Some folks just are always late.
With them you "hurry up and wait".
Often they will have excuse.
Of others' time this is misuse.
Being punctual is a gift.
It's measuring our time with thrift.
"Waiting" time is time that's lost,
And sometimes it will bring high cost.
Sometimes schedules are too tight,
And this creates a stressful plight.
Only do that which is prime,
And make a plan to be on time!
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
High Flight
When efforts seem to fail, and emotions feel quite tattered,
It's time to reconsider just how much the cause has mattered.
For sometimes we get wrapped up in the matters of each day.
Our goals get somewhat side-tracked and we bog down in the "fray".
Oftentimes the tears we shed are spent upon "the little things",
But if we're focused on our goals, we'll rise up with golden wings
And bypass o'er the daily snags with confidence and joy and hope,
Riding on the wings of faith and keeping vision with bright scope.
"Bumpy" paths are not a challenge if we keep our sights on high.
We can move with able steps and never have to wonder why...
Efforts may get scrambled or delayed or maybe even stopped.
We won't lose composure if for "high flight" we will opt!
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in the 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
"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
© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf
It's time to reconsider just how much the cause has mattered.
For sometimes we get wrapped up in the matters of each day.
Our goals get somewhat side-tracked and we bog down in the "fray".
Oftentimes the tears we shed are spent upon "the little things",
But if we're focused on our goals, we'll rise up with golden wings
And bypass o'er the daily snags with confidence and joy and hope,
Riding on the wings of faith and keeping vision with bright scope.
"Bumpy" paths are not a challenge if we keep our sights on high.
We can move with able steps and never have to wonder why...
Efforts may get scrambled or delayed or maybe even stopped.
We won't lose composure if for "high flight" we will opt!
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in the 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
"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
© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Knowing His Voice
The shepherd watches o'er his sheep
By day and night his flock to keep.
When He speaks, His voice they know.
Where He leads, his flock will go.
Should a sheep then go astray
The Shepherd goes without delay
To find his sheep and bring him back...
To keep him safe from wolves' attack.
It's good to stay within the flock,
For evil lurks and runs amok.
The sheep who hears the Shepherd's voice
Is sheltered and has made wise choice.
"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
John 10:4 KJV
"If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
Matthew 18:12 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
By day and night his flock to keep.
When He speaks, His voice they know.
Where He leads, his flock will go.
Should a sheep then go astray
The Shepherd goes without delay
To find his sheep and bring him back...
To keep him safe from wolves' attack.
It's good to stay within the flock,
For evil lurks and runs amok.
The sheep who hears the Shepherd's voice
Is sheltered and has made wise choice.
"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
John 10:4 KJV
"If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
Matthew 18:12 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Soaring In Him
When we overcome the trivial
What a blessing is in store.
As we seek a higher plane
In the Spirit we will soar!
"Every-dayness" bogs us down
And tends to weary our precision,
But when we seek the Holy Spirit
He will open up our vision.
Gaining insight and perspective,
We will see in new dimension,
Moving in the Spirit's timing
With much greater comprehension.
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being..."
Acts 17:28 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
What a blessing is in store.
As we seek a higher plane
In the Spirit we will soar!
"Every-dayness" bogs us down
And tends to weary our precision,
But when we seek the Holy Spirit
He will open up our vision.
Gaining insight and perspective,
We will see in new dimension,
Moving in the Spirit's timing
With much greater comprehension.
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being..."
Acts 17:28 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Gift Of Silence
Gossip is a "careless" tool.
We should never let it rule.
Info which we should not share
Discreetly should be wrapped in prayer.
When in speech our words meander,
Sometimes they become as slander.
Gossip sadly lacks respect
And lovingkindness won't reflect.
Any "news" which we might hear
To another may be dear.
We can give that one a lift...
To them our "silence" is a gift.
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."
Proverbs 17:9 KJV
"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 26:20, 22 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
We should never let it rule.
Info which we should not share
Discreetly should be wrapped in prayer.
When in speech our words meander,
Sometimes they become as slander.
Gossip sadly lacks respect
And lovingkindness won't reflect.
Any "news" which we might hear
To another may be dear.
We can give that one a lift...
To them our "silence" is a gift.
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."
Proverbs 17:9 KJV
"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 26:20, 22 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A Sure Foundation
The Lord is our strength.
He is our salvation.
In Him we live
And have firm foundation.
Should all else be gone,
We find we can stand.
For He is our Rock...
And offers His hand.
Our foundation is sure...
We're never alone.
When anchored in Him
We can face the unknown.
"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 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
He is our salvation.
In Him we live
And have firm foundation.
Should all else be gone,
We find we can stand.
For He is our Rock...
And offers His hand.
Our foundation is sure...
We're never alone.
When anchored in Him
We can face the unknown.
"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 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A Young Boy's Tribute
Recently my brother Dave went home to be with the Lord, and the following is my grandson's tribute to his Uncle Dave...
IN LOVING MEMORTY OF DAVE FRANZEL
Born on December 25, 1931. He died at the age of 79 on December 11, 2011. He was a war veteran. He served during the Korean War.
WE WILL MISS YOU!!
WE WILL REMEMBER YOU!!!
YOU ARE IN A "COOLER" PLACE
Also in memory of his Uncle Dave he prepared a memorial. In a box he placed the following items:
Crayons and Christmas bows... because Dave had a colorful imagination.
A Christmas light bulb... because he had light in his heart.
Money (a dime)... because he was worth more than gold.
Candy... because he was sweet.
A hand-warmer... so he would be warm wherever he went.
A comic and "silly band"... because he was funny.
A hat... because Dave always wore a hat.
Wood... because he was a carpenter and worked with wood.
An eraser and pencil... the pencil to mark the wood and the eraser in case he made an error in the way he marked it.
An Army man... to represent his military service.
He wrapped the box in waterproof tape and asked to bury it in the ground in my back yard (because I lived near Dave).
My grandson is 11 years old and did not ask for help in doing this. This was his own tribute to someone he loved. Also, he got up and shared about this at the memorial service for Dave.
After the service he told me, "Uncle Dave was like the fuel in the car of my heart"...
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
IN LOVING MEMORTY OF DAVE FRANZEL
Born on December 25, 1931. He died at the age of 79 on December 11, 2011. He was a war veteran. He served during the Korean War.
WE WILL MISS YOU!!
WE WILL REMEMBER YOU!!!
YOU ARE IN A "COOLER" PLACE
Also in memory of his Uncle Dave he prepared a memorial. In a box he placed the following items:
Crayons and Christmas bows... because Dave had a colorful imagination.
A Christmas light bulb... because he had light in his heart.
Money (a dime)... because he was worth more than gold.
Candy... because he was sweet.
A hand-warmer... so he would be warm wherever he went.
A comic and "silly band"... because he was funny.
A hat... because Dave always wore a hat.
Wood... because he was a carpenter and worked with wood.
An eraser and pencil... the pencil to mark the wood and the eraser in case he made an error in the way he marked it.
An Army man... to represent his military service.
He wrapped the box in waterproof tape and asked to bury it in the ground in my back yard (because I lived near Dave).
My grandson is 11 years old and did not ask for help in doing this. This was his own tribute to someone he loved. Also, he got up and shared about this at the memorial service for Dave.
After the service he told me, "Uncle Dave was like the fuel in the car of my heart"...
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Emmanuel - God With Us
With us in the light of day,
With us through the night,
With us through our fearful times
Or struggles... even slight.
Nothing is too hard for Him
And nothing is too small.
As we walk with faithful step
He will cover all...
With comfort and encouragement.
We never are alone.
All the factors of our day
Before Him are well-known.
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
Matthew 1:23 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
With us through the night,
With us through our fearful times
Or struggles... even slight.
Nothing is too hard for Him
And nothing is too small.
As we walk with faithful step
He will cover all...
With comfort and encouragement.
We never are alone.
All the factors of our day
Before Him are well-known.
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
Matthew 1:23 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Monday, January 23, 2012
A Heart Of Compassion
My brother Dave had a heart for people who were struggling in life...
One day he left his workplace at lunchtime and walked up to the park blocks around Portland State College to eat his sack lunch. He saw a man lying on one of the park benches, and he heard the Lord say to him, "Give that man your lunch." He did, and that was the beginning of a very beautiful friendship.
This man had been a writer for a large well-known newspaper in the Chicago area, and he had been high up in leadership of his church. But he lost his job, and then his marriage failed and he started drinking. At some point he had come to the Portland area. He spent some time in the Burnside area, drinking, but he decided he shouldn't be there so he moved to the park block area near the college where Dave found him.
Over time Dave took lunch to him a number of times, and on cold days would try to find him and take him to a restaurant to eat and get warm. Eventually someone gave this man a room to stay in, and he came back to the Lord. He had a very sincere, gentle spirit... a beautiful person.
Dave, because of his compassion for hurting people, was a part of this man being able to piece his life back together again, and this man had a new beginning in life.
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
One day he left his workplace at lunchtime and walked up to the park blocks around Portland State College to eat his sack lunch. He saw a man lying on one of the park benches, and he heard the Lord say to him, "Give that man your lunch." He did, and that was the beginning of a very beautiful friendship.
This man had been a writer for a large well-known newspaper in the Chicago area, and he had been high up in leadership of his church. But he lost his job, and then his marriage failed and he started drinking. At some point he had come to the Portland area. He spent some time in the Burnside area, drinking, but he decided he shouldn't be there so he moved to the park block area near the college where Dave found him.
Over time Dave took lunch to him a number of times, and on cold days would try to find him and take him to a restaurant to eat and get warm. Eventually someone gave this man a room to stay in, and he came back to the Lord. He had a very sincere, gentle spirit... a beautiful person.
Dave, because of his compassion for hurting people, was a part of this man being able to piece his life back together again, and this man had a new beginning in life.
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Much Prayer Needed
How much we need to pray
For our nation every day...
That God will heal our "ills"
And save us from men's wills.
Pray that truth be known
And that leaders willl be shown
The path we need to walk...
And God's ways will not balk.
God will hear the prayer
Of an humble burden-bearer.
With covering of prayer
How much better we will fare!
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
For our nation every day...
That God will heal our "ills"
And save us from men's wills.
Pray that truth be known
And that leaders willl be shown
The path we need to walk...
And God's ways will not balk.
God will hear the prayer
Of an humble burden-bearer.
With covering of prayer
How much better we will fare!
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Reaching Out
A Prayer
Help us to see, to know and discern...
A hand reaching out needs a hand in return.
Some folks in need are quiet and shy.
Help us to hear the depth of their sigh.
Sometimes a smile will bring inner healing
To one who is down in how he is feeling.
Sometimes a touch to show that we care
Becomes as an answer to someone's deep prayer.
Lord, You alert us to those who have need
And cause us to sow some positive seed.
Help us, O Lord, to see as You see
And always a messenger of hope to be.
"...Let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Philippians 2:3-4 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Help us to see, to know and discern...
A hand reaching out needs a hand in return.
Some folks in need are quiet and shy.
Help us to hear the depth of their sigh.
Sometimes a smile will bring inner healing
To one who is down in how he is feeling.
Sometimes a touch to show that we care
Becomes as an answer to someone's deep prayer.
Lord, You alert us to those who have need
And cause us to sow some positive seed.
Help us, O Lord, to see as You see
And always a messenger of hope to be.
"...Let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Philippians 2:3-4 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Friday, January 20, 2012
A New Vessel
A long time ago I had a dream, and in my mind I can still see what the Lord showed me in that dream.
I saw a broken teapot. It had been dropped and broken so many times that now it was just beginning to crumble apart. It seemed to now be beyond repair.
But then suddenly, as I again looked at the teapot, it was all shiny and new. It was totally restored to it's original beauty with lovely painted designs on it. As I looked closely I could see no hairline cracks in it al all. It was beautiful.
This teapot represented a broken life, and in the restored teapot I saw how the love of God had erased the brokenness and re-created that life to be even more beautiful than when it was first created. There were no signs of aging or wear and tear.
And this is the promise we have in Christ. He is able to take all the broken pieces of our lives and make them into something new and beautiful. He cares so much...
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."
Psalm 30:11-12 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
I saw a broken teapot. It had been dropped and broken so many times that now it was just beginning to crumble apart. It seemed to now be beyond repair.
But then suddenly, as I again looked at the teapot, it was all shiny and new. It was totally restored to it's original beauty with lovely painted designs on it. As I looked closely I could see no hairline cracks in it al all. It was beautiful.
This teapot represented a broken life, and in the restored teapot I saw how the love of God had erased the brokenness and re-created that life to be even more beautiful than when it was first created. There were no signs of aging or wear and tear.
And this is the promise we have in Christ. He is able to take all the broken pieces of our lives and make them into something new and beautiful. He cares so much...
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."
Psalm 30:11-12 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Roads We Travel
In life we walk so many roads
And often carry heavy loads,
But as we walk them in God's light
Our "walks" will be content and bright.
When we can't see 'round the bend
Then on God we can depend.
Folks may ponder what we do
And think that we "don't have a clue"...
But in our God we have clear lead.
Our fondest hopes He will exceed.
From many roadways we can choose,
And He will help us win... not lose.
"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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
And often carry heavy loads,
But as we walk them in God's light
Our "walks" will be content and bright.
When we can't see 'round the bend
Then on God we can depend.
Folks may ponder what we do
And think that we "don't have a clue"...
But in our God we have clear lead.
Our fondest hopes He will exceed.
From many roadways we can choose,
And He will help us win... not lose.
"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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sowing And Reaping
Never give up... continue to sow.
Sooner or later your efforts will show.
Sometimes we think our prayers are not heard,
But when prayed in faith, God hears ev'ry word.
Our labors to sow good seed for the Lord
Will come to fruition and bring rich reward.
Weeping and toiling sometimes may be long,
But when answers come we'll sing victory's song.
Never give up, continue to sow
Good seeds into lives wherever you go.
When you trust the Lord, not one seed is lost.
Rejoicing will come and o'ertake the "cost".
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sooner or later your efforts will show.
Sometimes we think our prayers are not heard,
But when prayed in faith, God hears ev'ry word.
Our labors to sow good seed for the Lord
Will come to fruition and bring rich reward.
Weeping and toiling sometimes may be long,
But when answers come we'll sing victory's song.
Never give up, continue to sow
Good seeds into lives wherever you go.
When you trust the Lord, not one seed is lost.
Rejoicing will come and o'ertake the "cost".
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Prayer Finds A Way
As water always makes a way
To reach it's destination,
Prayer, too, o'ercomes and flows
In quiet celebration.
Prayers ascend the highest wall
And reach through time and space,
Pushing forward fervently
Sweet answers to embrace.
Prayers left in God's great hands
Are clothed and laden with His power,
Able to surmount our cares
And stand with strength through "trouble's" hour.
Prayer always finds a way
And flows with expectation,
Even as a waterbrook
To reach it's destination.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
To reach it's destination,
Prayer, too, o'ercomes and flows
In quiet celebration.
Prayers ascend the highest wall
And reach through time and space,
Pushing forward fervently
Sweet answers to embrace.
Prayers left in God's great hands
Are clothed and laden with His power,
Able to surmount our cares
And stand with strength through "trouble's" hour.
Prayer always finds a way
And flows with expectation,
Even as a waterbrook
To reach it's destination.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Monday, January 16, 2012
Simple Words
When many words present a "test"
Simple answers are the best.
Speaking truth and staying calm
Will often be as healing balm.
Parsing words much time will waste
And sponsor feelings of distaste.
Little "sparks" can cause a fire
And bog one down in anger's mire.
There really is a better way.
Choose to stay above the "fray".
Don't let "words" and quibbling in.
Simple answers usually win.
"But refuse - shut your mind against, have nothing to do with - trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels."
II Timothy 2:23 Amplified Bible
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Simple answers are the best.
Speaking truth and staying calm
Will often be as healing balm.
Parsing words much time will waste
And sponsor feelings of distaste.
Little "sparks" can cause a fire
And bog one down in anger's mire.
There really is a better way.
Choose to stay above the "fray".
Don't let "words" and quibbling in.
Simple answers usually win.
"But refuse - shut your mind against, have nothing to do with - trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels."
II Timothy 2:23 Amplified Bible
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Trends Of The Times
The trends of the times have made people numb,
And oft they forget God's wisdom to plumb.
Truth gives foundation on which we should stand
As flurries of untruth descend on our land.
We cannot let these trends become "norm",
Nor should we ever to "blurred" trends conform.
Discernment will come if we stay in the Word
To always stand strong against untruths we've heard.
Trends starting small may not seem to matter,
But when not discerned God's "order" will scatter.
His Word will help us to see through this "stuff"
And always with wisdom these trends to rebuff.
"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
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
And oft they forget God's wisdom to plumb.
Truth gives foundation on which we should stand
As flurries of untruth descend on our land.
We cannot let these trends become "norm",
Nor should we ever to "blurred" trends conform.
Discernment will come if we stay in the Word
To always stand strong against untruths we've heard.
Trends starting small may not seem to matter,
But when not discerned God's "order" will scatter.
His Word will help us to see through this "stuff"
And always with wisdom these trends to rebuff.
"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
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Learning Experience
We don't learn in easy times.
Wisdom comes from many "climbs"...
Out of valleys, up big hills,
Out of problems, sometimes ills.
A "situation" or a glitch
Can leave us poor or make us rich.
How we choose to deal with such
Can be a plus and teach us much.
Running from the "mount" we face
Will take us to an empty place.
But seeking wisdom as we learn
Will bring us merit in return.
"Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding (drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences). For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold."
Proverbs 3:13-14 Amplified Bible
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Wisdom comes from many "climbs"...
Out of valleys, up big hills,
Out of problems, sometimes ills.
A "situation" or a glitch
Can leave us poor or make us rich.
How we choose to deal with such
Can be a plus and teach us much.
Running from the "mount" we face
Will take us to an empty place.
But seeking wisdom as we learn
Will bring us merit in return.
"Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding (drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences). For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold."
Proverbs 3:13-14 Amplified Bible
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Friday, January 13, 2012
My Prayer For Peace
Lord, this is my prayer for peace.
Let all strife and tension cease.
Let us learn to show respect
And on Your goodness to reflect.
Let Your kindness in us show
So others Your great love will know,
Doing some good deed each day
And, when tensions rise, to pray.
Help us spread good will and cheer
To offset feelings which are "drear".
Help us "foster" love and peace.
Let God's love in us increase.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schweartzkopf
Let all strife and tension cease.
Let us learn to show respect
And on Your goodness to reflect.
Let Your kindness in us show
So others Your great love will know,
Doing some good deed each day
And, when tensions rise, to pray.
Help us spread good will and cheer
To offset feelings which are "drear".
Help us "foster" love and peace.
Let God's love in us increase.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schweartzkopf
Thursday, January 12, 2012
People Who Inspire - Connie
I once knew a woman named Connie who had learned to lean on the Lord in a very practical way. Connie was a lovely, young married woman with three small children...
She and her husband had invited our Sunday School class to their home for a backyard barbecue. On the day of the barbecue I stopped at her home around 11:00 a.m. to bring a card table and chairs to her. She was trying to mow the back lawn, but her day wasn't going well. She had a sink full of dishes, wall-to-wall toys, hadn't washed her hair, and one of the children had a problem which needed medical attention. Also, that morning, when her husband left for work, he had asked her to fold all the diapers and laundry in the basement because he wanted to show everyone their new waterbed. When I left she was headed to the doctor's office. I offered to come back and help her, but she said, "no".
In the evening when I returned to her home Connie was relaxed and well-groomed, and her home was in perfect order. She was not at all frazzled, but looked rested. I asked her if someone had come to help, and she said, simply, "No. Every time I felt rushed I sat down and read the Word." She had accomplished a supernatural amount of work that afternoon and seemed to have gained strength and composure in the midst of it.
As we remember to lean on Him in the little things He will give us increase in our days and allow us to accomplish the bigger things He has for us. If we don't lean on Him in the little things we may not ever learn what the bigger things are.
"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
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
She and her husband had invited our Sunday School class to their home for a backyard barbecue. On the day of the barbecue I stopped at her home around 11:00 a.m. to bring a card table and chairs to her. She was trying to mow the back lawn, but her day wasn't going well. She had a sink full of dishes, wall-to-wall toys, hadn't washed her hair, and one of the children had a problem which needed medical attention. Also, that morning, when her husband left for work, he had asked her to fold all the diapers and laundry in the basement because he wanted to show everyone their new waterbed. When I left she was headed to the doctor's office. I offered to come back and help her, but she said, "no".
In the evening when I returned to her home Connie was relaxed and well-groomed, and her home was in perfect order. She was not at all frazzled, but looked rested. I asked her if someone had come to help, and she said, simply, "No. Every time I felt rushed I sat down and read the Word." She had accomplished a supernatural amount of work that afternoon and seemed to have gained strength and composure in the midst of it.
As we remember to lean on Him in the little things He will give us increase in our days and allow us to accomplish the bigger things He has for us. If we don't lean on Him in the little things we may not ever learn what the bigger things are.
"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
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Careful Words
Sometimes the words we speak get us in trouble.
Speaking too quickly can make problems double.
It is much better to give words some thought
Or maybe say nothing till wisdom is sought.
How many problems could daily be solved,
And how many tensions could then be resolved!
A disciplined tongue will measure it's speech,
Lest kindness and friendships it's harshness might breach.
The tongue may be small, but has might and power
To impact for good and bring a "sweet shower"
Of kindness and wisdom to those who have need,
And bring good example while sowing rich seed.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow in wrath..."
James 1:19 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Speaking too quickly can make problems double.
It is much better to give words some thought
Or maybe say nothing till wisdom is sought.
How many problems could daily be solved,
And how many tensions could then be resolved!
A disciplined tongue will measure it's speech,
Lest kindness and friendships it's harshness might breach.
The tongue may be small, but has might and power
To impact for good and bring a "sweet shower"
Of kindness and wisdom to those who have need,
And bring good example while sowing rich seed.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow in wrath..."
James 1:19 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wisdom's Balance
Though men may debate, God's wisdom will stand.
Even though they quibble throughout the land,
Promoting ideas with man-made intent
About which they endlessly fume and lament.
Then TV and radio replay all this "news"
So we may "learn" and maybe will choose
Which side to be on... should there be a vote.
First we should pray and of wisdom take note.
God's view is clear and will give good perspective.
He'll guide us and help us to be quite selective.
If we trust Him He'll show us when there may be error.
From Him we should learn and of man's views beware.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
James 1:5 KJV
© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Even though they quibble throughout the land,
Promoting ideas with man-made intent
About which they endlessly fume and lament.
Then TV and radio replay all this "news"
So we may "learn" and maybe will choose
Which side to be on... should there be a vote.
First we should pray and of wisdom take note.
God's view is clear and will give good perspective.
He'll guide us and help us to be quite selective.
If we trust Him He'll show us when there may be error.
From Him we should learn and of man's views beware.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
James 1:5 KJV
© 2007 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Monday, January 09, 2012
Peaceful Waters
Peaceful waters soothe my soul,
Refresh my spirit, make me whole.
Should I pass through arid places
Your pure water "dust" erases.
Waters from Your heav'nly fount
Enable me to climb a mount
Or reach up to a higher plane,
Greater vistas to attain.
Peace is as a living stream,
My anxious moments to redeem,
Flowing out to touch and heal,
God's lovingkindness to reveal.
"He leadeth me beside the still waters."
Psalm 23:2 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Refresh my spirit, make me whole.
Should I pass through arid places
Your pure water "dust" erases.
Waters from Your heav'nly fount
Enable me to climb a mount
Or reach up to a higher plane,
Greater vistas to attain.
Peace is as a living stream,
My anxious moments to redeem,
Flowing out to touch and heal,
God's lovingkindness to reveal.
"He leadeth me beside the still waters."
Psalm 23:2 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Humility And Grace
He who boasts should careful be,
Lest God's great grace and mercy flee.
Grace is given to the humble.
Boasting causes it to crumble.
He who thinks he "has it made"
Is standing on a slippery grade.
Being overconfident
Can often lead to discontent.
When reality sets in
That boasting doesn't help one win,
God is able then to heal
The boaster from His self-made zeal.
"Humble pie" may then be sweet,
As grace o'ertakes pride and conceit.
Humility becomes the ground
On which a life may be profound.
"The Lord lifteth up the meek..."
Psalm 147:6 KJV
"God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
James 4:6 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Lest God's great grace and mercy flee.
Grace is given to the humble.
Boasting causes it to crumble.
He who thinks he "has it made"
Is standing on a slippery grade.
Being overconfident
Can often lead to discontent.
When reality sets in
That boasting doesn't help one win,
God is able then to heal
The boaster from His self-made zeal.
"Humble pie" may then be sweet,
As grace o'ertakes pride and conceit.
Humility becomes the ground
On which a life may be profound.
"The Lord lifteth up the meek..."
Psalm 147:6 KJV
"God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
James 4:6 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Winter's Pause
Winter brings pond'rings and times to just rest
As hillsides and fields are pristinely dressed
In crystals of frost and blankets of white...
A pause in the year to seek the Lord's light.
As snowflakes fall, or winds blow and storm,
Draw near to Jesus and let Him transform
Your thoughts from last year to a year bright and new
And sponsor ideas for you to pursue.
As you take time to ponder and pray
He will enrich your year day by day.
Winter gives pause when we may take rest
To savor the goodness of God and be blessed.
"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Lamentations 3:25 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
As hillsides and fields are pristinely dressed
In crystals of frost and blankets of white...
A pause in the year to seek the Lord's light.
As snowflakes fall, or winds blow and storm,
Draw near to Jesus and let Him transform
Your thoughts from last year to a year bright and new
And sponsor ideas for you to pursue.
As you take time to ponder and pray
He will enrich your year day by day.
Winter gives pause when we may take rest
To savor the goodness of God and be blessed.
"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Lamentations 3:25 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Friday, January 06, 2012
Blazing A Trail
When we're starting out anew
And begin to "blaze a trail",
Are we "taking land" for good?
Do our efforts have avail?
The direction of our lives,
When we've diligently planned,
Can make impact of great value
Which will matter and will stand.
We can change the world
By the way we live each day.
Our lives can make a difference
And help others find their way.
The gifts we leave behind
When our lives are finally spent
Are things we do for others.
May they be of blessed intent.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 KJV
© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf
And begin to "blaze a trail",
Are we "taking land" for good?
Do our efforts have avail?
The direction of our lives,
When we've diligently planned,
Can make impact of great value
Which will matter and will stand.
We can change the world
By the way we live each day.
Our lives can make a difference
And help others find their way.
The gifts we leave behind
When our lives are finally spent
Are things we do for others.
May they be of blessed intent.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 KJV
© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Waiting On God In The New Year
For resolutions on a list
Of things which I should do this year,
I'll ask the Lord for new insight
And listen carefully to hear.
To find His purpose for each day
Will certainly much better be
Than following my own ideas
And missing what God has for me.
As I stay in tune with Him
He will lead my steps each day.
And He will change the way I think
As I listen and I 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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Of things which I should do this year,
I'll ask the Lord for new insight
And listen carefully to hear.
To find His purpose for each day
Will certainly much better be
Than following my own ideas
And missing what God has for me.
As I stay in tune with Him
He will lead my steps each day.
And He will change the way I think
As I listen and I 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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Always He Is There
God changes lives...
He ties up loose ends which are unraveling.
He finds our lost pieces and puts the puzzle of our lives back togther again.
He mends our inner man when we are hopelessly broken.
He rebuilds what is crumbled.
He lifts us up when we are overwhelmed.
He calls out to us when we are racing in the wrong direction.
He is comfort in times of loss.
He is strength in times of weakness.
His grace is more than enough and His mercies are new every morning.
He loves us even though we stumble or fail,
And always He is there for us.
"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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
He ties up loose ends which are unraveling.
He finds our lost pieces and puts the puzzle of our lives back togther again.
He mends our inner man when we are hopelessly broken.
He rebuilds what is crumbled.
He lifts us up when we are overwhelmed.
He calls out to us when we are racing in the wrong direction.
He is comfort in times of loss.
He is strength in times of weakness.
His grace is more than enough and His mercies are new every morning.
He loves us even though we stumble or fail,
And always He is there for us.
"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
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Truth Is Best
"Counterfeit" people will cheat, lie or steal.
They may seem innocent, but they're not "real".
Though they don't really intend to be cruel,
Deep in their "guidelines" for truth, "grey" will rule.
They aren't "clear-cut" on what's black or white.
Their insight is "hazy"... it isn't quite right.
They sometimes think "a little won't matter"
When in reality, truth it will scatter.
Truth is unbending... it cannot be changed.
It cannot be compromised or rearranged.
Those who see clearly will know what is true
And hold to the truth in all that they do.
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Proverbs 19:5 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
They may seem innocent, but they're not "real".
Though they don't really intend to be cruel,
Deep in their "guidelines" for truth, "grey" will rule.
They aren't "clear-cut" on what's black or white.
Their insight is "hazy"... it isn't quite right.
They sometimes think "a little won't matter"
When in reality, truth it will scatter.
Truth is unbending... it cannot be changed.
It cannot be compromised or rearranged.
Those who see clearly will know what is true
And hold to the truth in all that they do.
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Proverbs 19:5 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Monday, January 02, 2012
Power In The Word
The Word is a fortress of power and might,
Unshakable, strong and bursting with light,
Resource unending wherein we may dwell,
All darkness and error from us to dispel.
The Word undergirds and makes us sure-footed,
Giving us strength which can't be uprooted.
It is our shield against worldly woes,
Bringing serenity, calm and repose.
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
Proverbs 30:5 KJV
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105 KJV
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Unshakable, strong and bursting with light,
Resource unending wherein we may dwell,
All darkness and error from us to dispel.
The Word undergirds and makes us sure-footed,
Giving us strength which can't be uprooted.
It is our shield against worldly woes,
Bringing serenity, calm and repose.
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
Proverbs 30:5 KJV
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105 KJV
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 KJV
© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Some New Year's Thoughts
To be worthy in God's sight,
To be a light and then shine bright,
To hear God's voice and do what's right,
To not spend time on what is trite.
To daily lift God's name on high,
To obey and not ask "Why?"
To pray and not stand idly by
When someone hurting heaves a sigh.
To be kind in what I say,
To reach a set goal every day,
To not be idle or blase'
Or let wise focus slip away.
To pray in this election year
For God to guard our freedoms dear,
To God's leading to adhere,
And always His great name revere.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
To be a light and then shine bright,
To hear God's voice and do what's right,
To not spend time on what is trite.
To daily lift God's name on high,
To obey and not ask "Why?"
To pray and not stand idly by
When someone hurting heaves a sigh.
To be kind in what I say,
To reach a set goal every day,
To not be idle or blase'
Or let wise focus slip away.
To pray in this election year
For God to guard our freedoms dear,
To God's leading to adhere,
And always His great name revere.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf
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