggle to get through.
It's "hurry here" and "hurry there",
With simply too much wear and tear.

When daily schedules pull on us
Then we start to fret and fuss.
It doesn't have to be this way,
For God can "pull" us from this fray.

He will draw us to come nigh,
To find release we could not buy.
For when we're drawn to Him in prayer
We overcome life's wear and tear.

The "pull" of God lifts us above
Our schedules, which will push and shove.
He brings answers which are real
And helps us find our best ideal.

"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 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Urgent Prayer

Let the people come into the House of the Lord
And learn from His Word - the two-edged sword.
Let them be armed with power and might
And strength for each day to "fight the good fight"!

Let them rise up and carry Your truth
To all whom they know... adult, child or youth.
Let Your Word go forth as a fire in the land
And the flames of this fire by Your Spirit be fanned!

Jesus is coming! There is a foreknowing
To make sure that sin-debt is paid and not owing.
Urgent the times before us today...
Let all men find Jesus, I solemnly pray.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."
Matthew 24:44 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Simply Clay

Clay without the Potter's hands
Is just an ugly lump.
It will have no form or shape
But just remain a "clump".

But yielded in the Potter's hands
It's beauty is unique.
It becomes a vessel
Which to others' hearts will speak.

By His skillful, loving hands
The Potter gives a special touch.
His vessels are the very best
Because He loves each one so muich!

"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter: and we all are the work of thy hand."
Isaiah 64:8 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Bless The Little Children

Our children are God's gentle folks
Who grow to be majestic oaks.
Children nurtured in the Lord
Will bring their parents blessed reward.

Oh, how beautiful to see
A little child's simplicity.
They are filled with life and light
And cause our lives to be so bright.

Let their eyes be trained on You
And every day learn something new,
Growing in Your strength and light
And learning of Your power and might.

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:14 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Finding Balance

You can tell what I like by the things that I "store":
Music and writings and books and much more;
Fabrics and papers and stitchery charts,
CD's and records, paintings and arts.

But more important is Jesus, my Lord.
Without knowing Him, I would simply be bored.
He gives me purpose... I'm in His employ!
He gives me "calling" and fills me with joy.

So that which I do in Him will be first.
For His sweet presence I always will thirst.
He keeps me balanced so I don't lose sight
Of that which is best and that which is right.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Real Pest

Confusion causes snarls and it truly is a pest!
It scrambles even simple things and gives my patience test.
Unexpected things can happen... this I understand.
But little things which aren't in order from me should be banned!

Confusion robs my energy and tends to slow me down.
Sometimes order just gets lost... this really makes me frown!
Order has a beauty and eliminates much stress.
It's much to be desired for a life which has finesse.

When my home has order, quick to follow is God's peace.
Order drives out conflict, and all tensions have release.
Always this takes planning, and it's so much worth the work.
But if I do not do it, then confusion comes to lurk.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..."
I Corinthians 14:33 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God Still Rules

God is God, and He still rules.
Those who don't believe are fools.
Men who through their pride wield power
Before God's might will shrink and cower.

Though they speak with flossy tongue,
In God's sight all their words are dung.
God discerns the hearts of men
And knows their every wicked yen.

He will turn their words to dust,
For He is righteous, pure and just.
All shall bow before His power.
How much we need Him in this hour.

"The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men."
Psalm 11:4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

That Special Touch

When "doing unto others", do you go the extra mile?
Do you do your very best, with intent to make them smile?
People will be blessed when you add a special touch.
In what you do for others, your actions will say much.

A heart turned toward the Lord and filled with gratitude
Reflects it's joy and peace in a happy attitude.
Willingness to work or serve, as done unto the Lord,
Will make unusual impact and strike a pleasant chord.

Sometimes people will "sluff off" in how they do a job.
When they fail to do their best, this work their joy will rob.
But work done with a special touch will bring a happy glow.
Then your faithful service the love of God will show.

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father by him."
Colossians 3:17 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Light Of The Word

The light of the Word will penetrate darkness
And show us a way which is proven and right.
When we're confused or lose our direction
The Word is our anchor and becomes our light.

We need not panic or stumble along
But always can rest in the strength of God's Word.
He is so faithful to cover and "keep" us,
No matter the challenge which may have occurred.

So if you are struggling and can't see the way,
Let God's Holy Word become as your "stay".
You will find answers and wisdom to guide.
Safely in Him you can live and abide.

"The word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

New Expression

Let us find expression in our lives
Through prayer and praise.
Perspective comes from Heav'n on high
When we our worship raise.

As we seek His holiness
God gives us sweet dimension,
Changing us down deep within
Beyond our comprehension.

We will hear and will perceive
In ways we have not known.
As we bow our hearts to God
By His Spirit we are shown.

"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."
Psalm 95:6-7 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Awesome Colors

When I see God's colors, spilled out in rich array,
I feel the love of God all around me on display.
My spirit rises up with joy whene'er I see His touch.
He pours out so much beauty and has given us so much.

I can see God's very heart in every shade and hue,
Painted there by loving hands to bless us... me and you.
What an awesome gift He gave... this brilliant parade...
All the variations of the colors He has made!

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Precious Peace

Peace of mind is a precious commodity.
But folks with much stress may think it an "oddity".
Peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God,
Not just a thought or a pleasant facade.

Much to be sought after, studied and found,
Peace is God's gift to those who are bound
By lifestyles of conflict and unneeded stress...
To lift them above life's daily duress.

Listening to God we learn to be still,
To lay down our weights and discover His will.
Stress falls away and problems decrease,
And there in His presence we find His deep peace.

"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

Drumbeats

What drumbeat are you hearing?
What song within you rings?
Is the rhythm which you hear
A beat which joy and laughter brings?

Choose your "drummers' carefully.
Don't listen to a woeful song.
Marching to a worldly beat
Could cause your footsteps to go wrong.

Listen for the heart of God
And hear the sound of His own drum,
Calling all to faith in Him,
Inviting all to hear and come.

"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God."
Psalm 84:2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Season Of Promise

A season of promise, a season of hope,
A season of breathtaking, heavenly scope!
Christ broke the barriers and opened the door
To eternity's glory with Him evermore.

Jesus became the path and the key
By His blood outpoured on Calvary's tree.
He made provision that none should be lost.
By His sacrifice He paid for sin's cost.

This is God's promise of hope for this day.
Eternity's welcome in front of us lay.
We have all reason to sing and rejoice,
To lift up high praise with most jubilant voice!

"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
I John 2:2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Blessed LORD

On the cross Jesus carried the pain of the world.
It whipped at His life like a banner unfurled.
Nothing we know could e'er match His pain,
Nor can we fathom all mankind's disdain.

He loved us so much He walked down this path.
To save us from sin, He suffered such wrath.
He chose the cross, accepting it's "cup"
That we through eternity with Him might sup.

Forgive us, dear Lord, should we drive a nail
Or by careless action Your great love assail.
Forgive us, dear Lord, if we bring a thorn
Which might cause another to sin or to scorn.

Never has such love been poured out on man
As that which He gave, but this was God's plan.
All glory be giv'n to the Lamb Who was slain,
Who forever will rule and forever will reign!

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
I Timothy 1:17 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Spotless Lamb

Jesus was the spotless Lamb,
Pure and holy, white as snow,
The sacrifice of greatest worth,
The greatest love we'll ever know.

This One Who reached out to all men
And walked in great humility
Became the Lamb Who bore our sin...
The hope for all humanity.

We cannot fathom such a love
Nor comprehend His glorious ways,
But worship Him with all our heart
And serve Him all our days.

Jesus was the spotless Lamb,
Pure and holy, white as snow,
The sacrifice of greatest worth,
The greatest love we'll ever know.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things..."

"but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
I Peter 1:18a, 19 KJV

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Greatest Love

O Father God... from beginning of time
You had a plan... a flawless design.
Not in a lifetime, not in a day
Could we comprehend just how much You would pay.

Your love is so great that You sacrificed all
So we might be saved from effects of "the fall".
How great Your compassion, Your mercy and grace,
That You should love us and our sins erase.

You didn't forsake us or cast us away,
But provided redemption... our sin-debts to pay.
O Father God, Your mercy and grace
Flow freely and richly our lives to embrace.

We are wrapped in Your love and eagerly wait
For the time when we see You and enter Your gate.
What blessing and honor and joy that will be...
To be in Your presence eternally.

"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

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf