A Home Is Built A house is built with wood and stone, But it doesn't just become a home. A home is built with love and care By those who fill its rooms with prayer. Day by day its strength is formed As prayer by prayer its rooms are warmed. Wisdom is its strong foundation, Its walls are praise and celebration. As fellowship and love abound, Joy and laughter oft resound. When happy hearts in God agree The home is strong in unity. A house just built with wood and stone Will never quite become a home Until its rooms are filled with love As given from the Father above. "Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Proverbs 24:3-4 NKJ © 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

"Poor Me" Self-pity sings it's woeful song Because "the world has done it wrong!" It mopes and weeps and carries on. "Poor me" it sings the whole day long. It's hard to have this thing around. It spoils your joy and pulls you down. It will not let you help it out. It only wants to sit and pout! It will not look beyond it's nose. But wails and moans and tantrums throws. And so it's sorrow grows and grows As it centers on it's woes. This crummy partner isn't pretty..... He who calls himself with pride "self-pity". Don't let him in to roam about. Shut the door and keep him out! "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 © 2006 Arlene Schwartzkopf

My Joy LORD, You bring the laughter in my day..... Your joy is as rippling waters in a brook..... Waters traveling happily on their way downstream..... Light-hearted, delightful..... Waters which bubble up and over stones and obstacles And are not troubled..... They do not look back..... Waters singing freely as they travel to their destination..... A happy stream flowing through my day..... "He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15b NKJ © 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf

The Footsteps Of Jesus The footsteps of Jesus In the sands of one's heart Leave beautiful imprints And new life impart. But when strong winds of change Blow the sand all around, Then after a time The prints can't be found. So if we welcome Him Again and again, Our hearts will be full Of His imprints then. And though the winds blow Or the waves overflow, The imprints He made Will continue to show. Over time He is etched In the sands of a heart, And He can be seen By the love we impart. "Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJ © 2005 Arlene Schwartzkopf