The Worth Of A Life

When we are young, we think we have time,
But time marches on, and then we grow old.
Time is a gift we never should waste,
For we do not know what “prize” it might hold.

God has designed us to live with great cause,
To have worthy purpose in all that we do.
Each day holds promise which we may not see.
God may be leading us toward something new.

Follow His lead... don’t just let time pass,
For when you grow old you may have regret.
Some of the things which you should have done
Are goals which had meaning but which were not met.

How blessed, when old, to look at the past
And know that you’ve done the most you can do.
The mark of your life will have import and honor
As you have accomplished what God had for you.

“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 1:2-3 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Seeds With Promise

If a seed can grow into a mighty tree,
Then what about “seeds” God has planted in me?
They may be small, but nevertheless
Can grow to be mighty, with strength and finesse.

Seeds have potential which we then should nourish.
We may have a “garden” of seeds which will flourish.
Seeds which God gives us will come to fruition...
We may be an artist or gifted musician.

There is potential in every small seed.
It will spring forth as we follow God’s lead.
He is our nurture so we may grow well.
He authors the story which our seeds will tell.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Grace Flowing

When you share an opinion, wrap it carefully in grace. Give it careful thought, and maybe then don’t share it, lest your opinion may signal lack of acceptance. Most folks need acceptance and encouragement. which will bring healing. Your opinion, without grace, may bring cutting and wounding and intimidation.

Grace bridges the gap between good and better. Grace, artfully employed, will build confidence. spur another on to new ideas, and can turn a poor situation into something really good.

Guard your opinions, measure your words, and let grace flow abundantly.

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:7 KJV

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Colossians 4:6 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Do Not Be Weary

Sometimes we labor until we are weary.
For when tasks are “long”, it’s hard to be cheery.
But we can find courage and joy in the Lord,
Knowing that in Him we have rich reward.

All of our work should be as to Him.
It is He Who renews us with vigor and vim.
We stand strong in Him, in Him we have victory,
Even when others may be contradictory.

He knows our hearts and sees our hard work.
He knows that our labors we don’t tend to shirk.
The work that we do may not bring acclaim,
But how blessed it is to serve in His name.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9 KJV

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessing Our Children

Do you want to bless your children?
Honor God in every way.
Follow Him with all your heart.
His tenets honor and obey.

Let your children see your “walk”
And learn well by your Godly talk.
When you set your standards high
Your children to God will draw nigh.

If you don’t know Godly ways
They may suffer all their days.
Let God’s wisdom in you rest.
Your children will be greatly blessed.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 KJV

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
Hosea 4:6 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Being Teachable

The wise man will be teachable.
His wisdom makes him reachable.
There’s always more that he can learn
And deeper truths he may discern.

The levels of his comprehension
Grow to have increased dimension.
God will teach him how to live,
And many insights will He give.

The wise man has much finer vision
And He moves with keen precision.
Always he will watch and learn,
And wisdom’s merits he will earn.

“Blessed is the man... whose 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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Will You Come?

We can’t afford to be “ho-hum”.
God is calling, “Will you come?”
We should not wait or be blasé
And make this choice “another day”.

God gave His Son for you and me,
From sin and shame to set us free.
Listen to God’s loving voice.
Redemption is a glorious choice!

He will fill you with His joy.
His peace will be your constant buoy.
You will know that all is well
When in your heart He comes to dwell.

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

He Is Faithful

When my life is in God’s hand
I know that He will help me stand.
So many times I have been blessed
When I was down or felt depressed.

He takes notice of my need.
I know my hopes He will exceed.
He is faithful in His care.
I know He hears my every prayer.

His peace becomes a healing balm
Where I may rest and find deep calm.
I may not know what He has planned
But know I’m safe within His hand.

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

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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Heart Change

God is always changing me
Into the person I should be.
He will always help me make
The change which I should undertake.

He will tug on my heart-string
And show me things to which I cling.
As I discard that which is past
He’ll teach me of the things that last.

The change I need may be unseen
And something I don’t even glean.
If I yield and take His hand
I’ll be blessed by all He’s planned.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sure Footing

In God and the Word we have a sure footing,
A firm place to stand against storm and “uprooting”.
Should turmoil come to knock at our door,
We will stand strong against its loud “roar”.

We will not shrink or be blown away.
Knowing the Lord will give strength in that day.
We do not know what each day may bring.
God is our strength... to Him we must cling.

Invite Him to come... within you to dwell.
Practice and study... to know the Word well.
Herein is strength for every new day
And wisdom to keep us from going astray.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand). I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I (confidently) trust!”
Psalm 1:1-2 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Learning And Growing

We sometimes have problems which get too complex
And find ourselves caught in an unwanted tangle.
We may not know how to find good solutions.
We may not have known every possible angle.

The problems we have are not too big for God.
First we must pray that He’ll turn things around.
Should we not see change and still have a struggle,
The lessons we learn with grace will abound.

If everything’s easy, we just will not grow,
But experience will teach us and help us to learn.
Seeking to be alert and discerning
Will save many problems, and wisdom will earn.

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Encourage One Another

Encourage folks to reach their goal.
To have excitement in their soul.
Cheer them up or spur them on.
Help them a new smile to don.

Some need to be re-assured,
Or some have maybe been detoured.
And so they speculate or wait.
Because of fear they hesitate.

You may be the “spur” they need...
That which helps them to proceed.
Their confidence will grow and rise,
Enabling them to win their “prize”.

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

No Room For Complacency

It’s never good to be complacent...
Satisfied with how you are.
Complacency can make you blind.
Clear perspective it will mar.

Be alert in all you do
To have good insight and to learn.
If you just lean back and laze
You will have reason for concern.

Circumstance could change around you,
Sending up a major flare.
Don’t let changes cause you jarring
Because you have been unaware.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
I Peter 5:6-8 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Timing

When we seek the Lord, our timing is right.
We won’t find ourselves in an unwanted “plight”.
If we rush ahead when we are not ready,
Results will be “shaky” and will not be steady.

Waiting on Him will save us much stress
And often will save us an error or mess.
He opens doors where we cannot see
And closes the doors where we should not be.

His perfect timing is safe and complete.
Of favor and blessings we’ll have receipt.
We will have joy and be filled with peace,
When we rely on God’s expertise.

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Guarded Vision

What do you watch, or what are you seeing?
Does it promote your peace and well-being?
That which we see will impact our soul
And keep us from being unblemished and whole.

The “world” will make entry through unguarded vision,
So we must choose to have wisdom’s precision
And monitor everything we see or view
To make sure it’s something we should pursue.

Scanning the content of all that we view
May bring surprise when we think this through.
We can reject all that is unwise
And stop “worldly” ways which bombard our eyes.

“Let your eyes look right on (with fixed purpose), and let your gaze be straight before you.”
Proverbs 4:25 Amplified Bible

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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Safe In His Hands

God will heal the brokenhearted
And lead them in new paths uncharted.
He will mend each broken piece
By His loving expertise.

Your heart is safe within His care,
Made whole again by His repair.
Should you feel you can’t go on,
Know He’ll give you a new dawn.

Rest in Him, receive His peace.
His healing hand will bring release
From aching and anxiety.
His love for you will set you free.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (curing their pains and their sorrows).”
Psalm 147:3 Amplified Bible

“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, to the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”
Psalm 30:11 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Treasures From God

God gives to us a legacy
Of beauty and of worth.
His faithfulness and love
To inspiration will give birth.

As we’re listening and gleaning,
Discovering and learning,
To share what God has shown us
Then becomes a constant yearning.

The dawning of each precious day
Holds riches which we may explore,
Where we may find deep treasure
From an overflowing reservoir.

Oh, what joy, what depth we find,
When God shows us His treasure.
What insight and perspective...
Every day in greater measure.

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Checkpoints

It’s important to have “checkpoints”
In all we think or say or do,
To write down things we need to work on,
Keep a list and oft review.

We can change our daily patterns
If we pray and think things through.
We may see within ourselves
Some changes which are overdue.

Our list requires good “maintenance”
To keep us from becoming slack.
When we’re diligent in this
We’ll not have fear of “slipping back”.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.”
II Peter 1:5-7 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

His Loveliness In Us

When we are in tune with God, He will weave all the pieces of our labors and service unto Him together into a beautiful mosaic design, unlike that of any other person.

He doesn’t overlook any pieces. His handiwork will be complete. And so each life will shine with His beauty and will be a reflection of Him.

As we are filled with the fruit of the Spirit He will translate these qualities into color... heavenly color which cannot be created except by His hand.

By His hand we are translated into loveliness... His heavenly touch.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us...”
Psalm 90:17 KJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...”
Galatians 5:22 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Hope And Promise

Many years ago (1992) the Lord spoke to me and said, “The best of times and the worst of times will walk hand-in-hand”.....

I did not understand why He was speaking this to me at that time. But I know without a doubt that now we so need the promise in those words. So much has changed in the world around us since then.

Many people are struggling right now, but we must not give up. There is HOPE and there is PROMISE in what the Lord said. I believe, in this time, that we need to look up... to focus and recognize what is “the best of times” and receive it in its fullness. This will be our balance in the days to come.

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”
Psalm 31:24 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Life With Impact

The way we live our lives
Will leave heritage for others.
What do we desire to leave
Our children, friends or brothers?

What will folks remember then?
What will our endeavors speak?
Will our lives inspire some
For higher goals and truths to seek?

Let the impact of our lives
Be very rich in memory’s store.
May those who have known us
Find great wisdom to explore.

May our lives have echo
Down through time in many others
To bring God’s love and truth and light
To our children, friends and brothers!

“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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Signs Of Spring

The signs of spring will soon peek through
The grayness of the winter’s rest.
We’ll see the landscape start to smile.
The land in blossoms will be dressed.

God created myriad flowers
(More than we could ever number),
Which fill us with delight and newness
As earth wakes up from winter’s slumber.

Spring can be a new beginning...
A time to praise our God and sing,
Looking forward to its coming
And the blessings it will bring.

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.”
Psalm 8:9 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Goode Tools For Life

Those who study to be wise,
And those who gather common sense
Are armed for any challenges
And move through life with confidence.

Some folks may be very smart
And educated in fine schools,
But “wisdom” overshadows “smart”
And gives us much more useful tools.

Common sense is practical,
And by experience it is earned.
Life will not be very easy
Until common sense is learned.

For wisdom we should make deep quest,
With common sense should be impressed.
These two things are basic tools
So we won’t fail and be as fools.

“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).”
Proverbs 3:13 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God With Us

When we go through events which just leave us reeling,
It is then that we learn a new depth of feeling.
And that which we’ve suffered will not be all loss.
Our loss is redeemed by Christ’s blood on the cross.

We gain understanding of how others suffer
And learn how God’s love is our most-needed “buffer”.
Life-changing events can turn our direction
And totally change our thoughts and perception.

New levels of healing are birthed from our pain.
Precious indeed are the insights we gain.
When events in our lives peace ad joy overturn.
We are made richer by that which we learn.

“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, 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

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Banquet Table

The Word is our most precious source
So we don’t wander off our course.
There we find the “bread” we need...
God’s wisdom on which we may feed.

The Word is full of righteous fare.
When we dine there we won’t err.
God’s provision is replete.
From His banquet, come and eat.

The Word will satisfy your soul,
Lift you up and make you whole.
Read the Word... O taste and see,
And surely you will soon agree.

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Psalm 119:103 KJV

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 34:8 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Words With Grace

Do the words of your mouth impart grace to the hearers?
Are words which you say to others as mirrors...
Reflecting the goodness of God as you speak,
Brightening and cheering up lives which are bleak?

Your words can pierce through much darkness and gloom,
Presenting a fresh hope where troubles would loom.
Words are as arrows of healing and light.
And when carefully “measured” are so very bright.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29 KJV

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

God's Love For Us

The wonders of God’s love amaze
(Worthy of unending praise!)
That He should care for lowly sinners
And help them to become as “winners”.

His love turns a life around
And causes blessings to abound.
All our sins He will erase
And cover us with boundless grace.

This is love from Heaven above.
How can we return such love
Except to always give Him glory
And let Him be our whole life’s story.

“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

Joyful Days

Let joy be contagious, for it has great “wealth”.
It makes you feel good, and it’s good for your health.
Spread it around... let merriment flow
To offset all gloom, and happiness sow.

Choose to look up, though you may be down.
Joy can be “worn” instead of a frown.
Joy gives us balance and helps heal sorrow.
The joy of the Lord is our strength for the morrow.

Joy be unto you... now pass it around.
With happiness may your whole day be crowned.
Joy is as sunshine to brighten your day.
When you have joy you won’t feel blasé.

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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Prayers Of Faith

When loved ones travel a wrong track,
It’s prayer that will bring them back.
They may claim they “don’t believe”,
And words you speak they don’t receive...

But prayer bridges every gap
And negates any handicap
Which you may have in reaching them.
Stand in faith, but don’t condemn.

God is able to provide
And keep them from a downhill slide.
He will give you needed peace.
From worry you will find release.

God’s arm has a lengthy reach,
And He can heal a painful breach.
Your prayers He will always hear,
And to your loved one He’ll stay near.

“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

God's Calling

When God calls upon us, do we make excuse?
The reasons we give are sometimes profuse!
“I don’t have time”, or, “I am not ready”.
“This makes me nervous”, or, “I feel unsteady”.

If He is calling us, He has good reason.
He may want to take us into a new season!
If we’re lethargic or don’t want to “go”,
We may miss blessings He wants to bestow.

He goes before us, preparing the way.
We go in His strength as we trust and obey.
We should not question or keep asking “Why?”
His will is a blessing. On Him we rely.

“And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
Exodus 4:10-12 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Beauty Of Pruning

“Pruning” is a scary term,
But God does this so we excel.
He prunes and trims away those “twigs”
Which cause us to not function well.

When little “sprouts” and “suckers” grow
Our thinking simply isn’t clear.
God rescues us from too much “brush”.
His pruning we should never fear.

He prunes away what saps our strength,
Enabling us to bear good fruit.
Though pruning may not feel good
His care for us we should salute!

”Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit (that stops bearing) He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.”
John 15:2 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Abiding In Prayer

Worrying is just not wise...
Not a trait to exercise.
It simply will not help a thing
But always more stress it will bring.

Through prayer we can take things in stride,
For then in peace we can abide.
We’ll find the answers which we need
And learn how we should then proceed.

Prayers sometimes say to wait
While God is working to create
Solutions which are truly sound.
His wisdom always is profound

Prayer saves us so much trouble.
Without it problems sometimes double.
God will hear our plea or prayer
And help us so we do not err.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wisdom's Door

Always knock on Wisdom’s door,
For every day you will need more.
Rewards will come from wisdom’s quest.
It’s Heaven’s wealth. You should invest!

Those without face many “bumps”.
They will stumble and get “lumps”.
Wisdom is as oil in gears
For every problem which appears.

Wisdom is as polished gold,
But never will be bought or sold.
Find it in God’s precious Word.
From it let your heart be stirred.

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”
Proverbs 3:13-15 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Truth Is Our Friend

Truth will not falter..... it’s strength man can’t alter.
We should not ignore it..... we need to explore it!
Let truth be known..... within the heart sown.
Then we have a “base” which we can embrace.

When life makes demand, on truth we can stand.
It’s light we must savor, for it will bring favor.
God’s truths are a shield..... great blessings will yield.
On truth we depend..... His truth is our friend.

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
Psalm 51:6 KJV

“His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Psalm 91:4 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Joy In The Valley

If you want to climb to the top of the mountain
‘Cause you’re weary of life in the valley below,
Climb up the mountain in prayer with the Lord.
Wisdom and insight to you He will show.

He’ll give perspective you now may not have,
And maybe the valley won’t seem all so bad.
If you will “reach up”, He’ll come down to meet you.
He’ll bring joy to you and make you feel glad.

The joy you will find may spread in the valley,
For as you are changed, you may wish to share.
Your light will draw others, and their lives will change
As they too will climb the mountain in prayer.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
Psalm 42:11 KJV

“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

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Winning The Race

The “now” generation is speeding ahead
Without enough thought to wisdom foresaid.
A rich heritage should not be ignored.
This is an error we cannot afford.

Good heritage brings the balance we need,
Instilling wise pace for how to proceed.
If we rush forward without wise perspective
We later may wish we’d been more reflective.

“A little bit slower” might be a good pace
To really win well, whatever the race!
Pausing to pray before we rush on,
Ensures we are ready to carry the baton.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 11:14 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Valentine Blessing

May you walk through fair fields with peace and with ease
And feel God’s presence in a soft breeze.
May sunshine by day and starlight by night
Fill your whole being with joy and delight.

May all your footsteps be cushioned by love,
Covered and blessed by the Father above.
May He lead you gently in all of your ways
And faithfully walk with you all of your days,

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessed Be The LORD

The Lord is our helper, defender and friend.
To all that concerns us He will attend.
We’re never alone... He covers us well.
Our fears and anxieties He will dispel.

He is our peace and He is our calm.
His caring is always a sweet, healing balm.
He lifts us up and fills us with light.
He comforts our hearts and makes our days bright.

When we are weak, He makes us feel strong.
When we are down, He fills us with song.
If we feel timid, He helps us be bold.
His benefits are more than can ever be told....

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.”
Psalm 68:19 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

When Children Speak

If a child wants to talk, He needs to be heard.
Let him express himself. Catch every word.
As you show interest he’ll learn to express
His feelings and thoughts of joy or distress.

And when you listen he’ll start to feel worth.
He won’t be afraid new ideas to birth.
He’ll know you’re his friend... to you he will run.
In all his excitement you both will have fun!

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”
Mark 9:36 KJV

“And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
Matthew 21:16 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Staying Focused

Irritations want attention
And will rob our precious time.
They sidetrack us from purpose
And those issues which we know are prime.

We must learn to persevere
And not allow a trivial thing
To vex us and to take a toll.
To our focus we must cling.

When we find the Lord’s direction
Our attention then is “fixed”.
By our focus on our goal
Irritations then are “nixed”.

“...But one thing I do (it is my one aspiration): forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.”
Philippians 3:13-14 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Wide-Open Book

Though we may have a pleasant facade,
We can’t hide a thing from the eyes of our God.
Our hearts are before Him as wide-open books.
Hearts which are faithful bring joy as He looks.

We are not perfect... we often may sin.
But our God will help us each battle to win.
He gives us strength to counter our weakness
And honors our stance of service and meekness.

The books of our lives will read very well
If in our hearts we invite Him to dwell.
We won’t have to think about things we must hide
When we follow Him and in Him abide.

”I, the Lord, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
Jeremiah 17:10 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Careful Footsteps

We cannot see around the bend
Or even know tomorrow’s trend.
On God the Father we must lean
And all our guidance from Him glean.

He prepares each step we take
So we don’t err or make mistake.
Our direction He may turn...
What we don’t see He will discern.

Steps we take may not make sense
But will have good consequence.
God can see around the bend.
All our steps He will attend.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Treasure

Man can’t boast about his wealth
And think that he is safe and sound.
It’s safer to draw nigh to God
Where heavenly riches may be found.

In Jesus’ name we have provision,
Even though we may be poor.
Earthly funds may fail in value
But Godly treasure will be sure.

Heavenly treasures multiply
When we lean upon the Lord,
In Him we truly are much safer.
His covering is our sure reward.

“The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall, in his own imagination and conceit.”
Proverbs 18:11 Amplified Bible

“Gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Pursue Peace

To live in peace should be our goal.
In this we have a major role.
Peace is just not being calm.
It must be a healing balm.

The way that we relate to others,
Friends and neighbors, moms and brothers,
Must be birthed in love and kindness,
With deep thought and not in blindness.

When we live a righteous life,
Seeking peace against all strife,
Relationships will “turn around”,
And joy and peace will there abound.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Romans 14:17-19 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Order

Let my life’s order be pleasing to You.
Let me be focused in all that I do.
Help me eliminate “din” and confusion
And discern the truth from “words” and illusion.

Order brings balance and deep peace of mind.
With wisdom our lives become well-defined.
We learn what is urgent and know what is best.
Sometimes we’re “pushed”, but know when to rest.

Ideas and trivia can sometimes blur fact.
They take up our time and tend to distract.
But order will save us the time we may spend...
And definitely is a very good friend!

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You.”
Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

One Stitch At A Time

A needlework masterpiece doesn’t happen quickly. It is slowly created... with careful precision... one stitch at a time.

With diligence and skill the worker tends her threads Many colors she will blend together, her subject to carefully define. She has learned to not hurry or rush, because perfection and beauty are her goals.

Stitching has taught her a lesson in life. She will study carefully to learn and always practice to do her very best. And by diligence her skills will cause her to excel in what she does.

A masterpiece doesn’t happen overnight but by long diligence... one stitch at a time.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
Psalm 90:17 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Pride Is A Loser

Pride just marches to and fro.
Of its “merits” it will crow.
It doesn’t see and doesn’t hear
And simply doesn’t seem to fear.

It cuts one off from wisdom’s gold.
It’s empty, even though it’s bold.
Pride will never “know it all”.
It will always fail or fall.

Bow in reverence... make pride flee
Until with wisdom you agree.
To pride’s inroads close the door.
Reverence leads to wisdom’s store.

“When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also; but with the humble - those who are lowly, (who have been pruned or chiseled by trial) and renounce self - is skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.”
Proverbs 11:2 Amplified Bible

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Making Good Choices

We cannot make good choices
Just by listening to “voices”.
God will show us what to do
And add ideas which are new.

As we seek to do His will
He will give us needed skill
He will show us what to choose,
Ensuring that we will not lose.

Choices made too quickly
Have results which may be “prickly”.
But when we make a Godly choice
We’ll have reason to rejoice!

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”
Psalm 25:4 KJV

© 2013 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Life Well-Designed

God has made you quite unique,
And He will make your life to speak.
The message of your life will shine
As with God’s giftings you align.

Maybe you are meant to serve,
To worship, teach or to observe,
To lead, or pray or be a star...
God has made you who you are.

All you do will have a “glow”,
Because God’s goodness you will sow.
Used of Him, you will be rich
And much-blessed in your special niche.

“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

“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me...”
Psalm 119:73 KJV

© 2014 Arlene Schwartzkopf