Humility's Skill

Humility curbs the errors of the tongue
From words that are careless and sometimes far-flung.
Humility sees without clouded vision,
'Cause "self" does not block it's careful precision.

Humility never is weak, but is wise,
And with understanding, in strength it will rise...
Dousing the flames of challenge and ire.
With kindness and skill, it puts out the "fire".

Humility is quiet and often will rest,
Is not in a hurry ad weighs every test.
Humility's actions with love are well-laced,
Helpful and caring, gentle and graced.

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.."
Galations 5:22 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Pleasant Season

While my body moves slower, my mind is a-whiz.
(Since I'm retired, that's the way that it is!)
I do not need to run in a race,
But I will have fun and enjoy my new pace.

I can still learn, and I can still write.
Sharing with others brings daily delight.
So I am busy and never get bored...
Many new thoughts within me are stored.

This season in life is a lovely new blessing...
Sometimes a fun way of memories expressing.
Never do I want to sit and just "laze".
I am light-hearted... and give God the praise!

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thank You, Veterans

Thank you, Vets, to one and all
Who have answered freedom's call...
Those who fought and bled and died
That we in peace may still abide.

To those who carry wounds or scars,
In our hearts you're truly stars...
Worthy of our highest praise.
To you our gratefulness we raise.

In freedom's battles lives were lost...
A worthy cause but painful cost.
For our freedom you stood tall...
Heroes one and heroes all!

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

One-Of-A-Kind

God has made us... every one.
Rejoice in what the Lord has done!
We are worthy in His sight.
In each one He has delight.

Who or what can put us down
Or cause us not to smile but frown?
When we recognize our worth,
In our lives great things find berth.

His plan is one-of-a-kind unique...
Deserving of our time to seek.
When we find our special niche,
In Him our lives are truly rich.

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

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Bright Future

Sin creates blotches which we can't erase
Except through our Lord and His saving grace.
Without Salvation the future is dim.
Heaven is bright, outer darkness is grim.

Some day we'll step through eternity's door
And have opportunity Heav'n to explore.
Tears and affliction will be left behind.
The joy of God's presence is what we will find.

What expectation we have in the Lord!
His sweet Salvation brings Heav'nly reward.
We have God's promise... the future is bright!
Heaven's reward our hope should excite!

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to set with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
Revelation 3:20-21 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Our Great Creator

God's majesty is in a tall mountain peak,
And the size of the oceans of His vastness speak.
The heavens are far beyond our comprehension.
We cannot fathom their size and dimension.

In trees which grow tall and plants which are small,
His creativity is given for all.
Bees which make honey were part of His plan...
Something so small, yet created for man.

All that we have is from God's own hand...
So very much more than we understand.
For His lovingkindness we bring Him acclaim.
All glory and honor be unto His name!

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness."
Psalm 150:1-2 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blessed Are The Thoughtful

Blessed are the thoughtful in heart,
Who reach out to others and kindness impart.
Thoughtfulness often will touch "the right spot"
And bring joy or healing where needed a lot.

We do not know the "weights" in a heart.
The heart may be heavy... or empty in part.
Just being kind may "open a door"
And may be the key for that heart to soar.

Practicing kindness will stir up good will
And make a day better than "run-of-the-mill".
Thoughtfulness balances "woes" with a smile,
Enabling others to run the "nth" mile.

"Love endures long and is patient and kind."
I Corinthians 13:4 Amplified bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Everything We Need

When we need strength to run our course
God Almighty is our Source.
When we need wisdom to succeed,
Our very footsteps He will lead.

Should we face a fearsome test,
In the midst He gives us "rest".
When we need a fresh ideal
He provides new hope and zeal.

We can draw on Heaven's store
For everything we need... and more.
In the Lord we are complete
And always have a blessed retreat.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Ready Listener

If someone wants to just "reflect",
It's kind to show them your respect,
Pause and wait until they speak,
Lest their thought you sadly tweak.

Kindliness will lightly tread...
And then will listen to what's said.
We should lend a ready ear,
For truth and wisdom we may hear.

"Love endures long and is patient and kind..."
I Corinthians 13:5 Amplified Bible

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Celebrate God's Goodness

It is good to review the blessings of God,
To always be mindful... our memory to prod,
Lest in our hurriedness we bypass "gold"
And don't even see a blessing unfold.

Hurriedness "crowds" sensitivity's space,
And we miss a blessing because of our pace.
If we will purpose to ponder and pause,
We will find reason to give Him applause.

We cannot number the gifts He pours out.
His beauty and blessings are all round about.
For all that He gives, we should celebrate.
Our God is awesome... His beauty is great!

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Special Shoes

We cannot fill another's shoes
But if we really tried,
Probably our feet would hurt
And maybe, too, our pride.

We must recognize OUR shoes,
For only these will fit.
As we grow into these shoes
We'll find our walk has grit.

Much of God's design is lost
If we don't wear His shoes.
We could lose God's chosen path
In something we would choose.

Only we can fill our shoes
Which God has hand-designed.
If we'll wear them faithfully,
His "riches" we will find.

"Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves..."
Psalm 100:3 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Letter To My Grandson

Because you truly love the Lord
Your life will have a rich reward.
He will always help you know
What's right wherever you will go.

When He designed you and was done,
You were like no other one.
You were precious from your birth
Because He gave you special worth.

Though others know not who you are,
To God you are a "super-star".
Remember that He gave you light.
Always let your light shine bright.

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Riches Of God

The Word will help us find our niche.
It's well-learned lessons make us rich.
Wisdom is a priceless gift,
Our thoughts to change and lives to lift.

Diligence will prosper us...
Always it will be a plus.
Patience' work makes us complete...
A precious value to entreat.

Humility will earn God's grace
And lift us to a higher place.
Giving, even when hard-pressed,
Will always cause us to be blessed.

Faith pursued through "storm" or test
Will "carry" us and bring us rest.
All God's gifts will make us wise.
Each one is a treasured prize.

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

Scripture References:
Psalm 119:162 (The Word);
Proverbs 8:18 (Wisdom);
Proverbs 12:27 (Diligence);
James 1:4 (Patience);
James 4:6, 10 (Humility);
Proverbs 11:25 (Giving);
I Peter 1:7 (Faith).

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Smile Of God

God isn't impressed with "the proper and prim",
But honors the simple who wholly love Him.
He isn't swayed by the famous and rich
Or talked into anything by a smooth "pitch".

He looks at hearts, uncluttered and pure,
And smiles on the humble, shy and demure.
For hidden in these are His riches and treasure...
Those He can use in significant measure.

We cannot strive to achieve a great name
Or place our attention on glitz, wealth and fame.
God will promote the child-like and true
And cause them to prosper in all that they do.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Peace For Our Nation

May our poeple bow and pray,
Seek repentance and obey.
Pray for God's continuing cover.
May His guardian angels hover.

God is holy, God is true.
Reverence to Him is due.
We can't taunt or mock His name
But His holiness proclaim!

All our peace across this land
Truly rests in God's own hand.
If we pray and intercede
Our heartfelt prayers He will heed.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Always Have Hope

When circumstance presents a test,
Always there is hope!
It really doesn't do much good
To sit around and mope.

How much time and energy
Are lost in gloomy days.
If we set our mind on "go",
A new trail we might blaze!

God might cause our present path
To have an end or change
And set us in a bright new place,
Our lives to rearrange.

Hope will prompt us to have cheer
And always to look up.
It will not leave us in a slump
But is a pleasant "cup".

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope."
Psalm 16:8-9 KJV

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Perfect Peace

When there seems to be no peace,
Jesus makes our angst to cease.
He will help us to be still.
Our need for "rest" He will fulfill.

When we lean on Him and trust
The way we think He will adjust.
Leaning on Him will bypass
Those thoughts and worries which harrass.

Praise His name, for He is able
To make all our thoughts be stable.
He will hear our every sigh.
Trust and pray... to Him draw nigh.

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Happy Mother's Day

The Gift Of Motherhood

Once a mother, always a mother...
A privileged experience unlike any other.
No matter the age, whether daughter or son,
Children are special, for God made each one.

Every day is filled with surprise
As children explore and learn to be wise.
Leading and guiding them brings rich reward
As they grow and blossom in things of the Lord.

Then when the children are raised up and grown,
Moms can reflect on the joys they have known
And maybe look forward to having more fun
With a little granddaughter or precious grandson.

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed..."
Proverbs 31:28 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Lightheartedness

Humor is a pleasantry
To make us smile and bring us glee.
Wit and laughter are much fun
And seem to help our work get done.

Attitude and frame of mind
Will lighten up "the daily grind".
Making choice to have a smile
Will help us go "the second mile"...

Causing others to delight
And maybe have a day that's bright.
Laughter, smiles and merriment
On some days will be heaven-sent.

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

© 2012 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Blind Spots

Just when we think we know quite a lot,
We may be growing a little blind spot.
We will learn more by keeping close watch
So pride doesn't blind our sight with it's blotch.

Selfishness limits the depth of our sight...
We only see part of that which is right.
It creates shadows and "fog" in our vision
So we do not see with humble precision.

Those who procrastinate don't see at all
And don't sense the need for urgency's call.
Arrogance, laziness, ego and pride
Will cause UGLY blind spots where'er they reside.

If there are "patterns" which get in the way
Of seeing things clearly, take time out to pray.
We will see well if we remain humble
And will not form blind spots which cause us to stumble.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14 KJV

© 2011 Arlene Schwartzkopf