Taking Time To Listen
When the daily cares of life
Crowd forward for attention,
Consuming all my time and thought
And blurring good intention.....

I know it's time to stop and listen,
Lest I miss the Spirit's voice.
For I could "rush" right past a turn
Or make a less-than-perfect choice.

I never want to get so busy
That I miss a loved one's cry.
I'll never know that person's heart
If I don't listen to his sigh.

I must listen with my heart,
And not just lend a "casual" ear.
Only then will I discover
All that God would have me hear.

For when I truly learn to listen
The Holy Spirit will impart
Ability to see and hear
And reach out with the Father's heart.

""Hear instruction and be wise, and do
not disdain it. Blessed is the man
who listens to me."
Proverbs 8:33-34a NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf
Too Much Stuff
Omigosh, what's all this "stuff"?
We seem to have more than "enough"!
When we can't find some thing we sputter.....
We probably have too much clutter!

"Stuff" just seems to multiply.
And then we start to wonder why
We keep things "for a rainy day"
Which we should give or throw away!

So I'm cleaning corners out,
Making order roundabout.
Doing this may help me find
Lost items - and some peace of mind!

Stuff just seems to sneak right up.
And soon we have a pileup!
I'm going to change my ways this year,
And hope that "stuff" won't reappear!

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf
He Is There
When your heart is aching
And tired from wear and tear,
When clouds of darkness hover
Remember - Jesus cares.

Nothing that is in us
Is beyond His tender touch.
He understands our every need
And loves us all so much.

Though the load you carry
Sometimes seems too much to bear,
He will lift that burden from you.
Remember - He is there.

He will fill your mouth with laughter
And make your heart to sing,
Will light your path and guide your way,
A happy smile bring.

If you will only trust Him
Your burdens He will bear.
His joy will be your portion.
Nothing shall compare.

For He is there.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. For
my yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJ

2004 Arlene Schwartzkopf
People Who Inspire - Glenn
GLENN

Glenn had a very soft heart, and he loved people.
He especially loved children. He was an incredibly gifted artist and craftsman. But because he worked with chemicals sometimes in his work, he had a physical breakdown at age 47 and could not work again. He lived in a lower income section of town and would often reach out to help his neighbors, Over a period of years, when he would go fishing and catch a steelhead, he would give the fish to people in the neighborhood, or he would have it smoked and canned and then give it away as gifts. After he became disabled, he began to work for a charitable organization through his church. When the organization received calls from people in need, he would join with another man and go out to meet the people who were in need. And then, if the request was legitimate, the organization would arrange to meet the needs. He spoke of one family of ten they visited who had no beds. Even the 88-year old Grandpa was sleeping on the wood floor. Glenn commented that whenever he would feel depression, he would go out on these calls. When he saw how much worse off others were than he was, it helped him to feel better. Many children in the neighborhood would stop by to see Glenn. If he felt good enough he would sit on the front steps and visit with them. Most of these children didn't have much, but they knew Glenn was their friend. He made kites (really nice, colorful kites) for many, and he fixed their bicycles or whatever else needed fixing. He loved the children. Glenn was not a wealthy man and did not have good health, but he understood giving and practiced it......
he gave much to others......

"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He
said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Acts 20:35b NKJ

© 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf