When a challenge comes before you
Don't let worry enter in.
Bring the matter to the Lord
So stress and angst cannot begin.

He will give you perfect peace
To keep you calm from all demand.
He will bring you wise insight
And guide you by His loving hand.

"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

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Always we should pursue peace
In our thoughts and through our speech.
With kindness and diplomacy
A hurting person we might reach.

Words can bridge a gap and heal
When they are wise and wrapped in peace,
Overcoming apprehension,
Bringing much-desired release.

"Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned (as it were) with salt, (so that you may never be at a loss) to know how you
ought to answer anyone (who puts a question to you)."
Colossians 4:6  Amplified Bible

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Love will never point a finger
Nor let grudges "brew" and linger.
Love releases all offense
And gives no thought to recompense.

Love is giving and is warm
Its tireless wonders to perform.
Love will bring a healing touch
And far outdistance "trials" and such.

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins (forgives and disregards the offenses of others)."
I Peter 4:8  Amplified Bible

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

To be stirring up good will
Is medicine for what is ill,
A sorely-needed healing balm
To promote love and joy and calm.

When we spread good will around
The wonder of it is profound.
It becomes a healing bond
And has potential far beyond.

"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"        Romans 10:15   KJV

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let thanksgiving rest in you,
Residing in your heart and thought...
Sincere gratefulness expressed
For all the blessings God has brought.

His goodness is beyond all measure,
More than we can comprehend.
Gratefulness birthed deep within
Our perspective will heal and mend..

"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

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Build on ground which can't be shaken.
Build upon the solid Rock.
Your "foundation" will not fail
Should storms or challenge come to knock

Faith in God will keep you strong.
He will always light your way.
He will be your mighty fortress,
All your fears He will allay.

"And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;  The God of my rock; in him will I trust:  he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour."        II Samuel 22:2   KJV

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf

For abundance and for plenty
Let Thanksgiving songs be raised.
In expression from the heart
Let our God be warmly praised.

All we have is from His hand.
Let our worship freely flow.
Acknowledging His rich supply,
Let robust celebration grow.

He has poured out wondrous blessing.
Let us glorify His name!
For His love and faithfulness,
Let us bring Him all acclaim!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Psalm 34:1-3   KJV

© 2010  Arlene Schwartzkopf

This Thanksgiving Day the best thing to do
Is give God much honor, to which He is due.
The blessings He gives are more than we know.
It truly is time our gratitude to show.

Daily let hearts with awareness be shod.
We must be faithful to honor our God.
We need to slow down and give Thanksgiving space
And worship our God for His goodness and grace.

Christmas will come with joyful ado
And bring many blessings to me and to you.
But Thanksgiving is a true celebration
Of all God has done in this, our great nation.

"For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised..."      I Chronicles 16:25   KJV

© 2014  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Thanksgiving was birthed in the hearts of a few
Who came “oh so far” from all that they knew,
Seeking to worship their God and their King,
Searching for freedom His praises to sing.

Suffering severely, they did not give up,
Believing each day God would fill their cup.
Thanksgiving then was a time to rejoice.
In glory to God they praised and gave voice.

Let us remember these brave, humble folk.
Their faith and example in us should evoke
Prayers and thanksgiving that freedom still rings
And for all of the bounty which God daily brings.

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make
a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the Lord is
a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
Psalm 95:2-3   KJV

© 2008  Arlene Schwartzkopf

Let us lift our voice in praise
And to our God much worship raise,
Bringing honor to His name,
His lovingkindness to proclaim!

Let worship in the earth abound
In glorious, melodic sound,
With harp and strings, horns and flute,
Our God to honor and salute!

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."           Psalm 95:1-2   KJV

© 2016  Arlene Schwartzkopf