Love Never Fails

Families which are close-knit
Will have a special kind of grit.
Closely bonded, they will stand,
Hearts united, hand-in-hand.

Each will help the other one
To finish all the goals begun.
None is left to stand alone,
For love and caring have been sown.

When homes are filled with Jesus’ love,
Blessings there are from above.
Special bonding will abide
And rest on those who there reside.

“Love never fails...”
I Corinthians 13:8 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace Instead Of Confusion

Envy and self-seeking hide
And then will try to override
In an effort to have gain,
And then disorder tends to reign.

Confusion robs and causes waste
By those who sometimes act in haste.
Time is lost and purpose scattered,
Scrambling that which really mattered.

Peace and wisdom will offset
Confusion’s seeds which are a threat.
When we practice to be humble
Confusion cannot make us stumble.

“For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition) there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices."
James 3:16 Amplified Bible

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Making Melody

Let my heart be full of song
And sing its music all day long.
Let harmony and beauty flow,
And love and inspiration sow.

Perhaps if I am full of song
Another just may sing along.
The melody in memory stays,
And two will soon be singing praise.

Let all worship multiply
To wipe the tears from every eye,
To sponsor joy or heal a heart,
Encouragement or cheer impart.

Fill me, Lord, with melody.
Let my song contagious be.
A lovely song can be a gift
To someone who may need a lift.

“Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices (and instruments) and making melody with all your heart to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:19 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Growing In God

I like to feel that I am winning
But know that I am just beginning.
When the first step I have won,
I know there’s more work to be done.

When we “win”, we can’t “retire”.
For God will always take us higher.
Resting on a former win
May stifle something new within.

Though we sometimes feel tired
God will keep us much-inspired.
All the “lessons” which we learn
Will bring us very rich return.

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fragrant Bouquet

Some people labor so they may be wealthy,
But some folks are struggling just to be healthy.
We live in a world where evil abounds.
Much that we hear our good health confounds.

We can turn off the negative flow
And spread some well-being by words which we sow.
We can be messengers filled with good cheer
And issue strong health to all who are near.

We too are stronger as we choose our words,
For sweetness of speech our health undergirds.
Joy, when expressed, will chase ills away...
As fragrant and healing as a bouquet.

“The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.”
Proverbs 15:30 KJV

“”Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 KJV

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Fulfilling Life

When life becomes a carousel
And round and round you go...
When caught up in a pattern
Without time to think or grow...

It’s time to re-evaluate
And maybe make some change.
Don’t let “seasons” pass you by
Because you’re “stuck” long-range.

Patterns have good purpose
For the season you are in.
But when you need to move ahead
Choose patterns which will be win-win.

In life our seasons pass by once
And then forever they are gone.
Have perseverance in each one
With purpose you can build upon.

“The (uncompromisingly) righteous shall flourish like the palm tree (be long-lived, stately, upright, useful and fruitful); he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (majestic, stable, durable and incorruptible). Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Growing in grace) they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap (of spiritual vitality) and rich in the verdure (of trust, love and contentment).”
Psalm 92:12-14 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Easier Way

It’s easy to want more and more
But better when there’s less to store!
For everything I make a place,
But then stuff soon fills up my space.

Whenever I buy something new
I need to think my storage through.
Too much stuff will bog me down,
And cleaning then will make me frown.

I just may not need as much.
To “things” I do not want to clutch.
If I don’t keep a watchful eye
Stuff will surely multiply!

It’s really nice to have some space
So I can keep my things in place.
Clutter just is not okay.
Life is easier this way!

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Plate

Most folks do not like to wait.
They often have too full a plate.
But hurriedness may have a price
And bring results which won’t suffice.

God will make us wait with cause
Because we need to rest or pause.
His perspective we must learn
And His insights should discern.

Patience will become our peace
And from disquiet bring release.
When God says we need to wait
He’s adding wisdom to our “plate”

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.”
Psalm 138:8 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let Truth Be Known

Let truth be known and man be shown.
Let righteousness in hearts be sown.
Let light expose all evil-speaking
And those whose lies the truth are tweaking.

Truth won’t waver, it will stand.
It walks with justice hand-in-hand,
Filtering darkness out of light,
Presenting wisdom which is bright.

Truth is as a mighty rock
And something we must never mock.
It provides a firm foundation
For every man and every nation.

“Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.”
Psalm 51:6 Amplified Bible

“His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.”
Psalm 91:4 Amplified Bible

“For God’s (holy) wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.”
Romans 1:18 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Reaching The Mountaintop

Do you want to reach the mountaintop?
Spend some time alone with God.
For here you’ll reach the steepest climes
As your feet with wings are shod.

He will take you to great heights
As you have commune with Him,
Revealing truths to make you soar
Beyond your fondest dream or whim.

When your heart is turned to Him
The mountaintops are not too high.
He will lift you up to “see”
And all your hopes will satisfy.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.”
Psalm 18:32-33 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Beauty Of Communication

Communication is an art,
Always a good place to start.
How can any work together
If they are not “of one feather”?

Good can come when thoughts are shared
And differences are clearly aired.
For then agreement can be reached.
Faith and trust will not be breached.

But when these factors aren’t in place
Dissension rears its ugly face.
Communication, freely flowing,
Makes life much more easygoing.

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
James 3:13 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Better Tomorrow

The past we cannot rearrange,
But out of it we can bring change.
From its lessons we should borrow
To ensure a good tomorrow.

For direction we should pray
And choose to give our best each day.
The Lord will keep us out of snares
Which might come at us unawares.

Careful footsteps are the key
As to how good our days will be.
We can make tomorrows shine
If to God’s wisdom we incline.

“Blessed is the man. that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither: and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:1-3 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Respect Is Beautiful

Respect is beautiful to see,
Showing God’s love gracioiusly,
Treating others as we should,
Bringing blessing... which is good!

Respect shows courtesy and caring,
Thoughtfulness and kindness sharing.
It shows reverence and regard
And never leaves folks feeling “jarred”.

Respect is much to be desired...
A quality to be acquired.
Always we should show respect,
God’s love and kindness to reflect.

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Diligence Prospers

The diligent prosper, though they be not rich.
Their carefulness keeps them from error and glitch.
They keep an eye on little details
And quickly will fix any problem that ails.

The diligent study to make a good choice,
And they will not listen to impulse’s voice.
They plan ahead the best way to walk.
Wisdom and planning they never will balk.

Diligence works, diligence frees,
And helps us to have well-being and ease.
When it is absent, resource is scattered,
And then we’re without the true wealth which mattered.

“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; for riches are not for ever...”
Proverbs 27:23-24 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Winter Thought

In the days of our winter we long for the spring
And all of the flowers it surely will bring.
But winter’s long season gives time out for thought...
For us to rejoice in the blessings God brought.

Each season will have its own special “tone”.
Winter is when new thoughts may be sown.
Let winter have its own special way.
Make it a time to worship and pray.

Let it become a time of discerning,
And, in the Lord, a time of much learning.
When winter is spent and her purpose has yawned,
We will be ready when spring days have dawned.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

HIS Highest And Best

I once heard a woman say, “My mother taught me all the right ways to do things, but I just don’t choose to do them that way.” She knew what was right, but she just didn’t practice what she had learned.

I wonder how many times we hear good teachings, and even agree with them, but only receive the ones which don’t challenge us to change. When God speaks “change”, He is moving or pulling us toward something better. We may squirm or say, “This doesn’t fit”, but if we don’t move forward then we are falling behind and limiting the blessings God has for us.

If we listen intently to God’s instructions and follow through, we will find our “highest and best” in life. For He will challenge and stretch us to be more than we ever thought we could be!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
Psalm 103:2 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Be Lighthearted

Lightheartedness sings... it will not look down.
It chooses to smile and won’t wear a frown.
It has good focus, and it will not fret,
Knowing that joy more smiles will beget.

The heart is not made for burdens to carry.
Release them to God and choose to be merry.
His joy is our strength... in Him we can trust.
He’ll carry the weights about which we fussed.

Lightheartedness frees us from cumbersome weights
And steers us away from negative traits.
Walk hand-in-hand with smiles and good cheer...
A worthwhile choice when problems come near!

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

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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Pause And Listen

We learn more when we’re listening
Than when we’re always talking.
We sense more when we pause
From our running or our walking.

We have more awareness
If we’re tuned to hear God’s voice,
For He will show us heavenly things
And cause us to rejoice.

His perspective changes us.
Our understanding will be more.
We’ll have sensitivity
To many things we’ve missed before.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.”
John 14:26 KJV

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Shadows

Darkness hides from truth and light.
It tries to cover it’s own blight.
Shadows are it’s chosen friend
Where it will hide to work it’s end.

Let your light expose it’s ploy.
It’s masquerade you can destroy.
Keep surveillance... fend it off.
Don’t let it come back and scoff.

Choose to be a blazing light
Where truth can rest and bring insight.
Light exposes evil’s cause,
Uncovering it’s many flaws.

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
John 12:46 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hidden Wisdom

Many seniors are alone
And may have never been well-known.
Some have wisdom in great measure.
When they share, you will find treasure.

They don’t seek to have renown,
But in God’s sight may wear a crown.
They may be a reservoir
Of Godly wisdom and much more.

Don’t discount these senior folks
Who may have stood as mighty oaks.
Their lives will have a tale to tell.
Listen to them for a spell.

“The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head (suggesting wisdom and experience).”
Proverbs 20:29 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Freedom From Bondage

Many are “trapped” and don’t even know it...
Bound and hemmed in by the life style they’ve “knit”.
The choices they’ve made, too quickly or late,
May just turn out poorly or not be that great.

If you’re not “free” to follow God’s leading
And that which you do your path is impeding,
Pause and reflect as to why you are trapped
And study new ways your path to adapt.

It seems like a labor to try to make change,
But God will reward you with blessings long-range.
Inquire of the Lord just how to proceed.
Freedom from bondage is freedom indeed!

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Great Love

Man’s sinfulness was very grave
Till Jesus died, our souls to save.
He became the sacrifice
For all our sin. He paid the price...

That we might enter Heaven’s gate.
How we need to celebrate
Eternity with Christ the Lord.
What a beautiful reward!

God showed His love to us... each one.
He gave to us His only Son.
By His great love we are set free,
With Him to spend eternity.

“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

The LORD Is Our Shepherd

Cease to just look down and weep.
The Shepherd watches o’er His sheep.
Lift your eyes in faith to Him.
He’ll beautify what now is dim.

Turn aside from worldly cares
And speak to Him with loving prayers.
He will draw near to your side,
And in His peace you will abide.

He will change your every thought
And bring perspective you have sought.
Always listen for His voice.
He’ll give you reason to rejoice!

“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: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tattered Stitches

These words, “A stitch in time saves nine”
Are wisdom we should underline.
We all know when stitches break
That mending we should undertake.

Relationships may start to sag
When situations hit a snag.
Quick mending we should contemplate,
For time unravels when we wait.

A broken “stitch” may need some prayer.
When things show wear, make quick repair.
A tattered “stitch” is truly frail,
But mended stitches will not fail.

“When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath - your exasperation, your fury or indignation - last until the sun goes down. Leave no (such) room or foothold for the devil - give no opportunity to him.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Waiting On God

With new plans we contemplate
Sometimes God will make us wait...
To think them over for “a spell”
And take some time to let them gel.

It’s always wise to not “rush in”
So we don’t fail or have chagrin.
God may shed some extra light
And give us careful oversight.

Wait and pray till you have peace.
His timing will bring you release.
Should He say, “This plan don’t do”,
Praise Him then for freeing you.

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Growing Isn't Easy

When my son was in grade school he sometimes complained of being tired. I asked the doctor if this was an indication that something was wrong. He said to me, “Do you know what hard work it is to grow?”

As I recall those words now I recognize the “ring” of truth in them spiritually. By hard work and study, experience and challenge, we begin to grow in our understanding and accumulate a store of wisdom. If all things are easy, then we are not growing.

The harder the challenges, the greater the growth. And growth does not happen overnight. (Today’s “hurry-up” generation doesn’t like to hear that). It takes time and patience and endurance. It won’t be a one-time experience (although each experience has value), but perhaps a series of many challenges. And when we think we have “arrived”, the Lord may take us in a new direction... where we will be stretched again.

When we ask the Lord for wisdom He just might take us through a certain type of experience as a way of answering us. As we trust Him to guide us, over time we will gain a wider perspective for living and have “riches” to live by.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1:2-3 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Happy Memories

Our memories accumulate
Enough to fill a library,
But some things in our “memory store”
It seems may not be necessary.

We can choose just what to keep,
But there are things we should discard...
Hurts and wounds and failures
We no longer need to show regard.

Choose to build up memories
Which bring you warmth and make you smile.
Don’t let negativity
Crowd your thoughts or “cramp your style”.

Memorize some Scripture verses.
Let them mingle with your thought.
This will change your frame of mind
And bring you joy which can’t be bought.

Memories become a treasure.
You may even write them down.
Create a special memory book
To chase away the slightest frown.

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus

Awake, O people, be awake!
Keep watch and stay alert.
No longer can we “rest” or laze
Or urgent issues skirt.

Let us rise up in this hour
And have focus which is steady.
Let us leave what is not needful.
Let our hearts and hands be ready.

We still have much work to do.
It is wisdom to prepare.
We must keep our eyes on Jesus.
Be alert and be aware!

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Emmanuel, God With Us

I started to fall, but God caught me...

I was rolling my recycling can out to the sidewalk in front of my house when the sole of my shoe caught on a rough place in the pavement and I lost my balance. I started to fall to the right. And in that split second I knew this would be a bad fall, probably hurting my shoulder, hitting my head and landing in the street. But then... nothing happened. I didn’t fall. I was just still standing there.

I was very jarred by even the thought of such a fall. In the days following I began to realize that God had intervened in my situation and re-established my balance. There was no other answer. It was His touch on my life that kept me from falling.

I am grateful to Him every day for His watchcare over me.

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:3 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Song In Your Day

The best way to give your day a good start
Is worship the Lord. Let praise fill your heart!
Let your praise grow and blossom within.
You will have joy. Let worship begin!

Our God is mighty, is able to heal
And offset the tensions inside which you feel.
Though you don’t think you’re “in the right mood”,
Bless Him with words of sweet gratitude.

Praise will become the song in your day...
A wonderful blessing in every way.
Worship the Lord... bring praise to His name.
Give Him the glory... His goodness proclaim!

“Praise the Lord! for it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate.”
Psalm 147:1 Amplified bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Covered In Him

In You we’re not lacking for shelter or covering.
When we are needy Your angels are hovering.
Your name, O Lord, is as a strong tower
Where we may come in anxiety’s hour.

We’re not alone, but covered by grace.
When we are weak, Your strength we embrace.
In Your secret place we take refuge and hide.
Then under Your shadow we shall abide.

You are our covering, our shield and protector,
Our leader, our wisdom, our strength and perfecter.
In You we’re safe, we’re under Your wing.
To You we draw nigh, to You we will cling.

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

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

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.”
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf