Freedom's Cause

Men of bravery, men of gold,
Men of youth, men of old,
We salute you once again
For guarding us where'er you've been.

Some, with your own lives, have paid.
Your memory will never fade.
You stood strong through battles tough.
Our tribute ne'er will be enough.

So today we humbly pause
Because you fought for freedom's cause.
Unselfishly you gave your all
When you answered country's call.

Thank you, one and all who serve.
Highest honors you deserve!
Whene'er we see you we are proud.
In prayer for you our hearts are bowed.

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Glorious Song

I heard the choir's voices raise
A glorious song of prayer and praise.
How my spirit lifted up!
Surely this was Heaven's "cup".

What is better than a choir
To touch the heart and joy inspire,
When harmonies and blended sound
Softly echo and resound.

Heav'nly sounds waft to and fro
And gentle peace and joy bestow.
Surely this is Heaven's touch...
Dimension which we need so much!

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
I Chronicles 16:29 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Poise And Confidence

Poise, when birthed in Jesus' love, cannot be moved or jarred.
It's balance is consistent, and it's beauty won't be marred.
It has sweet composure with great steadiness and grace...
A much-desired quality to study and embrace.

Jesus brings the confidence, the calm and inner peace.
When we walk in faith and love our "poise" will have increase.
Jesus' love within us is unflappable and calm,
Resting there in quietness,... a lovely, healing balm.

"For the Lord shall be thy confidence..."
Proverbs 3:26 KJV

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

In Your Presence

Lord, You are my hiding place,
A sweet oasis in life's race,
Where I may come and drink and live
And find refreshing which You give.

Deep within that secret place
I'm washed in Your amazing grace.
As I bow and worship You,
I am changed to see anew.

Worldly cares grow faint and dim.
I only hear a glorious hymn,
Gently ringing in my soul.
Your presence, Lord, has made me whole.

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Great Gift

Some folks, by the choice they make,
Will forfeit "life" on paths they take,
Suffering eternal loss.
Their wasted lives will count as dross.

"Instant" glory, wealth and fun
Have fleeting worth when life is done.
Only in God's precious plan
Are Heaven's glories found by man.

Salvation offers Heav'nly place
To those who seek the Savior's face.
This is God's great gift to all...
His heart's desire and loving call.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Think About Our God

Savor the goodness of God...

Think on His majesty and splendor and glory... and then realize that He is your friend and my friend. He is knowable and gentle. He pours out tender mercies on us in a constant, healing stream. He loves us and responds to our call.

Think about our God and how He is the foundation upon which we rest... how He defends us and gives us watchcare, how He hears our whispered prayers. He becomes our steadiness. He is the Light by which we see and the One in Whom we rest... the One in Whom we have life and hope.

Think about our loving God, and let Him carry you triumphantly through each day and each season. Rejoice and be glad!

"I willl praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High."
Psalm 9:1-2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wheat

So much we do may simply be chaff,
Except what we do in Jesus' behalf.
As we are wheat and "die" for His cause,
The yield of our lives will draw Heav'n's applause.

Kernels of wheat which fall to the ground
Will rise up again as grain more profound.
God multiplies the grain which was sown
As "food" for the multitudes who are unknown.

We may be "planted" again and again
In service to Him so we may draw men
As laborers into His fields of grain,
Gathering "store" for Heaven's domain.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
John 12:24 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let Peace Rule

When the waters of dissension
Start to trickle and to flow,
If action isn't taken
Animosity will grow.

Jealousy and strife and gloom
Are seeds we shouldn't sow.
These are seeds with ugly roots
Which only bring us woe.

God would have us live in peace
And not to live in tension.
With kindness and with love
We can work toward good prevention.

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 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 3:16-18 KJV

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts..."
Colossians 3:15 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words With Wings

Let my words rise up with wings
And soar o'er daily, mundane things,
Reaching heights of Heav'n's ease
And currents of God's Heav'nly breeze...

