Archive | Louise Gibson From the Heart- Friday RSS feed for this section

Measure Your Words

27 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

Years ago an anonymous writer penned a short
poem about the merit of measuring our words:

“A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he saw the less he spoke.
The less he spoke the more he heard.
“Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?”

 

There is a connection between wisdom
and limiting what we say.
It is wise to be a good listener
while holding our tongue at bay.

 

Be sensitive to the needs of the one
you are speaking to.
Listen to what their heart is saying
before expressing your point of view.

 

Wisdom from above:

“Although there is a time to be quiet
and a time to speak (Eccl.3:7)
choosing to speak less allows us
to hear more.”

 

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditations of my heart,
be acceptable in Thy sight.
Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

 

Psalm 96
Shout to the Lord
(If you are depressed you need to read the Psalms.)

 

Psalm 119
“Forever, oh Lord, your word is settled in Heaven.

 

snowy-owl

#Wunderphoto

Tags: , , , , , ,

Self Evaluation

20 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

River of Life by DiVoran Lites

River of Life by DiVoran Lites

 

 

At the end of my days, how will God evaluate
the time spent with my fellow man?
Will I have satisfied the commission
of our Lord’s ultimate plan?

 

Will I have loved my neighbor
as well as myself?
Will my “Must do” list be completed
or still found on the shelf?

 

Did I abandon the longings,
the dreams, the vision?
Did I give in to circumstance
the need for decision?

 

The still small voice of the Spirit
breaks through,
“My child, stop fretting,
I’m not through with you.”

Tags: , , , , ,

Slaying the Giants In Your Life~ Destroying Discouragement

13 Jan

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

Can you recognize the enemy?
There’s a battle to be won.
Know what you are fighting-
Your armor is the Son!

 

There are three ways to live:
You can live out-
You can wear out,
or
You can burn out!

 

It’s erroneous to say
working too hard is burnout.
Working hard “at the right thing”
is what it’s all about.

 

Bring everything out of that “anxiety closet”
and expose it to the light.
When looked at as they truly are,
you can put them all to flight!

 

Emotions are treacherous advisors.
We need to be disciplined and stay on track.
Work can be wonderful therapy.
It will get your confidence back.

 

The biblical story of David
can turn your life around.
Get your slingshot ready-
“Discouragement”, you are going DOWN!”

 

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength.
A very present help in trouble,
Therefore, we will not fear.
Though the earth be removed
and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Tho the mountains shake with its swelling.

 

cross-on-snow-covered-mountain

Tags: , , , , ,

People Need People

6 Jan

From the Heart 

Louise Gibson

colorful-crowd

 

 

Life does present challenges
that tax us to no end.
When bad things happen, and they often do-
That is when we need a friend.

 

Do you remember when someone encouraged you?
Perhaps when you were feeling low?
It helps to share your burden.
There is strength in numbers, you know.

 

Relate to people.
Call, text, or write a letter.
Just knowing someone cares
will make them feel much better.

 

Caring needn’t be costly,
amazing what a smile can do.
It’s the best face lift in town,
And warms the heart of another, too.

 

“There is little difference in people,
but that little difference makes a big
difference.
That little difference is attitude.
The big difference is whether it
is positive or negative.”

Robert Collier

 

I must end with a bit of humor.
“Don’t tell me that worry doesn’t do any good.
I know better.
The things I worry about don’t happen.”

Author unknown (but it could be any of us-
right?) : – )

 

 

Tags: , , , ,

It Is Always Too Soon to Quit

30 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

cat-dog-stare-down

 

 

(Is this message for you?)

 

Let your dream be bigger than your fear.
Hold on to your vision and persevere.
The fuel for your journey is a spark.
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

 

Love always perseveres;
a force strong and true.
It motivates your best interests
and brings out the best in you.

 

Don’t despise the day of small things.
It is the small thing that forms the framework of our day.
Keep an attitude of gratitude
as the Lord leads you to do all things His way.

 

Father Jean Nicholas Grou wrote:
“Little things come daily, hourly, within our reach,
and they are no less calculated to set forward
our growth in holiness than are the greater occasions
which occur but rarely. Moreover, fidelity in trifles,
and an earnest seeking to please God in little matters
is a test of real devotion and love. Let your aim be to
please our dear Lord perfectly in little things.”

 

Love this poem by Edgar A. Guest

“When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
and you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow-
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!”

Tags: , , ,

Joy For All

23 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

20131225-010132

On the final day of a Christian publishing conference in Singapore, 280 participants from 50 countries gathered in the outdoor plaza of a hotel for a group photo. From the second-floor balcony, the photographer took many shots from different angles before finally saying,”We’re through”.  A voice from the crowd shouted with relief, “Well, joy to the world!” Immediately, someone replied by singing, ‘The Lord is come.” Others began to join in. Soon the entire group was singing the familiar carol in beautiful harmony.  It was a moving display of unity and joy.

In Luke’s account of the Christmas story, an angel announced the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds saying, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” ( Luke 2:10-11)

The joy was not for a few people, but for all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son”.(John 3:16)

As we share the life-changing message of Jesus with others, we join the worldwide chorus in proclaiming “the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.” “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” David McCasland

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

 

“Merry Christmas, dear friends. And a Happy New Year.”

Louise Gibson

Tags: , , ,

“Help! There’s A Kidnapper in my Apartment!”

16 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

Well, not really.
But my cat is acting like one.
I set up a miniature village under my tree,
the source of a lot of fun!

There are houses, a church, commercial buildings,
and a ski slope brings a smile.
Skiers actually go up and down,
so watching them is worth your while.

Corky, my little feline friend, watched patiently-
His eyes moving from north to south.
But curiosity got the best of him.
A little man walking down the street
wound up in Corky’s mouth!

Corky didn’t know what to do.
His captive put up no fight.
He dropped him when he looked at me.
Ha! He had to make it right!

Christmas brings out the kid in me.
My heart is filled with play
as I look to our Savior,
a God of wisdom, with us everyday.

I wish you a “Merry Christmas”
Keep looking up, dear friend.
And don’t forget to look around you,
The need for love has no end!

 

christmas-village-copy

Tags: , , , ,

Love is Eternal

9 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

cardinal-pair-copy

 

 

 

How do you describe it?
It is being comfortable with someone.
You don’t have to impress them.
Their heart you have already won.

 

Allow them to see your weaknesses-
they love too much to condemn.
“Oh, Lord, I am me, no other can I be.
Thank you for loving me as I am.”

 

“Just as I am, without one plea,
but that Thy blood was shed for me.
And that Thou bidest me come to Thee,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Amen!

Tags: , , ,

The Simple Truth, Peanuts-Style

2 Dec

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

The author of this is Jeanne Rogors.  I want to share her message.

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you

and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

(Mathew 5:11)

 

For years, major television networks have featured a Charlie Brown Christmas as one of their prime time specials during the days prior to Christmas.  Audiences of all ages have viewed the 1965 classic movie.

The famous cartoon provides clean entertainment as the beloved Peanuts characters explore life’s challenges.  Each scene is honest and humorous and Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, always steals the show. It is also a favorite because the movie features the true meaning of Christmas.

Throughout the plot of the movie, Charlie Brown experiences frustration and disappointment, and eventually despairs with all the commercialization of Christmas. Guided by the five-cent, psychiatric advice of Lucy, he accepts the role of director for the annual Christmas Pageant.

As usual, he gets no respect for his leadership effort.  He voices his frustration with familiar Peanuts remarks, “Good grief!” and  “Oh rats!”

Just as he is about to give up on understanding Christmas, Charlie Brown’s friend, Linus. offers him hope.

“I’ll tell you what Christmas is all about”, Linus says.  The scene changes as Linus walks into the center-stage spotlight.  The true meaning of Christmas unfolds as the voice of a pre-school child narrates the story of Jesus’ birth.

 

“And there were shepherds gathered in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people of the earth. For today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you.  He is Christ the Lord.”( Luke 2;8-10)

Charlie Brown gets it.  Something happens inside his heart.  A change in attitude and behavior moves through the entire cast of characters, and their disagreeable mood transforms into celebrative joy.

In typical Peanuts style, Charlie Shultz gave a truthful solution to a dilemma that has intensified over the forty years since the movie’s creation- the secularization of Christmas. We are grateful to this  talented cartoonist who spoke a timeless, spiritual message through the lives of animated children.

This Christmas when so many messages of truth are silenced, perhaps the message of hope, told in a classic cartoon, will be heard.  May we once again experience the profound and simple meaning of Christmas; that a Savior was born “for all the people of the earth.”

 

 

corriewho-can-add-to-christmas

 

Tags: , ,

So, Why Should I Be Thankful?

25 Nov

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

A thankful heart causes us to look upward.
It causes us to look around,
and causes us to look within
where the peace of God is found.

 

The number one secret to happiness
is a grateful heart.
Beginning our day with a prayer of gratitude
brings tranquility from the start.

 

Fear is the father of failure-
a negative emotion, to be sure.
Replace it with a positive thought-
Failure you will no longer endure.

 

Quote:

“When we choose not to focus on what is missing
from our lives, but are grateful for the abundance
that is present, we experience heaven on earth.”

Author unknown,
but is wise advice

 

 

squirell-taking-a-bite

 

 

Tags: , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →