God is Looking
"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chron. 16:9).

God is looking for a man, or woman, whose heart will be always set on Him, and who will trust Him for all He desires to do. God is eager to work more mightily now than He ever has through any soul. The clock of the centuries points to the eleventh hour.
"The world is waiting yet to see what God can do through a consecrated soul." Not the world alone, but God Himself is waiting for one, who will be more fully devoted to Him than any who have ever lived; who will be willing to be nothing that Christ may be all; who will grasp God's own purposes; and taking His humility and His faith, His love and His power, will, without hindering, continue to let God do exploits.

"There is no limit to what God can do with a man, providing he will not touch the glory."
In an address given to ministers and workers after his ninetieth birthday, George Mueller spoke thus of himself: "I was converted in November, 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July, 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you are taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the Scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!' I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian.
Jan bagwell
God Bless

A hope for Haiti

A Hope for Haiti

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40

What is your first reaction to tragedy on the TV?

Fear?

Concern?

Shock?

How about your second reaction to tragedy on TV: Sadness? Turning away? Thankfulness that it's not you?

Maybe even that learned apathy?

When those familiar images of death and destruction flash across the TV, I find my own self-centeredness blocking the picture. We live in a society that has brought close the deaths of those far away, while the LCD screen shields us from the pain behind the images. I want to know what faces those who are hurting, but on my own terms.

One of the most telling reactions to Haiti's devastation came to me over the radio, when a reporter was trying to describe the scene before his eyes. This veteran journalist was watching a little girl whose lips were shivering from cold and trauma. Every other moment he would stop to take a deep breath and steady himself before going on. Finally, however, the sight before him was too much, and the reporter's voice broke as he cut the interview short.

Later that day, people wrote and called in their responses, some of them berating the reporter for not maintaining a professional distance and impartial tone. I have yet to report a tragedy like that firsthand, but I was appalled at those demanding an "impartial tone" from a man staring at a hurting child. Journalism certainly deserves to be called out for sensationalized reporting at times, but only because that distorts the true picture. At its best, journalism pieces together truth we might otherwise miss. In this case, it was easier to miss the truth than hear something so heartbreaking.

It's so much easier to debate Haiti's "curse" than it is to face thousands of hurting faces. To say the homeless guy on the corner will spend the $5 on drugs and alcohol than to acknowledge that he has no place to sleep tonight. To distract ourselves into self-absorption again.

Jesus' own example encourages us to weep with those who weep, even though we know something better is on the other side (John 11:35). Part of redemption comes from acknowledging that "all creation groans" until Christ's return (Romans 8:22). And isn't part of denying ourselves looking to our brothers and sisters in need? The faces of Haiti show us who and where we could be but for God's mysterious grace. That's a grace that should humble us deeply, and shake us out of our distraction.

Intersecting Faith & Life: I don't know how God is calling you to respond to last week's earthquake in Haiti. Maybe it's through giving, maybe through prayer, maybe through a long-term sponsorship of a child, maybe in weeping for a fellow human being. But I do know the mandate of "doing for the least of these" means I'm not allowed to insulate myself against human suffering. Join me this week in praying, supporting, and weeping for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. And let's be ready to rejoice with them at the promise of resurrection.

Jan Bagwell

More Faith

More Faith
===========

.God has more faith in you than you do in yourself

You know what's ON you.
He knows what's IN you.

You know the weight you carry.
He knows your strength.

You know your pain.
He knows where your healing is.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.
"They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope." (Jer 29:11 NLT)

Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand That Bestows Them

This old Chinese proverb ,
if practiced each day ,
Would change the whole world
In a wonderful way-
Its truth is so simple ,
It’s so easy to do ,
And it works every time
And sucessfully ,too
For you can’t do a kindness
Without a reward ,
Not in silver nor gold
But in joy from the Lord-
You can’t light a candle
To show others the way
With out feeling the warmth
Of that bright little ray –
And you can’t pluck a rose ,
All fragrant with dew ,
Without part of its fragrance
Remaining with you .
And whose hands bestow
More fragrant bouquets
Than Mother who daily
speaks kind words of praise ,
A mother whose courage
And comfort and cheer
Lights bright little candles
In hearts through the year-
No wonder the hands
Of an unselfish mother
Are symbols of sweetness
Unlike any other .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!!

Springtime in Your Heart

Springtime in Your Heart

Keep Springtime in your heart
With its healing beams of gold .
Let the fire of Autumn
Warm you through the Winter’s cold .

All through the winds that blow,
When birds away have flown ,
Picture rays of sunshine
Through Summers you have known .

Feel the warmth of Springtime ,
Let Nature’s lovely sounds
Be heard again in spirit
Through all of Winter’s rounds .

And when it’s cold and dark
And dreary seems the day
Bask in the warmth of God’s great love
That can never pass away .

Keep Springtime in your heart
Though it may seem long ago
Through falling snow and icy winds
Its warmth in you will glow .

Spring’s lovely flowers , its azure sky ,
Kept fast in your mind’s eye ,
Will show God’s love , keep hope alive
Til Winter passes by .
Jan bagwell
God Bless