Saturday, December 31, 2011

Promise For The New Year

The old year now is almost spent,
And the new year hovers near,
Bringing opportunity
Great new plans to pioneer.

Promise for a bright new day
Is what the Lord is all about...
Perhaps new purpose to survey.
Do not question or have doubt.

"Catch" the Holy Spirit's wave
And move in rhythm with the Lord.
The greatest purpose we can find
Is with Him to be "on board".

"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."
Psalm 31:11 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, December 30, 2011

Our Great God

If God created heav'n and earth
And to all mankind gave birth,
We can know that He has power
To give us help in needful hour.

Circumstance which we go through
Can never quench what God can do.
God is greater than we know.
Gratefulness to Him we owe.

When His goodness we proclaim
And call upon His holy name
We can know He'll hear our prayer.
God is great... beyond compare.

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

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Jesus' Touch

The healing power of Jesus carries warmth and cheer and light...
Encouragement for all that ails... refreshing which is bright.
The healing power of Jesus can transform that which is worn,
Bringing new vitality and mending what is torn.

Jesus' touch is powerful and filled with love and hope...
Much beyond our comprehension, greater far in scope.
All that we release to Him will have a healed dimension.
Even of our smallest prayer He gives us full attention.

Many things we do each day may seem to work okay,
So we don't think to "ask for help"... for some things we don't pray.
Should we bring these things to Him, we may have huge surprise.
In Him ALL is better... all we do He beautifies.

"O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."
Psalm 30:2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Echoes Of A Life

The echoes of a person's life reverberate through time
And leave a bank of memories which some may wish to mime.
Lives well-lived will leave a treasure, rich and of much worth.
In another person this rich treasure may find berth.

Imprint of the way we live may foster life in others,
Even some we do not know, in neighbors or in brothers.
Good example speaks it's message... we don't have to say a word.
By our actions over time our own echoes will be heard...

Ringing in the memories of some who have passed by
Who wish to change their lifestyle and our example try.
Life well-lived is never lost... it echoes on and on,
Passing on it's blessings as a valuable baton.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

My Song Of Praise

Your mercy is greater than I comprehend.
On your love and grace I daily depend,
For I'm not complete except by Your grace.
With Your lovingkindness my life You embrace.

Heavenly Father, to You I bring praise.
With all of my heart my worship I raise.
Let my expression Your greatness proclaim.
All glory and honor be unto Your name.

"I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
Psalm 13:5-6 KJV

"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."
Psalm 63:3-4 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, December 26, 2011

Never Alone

Never alone... we're never alone.
We need not fear what may be unknown.
Jesus, our Lord, is constantly there,
Our worries and loneliness always to bear.

He is our friend, well able to fill,
All of those empty spots which feel so "nil".
He brings a fullness of gladness and cheer.
Always His presence is precious and dear.

With Him alongside, in peace we abide.
His loving hand will comfort and guide.
We cannot fathom the works He will do.
Worship the Lord! He makes all things new.

"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."
Psalm 36:7-9 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

The Good News

Once again our hearts make trek
To Bethl'hem town to pay our "dues",
Where history changed when Christ was born
And heav'nly hosts brought God's good news!

Once again our hearts will sing
As we are filled with bright new hope,
And worship God for Jesus' birth.
Through Him to us Heav'n's doors would ope.

Hallelujah! Worship Him!
He is Lord and He is King.
With chorus, bells, and harp and flute
Let all men adoration bring!

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:13-14 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Blessed Child

Lullaby, sweet Son of God,
As off to sleep You gently nod.
Slumber calmly, safe from harm,
Leaning on Your mother's arm.

Rest in peace... have sweet repose.
In her heart Your mother knows
You're the Son of the Most High,
One Whom men will glorify.

Baby Jesus, You will bring
Salvation to which men will cling.
You are Chosen, Blessed Child,
To reign as Lord... though You be mild.

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord god shall give unto him the throne of his father David."
Luke 1:30-32 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, December 23, 2011

A Tiny Spark... A Mighty Flame

A baby's birth... a tiny spark... would over time become a flame.
God's great love for all mankind the light of Heaven's hope became.
Jesus had no earthly comfort but was birthed in lowly place.
Man received a miracle of lovingkindness and of grace.

Let the flame of Jesus' love be fanned within your heart anew.
Let a holy fire burst forth and brightly burn in all you do.
Let it's light and warmth become contagious by it's healing balm,
Reaching out with new-lit flames, inspiring peace and joy and calm.

May this fire's sparks ignite, unquenchable and with great power.
Let salvation's fires burn with great new fervor in this hour.
Let our hearts be tuned afresh to know the warmth of Jesus' flame,
Remembering salvation's plan - the glorious reason why He came.

"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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 3:16-17 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Glorious Event

Silent night, hallowed night,
Eastern star, shining bright,
A newborn babe, love profound,
Angels singing, Heav'nly sound...

Joyful tidings, Heav'n's good news,
Peace on earth, good will to muse,
Shepherds pond'ring distant star,
Worshipping in fields afar...