Lifting others up on high
And helping them have wings to fly
Above the "pull" of earth-bound woe,
Attaining bliss of Heaven's flow.

In God we find blessed overview
And soar with Him in all we do.
I pray my words will have strong wings...
To rise above world-weary things.

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Rainbow Promises

Rainbows do not grace the sky without a little rain.
(Without some life experiences we will have no gain).
When rain clouds sometimes hover o'er and do not go away,
In God's perfect timing we will see a brighter day.

In rain is hidden treasure as we learn to know the Son.
While waiting for the rainbow His precious work is done.
And when the Son breaks through the clouds our eyes will upward turn
To see God's rainbow promise as the "light" for which we yearn.

On the back of every cloud are many rainbows waiting,
To be spilled out upon our lives, His promises re-stating.
Graced by Heaven's rainbows, our lives become a story
Of richness from the Father's hand. To Him be all the glory!

"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My nanme. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him, and shew him My salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God Is Faithful... Always There

If you have a situation
And you don't have revelation,
God will help you with your plight,
Give direction and bring light.

Sometimes if you're quite perplexed
And by irritations vexed,
Answers will be found in Him.
He'll lift you up when hope is dim.

Though you sometimes cannot see,
If you trust, He'll set you free.
God is faihtful... always there
To hear your prayer and give you care.

"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Lamentations 3:24-25 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Inner Beauty

Inner beauty cumulates through time spent with the Lord.
As we love and serve Him, in our lives we have reward.
He will change us deep within and fill us with His light,
Transforming how we may appear... He makes us to shine bright.

Even through the wear and tear of years and time and age,
The beauty of the Savior's love will write a fresh new page.
Beauty, love and gentleness are gifts which He bestows.
His loveliness will multiply and blossom as a rose.

"For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation."
Psalm 149:4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wings To Soar

You are my joy when deep inside I sigh.
You are the wings which enable me to fly.
You are the wind which takes me to new height,
Who sets me in high places and fills me with delight.

You are the fire which deep within me burns
And fills me with a warming flame. For You my spirit yearns.
You are skillful hands when I simply cannot reach.
You become a ready voice when I am lacking speech.

You are mighty power to help me climb a mount,
And when I'm tired or thirsty, You become my fount.
I know in all my frailty that You will give me wing,
Causing me to brightly soar and joyful worship bring.

"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

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fragrant Oil

Humility, as fragrant oil,
Will soften up the hardest "soil".
Quietly it soothes and heals
And special loveliness reveals.

It's inner beauty suffers long
When hampered by pride's sin and wrong.
Humility will heave a sigh
But ne'er to pride will it draw nigh.

But then should pride begin to bow
Humility will softly plow
And loosen up the hardened soil
By pouring out it's healing oil.

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Isaiah 57:15 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Stretch And Grow

Just when we get comfortable
It may be time to stretch and grow.
The Lord will always lead us on
And teach us what we need to know.

As we follow and accept
His challenges and learning pace,
He will keep us well-prepared
And give us "tools" we can embrace.

If we try to rush ahead
We might just miss a needed skill.
If we tend to lag behind
We may not all His plans fulfill.

It's easy not to want to change,
For "stretch and grow" might mean hard work.
We should rise to meet the challenge...
Growing we should never shirk.

"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

A Broken Reed

Even as a broken reed
Some are weak and much in need.
Jesus, by His gentle hand,
Will lift the reed so it may stand.

His compassion and His grace,
His loving care and strong embrace,
Will cause the reed to have new health
And fill the reed with wisdom's wealth.

Though the reed was bended low,
With new knowledge it will grow
Into a planting strong and tall...
One which will not bend or fall.

Though strong winds blow or bring new threat
All it's nurture will be met.
For Jesus looks upon the needs
Of tiny, struggling, tender reeds.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..."
James 4:8 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Urgent Time

Be alert, and do not sleep
Lest dangers up behind you creep.
God will give His people vision...
They will see with tuned precision.

This is not a time for "laze".
Many prayers we should raise.
Caution speaks, "Be at the ready.
Asking God to make you steady."

Seek His voice and heed His call
In every matter, great and small.
He's a God of might and power,
Our shelter in this urgent hour.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV

"For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."
Psalm 61:3 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Keeping The Heart Well

When a heart is overloaded with the weights and wiles of sin
And the memory of worldly ways are held and stored within,
That heart has a burden which is foolish and unwise.
It's rhythm is unhealthy, for good health the sin denies.

The sin may not be "stealing" nor may violate the law,
But if the heart lacks "fruit" and love the heart has serious flaw.
Bitterness and anger, birthed of jealousy or hate,
Or pride and deep self-pity leave the heart in darkened state.

How often is a sin-clad heart disguised behind facade and smile.
Reluctant to admit it's wrong, it will be sick and go through trial.
If the heart will open up and Jesus' love begins to flow,
He will heal and make it new, and then good health the heart will know.

"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
I Samuel 16:7 KJV

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sharing His Light

Lord, let Your work in me have sway,
That all my labors might convey
Your precious light to hurting souls
And rescue some from sin's dark tolls.

Cause my life to stretch and bend,
That all I do Your love will send.
Make of me a lantern bright
To pierce through darkness when it's night.

Fill me with Your holy oil
To share with those who fret and toil.
Be my strength and might and power,
For many need You in this hour.

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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Love Heals

Love is a healer and makes one feel strong.
It always is kind and covers a wrong.
It will see beauty... and beauty will sow.
It spreads it's good will near and far, to and fro.

Love will "mend fences", and sponsor new life,
Bridging with care over tension and strife.
It looks not at "self" nor puffs itself up
But offers compassion and blessing's sweet cup.

Love overcomes... it brings warmth and cheer,
Sponsoring hope and erasing much fear.
Love stands the test of storm and "foul weather".
It is the balm which puts lives together.

"Love never fails..."
I Corinthians 13:8 Amplified bible

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace And Stillness

Our minds are busy... filled with thought,
And in this pattern we get caught.
Focus sometimes just gets lost,
And stillness is the high-priced cost.

Stillness is that blessed state
Where to the Lord we can relate.
Just to hear His precious voice
Is treasured reason to rejoice.

E'en in times of strain and stress
Inner peace we can possess.
The Lord will cause us to be still
And all our thoughts with peace will fill.

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

"Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Too Much Clutter

Clutter is a stumbling block.
And maybe says we should take stock
To see why "order" fell apart
And maybe make a better start.

Order is a blessed state,
A good way to un-complicate.
Maybe we have too much stuff
Or just don't organize enough.

This is not a laughing matter.
Too much stuff our time will scatter.
Then confusion enters in
And soon we find it hard to grin.

We must grit our teeth and say,
"I will make a change today!"
(Or maybe just get rid of stuff
And only keep what is enough!)

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Happy Mother's Day

A CROWN FOR MOM

May God pour out blessing on Moms everywhere
And bring them reward for their love and their care,
For serving their families without self-concern.
The honors they get, they quietly earn.

A Mom should be honored for each simple task
She willingly does, e'en when you don't ask.
God knows her heart and hears all her prayer.
Of her deep concern He is always aware.

She labors to raise all her children up strong,
To teach them the Word, to know right from wrong.
She honors her husband and gives him strong cause
To utter her praise and offer "Hurrahs"!

Mom is the "glue" that holds home together.
She "covers" her family through storm and bad weather.
She offers encouragement, wisdom and wit.
She is the one who keeps family close-knit.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
Proverbs 31:27-28 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Grace Of The Lord

He fills my life with grace every day,
Enabling me to push my fears away.
He bridges o'er the gaps where I can't reach
And helps me to be confident in each.

