Safety In Him

Lord, we need to hear Your voice
So every day we make good choice.
We need to listen and to pray
And heed each precious word You say.

For You will guide us in our way
So we don't err or go astray.
When times are tense we must be wise
And Godly wisdom exercise.

Your ways always will be sure.
In You our lives will be secure.
How we need You every day
And every word You speak to weigh.

"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, there shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. For He will give His angels (especial) charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways (of obedience and service)."
Psalm 91:9-11 Amplified Bible

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Fixed Perspective

Fix your perspective on that which is good,
For worldly news is of chaos and noise.
God's goodness is greater than news which we hear.
In Him we have joy and peace as bright buoys.

Worldly weights cannot hold us down
When we choose to focus on God's light and love.
For we have dimension which sets us apart...
Blessings and healing and light from above.

"Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world."
I John 4:4 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Extra Mile

When we've finished work begun
We feel good that it is done.
But when we face "an extra mile"
We need some joy to help us smile.

The "extra mile" becomes a test,
A chance to do our very best,
Causing us to stretch and grow,
Learning things we didn't know.

The extra mile is then our friend,
Our perspective to amend.
Endurance it will surely teach
And help us bright new goals to reach.

"The hand of the diligent will rule..."
Proverbs 12:24 Amplified Bible

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Worthy Book

I want to be a worthy book
Where God will write and folks can look.
Pages filled with joy and praise
And inspirations all my days.

Fill my pages, Lord, I pray.
I wait on You, Your thoughts to weigh.
Let Your wisdom richly flow,
Encouragement in hearts to sow.

Fill my pages with Your light,
With cheeriness which will be bright.
Bring refreshment and delight.
In my book, Lord, write, write, write...

I am but an empty page
Unless with You I will engage.
In my book will be a story.
May its pages bring You glory.

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You (You only and altogether) do I wait (expectantly) all the day long."
Psalm 25:4-5 Amplified Bible

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Lightened Load

I see people carrying much,
Weights and burdens, debts and such.
It's wise to pare down "overload"
And try to live in simpler mode.

In prayer the Lord will help you find
Your balance and leave "weights" behind.
With fewer burdens you'll excel.
In all you do, you will do well.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let Peace Rule

In our minds we tend to race,
But "racing mode" can wear us out.
If we’ll choose to savor peace.
Then we can make a turnabout.

When peace rules we are more relaxed.
By "racing" we're no longer taxed.
Prayer sheds a different light
On that which kept us so uptight.

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

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Linger Awhile

Each day opens with God's smile.
Come and linger for awhile.
Meet Him at the day's first light
To have a day that's truly bright.

Let His thoughts imprint your day.
Let them be a bright bouquet
With fragrance which you then can share.
In Him you'll have a new-fouind flair.

Each morn linger for awhile.
Let Him add His own sweet smile
To all you do along the way,
Throughout the hours of every day.

"The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee."
Numbers 6:25 KJV

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Clear Direction

In these times of stress and unknowns,
What is the best thing we can do?
Draw near to God and be found in prayer.
Follow His leading, His wisdom pursue.

He brings the insight we surely will need...
Perspective which sees through the shams of the day.
Only in Him will we clearly see
And navigate these times in the very best way.

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."
Psalm 18:32 KJV

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Above The Ordinary

We often spend time doing
What is needless in our day.
But the Lord helps order happen
When we seek Him and we pray.

When we're freed from trivial things,
Our focus then will be more clear.
Confusion which we had
Will fade away and disappear.

As we rise above the norm
We'll see with opened eyes.
We'll have a lifestyle filled with insights
Which are truly wise.

"Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise - sensible, intelligent people; making the very most of the time - buying up each opportunity - because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:15 Amplified bible

© 2016 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

Time Set Apart

Do you set some time apart
To let God speak into your heart?
What He shares will be as treasure,
Maybe more than you can measure.

He brings insight for each day.
He'll lead and guide you in your way.
The wisdom which He'll share with you
Will be as fresh as morning dew.

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Lamentations 3:25 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Help When Needed

Should problems arise and jar us awake
We need not fear or tremble and quake.
We can be stable, no matter the cause.
To our great God we bring much applause.

He is our covering, our joy and our peace.
He causes angst to fade and to cease.
In Him we're able to rise and be steady.
In Him we're made strong, able and ready.

"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 124:8 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Faith-Inspired Beauty

When life presents its challenges
And sometimes intense storms may brew,
It is then strong faith in God
Is that which safely brings us through.

When overwhelming rains may fall
And winds too strong for us may blow
We are assured we're not alone.
In times of storm is when we grow.

When we have weathered through a storm
God's beauty in us starts to shine.
"Storms" will buff away rough edges
And new beauty will define.

If a challenge we should face,
It may uncover hidden gold.
Without the "storm" we may not know
How much of God's "wealth" we may hold.

"For truly I say to you, if you have faith (that is living) like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
Matthew 17:20 Amplified Bible

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Standing In Righteousness

Lord, how we need Your light and power
In this late and trying hour
As darkness raises up its head
To create fear and angst and dread.

We cry out with many prayers.
Help us to be strong torchbearers,
Proclaiming truth and righteousness,
Evil’s inroads to suppress.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”
Psalm 33:12 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Open Door

The new year's door stands open wide,
Offering a new beginning.
Let its brightness spur you on,
New goals and victories to be winning.

Seek the Lord, of Him inquire,
Looking up and reaching higher.
He'll lead you to a bright new plane
With more joy than you can contain!

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Colossians 3:23 KJV

© 2016 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

Careful Footsteps

In these trying days and times
Quickened hearing is a must.
We will need a careful covering,
From our God in Whom we trust.

We’ll have footsteps guarded wisely,
Led precisely by the Lord,
As we train our listening ear
And in our hearts His Word is stored.

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

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Filled With Joy

Lord, my heart is full of praise.
Much gratefulness to You I raise!
You have given all for me
To heal my life and set me free.

I rejoice in what You've done...
For all Your work in me begun.
You have caused my heart to sing
And worship deep within to ring.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield: my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth: and with my song I will praise him."
Psalm 28:7 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Love Of God

The measure of God's love for us
We cannot even comprehend.
His mercy and His kindnesses
Are myriad and without end.

Many are His thoughts toward us...
His faithfulness and loving care.
He touches aspects of our lives
More than we are even aware.

The riches which our lives contain
Are given from the Father's hand.
His handiwork, which each life has,
Is beautiful and lovingly planned.

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered."
Psalm 40:5 Amplified Bible

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand."
Psalm 139:17-18 KJV

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Help When Needed

Should problems arise and jar us awake
We need not fear or tremble and quake.
We can be stable, no matter the cause.
To our great God we bring much applause.

He is our covering, our joy and our peace.
He causes angst to fade and to cease.
In Him we're able to rise and be steady.
In Him we're made strong, able and ready.

"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 124:8 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Rest Is Good

If we do not rest enough
We may start to "huff and puff".
Wisdom says we should take care.
Of "overload" we should beware.

Hard work for too long a stretch
Deep weariness on us will etch.
If we'll listen for God's voice
He'll help us find a balanced choice.

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of (anxious) toil - for He gives (blessings) to His beloved in sleep."
Psalm 127:2 Amplified Bible

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace, Be Still

When pressures mount. O child, be still.
I bring you peace, your soul to fill.
In My tranquillity abide,
For I am near... right by your side.

Peace, be still. I'll give you rest
In every challenge, every "test".
When you feel weak I will be strong.
I'll be your joy and give you song.

Always know you're not alone.
Rest in Me... you are My own.
Your deepest prayers I will fulfill.
Peace, My child. In Me be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10 KJV

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

© 2015 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Being Light

My little girl saw a light
When already it was night.
She said, "The light fills up the darkness!"
"Light" will also fill life's starkness.

In any place which needs some light
Let your words make "dark" take flight.
Words can cheer and bring deep healing,
Darkness totally repealing.

"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

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Perfect Fit

When you've found "the perfect fit"
In doing what God planned for you,
You'll have fervor and new grit.
Life will have a brighter hue.

This happens as you give God room.
All your talents He will groom.
Ask Him to direct your way.
He'll make your giftings start to bloom.

"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

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf

An Honored Goal

As this new year enters in
May faith and hope rise up anew.
May inspiration spur you on
New revelation to pursue.

Let understanding be expanded
And purpose find its highest goal.
To serve our God with all your heart
Will be your very most honored role.

"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."
Psalm 100:2 KJV

© 2016 Arlene Schwartzkopf