Quietly a great event,
Love came down... Heaven-sent,
The greatest gift we'll ever know,
Cradled in a manger low.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Light Of The World

Jesus became the light of the world,
A message of hope, as a banner unfurled,
Given to man... God's ultimate gift
Of gracious redemption our stained lives to lift.

In Him is mercy. In Him is grace...
God's wonderful coverings in all that we face.
Jesus became the key to the door
Of heaven's bright gate and life evermore.

If we will follow, He'll show us the way,
Will fill us with joy and all fears allay.
Jesus became our path and our light
So we might have futures both holy and bright.

"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

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Song Of Christmas

Music permeates the air
As for Christmas we prepare...
A song that started long ago.
Listen for it's lovely flow.

Let a chorus brightly sing.
Hear the distant church bells ring.
Listen to the children's voices,
Singing as the land rejoices.

Let the Christmas music swell
And celebration come to dwell.
Deep within the hearts of men
Let Jesus' birth resound again.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:14 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, December 19, 2011

Savor The Miracle Of Christmas

Christmas brings remembrance of God's plan for our salvation.
It's miracle of promise is a cause for celebration.
And yet we hurry to and fro... too rushed to give much thought
To that which is before us, to be reverent as we ought.

More than other times we should pause, reflect and savor
The marvel of God's faithfulness, His wondrous grace and favor.
Drink in all the beauty... stop to breathe in once again
The splendor and the essence of God's graciousnesss to men.

Christmas brings renewal as we ponder Jesus' birth,
But if we are too busy we may miss it's precious worth.
As we again receive all it's blessings and it's joy,
May we have remembrance... it's full meaning to employ.

"The Lord is God, Who has shown and given us light (He has illuminated us with grace, freedom, and joy)."
Psalm 118:27 Amplified Bible

© 2010 Arlene Schw©artzkopf

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Finding Christmas

The real Christmas isn't found
In presents from a shopping mall
And dashing back and forth in stores
For many items, large and small.

Jesus Christ is still the reason -
Christmas is His wondrous story.
He was God's most precious gift.
We should praise and give Him glory.

Jesus' name has been erased
From speech and courts and public schools,
But He still lives in many hearts.
He is Lord and He still rules!

What a wondrous gift God gave,
Of love and joy and hope for all.
The happiness which Jesus brings
Cannot be purchased in a mall.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shalll be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 KJV

© 2008 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Saturday, December 17, 2011

A Christmas Voice

It's time to raise a Christmas voice
With joyous sound, "Rejoice! Rejoice,"
As once again we celebrate
And Jesus' birth commemorate.

Hallowed is this special season.
Jesus really is the reason
Why we have a holiday
And God's great love again convey.

The Christmas message shall remain
And offer love and hope again.
God sent "Love" to everyone.
Meditate on what He's done.

Jesus was God's greatest gift,
Our lives to save and bless and lift.
Join with me and raise your voice.
Jesus came... Rejoice! Rejoice!

"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

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Friday, December 16, 2011

A Season Of Joy

Let Christmas once again unfold
The greatest story ever told
Of Jesus' birth, God's precious Son...
God's salvation plan begun.

Let His love spread far and wide
In a mighty, sweeping tide.
As gifting to the hearts of men,
Let His birth be told again.

Jesus came to make men glad...
The greatest friend man ever had.
Let us celebrate His birth
With adoration, joy and mirth.

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."
Psalm 100:1-2 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sing Noel

Angel voices sing "Noel".
Sit and listen "for a spell".
They have good news they will tell...
How Jesus came to earth to dwell.

Angel voices heard on high,
Echoing across the sky
With beauty we cannot deny,
Entreat alll people to draw nigh.

Heavn'ly choirs their worship bring,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Listen as the angels sing
And let their joy within you ring!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11 KJV

© 2009 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Tell The Little Children

Tell the little children of that night so long ago
When Christ was born in Bethlehem in a manger low.
Share with them that Christmas is a time to celebrate
The love of God for each of them... for them to contemplate.

"Christmas" has no purpose, apart from Jesus' birth.
It takes on worldly emptiness and doesn't have much worth.
Jesus is the center, and He gives us glorious reason
To share His love with others in this bright and joyous season.

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:14 KJV

© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Heaven's Shore

In memory of my brother, David Franzel
December 25, 1931 - December 11, 2011

Our loved one has gone and we see him no more,
But rest in the knowledge he's reached Heaven's shore...
Where sorrow and pain no longer have sway,
Where the Son always shines and there is no "grey".

He rests in the arms of our Savior and Lord.
He ran a good race and now has reward.
If he could speak, he would say, "Do not grieve.
I've just been 'promoted'! You cannot perceive...

"How entering into Eternity's gate
Is far and beyond any earthly 'state'.
All are rejoicing, for there is no night.
My new home is glorious and filled with God's light."

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!
It's time to remember our great Savior's birth...
A time of rejoicing, a time to bring praise
And celebrate Jesus throughout all the earth!

Let choirs make song and many bells ring!
Let music rise up in jubilant sound!
Let our Savior's birth be greeted with joy!
Let banners be drawn and worship abound!

Let the Good News be spread far and wide.
Magnify Jesus throughout all the earth!
Let all that we do in this wonderful season
Bring glory and honor and tell of His worth!

© 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf