New Year's Wishes

New Year’s Wishes

What shall I wish thee ?
Treasures of earth ?
Songs in the springtime ,
Pleasures and mirth ?
Flowers on the pathway ,
Skies ever clear ?
Would this insure thee
A Happy New Year?

What shall I wish thee ?
What can be found
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year ‘ round ?
Where is the treasure ,
Lasting and dear ,
That shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year ?

Faith that increaseth
Walking in light ;
Hope that aboundeth
Happy and bright ;
These shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year .

Peace in the Savior ,
Rest at His feet ,
Smile of His countenance
Radiant and sweet ,
Joy in His presence !
Christ ever near !
This will ensure thee
A Happy New Year !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Facing A New Year

Facing A New Year
I know not what awaited me
As dawns another year
The path untrod I can not see
Yet knows my heart no fear .
Though dark the path may be , or light ,
A smooth or rugged way ,
I ever shall be led aright
While I for guidance pray .
I know not whether short or long
My pilgrimage may be ,
I’ll daily praise my Lord in song
For all His love to me .
And as the years shall onward roll
And day by day be mine ,
I’ll seek to lead some precious soul
To Christ , the way divine .
My God shall be my strength and stay
While sojourning here below
He will supply my need always
His Word assures me so .
With joy I greet the opening year ,
It cannot bring me ill .
Since Christ , my Lord is ever near ,
My soul with peace to fill .”

Farewell , Old Year
With goodness crowned ,
A Hand divine hath set thy bound ;
Welcome the New Year
Which shall bring
Fresh blessings from
My Lord and King .
The Old we enter without a tear ,
The New we enter without fear .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
“ The Lord thy God , He it is that doth go with thee ; He will not fail thee , nor forsake thee .” Deut . 31:6

My Year Book

My Year Book
The Master gave a “ book to me
With pages pure and white ;
And then He said , “ Most carefully
Upon it you must write .”

“No blot should mar a single page ,
Of such a volume fair ,
Each word you write will always stay ,
Forever entered there.”

For twelve brief months the “Book” was mine
And then He came once more ;
To give a new one all unsoiled ,
As He had done before .

He took the “Book” away from me
Although I begged of Him ,
For just a moment more of time –
I’d fill it to the brim ,

With effort to correct a page ,
To cancel each bad spot ;
But opportunity was gone ,
Old years cannot be bought .

A New Year lies before me now ,
It’s pages clean and white ;
“ Dear Lord ,” I cry ,”Oh ,take my hand
and guide as I write .”
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

The New Year

The New Year
O, year by year we well may be
Deep exercised in see
Just what is chaff and what is wheat ,
As valued at the judgment seat

Look Down into the deep dark pit ,
Whence we were dug think of it!
Look Back – we only render praise
For grace attending all our ways .

Look Out upon the fields so white –
The gladsome harvest just in sight !
Look Up - the objects of God’s love
Are fed with manna from above .

Look On - for Glory is in view ,
And Jesus waits to welcome you !
But do not ever look Within ,
Upon the wretched source of sin .

How bright the coming days would be
If only souls from self free ,
And had the mind and heart absorded
With Christ alone – Their Glorious Lord !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Happy New Year !

Another Year for Thee

Another Year for Thee

Another year is dawning !
Dear Master , let it be ,
In working or in waiting ,
Another year with Thee !

Another year of learning
Upon Thy loving breast ,
Of even deeper trusting ,
Of quiet , happy rest .

Another year of mercies ,
Of faithfulness and grace ;
Another year of gladness ,
In the shining of Thy face .

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise ;
Another year of proving
Thy presence “all the days .“

Another year of service ,
Of witness to Thy love ;
Another year of training
For holier work above .

Another year is dawning !
Dear Master , let it be ,
On earth , or else in heaven ,
Another year for Thee!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

What Makes Christmas ?

Twas not the angels’ singing
That gave the Christmas thought
Nor yet the gold and incense
Which the wise men had brought .

Twas not the star that led them
Upon their unknown way
It was the birth of Jesus
That make our Christmas day!

So it is not the presents
That make our Christmas day ;
Tis not what we receive that counts
But what we give away .

The joy of loving service
Makes all the day seem bright ,
The thought of others’ pleasure ,
With self put out of sight .

Oh , Never mourn that Christmas
Comes only once a year
Because it is our giving
That brings the Christmas cheer .

Then keep the Christmas spirit
Within our hearts always ,
And through the year thus make it
A Christmas every day .
Written by Annie Johnson Flint

Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Born Of a Virgin

BORN OF A VIRGIN


"The virgin will be with child

and will give birth to a son."

Matthew 1:23

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, some still can't believe My supernatural birth. How I long for them to mirror Mary's attitude, one not of disbelief, but of wonder: "How can this be?" she asked in awe, yet she surrendered her total heart, mind, and body to My Father: "May it be to me as you have said." I was born of a virgin, not a super-saint, just an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and humility. It's that same spirit I want for all My children, including you, My child. I desire to do extraordinary things through you.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, what a wonder that You were born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and sealed with heaven's kiss. The purest sacrifice, the sweetest gift, God's own child—You are truly a miracle. I celebrate You, Lord.

SIMPLE TRUTH

Impossibilities are God's specialties.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas

LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS

LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS

Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Help us suppress our fears
So we can hide our tears
That flow so easily
Have your grace make the earth become
A peaceful globe, filled with joy
So deep in our hearts, we’ll be proud
That You gave the gift of hope
To every man, woman, girl and boy

Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Smile on us from up above
Fill the world with love
Let evil quickly flee
Set Your sacred decree
Let humankind clearly see
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Survivor

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his
few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.

He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me?" He cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him.

"How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas

men as men ; God as God

Men as Men; God as God
"I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and host feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:12-13).

Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger. "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Paradoxes of Christmas

A paradox is an apparent contradiction which conceals a profound truth - and the Bible is filled with paradoxes: We triumph by first surrendering to God. We find rest under a yoke. We see the unseen through faith. We find freedom in becoming Christ's bondservants. We are made great by becoming little. We gain through giving. We become wise by becoming fools for Christ's sake. We can only truly live if we die to self.

Yet the greatest paradox in the entire Bible is found in the birth of Jesus Christ. During the time of Jesus' birth, Caesar Augustus was the greatest ruler of the world. He possessed absolute power and incredible wealth. Yet even with all of his earthly authority and riches, Caesar was just a man. When God Himself came to earth, He was not the leader of the largest empire. He was born as a poor and obscure child in Bethlehem. The pagan man, Caesar, was at the height of power; the God-infant, Jesus, was in the depths of helplessness. Caesar was the wealthiest man on earth; Jesus was one of the poorest. Caesar slept in a Roman palace on a golden bed covered with fine linens; Jesus slept in a manger, bundled in swaddling clothes.

But none of the wealth or power that Caesar possessed compared to the glory and splendor that Jesus had left in heaven. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Jesus endured a human, earthly birth so that everyone who follows Him can undergo a spiritual, heavenly birth. Jesus found no room at the inn, yet He said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Jesus became a member of a human family so that those who love Him can become members of His heavenly family.

The infant Jesus was pursued by the ruthless and evil King Herod who killed the baby boys in the Bethlehem area, hoping to end the threat of the One "born king of the Jews" (see Matthew 2:1-18). Yet Jesus was born for the very purpose of pursuing and destroying the root of all evil, Satan.

We can learn from the paradoxes of Christmas: We should not judge things by appearance, because God hid His greatest gift in a humble package. We should not judge an end by its beginning, because the babe in the manger will one day return in full glory. We should make room in our hearts for others, so that we can find room for Jesus. By reaching out and witnessing to those who need to hear about Jesus, we can experience Christ even more fully.

In celebration of His birth, thank Jesus for giving up the riches and splendor of heaven to be born a poor and humble infant. Thank Him for dying on the cross, even though He Himself was sinless, so that we may find forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:6, 7
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Lord is There ! part 2

Pain and suffering can damage our faith. Throw us headlong into confusion. Convince us we are motherless children left to fend for ourselves. Almost as bad as the thought of God abandoning us is the notion that he is standing by but with a look of disapproval on his face, with an "I told you so" kind of expression, as if to say that we are only getting what we deserve.
The other day a close friend confided that she and her husband were having difficulty. Dan had suffered irreversible brain damage after a motorcycle accident two years earlier. Since then, he'd become irritable and impulsive, hard to get along with. The two had regular shouting matches. They lived in a constant state of tension. Nothing seemed to help. Not the medicine, not the therapy, not the prayers, not all the effort or goodwill in the world. The loving, mature man Jennifer had known for the first ten years of their married life was gone for good. She found it hard to like Dan, let alone to love him.
Jennifer's suffering was compounded by her sense of guilt. She chided herself for reacting so poorly to him. Why couldn't she be more patient, more understanding? The poor man had been in an accident! She could feel God's displeasure. Then she stumbled on Isaiah 63:9.
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
This picture of God took her by surprise, suddenly altering the picture she had formulated in her own mind. Instead of seeing Dan and herself at odds while a disapproving God looked on, she saw the three of them together. All three were weeping. All three were grieving what had happened to Dan and to their marriage. She no longer felt divine disapproval but divine compassion. God was standing beside her, sharing her distress.
By transforming her picture of the spiritual reality, God was beginning to transform her understanding of the possibilities for her marriage. The answers might not be swift. They might not be exactly what she had hoped. But there would be relief because God was there, present in the midst of her suffering. Jennifer remembered the words of her favorite psalm: "For even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
Jennifer's story helped me. I thought about how a single Scripture passage had transformed her sense of how God looked at her. Today, as you face your own set of struggles, join me in reading the words of Isaiah as though God is speaking them directly to you: In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas
Pray request Please remenber Sister Judy Pangborn she been having medical problems . Thank you Judy , for always being there for all us . And if anybody know where I can find a 93 Toyota Tercel 4cy engine , I would like to buy it ,

The Name

The Name
Strictly speaking, Yahweh Shammah is a name for a city rather than a title of God. But it is so closely associated with God's presence and power that it has often been equated with a name for God, at least in popular parlance. The name in the New Testament that is most closely associated with it is Immanuel, "God with us," a name that was given to Jesus. Yahweh Shammah (yah-WEH SHAM-mah), "The LORD is there," reminds us that we were created both to enjoy and to manifest God's presence..

Key Scripture
And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE. (Ezekiel 48:35)

***

PRAYING THE NAME

In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)

Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:12)

Reflect On: Isaiah 63:9 and Psalm 139

Praise God: For his compassion.

Offer Thanks: For God's presence in your life.

Confess: Any tendency to accuse God of abandoning you.

Ask God: To reveal the ways he has been with you even in times of darkness.

God Answers Prayers

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

There is no reason to be shy about asking God for what we need. James says we must ask in faith for what we need, and Jesus Himself encouraged His followers to ask. I've talked to a lot of folks who say God never answered their prayer, but God answers every son's or daughter's prayer. Sometimes He gives that which we ask. Sometimes He refuses. Sometimes He tells us the timing is wrong…that we must wait. But He always answers.

The father of a young family lost his job. He and his wife began to pray that God would provide for their needs, and encouraged their children to pray as well. Their son Bobby took them at their word. "God," he prayed, "I need a shirt, size seven." He wanted a special kind of shirt, in a particular size. Night after night he prayed. "God, I need a shirt. Size seven, don't forget." Finally, a phone call came in the middle of the day. It was a man they knew from church, who owned a downtown store. "I know you're having a rough time," he said. "Why don't you come down here and go through some boys clothes you may be able to use? They're mostly one size—seven—but maybe you can make do." The mother could have told her son ahead of time what they were going to do, but she had heard his prayer for weeks, and she wanted him to see it answered for himself. When they arrived at the store, the owner brought out one size seven shirt, then another, then another, until there were twelve shirts—all sevens!--on the counter. We learn to believe in the power of prayer by praying. Our job is to ask. God's desire is to answer. Ask!

MEMORY VERSE

ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK, AND YOU SHALL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED TO
YOU.
MATTHEW 7:7

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE

Genesis 19-20; John 11

Jan Bagwell
God Bless
There are somethings I would like my brothers and sisters to pray about . Brother Mike wells mother , [Naomie Wells] My mother {Hazel Bagwell ] back trouble . There is a young pastor that asking for pray his car blew it engine . This car is use to visit the sick , visited lost , and there is so much need out there . And pray for me and my leg .

The gift thatkeeps on giving

The gift that keeps on giving .
There’s a gift that keeps on giving .
Do you know the gift divine ?
It’s the Babe of Bethlehem’s manger ,
“Tis the Saviour , yours and mine .

For He brings so many blessings ,
And they brighten all our way ;
There‘s gift that keeps on giving;
“Tis the Christ of Christmas day .

There’s a gift that keeps on giving ;
One Who came from Haven afar .
“Tis the Child the shepherds worshipped,
And the wise men saw His star .

He is master and Redeemer,
And His voice our hearts obey .
There’s gift that keeps on giving.
“Tis the Christ of Christmas day .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless you my sisters and brothers !

Aunt Sarah Luckey's Quilt

Aunt Sarah Luckey’s Quilt
I have a dear possession ,
A quilt of many years ,
T’was made with loving fingers
By a maiden long since dead .

I wonder of the dreams she had
As she sewed the lovely color ,
Of the prince who’d someday come
And love her as no other .

I know she must have though a lot
Of how she’d have a home ,
And fill it full of lovely things
From which she ever roam .

Perhaps she dreamed of baby shoes,
Of tired little feet ,
And all the other things that go
To make a life complete .


But ah , her dreams they ne’er came true
For soon she was to rest
I n that fair land beyond the blue ,
Where souls are ever blessed ..

Gaze on her lovely work of art
With praise and adoration ,


My life like hers is incomplete ,
I, too, dream of tomorrow
When all the worldly things have passed
Like love , and hate and sorrow .

Mabe we’ll meet on that fair shore
Along with many others

By jan bagwell
God Bless

God's Love Extends to All!"

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

God's love extends to all!

Are you a part of this world? Then by Jesus' own words in this verse, "God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son."

Have you ever allowed yourself to truly feel the depth of what it means to be loved by God? It is not that we all deserve to be loved and so He loves us. Just the opposite! We have hurt His feelings, offended His justice, defied His authority, rejected His love, broken His laws, ignored His self-revelation, grieved His Spirit, and ignored His truth.

Yet He loves us, and reaches out to us, and introduces Himself to us, and softens our hardened hearts, and helps us see our need for Him, and offers us forgiveness, and welcomes us into His family.

"The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Still, just like any gift—no matter how much it cost, no matter how valuable it is, no matter how much we need it, no matter how much love is in the heart of the giver — the gift must be accepted and received by the person to whom it is given.

Have you received God's wonderful gift of love?
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

The return of Paradise

Is it any wonder that those followers of Jesus of Nazareth, realizing the meaning and impact of His life and ministry, saw Him as that branch? Jesus' roots were deep in the soil of Judaism. But the leaves on His tree were so different. The fruit on His tree bore such little resemblance to that old fruit. To those disciples it was clear that Jesus, born in a manger and dying on a hillside, was a banner to all the world that Paradise was reborn and reestablished.

The new age occurred when the knowledge of God and the obedience to God was reborn in that One Man. But, even more it came with power as it was reborn not just in His heart, but in the hearts of all who followed Him.

Jesus, that new branch, was one whose total being was filled with wisdom and understanding. He knew how to live in the presence of God. He understood the will and the ways of God as had no man. Jesus, that new branch, was one whose total being was filled with counsel and might. He knew how to live before others with power, the very power of God.

He was able to withstand the force of evil and the powers of destruction and death. He could offer advice to all in words that made sense to them. Jesus, that new branch, was one whose total being was filled with knowledge and fear of the Lord. He overflowed with a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord of creation, with the God of Eden. That Galilean could walk with God, talk with God, commune with God. Even more, He could teach others how to do the same.

No wonder that Christmas is so marvelous. No wonder that Advent is such an important group of Sundays for us. We are getting ready for the One who brings a new world. We are preparing for the One who recreates the old Paradise for all of us. When He is finished, when He is done with us, He has created in us a new innocence, a new peace, a new harmony.

His work accomplished, we are able to truly proclaim, "The Old has passed away, the New has come." That new is a new world of peace. That new is a new world of innocence. That new is a new world of harmony. That new is the New Age, Eden Returned, in which we can again live for and with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That new age is indeed a return to Paradise.

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end." Amen and Amen.

The return of Paradise

Text: Isaiah 11:1-10

There is something about the past that attracts each one of us. Deep in every human heart is a desire to repeat some experiences from the past. There is a hope of recapturing the thrill, the excitement, the joy of days now long gone.

We decorate our homes with oil-burning lamps and candles, exactly like those that our parents and grandparents so eagerly cast aside when rural electrification came to their farm. We do not feel that we really have a cozy home unless there is a fireplace; exactly the kind of fireplace that so many generations stood before, extra warm on one side and chilled on the other. We remember that previous generations provided food for their table from some garden plot, and all of us must have some small plot on which we can grow something to eat.

We celebrate anniversaries and birthdays, not just because they are milestones for those who observe them, but because they bring to our memory days that are past. Just for a moment, in the celebration, we can remember and relive how it used to be. We can experience again that special joy.

That which is a common human yearning is also a deep religious truth. Deep within our human memory is a picture of that reality which no longer exists. Although none of us ever lived in Paradise, in Eden, we cannot escape the memory of that place. Because it cannot be forgotten, we long for it to come again.

There was a time and a place -- a time so long ago and a place so far removed -- that the people of the Bible called Eden, where life was surely different than it is for us.

It was a time of innocence. Adam and Eve could walk in the garden, in the company of each other and of God and feel no guilt, no embarrassment, even though they were not clothed.

It was a time of peace. There was no struggle between people and nations; no anger, no hatred, no animosity. There was no mistrust between the animals; and man had no fear of any beast.

It was a time of harmony. Each of the creatures, each part of creation, had a place. All worked together to accomplish the purposes and the goals of God.

Then Eden was lost. The Scriptures tell of that loss in the story of Adam and Eve and the Serpent and the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden. When the story ends, everything is different. Adam and Eve are ashamed of their humanness. The anger and enmity and mistrust between humans and humans, between humans and animals, reigns supreme.

Adam and Eve are removed from Paradise; it is lost forever. As far removed as we are from that innocence and peace and harmony--marred and damaged the picture may be -- a memory of Eden is still present in the background of our lives.

The words of the prophet Isaiah speak to that longing to recover what is now only a memory. The Living Bible paraphrases those verses:

"In that day the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and the goats will be at peace. Calves and fat cattle will be safe among lions, and a little child shall lead them all. The cows will graze among the bears; cubs and calves will lie down together, and lions will eat grass like the cows. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes, and a little child who puts his hand in a nest of deadly adders will pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mount, for as the waters fill the sea, so shall the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:6-9)

What a different world that is from ours! What a glorious hope those words present! What a magnificent dream are those prophetic words!

The prophet tells us that it shall become a reality. It shall occur when a shoot springs up from that chopped-down tree that is the house of David the King. A new branch will appear from the roots of that stump, and it shall mark the beginning of the new age.

Isaiah lived in a century when it was clearly evident to men of vision and to men of God that David's dynasty was passing. It would never recover from its sickness unto death. The glory of King David had lived on for a time in his son, Solomon. The nation prospered as never before. But the old enmities, the old hatreds, the old angers and mistrusts surfaced among David's grandsons.

The people and the nation were split asunder. The Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah lasted for nearly two hundred years. During that time they warred against one another, brother against brother. They sniped across their borders. They made treaties and broke them.

Then the lashing punishment of God came from the East in the form of the Assyrian armies. The Northern Kingdom was swept away in the tides of history and the vengeance of God. The ungodly armies from the East swept through the countryside. It came to the very gates of the City of God. The troops looked upon the Holy City and the Temple as well with vengeance and destruction burning in their hearts and their eyes.

Any person of vision, any person of God, could see and know that the future of that tree which was the house and the lineage of David was doomed. It would soon be cut down. The prophet spoke for God and about God's plan when he saw that a branch would come forth. It was a branch which would change the old nature of that tree, and with it would come a new age to mankind.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless
I know this was long . I just wanted to reminder us , of what we could have.

Twelve Christmas Angels

Twelve Christmas Angels
Twelve Christmas angels met
Up near the Milky Way;
To discuss why joy was missing,
From the Christmas holiday.

It gave them so much sadness,
As they tracked the negative trend;
So each decided to do their part,
To bring this madness to an end.

Angel one would touch memories,
Reminding of the blessings of life;
Angel two would tenderize hard hearts,
Removing bitterness and strife.

Angel three would gather families,
From far reaches of the earth;
Then stir feelings of love and peace,
Giving hope and joy new birth.

Angel four would return Merry
And Christ to holiday greetings.
Angel five would clear calendars,
To make time for family meetings.

Angels six would flame enthusiasm,
Angels seven would spread cheer;
Angel eight would grow generosity,
Angel nine would diminish fear.

Angel ten would dispel darkness,
By lighting colorful decorations;
Angel eleven would draw the lonely,
To warm and friendly celebrations.

Angel twelve would have the hardest job,
Bringing wonder back to each heart;
And reminding all the people,
Of how Christmas had its start.

So with haste they met the challenge,
And made everything all right;
They restored the joy and happiness,
Before that Christmas night.

So Merry Christmas then to one and all,
May every tongue employ;
And thank you Christmas angels,
For bringing back the Christmas joy!

Jan Bagwwell
God Bless !!

Dishes

Dishes
They had a set of dishes
Given them when they wed ,
With luck and happiness and wishes
By loved ones ,who to them said
They wished they’d always be happy
As the moment when,”I will,”
Was said with so much rapture
That their hearts were standing still.

The dishes tell a lovely story
Of the lives they were to live _
How they shone in all their glory
When the very first forgive
Was whispered, and I love you truly ,
Which made things right again ,
For it was just as surely said ,
As sun comes after rain

Time as long since passed ,
Since they were first together ,
When he’d sit and gaze and ask her
If she loved him as no other –
And she was just content
With the answer in her heart ,
For she knew that it was meant
That they should never part ..

Although their lives had many scars
Like cracks upon the china ,
Their love outshone the mars ,
For it was only minor ,
If the one who’d done the wrong
Down in his heart had sorrow ,
For they never let the sun go down
Without a ,” Bright Tomorrow ,”

She’s an old lady now ,
And he is eight-two ,
The cups and saucers wonder
What the other one will do ,
Until they both are able ,
To sit at God’s own perfect table ,
Be fed by His own hand

By Jan Bagwell

This poem I wrote over twenty years ago , It was the Christmas after my dad died. My dad and mother was married for over 50 years , It was her first Christmas witout him . I am sure God gave this poem just for her . I hope you enjoy !

A Christmas Hymn

Tell me what is this innumerable throng Singing in the heavens a loud angelic song ?
These are they who come with swift and shining feet
From round about the throne of God the Lord of Light to greet .
O , who are these that hasten beneath the starry sky ,
As if with joyful tidings that through the world shall fly ?
The faithful shepherds these , who greatly were a feared
When , as they watched their flocks by night ,the heavenly host appeared .

Who are these that follow across the hills of night
A star that westward hurries along the hills of light ?
Three wise men from the east who myrrh and treasure bring
To lay them at the feet of Him , their Lord and Christ ,
And King .

What babe new-born is this that in a manger cries ?
Near on her bed of pain His happy mother lies .
O , see ! the air is shaken with white and heavenly wings
This is the Lord of all the earth , this is the Kings of Kings .
Tell me , how may I join in this holy feast
With all the kneeling world , and I of all the least ?
Fear not ,O faithful heart ,but bring what most is meet ;
Bring love alone , true love alone ,and lay it at His feet .

Jan Bagwell
God Bless

The Wind's Not Always At Back

The Wind’s Not always At Our Back

The wind’s not always at our back;
the sky’s not always blue .
Sometimes we crave the things we lack
and don’t know what to do .
Sometimes life’s an uphill ride
with mountains we must climb .
At times the river’s deepand wide
and crossing take some time .
No one said that life is easy
There are no guarantees,
So trust the Lord continually
on clam or stormy seas .
The challenges we face today
prepare us for tomorrow ,
For faith takes our fears away
and peace replaces sorrow.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
Thank you Betty for nursing us back to health, you are an angel !

A Perfect Day

A Perfect Day
God Stretches out His loving hand
His blessing to bestow ,
And guides us in our daily lives
Because He loves us so .

He fills our hearts with joy and peace
We’re always in His care ,
He knows our every need and want
And answers every prayer .

He heals all pain and solves all ills
Which often come our way ,
His grace shines down upon us all
To create a perfect day .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

God Bless you

God Bless you
I know no other word more fitting to address you ,
No song , no poem I’ve ever heard
Is sweeter than just “God Bless you .”
In these three little words may you find
All the joy the whole wide earth possesses ,
For there can truly be no joy
Unless indeed , God blesses ,

I might wish you wealth or wish you health ,
Or that good fortune might cares you .
But wealth might bring sorrow ,
Or even health fail tomorrow:
So I simply say , “ God Bless you. “
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer
we thank Thee , God for blessings
The big ones and the small-
Thy tender love and mercy
That guards and keeps us all –

The fresh awakening of joy
That comes with morning light
Sunlit hours to fill the day
And restful sleep at night –

The hope , the beauty and the love
That brighten each day living -
We praise Thee –and our hearts are filled
With joy- and with thanksgiving

The pride that’s found in our work well done
The love of those who care
The peace of mind , that comes sweet content
That comes wit quiet prayer.
Jan Bagwell
Praise God !!

Senior Living

Senior Living

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. --Psalm 30:12

There was once a talented young man who needed one more course to graduate college, so he relentlessly pursued his professor in hopes that he would grant him an independent study course in writing. The student expressed that he would be eternally grateful if the professor would just follow through with this one request — even though it involved extra work on the teacher's part.

Finally, the college dean agreed to the idea, but it proved to be a headache for the professor. The student skipped appointments, missed deadlines, and rejected the professor's evaluations of his writing. The young man even turned in the last assignment just hours before graduation. After all the strings that were pulled for him, you'd think the student would have been a little more grateful to the professor. But he never expressed one word of thanks!

Most of us don't ever want to be that kind of selfish, ungrateful person. Instead, it should be our goal to follow after the example of David. When David was caught up in trouble, he called out to the Lord for help (see Psalm 28:1-2). And after God delivered him from those trying times, David gave Him the thanks He deserved (see Psalm 28:6-7). In fact, all throughout the book of Psalms, David's heart and attitude of gratitude is very evident.

Do you have an ungrateful response to the Lord's graciousness? Do you beg for mercy and deliverance, only to forget what the Lord did for you once you're free from tribulation? Or do you strive to be like David who unceasingly expressed his thanks to God for His goodness?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you if there is someone whose kindness you've taken for granted. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you how you can show that person gratitude today. And thank God for His goodness and mercy.

At Wit's End

At Wit's End

"At their wit's end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out" (Ps. 107:27, 28).

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember--at "Wit's End Corner"
Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?
Remember--at "Wit's End Corner"
Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember--at. "Wit's End Corner"
The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?
Then you're just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not:
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at "Wit's End Corner"
Is the "God who is able" proved.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!!

Keep me in your prayers , Please ! Praise God !!!

The Name
Justice is ultimately rooted not in a collection of laws or rules but in the very character and nature of God. As Judge of the whole earth, he is the only One competent to measure the motivations of our hearts. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word "judge" is often parallel to the word "king." When we pray to God our Shophet (sho-PHAIT), we are praying to the One whose righteousness demands perfect justice but who has also provided a way for us to be acquitted of our guilt through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son.

Key Scripture
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it. (Psalm 94:15)


PROMISES ASSOCIATED WITH GOD'S NAME

God's justice is tempered by his great mercy, which is most powerfully and eloquently expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. No matter what your life may have looked like before you came to Christ, there is no longer any condemnation for you. Today the Judge of the whole earth rises to show you compassion. Express your thanks by imitating his justice—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the poor, visiting those who are in prison, and nursing the sick.

Promises in Scripture

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:18)

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:24-27)

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:34-36)

Continued Prayer and Praise

Pray for the leaders of your country. (Psalm 72:1-19)

Pray for God's judgment on oppressive rulers. (Psalm 94:1-15)

Pray that the Lord will establish his kingdom through his perfect justice. (Isaiah 11:1-9)

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Be in prayer for me !!

The Power of the Gospel and the Predicament of the unrighteous

The Power of the Gospel and the Predicament of the Unrighteous
Romans 1:1-2:11; Psalm 123:1,3-4; Proverbs 23:13-14
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

Romans 1:1-2:11


WORSHIP
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123:1, 3-4

God Never Forsakes

God Never Forsakes
"For the LORD will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance" (Psalm 94:14).

No, nor will He cast even so much as one of them. Man has his castoffs, but God has none; for His choice is unchangeable, and His love is everlasting. None can find out a single person whom God has forsaken after having revealed Himself savingly to him. This grand truth is mentioned in the psalm to cheer the heart of the afflicted. The LORD chastens His own; but He never forsakes them. The result of the double work of the law and the rod is our instruction, and the fruit of that instruction is a quieting of spirit, a sobriety of mind, out of which comes rest. The ungodly are let alone till the pit is digged into which they will fall and be taken; but the godly are sent to school to be prepared for their glorious destiny hereafter. Judgment will return and finish its work upon the rebels, but it will equally return to vindicate the sincere and godly. Hence we may bear the rod of chastisement with calm submission; it means not anger, but love.

God may chasten and correct,
But He never can neglect;
May in faithfulness reprove,
But He ne'er can cease to love.

A LESSON FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil - Proverbs 3:7

Here is a lesson for young people, from a loving and godly parent: "do not think highly of yourself; do not trust your young and inexperienced instincts and emotions; do not trust your own wisdom."

Conversely, fear the Lord and depart from evil. It is perhaps unsurprising and understandable that the writer would pair "fearing God" with "departing from evil." Certainly if we fear the holy and good God then we will automatically be striving to avoid and overcome sin in our lives.

But it is revealing that the author contrasts the wisdom of youth with departing from evil. Rather than being wise in your own eyes, he says, depart from evil. It is as if he assumes there will be a tendency in the young heart to play too closely with sin. So he warns not to trust that deceitful drive behind your emotions and affections but, instead, fear God and avoid sinful situations.

Here is also a lesson for the parent, though. First, you should recognize the same weakness and propensity in your child to rub shoulders with sin and assume it will do no harm. You are to know better, and you are to guide them according to this knowledge.

Also, it is obvious that it is your job, as parents, to teach your children to 1) fear God, and 2) avoid sin. If you are negligent in either of these tasks, then you are clearly not following the biblical model. You cannot expect them to do either on their own.

Children, fear God and depart from evil; parents, teach your children the same.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless!! and thanks for your prayers

A Coice of Hymns

A Choice of Hymns

One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed
some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider
giving a little extra in the offering plate.

He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out
three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down
and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering.
He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his
congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person
who placed the money in the plate.

A very quiet, elderly, saintly lady all the way in the back
shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the
front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how
wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked
her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed
to the three handsomest men in the building and said,
"I'll take him and him and him."
God Bless
Jan Bagwell
I ask for your prayers tomorrow for myself

God Will Not ask Me

``God Will Not Ask Me
God is not going to ask me how much I made.
He will ask me how much I gave.

God will not ask me about the size of my house.
He will ask me did I invite Him in.

God will not ask me about the elegance of the neighborhood.
He will ask me how I treated my neighbor.

God will not ask me what kind of car I drove.
He will ask me did I give those with no car a ride.

God will not ask me about the beauty of my wife.
He will ask me did I treat her with love.

God will not ask me about the style of my clothes.
He will ask me did I help clothe others.

God will not ask me the size of my bank account.
He will ask me how much is in my heavenly account.

God will not ask me how many children I fathered.
He will ask me if I was a good father to my children.

God will not ask me did I achieve fame.
He will ask me about my reputation.

God will not ask me if I traveled the world.
He will ask me did I improve the world.

God will not ask me about the troubles that I had.
He will ask me if I helped comfort the troubled.

God will not ask me if I did miracles in the name of His Son.
He will ask me if I really knew Him.

Jan Bagwell
I asked if you would be in prayer for me , [Monday]I have enjoy the fellowship we have had .

Give Them the Flowers now

Give Them the Flowers now

Closed eyes can’t the white roses.
Cold hands can’t hold them , you know .
Breath that is stilled cannot gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!

Here are the struggles and striving.
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fears .
What to closed eyes are kind saying?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!
Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile –
These are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried ?
Oh , give them the flowers now!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Now and Then

Now and Then
Now as through a glass , but darkly ,
Future hopes by faith we trace ;
Then in realms of radiant glory
We shall see our Savior’s face .

Now by faith we see Him only ,
Our reflections may be dim ;
Then when He appears to call us ,
We shall really be like Him .

Now , by scientific findings ,
Men attempt to conquer space ;
Then , our mighty Lord will take us
Where He has prepared our place .

Now , by His command , we spread
His great Gospel Truth abroad ;
Then , we’ll see in His blest presence
Those we lead to Christ our Lord .

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Church Life

Church Life

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him - Acts 12:5

A precious scene is placed before us, even in the midst of an otherwise tragic and painful time for the early church. James had just been martyred by Herod, and the apostle Peter is in prison. But neither the threat of persecution nor the darkness of discouragement separated the church from each other.

While Peter sits on a cold, hard floor, the saints of God kneel before God in unceasing intercession on his behalf. It seems the more suffering is inflicted on the church, the more pressure is exerted upon the church, the closer they grow to God and to each other.

It is sad and wrong that so often, in today's prosperous and peaceful Western culture, Christians so easily stumble and divide over petty and unimportant issues. We are oversensitive to criticism or correction; we feel as though others should forebear us, but we are not willing to forebear others. Offenses or differences which would go unnoticed in a time of persecution are made insurmountable obstacles to fellowship in the time of prosperity.

Doubtless James (one of the "sons of thunder") and Peter (who was always putting his foot in his mouth) had at times said and done some things that were disagreeable to others in the church. But those offenses are forgotten now, as the church hears of James' death and Peter's imprisonment.

Brothers and sisters, don't wait until persecution, or loss, or pain comes in order to love each other fervently. Look over faults; forgive wrongs; let go of past grievances. Love, and pray for, each other now!
God Bless
Jan Bagwell
Brothers ans Sisters in Christ , I wish for your prayers. I will be having knee replacement Oct 25 , 2010 So as of Friday of this week . My blog will shut down for a month .

God's Ways Can Be Hard to Understand

God's Ways Can be Hard to Understand

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

I learned these verses in my early years as a Christian. I have heard them quoted often, and I have spoken them many times, either to others or to myself. I am not always sure if they are comforting words or if they are confounding words. Intellectually, I know that God's thoughts and ways are not like mine. Of course my ways are not like God's, God is God and I am not. But when I go down a path that seems to make so much sense to me, then out of nowhere, the course dramatically changes: I must admit that I am more confounded than comforted. There are times when we pray for things or people and our prayers are answered just as we prayed them. Then, there are times when we pray and our prayers seem to go unheard, with no answer at all. We can usually handle both extremes because God is God and He can act as He pleases

But what about those times when we pray about something specifically, and we clearly see God's hand in it? We pray, God leads and we are getting it. We can even see what is coming as God reveals things to us. Our faith is being increased and we are finally gaining some spiritual strength and understanding. Even though the course is tough, we are making steady progress. But… then… out of the blue, something happens that changes our course so drastically that we feel the air has been knocked out of us. All of sudden, we find ourselves in a place of desolation and despair. What happened? It seemed like everything was moving along so well.

It is in these moments that we all must glean a deeper understanding that God's thoughts and ways are not ours. God does not play by our rules and God is never in a rush. Keep one thing in mind today as you meditate on these verses. Our Lord loves us more than we can ever comprehend and everything He does is in our best interest. His main desire for us is that we are His, totally and completely. Do you feel as though God has abandoned you or maybe has just forgotten about your needs? Ask Him to help you understand more of His ways. Ask Him to open your mind to comprehend the Scriptures. Go to Him, repent if you have un-confessed sin and trust that His higher ways will always be what is best.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Our [meaning all us ] Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

A Message from Isaiah

A Message from Isaiah

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:2-3

One morning a few years ago, I woke up with the word "Isaiah" in my mind. I personally do not know anyone named Isaiah so I wondered why this name was on my heart. As I opened my Bible that morning, I literally turned to the first page of Isaiah. I immediately began wondering what message the Lord might have for me in this book. Since then, God has given me more messages from the book of Isaiah than I can count, and Isaiah now holds some of my most treasured sections of Scripture. One of my personal favorites is chapter 45.

When I first read that the Lord will make my "crooked places straight" and will "cut the bars of iron," I knew these were messages of freedom. Then to hear that the Lord calls me by my name, this made the message even more personal, as if He was speaking to me directly. I have come to understand that He is speaking to me directly. I took Him at His word and I began to pray:

Lord, please go before me and straighten out those parts of my life that are out of order or where I do not see the path before me. And please break the gates and cut the bars that keep me locked up, that have held me captive. I desire those treasures You have for me in the freedom that You want to give me. You are God and there is none other. I need You to be my God today and forever.

These verses are just a snapshot of this great book. Through Isaiah I learned how to pray God's Word back to Him and through praying God's Word, I have seen His personal touch on my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Maybe today is the day for you to open your Bible to the book of Isaiah. Who knows how many messages God has for you there? He knows and you will soon find out. May God go before you and bless you.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Our ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
Jan Bagwell
May God keep you and your's safe this weekend and be BLESSED !!

To Get The Most From Life

To Get The Most From Life

If you would get the most life ,
You must put something in it ,
And strive to help your fellow man
Each day , each hour , each minute .
An act of kindness done by you ,
Will cheer the heart that’s sad ,
And when you cause someone to smile ,
It makes your own heart glad .

Be friendly with your brothers
And extend a helping hand ,
And each of them will grasp it
In a way you’ll understand .
Then when you travel down life’s road
And round the distant bend ,
There’ll be a host of people who
Will say ,”there goes my friend “.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

May you always have an angel by your side

May you always have an angel by your side
Watching out for you in all the things you do
Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days
Finding ways for your wishes and dreams to take you to beautiful places
Giving you hope that is as certain as the sun
Giving you the strength of serenity as your guide
May you always have love and comfort and courage
And may you always have an angel by your side
May you always have an angel by your side
Someone there to catch you if you fall
Encouraging your dreams Inspiring your happiness
Holding your hand and helping you through it all
In all of our days, our lives are always changing
Tears come along as well as smiles
Along the roads you travel,
may the miles be a thousand times more lovely than lonely
May they give you the kind of gifts that never, ever end:
someone wonderful to love and a dear friend in whom you can confide
May you have rainbows after every storm
May you have hopes to keep you warm
And may you always have an angel by your side
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

To Get The Most From Life

To Get The Most From Life

If you would get the most life ,
You must put something in it ,
And strive to help your fellow man
Each day , each hour , each minute .
An act of kindness done by you ,
Will cheer the heart that’s sad ,
And when you cause someone to smile ,
It makes your own heart glad .

Be friendly with your brothers
And extend a helping hand ,
And each of them will grasp it
In a way you’ll understand .
Then when you travel down life’s road
And round the distant bend ,
There’ll be a host of people who
Will say ,”there goes my friend “.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless each one you !

Climb Till Your Dream Comes True

Climb Till Your Dream Comes True

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do ,
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable , too ,
But always remenber ,the hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seen ,
And with faith in your heart start upward
And climb till you reach your dream .
For nothing in life that is worthy
Is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the faith to believe .
For faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God’s wisdom and will .
For faith is a mover of mountains ,
There’s nothing that God cannot do ,
So start out today with faith in your heart
And climb till your dream comes true .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

The Voice of God is calling

The voice of God is calling
Its summons unto men ;
As once He spoke in Zion,
So now He speaks again ,
Whom shall I send to succor
My people in their need ?
Whom shall I send to shatter
The fetters which they bear ?

We heed , O Lord , Thy summons ,
And answer : Here are we !
Let us Thy servants be .
Our strength is dust and ashes
Our years a passing hour :
But Thou canst use our weakness
To magnify Thy power.

From ease and plenty save us ;
From pride of place absolve ;
Purge us 0of low desire ;
Lift us to high resolve ;
Take us ,and make us holy ;
Teach us Thy will and way .
Speak ,and behold !we answer ;
Command , and we obey !
Jan Bagwell

God Bless and have a wonderful weekend !

The Glory of God in Creation

The Glory of God in Creation

Thou art , the life and light
Of all this wondrous world we see ;
Its glow by day , its smile by night ,
Are but reflections caught from Thee .
Where’er we turn , Thy glories shine ,
And all things fair and bright are Thine

When day , with farewell beam, delays
Among the opening clouds of even ,
And we can almost think we gaze
Through golden vistas into heaven –
Those hues that make the sun’s decline
So soft , so radiant ,Lord ! are Thine .

When night , with wings of starry gloom ,
O’vershadows all the earth and skies ,
Like some dark , beauteous bird ,whose plume
Is sparkling with unnumber’d eyes –
That sacred gloom , those fires divine ,
So grand , so countless , Lord! are Thine .

When youthful Spring around us breathes ,
Thy Spirit warms her fragrant sigh ;
And every flower the Summer wreathes
Is born beneath Thy kindling eye :
Where’er we turn , Thy glories shine ,
And all things fair and bright are Thine!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!!

Do no Harm

Do No Harm


First, do no harm!

What is implicit in this simple precept of medicine?

An awesome power - the power to do harm.

Who gives you this power?

The patient.

A patient will come to you at his moment of greatest dread,
hand you a knife, and say, "Doctor cut me open."

Why?

Because he trusts you.

He trusts you the way a child trusts.
He trusts you - to do no harm.

Sad fact is, human beings are not worthy of trust.

It is human nature to lie, take short cuts, lose your nerve,
to get tired, make mistakes.

No rational patient would put his trust in a human being,
and we're not going to let him.

It is our mission here to rigorously and ruthlessly train the
humanity out of you and make you into something better.

We're gonna make doctors out of you.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The above was taken from a lecture to medical students in the
movie "PATCH ADAMS."

It was a Life changing Moment when I heard it.

We are all doctors because at one point or another, we all will
have patients (and we need patience with patients).

Sooner or later, someone comes, and they trust us.

They are hurt and hurting.

By opening their hurt and pain to us, they give us power.

Our words and actions can heal or do harm.

When this moment comes again, remember Patch Adams.
Patch Adams is actually a real man with a real mission.
His mission was to help and to heal, and to do no harm.

In the things that we do, we have the power to heal or do harm.

Parents - your children are your patients.
Teachers - your students are your patients.
Businessmen and women - your customers are your patients.
To those dating and married - the other person is your patient.
Friends - your friend is your patient.
Children (and we all are) - your parents are your patients.
Our neighbor is our patient.

It is our mission here to help make you into something better.

Our mission is to help make you into good doctors.
Good doctors - who heal.

Remember Doctors,

Do No Harm.

Jan bagwell
God Bless

Lif's Lessons

Life’s Lessons

I learn ,as the years roll onward ,
And leave the past behind ,
That much I had counted sorrow
But proved that God is kind ;
That many a flower I’d longed for
Had hidden a thorn of pain ,
And many a rugged by-path ,
The clouds that cover the sunshine ;
They cannot banish the sun .
And the earth shines out the brighter
When the weary rain is done .
We must stand in the deepest shadow
To see the clearest light ;
And often through wrong’s own darkness
Comes the welcome strength of right.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless!!

Hold high the Torch !

Hold High The Torch !

You did not light its glow –
,Twas given you by other hands you know .
‘Tis yours to keep it burning bright !
Yours to pass on when you no more need light:
For there are other feet that we must guide
And other forms go marching by our side :
Their eyes are watching every smile and tear .
And efforts which we think are not worthwhile
Are sometimes just the very help they need ,
Action to which their souls would give most heed :
So that in turn they’ll it hold it high
And say :”I watched someone else carry it this way .”
I think it started down its pathway bright
The day the Maker said , Let there be light .”
“Ye are the light of the world –
Go Shine For Me

Jan Bagwell

Life's Mirror

Life’s Mirror

There are loyal hearts , there are spirits brave .
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have .

Give love ,and love to your life will flow ,
And strength in your inmost needs ;
Have faith in your work and deeds .

Give truth , and your gifts will be paid in kind .
And song a song will meet ;
And the smile that is just as sweet .

Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn ;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thought out- borne
Though the sowing seemed in vain .

Far life is mirror of king and slave ,
Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have
And the best will come back to you
Jan Bagwell
Gen: 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Thank all you for reading my humble writing , It make me feel like I am having fellowship with lot God's people .

From Contemplations

When I Behold the heavens as in their prime ,
And then the earth , though old ,still clad in green ,
The stones and trees insensible of time ,
Nor age nor wrimkle on their front are seen;
If winter come , and greenness then do fade ,
A spring returns , and they more youthful made ;
But man grows old , lies down , remains where once he’s laid .

By birth more noble than those creatures all ,
Yet seems by nature and by custom cursed –
No sooner born but grief and care makes fall
That state obliterate he had at first ;
Nor youth , nor strength , nor wisdom spring again ,
Nor habitations long their names retain ,
But in oblivion to the final day remain .

Shall I then praise the heavens , the trees ,the earth,
Because their beauty and their strength last longer ?
Shall I wish therefore never to had birth ,
Because they’re bigger and their bodies stronger ?
Nay , they shall darken , perish , fade , and die ,
But man was made for endless immortality .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

There is man on the crossI

There is man on the cross

Whenever there is silence around me
By day or by night –
I am startled by a cry .
It came down from the cross –
The first time I heard it .
I went out and searched –
And found a man in the throes of crucifixion ,
And I said ,”I will take you down ,”
And I tired to take the nails out of his feet .
But he said , “Let them be
For I cannot be taken down
Until every man , every woman , and every child
Come together to take me down .”
And I said ,”But I cannot hear you cry .
What can I do ?”
And he said , “Go about the world –
Tell everyone that you meet –
There is a man on the cross .”
Jan Bagwell
God Bless ! THINK ABOUT IT!

The Glory of God in Creation

The Glory of God in Creation

Thou art , the life and light
Of all this wondrous world we see ;
Its glow by day , its smile by night ,
Are but reflections caught from Thee .
Where’er we turn , Thy glories shine ,
And all things fair and bright are Thine

When day , with farewell beam, delays
Among the opening clouds of even ,
And we can almost think we gaze
Through golden vistas into heaven –
Those hues that make the sun’s decline
So soft , so radiant ,Lord ! are Thine .

When night , with wings of starry gloom ,
O’vershadows all the earth and skies ,
Like some dark , beauteous bird ,whose plume
Is sparkling with unnumber’d eyes –
That sacred gloom , those fires divine ,
So grand , so countless , Lord! are Thine .

When youthful Spring around us breathes ,
Thy Spirit warms her fragrant sigh ;
And every flower the Summer wreathes
Is born beneath Thy kindling eye :
Where’er we turn , Thy glories shine ,
And all things fair and bright are Thine!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!!

Life's lessons

Life’s Lessons

I learn ,as the years roll onward ,
And leave the past behind ,
That much I had counted sorrow
But proved that God is kind ;
That many a flower I’d longed for
Had hidden a thorn of pain ,
And many a rugged by-path ,
The clouds that cover the sunshine ;
They cannot banish the sun .
And the earth shines out the brighter
When the weary rain is done .
We must stand in the deepest shadow
To see the clearest light ;
And often through wrong’s own darkness
Comes the welcome strength of right.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless , have a wonderful day

Heaven 's Grocery store

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago I came upon a sign that read
Heaven's Grocery Store.
When I got a little closer
the doors swung open wide
And when I came to myself
I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels.
They were standing everywhere
One handed me a basket and said
"My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed
was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry
you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience.
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding,
you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom
and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course
I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost
It was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full but
I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for
Salvation was for free
I tried to get enough of that
to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter
to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything
to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle I saw
Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside
I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful,
the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel
"How much do I owe?"
He smiled and said
"Just take them everywhere you go." > > > Again I asked "Really now,
how much do I owe?"
“My child " he said,
"God paid your bill a long,
long time ago."
Jan Bagwell
God Bless , There are so many we need to pray for !!

Happy the man that finds the grace

Happy the man that finds the grace,
The blessing of God's chosen race,
The wisdom coming from above,
The faith that sweetly works by love.

Happy beyond description he
Who knows, The Saviour died for me,
The gift unspeakable obtains,
And heavenly understanding gains.

Wisdom divine! Who tells the price
Of wisdom's costly merchandise
Wisdom to silver we prefer,
And gold is dross compared to her.

Her hands are filled with length of days,
True riches, and immortal praise,
Riches of Christ, on all bestowed,
And honour that descends from God.

To purest joys she all invites,
Chaste, holy, spiritual delights;
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her flowery paths are peace.

Happy the man who wisdom gains,
Thrice happy who his guest retains!
He owns, and shall for ever own,
Wisdom, and Christ, and heaven are one.

The Meaning of Peace

The Meaning of Peace


There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who
could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried.
The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two
that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror
for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was
a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture
thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged
and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in
which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled
a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny
bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird
had built her nest.... a perfect picture of peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize?

The king chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a
place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be
calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

That is the REAL meaning of peace.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Mon's Last Laugh { By Doris Grant]

Mom's Last Laugh
=================

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew
where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend -
my mother.

She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was
so intense, I found it hard to breathe at times. Always
supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a
box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak,
comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college
and prayed for me my entire life.

When Mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby
and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart,
so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without
entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor.

"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church.
My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss.
My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while
clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her
husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their
child.

All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.

My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping
her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication and
reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord.
My work was finished, and I was alone.

I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church.
Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An
exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to
me.

He folded his hands and placed them on his lap.
His eyes were brimming with tears.

He began to sniffle. "I'm late," he explained, though no
explanation was necessary. After several eulogies, he leaned
over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name
of 'Margaret'?"

"Oh, because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary.
No one called her 'Mary,'" I whispered.
I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side
of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and
fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?

"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced
over at us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters."

"That isn't who this is," I replied.

"Isn't this the Lutheran church?

"No, the Lutheran church is across the street."

"Oh."

"I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir."

The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the
man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter.
I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted
as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other
mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.

I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me.
He was laughing too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too
late for an uneventful exit.

I imagined Mother laughing.

At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking
lot. "I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled.
He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's
funeral, he asked me out for a cup of coffee.

That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who
attended the wrong funeral but was in the right place.

A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church
where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at
the same church, right on time.

In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter.
In place of loneliness, God gave me love.
This past June we celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary.

Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them,
"Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a
match made in heaven."
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
Thank you Doris , I need this letter .

Like a Brook

Like a Brook
Life is time of changing courses ,
Changing moods and altered wills –
Like a brook that changes pathways
Through the woodlands , fields and hills;
It is time of changing values –
From beginning to its end –
Where we choose ,with growing wisdoms ,
Newer courses ; better friends.

There are years of rushing splendors ,
Reckless thrills and lustful fonds;
Times of tears that flood and threaten
Loves of life and human bonds;
Years of struggle – trail and error –
When we reach for higher goals ,
Searching life for truths and comforts
That are balm for heart and soul .

Then there come the years of ebbing ,
In the quiet pool of life ,
Where there are no rushing waters-
No demands of youth or strife ;
Graceful years that hold no changes
For our courses , wills and ways –
Where the Lords makes calm the waters
That precede our Judgment Day .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

He Cares A Lot

He Cares A Lot
At times I am so distressed
Yet still I worry not
For I believe that Jesus cares
And that He cares a lot .

He feeds the sparrows of the air ,
Clothes flowers of the field
And He will all my needs supply
If self to Him I yield .

So I must closer draw to Him ,
My faith must stronger grow
For I know that He cares a lot
And that He loves me so .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you .
1 Peter 5:7

Heart's Sacrifice

Heart's Sacrifice

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Phil. 3:7).

When they buried the blind preacher, George Matheson, they lined his grave with red roses in memory of his love-life of sacrifice. And it was this man, so beautifully and significantly honored, who wrote,

"O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

"O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee,
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

"O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shalt tearless be.

"O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee,
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be."

There is a legend of an artist who had found the secret of a wonderful red which no other artist could imitate. The secret of his color died with him. But after his death an old wound was discovered over his heart. This revealed the source of the matchless hue in his pictures. The legend teaches that no great achievement can be made, no lofty attainment reached, nothing of much value to the world done, save at the cost of heart's blood.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

God is Cooking up Something Good

God is Cooking Up Something Good


We had friends stay with us this weekend, and Saturday morning
we took them to the open market in downtown Tallahassee. The
weather was perfect, and the vendors were selling everything
from classy art to kettle corn. Live entertainment was
presented near a sign that read “Donations = Music.”

My wife decided to buy a watermelon, as long as it met one
important criterion: “Is it seedless?” The man’s lips moved,
and made a sound like, “Yes.”

We fell for the illusion, which only wore off hours later as we
stared at a watermelon with more seeds than there are fans at a
Marlins’ game. The children hung their heads in disappointment
and went back to beating each other with sticks.

I, however, was suddenly coping with a suppressed memory. As I
stared at the melon it came to me. “Yes? Yes! I think we had
watermelons like this when I was kid. Watermelons with…seeds!”

My Mom Invented Chicken Strips

My wife will try to tell you that my mother must have picked all
the seeds out for me as a child. No; but one thing my mom did
do was invent chicken strips. That was long before they sold
them at stores or restaurants. Mom was the first one I ever
heard of doing such a thing, taking the bones out of the white
meat and making delicious little breaded strips of chicken.

I guess that was my favorite meal growing up. It was so much
better than chicken with bones in it, and I still feel that way.

I mean, take eating wings, for example. Have you ever tried to
satisfy your hunger eating wings? You’re actually burning more
calories working at it than you’re taking in. Eating chicken
wings has a negative calorie ratio.

Give me the boneless chicken any day, just like Mom used to make
it.

I want to honor my mother right now for all the meals she made
for us back when we were ungrateful brats who complained about
eating anything but candy. She could have thrown the whole
chicken on the table and screamed, “I hope you choke on the
bones!” Iinstead she lovingly slaved away in the kitchen,
preparing thousands of meals so we could grow up, move away and
send her a card every May with no money in it.

Good Cooking Takes Time

Yesterday in church this thought popped into my head, “God is
cooking up something good.” And I thought of the whole process
of cooking. It requires planning, getting all the ingredients,
having all the right tools, mixing everything together just
right, and on and on. One thing for sure, cooking up something
good takes a lot of time.

I confess I am part of the impatient generation. You know what
I’ve started doing? When I warm up my coffee in the microwave,
instead of pushing the 3 then the 0, I will push the 3 twice
so I don’t have to take the time to move my finger down to the
zero. Then before it’s done I’ll get tired of waiting and just
pull it out with 2 seconds left.

Our impatience sometimes leads us to believe that God is doing
nothing so we must do it for ourselves. Well let me tell you, I
believe that God is cooking up something good for each one of
us, if we will just be patient.

Don’t Rush It

Think of Abraham and Sarah. God told them they would have a son,
even though Sara was too old. They believed God - at first;
but then it didn’t happen quickly enough so they took matters
into their own hands. Through a surrogate mother they gave
birth to Ishmael, who was a thorn in their side from then on.

Meanwhile, God was still cooking up something good, and in His
perfect timing, Sara gave birth to Isaac. And through Isaac
came Moses and David and Solomon and even Jesus.

God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life

It may be an over-used statement, but it’s still true. God has
a wonderful plan for your life. He is cooking up something
good. Yes, it will take time, and there a lot of ingredients He
has to pull together to do it.

But once it’s done and you’re dining at the Master’s table,
you’ll realize it was well worth the wait.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Thank you Doug Chapman for this letter .

Let Your Wish Become a Prayer

Let Your Wish Become a Prayer

Put your dearest wish
in God’s hands today
And discuss it with Him
as you faithfully pray ,
And you can be sure
your wish will come true
If God feels that your wish
Will be good for you ,
For there’s no problem too big
and no question too small ,
Just ask God in faith
And He’ll answer them all ,
Not always at once ,
so be patient and wait
For God never comes
too soon or too late .
So trust in His wisdom
and believe in His Word ,
For no prayer’s unanswered
and no prayer’s unheard .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him , and he will act
Psalm 37:5

Hurt!!

Hurt!!


Dear Jan

This story changed my life and I thought maybe it could change
others too, so I'm sharing it with you.

This story was told to me by my sister, whom it happened to.

She was really upset because she hadn't seen or spoken to her best
friend Jim in a couple of weeks. Finally he shows up at her door and
commands her to get dressed and go riding with him. So she
finally does.

As they were riding, they passed a garden full of flowers.

Jim says "Do you see those flowers?"

"Yes," she says.

"Do you think that when someone steps on those flowers that they
lie there and feel sorry for themselves?" Jim asks.

"No."

"No, they immediately start to mend their wounds so they can
heal, and grow strong and healthy!"

They ride a little further and Jim points up in a tree,
"You see those squirrels up there?

Do you think that when people shoot at them they go hide
forever?"

"No," she says.

About that time the ocean comes into sight.

Jim says "You see that ocean out there?

Do you think that when there's a hurricane out there that the
ocean doesn't go back out because it's afraid to face the
storm?"

"No," she says.

"Then, why have you stopped living because you have been hurt?"

That story really hit me like a ton of bricks!
The worst part was the fact that Jim died a short time later.
And that's when she realized how much precious time she wasted.
Why have you stopped living because you have been hurt?
Thanks Donna , for sharing this testimony

Jan Bagwell
God Bless , take time to call a friend today and enjoy their company !

Angels in the alley

ANGELS IN THE ALLEY . . .
Diane, a young Christian University student, was home for the summer.
She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed
quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year. She
ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.
She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only
a few blocks away. As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God"
to keep her Safe from harm and danger. When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it, however, halfway down the alley she
noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her. She
became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection. Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived Home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the
same alley, just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by
this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep. Thanking the Lord for her safety to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could
identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in
the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately
broke down and confessed. The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man one
question.

Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him,
He answered, "Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her." Moral of the story? Don't underestimate the power of Prayer.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
How many times have each one of us been in danger and God send his Angels to Protect us . Praise God the Anchor Holds !!!