When weary He gives strength to carry on,
And laughter when my circumstance is wan.
His grace becomes the balance in my day,
Is rich, and quite enough in ev'ry way.

How many times I'm covered by His grace,
My weakness and shortcomings to erase.
His caring is so great... so full of cheer.
His grace is my best friend and always near.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
II Corinthians 12:9 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Goodness Of God

When we gather of the goodness
Of our kind and gracious God,
Our hearts are clothed in love
And our feet with peace are shod.

Our lives become His instruments...
We're in a different realm.
We're hidden in His secret place
With Jesus at the helm.

What better way to spend our days
Than seeking His sweet presence,
Gath'ring of His wisdom
And worshipping with reverence?

He will change us deep within.
To live for Him gives reason
To always serve Him faithfully,
To rejoice in every season.

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."
Psalm 63:3-4 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

National Day Of Prayer

A NATION IN PRAYER

A prayerful nation we must be,
Bowed in deep humility,
Interceding constantly
That we might prosper and stay free.

Holy God of might and power,
How we need You in this hour.
We have sinned and come up short.
Our leaders Godly tenets thwart.

We beseech You, hear our prayer.
Save us from this serious error.
God, have mercy on our land
That through this darkness we might stand.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Bright Hope

Our great God is very near.
Our smallest prayer He will hear.
To our need He will draw nigh.
He hears our heartbeat and our cry.

We are never left alone.
He watches closely o'er His own.
Faithfully He guides our way
And hovers o'er us day by day.

In Him our hope is sure and bright.
Instead of fear He brings delight.
We are covered by His grace
And hidden in the secret place.

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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Valiant In Prayer

Prayer warriors are much needed,
Lest our values be conceded,
Lost to those who dress their lies
In "pretty" phrases and disguise.

But for the truth we take up fight
To speak for what is just and right.
Battles can be fought and won
In prayer by many... or just one.

Joined in heart and joined in hand,
Interceding 'cross the land,
God's warriors don their battle gear
And to the throne of God draw near.

Almighty God, Your name we praise
And unto You our worship raise.
We Your people will proclaim
All laud and glory to Your name!

"Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Psalm 108:13 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Even As The Willow

Lord, even as the willow sways and bends with every breeze,
Let me e'er be pliable and all Your purpose please.
Let me always know Your voice and hasten to it's sound.
Let my sensitivity be quickened and profound.

As I sense Your "movement" and am caught up in Your will
I will have direction all Your purpose to fulfill.
Teach me, Lord, to rest and pause whene'er I should be still
And not to hurry on ahead before You give me skill.

Let me learn tranquility with beauty, as the willow tree,
Growing by the waterbrooks with graceful flexibility.
Quietly I wait on You to hear the whisper of Your voice
And deep within my spirit I will worship and rejoice.

"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

Being Our Best

Every life has value, and every life has worth.
We may not see it clearly, but it's there from time of birth.
God gives special purpose and uniqueness to each one.
And each has opportunity to learn what God has done.

As we seek His purpose, all our footsteps He will guide.
And He will lead us by His hand as in Him we abide.
He will make us greater than we thought that we could be
And strengthen us to meet the mark of opportunity.

Why should we e'er settle for what's less than God's own best?
Why not choose to reach up and to make His best our quest?
We can't do this on our own but only by His grace,
But as we move in grace we then will find that higher place.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Worship

The harmonies of Heaven resound throughout the earth
And deep within the heart of man to worship give sweet birth.
Adoration answers with expressive, lilting song
As creation bursts with loveliness of worship all day long.

Worship gently wafts and weaves throughout the atmosphere...
A blessing from our loving God... His message of good cheer.
He brings us new dimension with each creative strain
And fills our hearts with Heaven as we hear His sweet refrain.

God's harmonies are matchless and marvelously profound.
Echoing from Heaven in a symphony of sound.
When we stop to listen and give God reverent pause,
We will hear the wonder of creation's sweet applause!

"O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things..."
Psalm 98:1 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf