Saturday, November 30, 2013

A Blessed Path

Choices which we sometimes make
Can bring us joy or bring us ache.
The choice might just be something small
But turn into a major squall.

Thinking through the steps we’ll take
Will save us pain from a mistake.
For God will set the path ahead
Where we may always safely tread.

Looking not to left or right
Will guarantee a path that’s bright.
Godly purpose will be found
And myriad blessings will abound.

“Let your eyes look right on (with fixed purpose), and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left...”
Proverbs 4:25-27 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, November 29, 2013

Being Grateful

Though you may not have enough
You still have more than others.
For many people suffer lack...
Neighbors, friends or homeless brothers.

Be grateful for this day God made.
Be grateful for His love.
Thank Him for His endless grace
And blessings flowing from above.

Gratefulness will change your thinking,
Adding beauty, joy and cheer,
Enabling you to function brightly,
In hard times to persevere.

Being grateful brings perspective,
Offering a different view.
No matter what your circumstance,
In God you’re truly “well-to-do”.

“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. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”
Psalm 63:3-5 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, November 28, 2013

A Song Of Thanksgiving

For abundance and for plenty
Let Thanksgiving songs be raised.
In expression from the heart
Let our God be warmly praised.

All we have is from His hand.
Let our worship freely flow.
Acknowledging His rich supply,
Let robust celebration grow.

He has poured out wondrous blessing.
Let us glorify His name!
For His love and faithfulness,
Let us bring Him all acclaim!

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
Psalm 95:1-3 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

His Name Is High

We are surrounded by good and by plenty.
God meets our needs in miraculous ways!
Let us be mindful of His glorious bounty
And lift up a song of thanksgiving and praise.

His name is high... above any other...
Worthy of honor and reverence and praise.
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
And to our great God celebration raise!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Psalm 34:1-3 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Pilgrims' Story

Pilgrims came wanting freedom,
Ventured out far to roam,
Seeking for to worship Jesus,
Left their land and left their home.

Pilgrims came, torn and weary,
Suffering for freedom’s cause,
Brave of heart and strong of conscience,
Blazing truth, changed history’s course.

Do we stand, as the pilgrims?
Have we giv’n as much as they?
Can the coming generations
Look at us, thanksgiving pray?

Pilgrims we? Are we ready
To be brave, to be strong?
Are we building roads for Jesus?
Making strides against all wrong?

Oh, that we would all be pilgrims,
Standing for what we believe,
Sacrificing even a little
That our country might stay free.

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”
Psalm 60:4 KJV

© 2003 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, November 25, 2013

Reaching Out

A Thanksgiving Story

Oftentimes, if we look around a little, we can find people with great need right on our doorstep.....

In our neighborhood there was a big old house which had been divided into apartments. There was a kindly gentleman, an older man, who lived there by himself and was very poor.

We were talking one day, as Thanksgiving was approaching, and he commented that he was going to buy a can of pumpkin so that he could taste it on Thanksgiving, because he hadn't had pumpkin pie for a long time. It broke my heart to think that that was going to be the extent of his Thanksgiving dinner. So my parents invited him to come have Thanksgiving dinner with us. Now no one could cook a better turkey than my mom could! Her dinners were always a treat and complete with all the trimmings!

When dinner was ready, she sliced a lot of meat and placed it on a large platter. Also, she placed one whole turkey leg there. We sat down to eat, and as the food was being passed, Mr. H. looked longingly at the turkey platter. He looked at the sliced meat and he looked at the turkey leg, which was large. We knew he wanted the leg, but he was too polite to take it. So Mom told him to take it - and then he did..... with a big smile.

During dinner he began to share his story with us. In 1944 he had done something for which he had spent a short time in jail. His family had disowned him and he had not seen them since. He paid his dues, but his family was gone. He had been completely alone ever since.

It was 1959, and this was the first Thanksgiving dinner he had eaten since 1944....

How rewarding it is to reach out to others.

"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."
Matthew 25:35 KJV

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Matthew 25:40 KJV

© 2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving brings reminder of God’s abundant blessing,
And pilgrims coming from afar, their love of God expressing.
They did not quit or “give up ship” because of hardship’s “press”,
But stood for freedom valiantly, enduring constant stress.

The first few years were bleak and hard... they paid a very high cost,
And as they suffered in the cold, precious lives were lost.
They labored and stood firm in faith, believing in their cause,
Planting seeds for this great nation... We give them applause!

Thank You, God, for those dear folk who came upon our shore.
The memory of who they were we never should ignore.
They gave up all they had and knew to worship and be free.
Help us be as strong as they... Help us, Lord, to see!

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
Psalm 95:2 KJV

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Blessed Unity

Unity will bear good fruits.
Divisiveness has ugly roots.
Unity works “hand-in-hand”.
Divisiveness just makes demand.

Unity will move ahead.
Divisiveness will fight instead.
Unity will get much done.
Divisiveness can show you none.

Blessed unity of thought
Shows love and patience as it ought
And seeks a goal of joy and peace,
Causing differences to cease.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 KJV

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, November 22, 2013

Climbing Safely

I shared with my chiropractor how I had had difficulty reaching my smoke alarm when it beeped in the middle of the night and how I didn’t want to climb up on anything to take it down. And this is the comment he made...”You should never climb higher than you want to fall.” These very wise words set off a whirlwind of thoughts in me...

If applied to everyday living, these words take on a whole greater meaning. If we try to “climb higher” in anything we do without wisdom and prayer we are setting ourselves up for a possible fall. Climbing higher in the workplace, climbing higher to be seen, climbing higher to prove we can do it, or just being careless and doing things without thinking... none of these is good, and we should always measure the size of a fall. Any kind of a fall could slow down or “cripple” our chances to move forward.

Trigger points which may precipitate a fall are ego, greed, jealousy, carelessness, lack of wisdom... How much wiser it is to think things through and to wait on the Lord’s timing. If we are meant to climb higher, He will prepare us and guide us so that our footsteps will be sure. He can save us many falls if we only will wait on Him. In the Lord we will be able to climb safely, for when we wait on Him, we walk in His favor.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:10 KJV

“He makes my feet like hinds’ feet (able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble); He sets me securely upon my high places.”
Psalm 18:33 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, November 21, 2013

LORD, You Are

Lord, You are as oil in the gears of my day.
You are the Light which drives away “gray”.
You are the Warmth when others are “cold”.
You are the Source of blessings untold.

You are the Author of love, joy and peace.
From tension and stress You bring me release.
You are Creator of all that I need.
Your blessings and favor my needs far exceed.

You are my Joy in all that I do.
When I am tired, my strength you renew.
When I need courage, in You I find “might”.
Walking with You is a daily delight.

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

“For the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Reach Higher

When my grandson was just a toddler, he found some plums on the ground which had fallen from a flowering plum tree. He knew what plums were and wanted to eat some. We told him, “No, these are the kind birds like to eat.”

He stretched his little arms upward with his hands full of these small plums and called, “Here, birdie, birdie. Here, birdie, birdie.” But the birds were high in the trees and did not hear him. Finally, with a big sigh, he dropped his little arms and said, “Can’t reach. Can’t reach.”

As adults, I think sometimes we are as this little child. We may have a goal to reach, or a special calling. We give it a try, realize it’s too hard to do, and we give up. But we shouldn’t quit, because through the grace of God we can reach higher than we think. And through prayer we can overcome obstacles in our way. He will strengthen us to accomplish what we thought we could not do.

Believe in Him. Trust in Him. And in His timing, God will make a way...

“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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Rest In The LORD

When the Lord gives to you an oasis of rest,
Drink of His goodness, in Him be refreshed.
Receive of His healing, bask in His peace.
Do not move forward till He gives release.

Do not shortchange the work He will do,
For when you are “quiet”, He’ll add strength to you.
If He gives a “season” in which you should dwell,
Don’t be impatient.... the Lord knows you well.

He brings restoration in body and soul
And gives new direction, that you may be whole.
During this time, new perspectives He’ll add.
Rest in the Lord. Rejoice and be glad!

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

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul...”
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, November 18, 2013

Let Joy Come In

Joy is contagious and laughter is warm.
It is like sunshine, your day to transform.
Being lighthearted will chase gloom and doom.
For positive thinking it soon will make room.

Don’t let your workload or thoughts pull you down.
The more you think “downward”, the more you will frown.
Remember the fun times which caused you to smile.
Rejoice in God’s goodness... let praise be your “style”.

Though you’re not “ready”, find reason to laugh.
Don’t go through your day with your joy at half-staff.
Worship the Lord... no matter your plight.
He’ll give you a day which is happy and bright.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4 KJV

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Time To Give

A time to give, a time to share,
A time to pray, a time to care.
Many people have great need
For acts of kindness or good deed.

Holidays are coming soon.
The chance to give is opportune.
What we’d spend to buy a gift
Could give a needy one a lift.

Giving is a blessed state...
The way in which we orchestrate
The love of Jesus for another,
Neighbor, friend or needy brother.

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Luke 6:31 KJV

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Philippians 2:4 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Know The WORD

Know the Word, for time is short
The tenets of our God to court.
Study now to learn His will
And Godly purpose to fulfill.

Godly truths remember well.
Let His truths within you dwell.
What is in the heart will stay,
For man cannot take that away.

Without the Word we don’t have light
To carry us through dark of night.
God’s wisdom is a lantern burning
To guide us and increase discerning.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, November 15, 2013

Making Change

When we sense we need to change
And all we do to rearrange,
Surely this will bring a sigh.
But simple truth we can’t deny.

Making change requires some work...
Some we normally might shirk.
Ignoring need for change brings woe.
We can’t afford to “just go slow”.

We could miss a “call” or chance
If we don’t change our circumstance.
How we need to hear God’s voice,
For He will help us make good choice.

“The thoughts of the (steadily) diligent tend only to plenteousness...”
Proverbs 21:5 Amplified Bible

“See then that ye walk cicumspectly, 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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Autumn Speaks

Autumn sings a lovely song,
But knows she cannot linger long.
She will spread her autumn cheer,
She hurries, knowing Winter’s near.

She wakes us up from summer laze
And says “Prepare” for Winter’s ways,
Then paints her beauty everywhere
With glorious artistry and flair.

Feel the briskness of her breeze.
The beauty of her season seize.
She speaks her message loud and clear...
“Prepare, prepare”, for Winter’s near.

Savor the beauty of the season, but listen to her voice...

“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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Mighty Oaks Of God

Thank You, Lord, for steadfast folks
Whose lives stand tall like mighty oaks...
Those who in their faith don’t waver
And whose lives have special “savor”.

They are pillars, they are light,
Immovable and shining bright.
In their “walk” they are untiring
And for many are inspiring.

They have “mined” the depths of God.
With holiness their feet are shod.
Their inspiration we behold
Is gleaned from God and rich with gold.

“Blessed is the man... whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever He does shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:2-3 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Arise From Slumber

Awake! Arise from slumber deep.
We can’t afford to be asleep.
Let urgency be on our “plate”,
For time is getting very late.

We can break through evil’s cloud
Which keeps so many people bowed.
Share with them the love of Christ.
For them His life was sacrificed.

No longer can we rest and laze.
Lift a banner of prayer and praise,
Spreading “good news” everywhere...
The love of Jesus to declare.

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, November 11, 2013

Fires Of Righteousness

Let mighty fires of righteousness
Break forth throughout our land.
Let folks be re-awakened
To the moving of God’s hand.

We were never founded
On a base of shifting sand,
But through prayer and sacrifice
Upon the Rock we stand.

Let us seek the Lord in prayer,
Re-capturing a Godly stance.
Let freedom’s cause be re-established...
Not just happenchance.

Let God’s army march anew
With fire and fervor for this cause,
Re-affirming righteousness.
For this we stand... with much applause!

“Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) these elevate a nation...”
Proverbs 14:34 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Our Children Need A Legacy

Our children need a legacy
Of wisdom and of truth,
For “waves” of information
Bring confusion to our youth.

How will they learn values
Except by our example.
Society today
Godly wisdom tends to trample.

Help them to find balance
And teach them what is right.
If they have the Word of God
Their future will be bright.

They will need discernment
To sort out what they hear.
Leave to them a legacy
Of understanding which is clear.

“And these words, which I am commanding you this day, shall be (first) in your own mind and heart; (then) you shall whet and sharpen them, so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the (minds and) hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Deuuteronomy 6:6-7 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, November 09, 2013

Rejoice And Be Glad

I must guard my thoughts against
Unwanted irritations...
Little things which just annoy
And rob my “inspirations”...

Taking time, upsetting peace
And distracting me from joy.
What a nuisance this can be,
So I’ve developed a new ploy.

I choose to overcome this “pest”
By shutting out its irksome noise.
I rejoice in serving God
And He establishes my poise.

When my mind is focused upward
Irritations lose their “clout”.
My joy and happiness in God
Displaces them and crowds them out!

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

“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most high.”
Psalm 9:2 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, November 08, 2013

Watching

When autumn wind gusts start to blow
We know that soon they will bring snow.
So we prepare for winter’s start
As we watch autumn’s “warmth” depart.

These simple signs before our eyes
Awaken us and say, “Be wise”.
As we answer wisdom’s voice
We rest because we’ve made good choice.

Yet other “signs” we do not see
And aren’t prepared... but need to be.
Discern the times and then respond.
The Lord will help us see beyond...

To sense this present urgency
And seek His face with fervency.
If we’re attuned to know His voice
He’ll guide us to make wisdom’s choice.

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
I Thessalonians 5:6 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Seniors Are God's Treasures

If you are a senior and think your “work” is done,
The greatest work which you will do may not have even begun.
God can add excitement and a season of great joy
In retirement and beyond when we rest in His employ.

It sometimes takes a lifetime to prepare for a great work,
So opportunity He gives to us we should never shirk.
The insights we have gathered will contribute to the “new”,
And with a new direction mighty works we still will do.

God will use His vessels if they’re open to His voice
And give them “special projects” which will cause them to rejoice.
We’ll have the “fire” and energy to welcome each new dawn.
His joy will fill us with new strength and fervor to go on!

“For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Where Blessings Are Found

Humility often will open a door
And fill us with insight from God’s treasure store.
When “me” is too big, it gets in the way
And causes our blessings to just go astray.

The more that we recognize God’s awesome power
And know that we need Him in every hour,
The more He responds and pours out His grace.
But traces of pride we first must erase.

Humility rests when we trust in God.
We won’t have a need for “glitz” or facade
To make an impression or show who we are
To those who are watching from near or afar.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:10 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Honesty

An honest man has naught to hide.
No shadows or untruths abide.
He can look you in the eye
And “tricks” or “fibs” will never try.

Honesty bears much good fruit.
It’s loveliness we should salute!
How much simpler life can be
When honesty has set us free.

Untruths make a tangled web,
Causing honesty to ebb.
Beauty fades and much is lost.
Untruths carry long-term cost.

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, November 04, 2013

Anchor Points

When we are searching and need some direction,
The Lord will allow us to make a connection
With someone whose voice will speak to our heart,
And of our lives their words become part.

People He sends will cut through our thinking
To give us strong anchor and keep us from “sinking”.
By grace He provides the people we need
So we will not miss but follow His lead.

Noting the anchor points which He will bring
Defines the direction to which we should cling.
All of us have individuals we know
Who, by their wisdom, have caused us to grow.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Proverbs 27:17 KJV

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Being Still

In today’s constant rush it’s hard to be still.
Folks hurry and push until they are ill.
The pace of our world suggests we do more,
And then we will own enough for a store!

Time with our God is the thing we need most.
If we don’t do this, then we cannot boast.
For all that we do will not have much worth
If we don’t give God a space or a berth.

Whatever the pressure, whatever the goal,
God will bring life to a world-weary soul.
When we are still and put our God first,
With blessing and peace we will be immersed.

“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

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, November 02, 2013

Built Upon The Rock

Whatever we build, when built on the Rock,
Has sturdy foundation which no foe can mock.
The labors we spend in serving the Lord
Cannot be shaken, but bring rich reward.

“Towers” we build, in which we place hope,
May not bring answers or help us to cope.
Aside from the Lord our “towers” will crumble,
Creating confusion and leaving a jumble.

When God helps us build, it may be unseen,
But substance is there, on which we can lean.
Wisdom would tell us to “build on the Rock”...
A sturdy foundation which no foe can mock.

“And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer: The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”
II Samuel 22:2-3 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, November 01, 2013

Hindsight

Through trial and error is how we gain hindsight.
On God we must lean and keep our grip tight.
Experience and trial will cause us to grow,
Learning new wisdom which we did not know.

The deeper the trial, the more we will trust.
When we are weak, His strength is a must.
When we can’t function, He helps us to cope.
If we’ve given up, He brings us new hope.

So waiting on God is the teaching we need,
To be truly yielded and follow His lead.
We will be wiser and have clearer vision,
And hindsight will show us His flawless precision.

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf