A Fresh Perspective A few times over the years I have started to keep a diary. But each time, after awhile, I would lose interest and begin to skip days.... and finally give up and stop writing. Lately I have been thinking about this. If a book were to be written of my life, including everything I have ever done, what would it speak to others? First of all, I would want the pages to be filled with wisdom. I would want my life story to hold lessons of value... to leave a Godly heritage for others. I would want the pages to be filled with many good things and be a written record of beauty and worth.... something that would become an encouragement to others. I would want others to find Jesus because of the witness of my life. To picture my life in writing gives fresh new perspective to everything I do. I want my life to really count! As I serve the Living God I have opportunity to leave a good heritage. Perhaps by this the lives of my children, or grandchildren, or family, or friends or neighbors might be enriched and blessed. How sad it would be if my life had not "touched" someone else's life or had no positive impact on those who know me..... "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 NKJ © 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Pets Are Important Too One evening the guys in our family went out and took our dog, Scruffy, with them. They were gone for a few hours, and we didn't see them again until just after 9:00 p.m. When they came in I noticed that Scruffy was limping. Apparently they had been running with Scruffy on the leash, and somehow Scruffy, in the excitement, got tangled in the leash, dragging one back leg on the pavement. Since it was dark out they didn't really see the extent of what had happened to him until they got home. I looked at his leg and was horrified. The fur and skin on his back knee joint were rubbed away and I could actually see right into the knee joint. It was too late in the day to take him to the vet, so, not knowing what to do for him, I prayed and asked God to heal him. By morning he could not walk. So as soon as the veterinary clinic opened, we took him in. The vet looked at the problem and said that infection had set in. He needed to keep him overnight so that he could give him antibiotics and then observe his progress. As we came out of the clinic, I remember thinking, "It's sure going to be 'dead' around the house without this little guy to liven things up", and, "I sure hope he gets well", and, "His leg sure won't look very good with all the fur gone". So I went home and prayed again that God would heal him. God heard my prayers. Scruffy only had to stay at the veterinary clinic till the next morning because his progress had been good. We could see that he was healing up nicely, and when we brought him home, again he could run all over the house. But God was yet going to do something really special in this situation. Not only did He totally heal Scruffy's knee, but all the fur grew back within a week or so! The vet had said it would take several weeks. Surely God cares for our pets when we pray for them! © 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

Pure Waters Oh, Lord..... You are as a deep, deep well..... which never runs dry..... It is so good to come to Your well and drink..... Your well is full of treasure..... a place of rich experience..... pure waters given from You..... plentiful and free-flowing..... I am nourished as I drink..... I find refreshment..... and I am renewed..... In You, Lord, I am made whole..... And I am grateful..... "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14 NKJ © 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

A Gentle Touch When kindness and gentleness Softly are shown, It leaves sweet reminder And good seeds are sown. Kindness and gentleness Restore and bring healing. They are lovely expressions Which speak with much feeling If you've had a hard day And harsh words were spoken, Or you are just down And feel somewhat broken... Choose to remember Those times that you've known, When kindness and gentleness To you have been shown. You will find joy Or much-needed hope, Or courage to "stand" And with hard times to cope. When kindness and gentleness Softly are shown, It leaves sweet reminder Of good times you've known. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 © 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf