The Road Of Life

The Road of Life
One day as I was climbing up
The road of life to home ,
I met a stranger coming down
With countenance sad and lone .

I had no time to help him then
I feared ‘twould mean delay ;
With guilty heart I turned aside –
I dared not look his way .

To still my heart I hurried on ,
And then I heard a sigh ,
I turned and looked , and then I saw
A teardrop in his eye .

Forgetting time I spoke to him ,
To share with him my cup ,
“Dear friend , I fear you’re going down
When you should be going up “

With piteous look he turned to me ,
“How I turn around ?
For with this load upon my back
I can hardly make it down .”

The joyful news I gladly told
Of Christ who died for him
To take away the load he had
If he would let Him in .

A gleam of hope came to face ,
The tears began to flow ,
The load of sin dropped from his back ,
His face began to glow ,

And now he travels the road of life –
Not down, but going up;
To see the glow upon his face
Has more than filled my cup

O Lord ,forgive the times I’ve passed
A stranger on life’s road ,
Not taking time to dry the tears ,
Nor helping lift the load .
And give me wisdom , Lord I pray ,
That comes down from Thy throne
That I might by Thy help and grace
Lead some poor wanderer Home
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

ABC

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!


"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Message of the New Year

Message Of The New Year
I asked the New year for some motto sweet ,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet ;
I asked and paused ; he answer soft and low ;
“ God’s will to know ,”
“Will Knowledge then suffice , New Year,” I cried ;
And , ere the question into silence died ,
The answer came ; “ Nay , but remember , too,
“God’s will to do ,”
Once more I asked , “Is there more to tell?”
And once again the answer sweetly fell :
“Yes ! this one thing , all other things above ,
God’s will to love ,”
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Please remember Sister Frankie Wilson and her recovery .

Happy New Year !

Happy New Year
Throughout the New Year
And each step of the way ,
May Christ be your portion ,
Your joy , and your stay ,
With God’s precious percepts
Your daily delight ,
To lead and encourage
In paths that are right .

“The Lord is my Shepherd”
How precious the word !
He’ll lead in green pastures ,
His promise we’ve heard ,
“ Beside the still waters ,”
What comfort and rest !
What peace there is found
Leaning on Jesus ‘ breast!

His goodness any mercy
Each day may you prove ,
His comforting presence ,
His infinite love !
With richest compassions
Each morning anew ,
May multiplied meries
Be showered on you .

“My cup runneth over ,”
His grace so abounds ,
That fullest enjoyment
In Jesus is found .
“The Lord is my portion “
This may your soul say ,
And you will be happy
Each step of the way .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

And remember God is on your side !

Don't ever be reluctant
to show your feelings when
you're happy, give in to it.
When you're not, live with it.
Don't ever be afraid to
try to make things better you might
be surprised at the results.
Don't ever take the weight of the
world on your shoulders.
Don't ever feel threatened by the future,
take life one day at a time.
Don't ever feel guilty about the past
what's done is done.
Learn from any mistakes you might have made.
Don't ever feel that you are alone
there is always somebody there
for you to reach out to.
Don't ever forget that you can achieve
so many of the things you can imagine. ...
It's not as hard as it seems.
Don't ever stop loving
don't ever stop believing,
don't ever stop dreaming your dreams.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas

A Prayer for my Friends
Dear Lord if I could only be
Worthy of one wish from Thee ,
I would not ask for wealth or fame –
For I have more in Jesus’ Name;
I would not ask for homes and lands –
My treasuries lie in Jesus’ hands;
I would not ask for health or food –
For Thou dost give me all that’s good ;
But I would that I could see ,
Just how the greatest friend to be
To see Thou’st given me to love ,
Both here and in our Homes above –
That , Lord , the love Thou hast given me
Might fill their life and soul , that they
Will never question , never fear ,
My love for them is just veneer –
But man each time I clasp their hand ,
Feel friendship true , and understand
That of Thy many gifts I see ,
They are the precious ones to me .
AMEN !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Ms Frankie Wilson will be having an operation ,this Thursday , Please pray for her . Barabara Pittman was in the hospital sunday night because she was having chest , please be in prayer for her . Rick ask to be pray for .

A Crushed Rose

A Crushed Rose
O, beautiful rose , please tell me ,
For I would like to know ,
Why I must crush your petals
That the sweet perfume may flow ,
O , life that is clothed in beauty
Perhaps like that wonderful rose
You will need to be crushed by suffering
If the radiance of your life must glow
A life that is crushed by sorrow
Can feel for another’s grief ,
And send out that fragrance of love
That will bring some heart relief ,
O , do not repine at your testing
When called to pass under the rod ;
For your life the sweeter will be
If blessed by the hand of God
Then let us rejoice when He sendeth
Some sorrow or hardship that tries
And be glad to be crushed as a rose leaf
That a sweeter perfume may arise.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas

God of Grace

God of Grace
O grant us faith ,dear God of grace
that strengthens and sustains
A faith that reigns triumphantly
through all our earthly pains .

Grant comfort that reveals Thy love ,
Console our hearts , we pray ;
God ,wipe our tears , and courage give ;
To walk in hope each day .

O grant us peace , dear God of grace ,
Peace Thou alone canst give ;
That we may rest our souls in thee,
And in Thy sweetness live .

From my house to your house have a Blessed Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas

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 !
Please be praying for sister Frankie Wilson , medical problem !

The Old Soldier's Poem

The Old Soldier's Poem


He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.
And 'though sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke;
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Lonnie has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?
The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a Soldier
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.
He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part,
Is to Clean up all the troubles that the
Politicians start.If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
'OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY'.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
I like to thank my Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ . My dad was that soldier .And all of you that have serve our great county . This is for you . God Bless and Thank You !

When His Glory Paints The Sky

When His Glory Paints The Sky

I can see Him through the twilight
At the closing of the day .
I could almost hear Him whisper
As to Him I knee to pray .

Only wait a little longer,
Falter not in faith or sight .
I will meet you in the morning
When His glory paints the sky .

With my eye of faith upon Him ,
Though the shadows thicken fast ,
For the darkness cannot hide Him ,
Till the morning break at last .

In my times of deepest anguish,
When with bitter tears I pray ,
I can hear His gentle whisper
I am near you all the way .

Only wait a little longer.
Falter not in faith or sight .
I will meet you in the morning
When His glory paints the sky .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Praying Hands

Praying Hands
There are hands that help and comfort
Hands that plan and teach
Hands that rest and hands that strive
For a goal just of reach …
Hands that grasp and hands that give
Hands that work and play
Friendly hands and loving hands
That soothe life’s cares away
But praying hands are dearest
In the sight of God above
For in their sweet and earnest clasp
Is reverence and love …
No hands can do an unkind act
Nor cause another care
Nor sin against Our Father’s Love
When they are clasped in prayer
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

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 frist 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 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

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
I wrote this poem about 15 years ago .It was my mother first Christmas without dad.He died a week before Thankgiving that year . My mother had been marry to my dad for over fifty years and the only time they had been apart was world war 2 . My mother had almost gave up living .I wish we all could have had Dad and mom love . They raise three God loving children . {2 boys and a girl ] . So I wrote this for my mother that Christmas . Thank you Jesus for my mother and dad and brother and sister ,there never been any better. Merry Christmas

CHRISTMAS

Tell me what is this innumerable throng
Singing in the heavens a load 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 afeared
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 fields of light ?
Three wise men from 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 ?
Neat 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 King 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

In The Valleys I Grow

In The Valleys I Grow


Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe.
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountaintop
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountaintops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day,
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know,
The mountaintops are glorious,
But it's in the valleys I grow!

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

I Believe !

I like the beginning of this story.
I agree that happiness comes from within .


She is 92 years old, petite, well poised, and proud. She is fully
dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably
coifed, and her makeup perfectly applied, in spite of the fact she is
legally blind.

Today she has moved to a nursing home. Her husband of 70 years
recently passed away, making this move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing
home , she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.
As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual
description of her tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had
been hung on her window.

"I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old
having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room...just wait," I said.

Then she spoke these words that I will never forget:
"That does not have anything to do with it," she gently replied.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether
I like my room or not, does not depend on how the furniture is
arranged. It is how I arrange my mind. I have already decided to love it.

It is a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a
choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the
parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be
thankful for the ones that do work. Each day is a gift, and as long as
my eyes open, I will focus on the new day and all of the happy memories
I have stored away...just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you have
already put in.

I believe-
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we
are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you
every
once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe-
that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe-
that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest
distance.
Same goes for true love.

I believe-
that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I believe-
that you can keep going, long after you can't.

I believe-
that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe-
that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-
that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs
to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe-
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe-
that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and
have the best time.

I believe-
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down,
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe-
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but
that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-
that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've
had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many
birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe-
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes
you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-
that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't
stop for your grief.

I believe-
that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they
don't love each other. And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do.

I believe-
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.

I believe-
that two people can look at the exact same thing and see
something totally different.

I believe-
that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people
who don't even know you.

I believe-
that even when you think you have no more to give, when
a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe-
that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe-
that the people you care about most in life are taken
from you too soon.


Have A Great Day!!!

A Soldier's Night Before Christmas

A SOLDIER'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived all alone
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just whom in this home did live.

I looked all about, and a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sober thought came to my mind.
For this house was different, dark and dreary,
It was the house of a soldier, I now could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one-bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I had read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families I saw on this night,
Owed their lives to this soldier, who was willing to fight.

Soon 'round the world the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
And I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
And I couldn't control it, I started to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
And we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night
This Guardian of Honor so willing to fight.
The soldier rolled over and with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on, Santa, It's Christmas Day, All is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a Good Night!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless The United States of America and to those who defend it .

He only a man

Only A Man . . .

At first glance she looked like any other old woman. Plodding
along in the snow, alone, neglected, head bowed. People passing
on the busy city sidewalk averted their eyes, lest she remind
them that pain and suffering did not stop to celebrate
Christmas.

A young couple, smiling, talking, laughing, arms loaded with
Christmas presents, took no notice of the old woman.

A mother with two small children hurried by, on their way to
grandmother's house. They took no notice.

A minister walked by proudly carrying his Bible in his right
hand, like a well armed Christian soldier. But his mind was
stayed on heavenly things, and he took no notice.

If these people had noticed, they would have seen that the old
woman wore no shoes. She walked barefoot in the ice and snow.

With both hands the old woman gathered her worn button-less
overcoat at the collar to keep out the wind. She stopped and
stood bent and bowed at the bus stop. A red and blue scarf
covering her head, she waited for the downtown bus.

A gentleman carrying an important looking briefcase waited near
her, not too closely. After all, she could have something
contagious.

A teen-age girl also waited for the bus. She glanced repeatedly
at the old woman's feet, but said nothing.

The bus arrived and the old woman slowly, painfully boarded.
She sat on the side-ways seat just behind the driver.
The gentleman and the teen-age girl hurried to the rear.
The man sharing the seat with the old woman shuffled uneasily
and twirled his thumbs. "Senile," he thought.

The bus driver saw her bare feet and thought; "This neighborhood
is sinking deeper and deeper into poverty, I hate to see it,
I'll be glad when they put me on the College Park route."

A little boy pointed at the old woman.

"Look, Mother, that old lady is barefoot."

The embarrassed mother slapped his hand down. "Don't point at
people, Andrew. It's not polite to point."
She looked out the window.

"She must have grown children," a lady in a fur coat suggested.
"Her children should be ashamed of themselves."
She felt morally superior, because she took good care of her
mother.

A teacher seated near the middle of the bus steadied the bag of
gifts on her lap.
"Don't we pay enough taxes to handle situations like this?" she
said to a friend seated beside her. "It's this tax-cut crazy
Republican administration, her friend replied. "They rob the
poor and give to the rich." "No, its the Democrats," a gray-
haired man behind them interjected. "These Democrat welfare
programs just make people lazy and keep them in poverty."

"People have to learn to save their money," a well-dressed young
college man added. "If that old woman had saved when she was
young, she wouldn't be suffering now. It's her own fault."

And all these people beamed with satisfaction that their acumen
had delivered such trenchant analysis.

But, a kind businessman felt offended by this murmuring
detachment of his fellow citizens. He reached into his wallet
and took out a crisp twenty-dollar bill.
He strode proudly down the isle and pressed the bill into the
old woman's unsteady, wrinkled hand.
"Here, Madam, get yourself some shoes."

The old woman nodded her head in thanks. The businessman strode
back to his seat, feeling pleased with himself, that he was a
man of action.

A well-dressed Christian lady had noticed all of this.
She began to pray silently.
"Lord, I don't have money. There is no way I can help.
But Lord, I can turn to you in every need. Lord, I know that
you are a loving God. You make a way out of no way. Now Lord,
let your blessing shine on this old woman. Let shoes fall like
manna from heaven, so that this old woman can have shoes for
Christmas."
And the Christian lady felt supremely spiritual.

At the next stop, a young man boarded the bus. He wore a heavy
blue jacket, a maroon scarf around his neck, and a gray woolen
cap pulled down over is ears.
A wire running under the cap and into his ear was connected to a
Walkman.
The young man jiggled his body in time to music only he heard.
He paid his fare and plopped down on the sideways seat directly
across from the old woman.

As the young man's glance caught the old woman's bare feet,

His jiggling stopped. He froze.

His eyes went from her feet to his. He wore his expensive, new,
brand name sneakers. For months he had saved from his minimum
wage pay to buy these sneakers. Everybody in the gang would
think he was "so cool."

The young man bent down and began to untie his sneakers.
He removed his impressive new sneakers. He removed his socks.
He knelt down before the old woman.

"Mother," he said, "I see you have no shoes.
Well, I have shoes."

Carefully, gently, he lifted the old woman's crusty feet in his
hands.
He placed his socks and his fine sneakers on the old woman's
feet.
The old woman nodded in thanks.

Just then the bus arrived at the nest stop.
The young man left the bus and walked away, barefoot in the
snow.

The passengers crowded at the windows to watch him as he plodded
barefoot through the snow.

"Who is he?" one asked.

"He must be a prophet," said another.

"He must be a saint," someone suggested.

"He must be an angel," said yet another.

"Look! There's a halo around his head," somebody shouted.

"He must be the Son of God," said the Christian lady.

But the little boy who had pointed, said, "No Mother, I saw him
clearly,

He was only a man."
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Please pray for Judy Pangborn , Hazel Bagwell , Rev. David and Hali Bagwell , Scott and Elizabeth and Emily Bagwell ,Mary Carpenter and her family , Frankie Wilson and her family , Rowland Shaw and his family , Jimmy Holaday , Nadine Stvan and her family . Mike and Dianne Wells and their family ,Melvin Mobley and family .Jan Bagwell you know I need all the prayers I can get !

The Game

The Game

When clouds are grey I never mind ,
Somehow it seems I always find
Some little joy to lighten care
And cheer me just by being there .
Life is a game we all must play ,
Each in his own and separate way ,
It all depends upon your view ,
Which way the world appears to you .
In every carnival the clown ,
Can only rise by falling down ,
For every man a set of rules ,
And only those who cheat , are fools .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

A Perfect Day

A Perfect Day
God stretches out His loving hand
His blessings 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 !

The Gift That Keeps 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 a gift that keeps on giving ;
Tis the Christ of Christmas day .

There’s a gift that keeps on giving ;
One Who came from Heaven 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

Frist Christmas In Heaven

First Christmas In Heaven
I’ve had my first Christmas in heaven,
A glorious , wonderful day !
I stood with saints of the ages
Who found Christ , the Truth, and the Way .

I sang with the heavenly choir ;
Just think ! I , who so long to sing !
And oh ! what celestial music
We brought to our Saviour and King !

We sang the glad songs of redemption ,
How Jesus to Bethlehem came ,
And how they had called His name Jesus ,
That all might be saved through His name .

We sang once again with the angels ,
The song that they sang that blest morn ,
When shepherds first heard the glad story
That Jesus , the Saviour , was born .

O , dear one , I wish you had been here ;
No Christmas on earth could compare
With all the rapture and glory
We witnessed in Heaven so fair .

You know how I always loved Christmas ;
It seemed such a wonderful day ,
With all of my loved ones around me ,
The children so happy and gay .

Yes , now I can see why I loved it ,
And , O , what a joy it would be ,
When all of my loved ones are with me ,
To share in the glories I see ,

So dear ones on earth , here’s my greeting :
Look up till the day dawn appears ,
And , Oh , what a Christmas awaits us ,
Beyond all our parting and tears
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
This poem is in reminiscence my Brother , Larry Bagwell , he was more than a brother , he was best friend . He been in heaven for a few years now , but I would like to think , this is from him . The way I write these poems is , I sit and pray and what come in my head I write . I cannot add a verse or take one away . It only worked when I write what I feel I am given . I give all the glory to God my Father .To my friends that have lost love ones , I pray this brings some comforted to you .

Meditation

Meditation
Search into the garden
Of your soul and you will find
A gem of priceless beauty
Like a jewel that’s most divine .

Meditate in silence
And with each breath release
A faith that’s filled with magic
And a magic filled with peace …

For in your quiet moment
You will surely visualize
That in this rest of peacefulness
God will unveil a prize .

A prize that’s been unnoticed
Like a jewel that has been lost
But now in silent meditation
You can hear His faint response .

Like a choir of angels singing
For we mortals here below
If we take the time to listen
His miraculous touch will flow .

Flow free from every corner
The invitation’s clear
If you take the time to listen
Then God’s music you will hear .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Please remember me in prayer .

Where ?

Where?
There was a little boy,
On the week's first day,
Coming home from Sunday School
And wandering on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass
And found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod
And blew out all the filler.

A bird's nest in a tree above,
So wisely placed on high,
Was just another wonder
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his crooked course
And hailed him from the lawn.
He asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

"I've been to Sunday School," he said
As he turned a piece of sod,
And picking up a worm, he smiled,
"I've learned a lot from God!"

"That's a fine way," the neighbor said,
"For a boy to spend his time.
"Now if you can tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash the answer came,
The boy said without complaint,
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't!"
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

A Sunset Lesson

A Sunset Lesson
This evening I saw the sun set
Behind the mountain dim ;
It dropped from behind a beautiful cloud ,
All gold around its rim .
And as the sun sank down to rest ,
Beneath its bed of gold ,
It filled my soul with rapture ,
Its beauty to behold .
O that my life ,at close of day ,
May be as supremely bright ,
As I pass on from this present world
To the realms of endless light ;
That a golden crown may await me there .
As bright as this golden sky ,
And that I may dwelt forever there ,
In that beautiful home on high
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Have a great Thanksgiving !

In Life’s Garden

In Life’s Garden
Count your garden by the flowers ,
Never by the leaves that fall-
Count your days by golden hours ,
Don’t remember clouds at all .
Count your nights by stars – not shadows ,
Count your life by smiles –not tears-
And with joy through all your lifetime .
Count your age by friends-not years
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Please remember to pray for David and Hali Bagwell and Frankie Wilson and her mother

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving
Once again our glad thanksgiving
Rise before our Father’s throne ,
As we try count the blessings
Of the year so swiftly flown;
As we trace the wondrous workings
Of His wisdom , power ,and love
And unite our “ Holy ! Holy !”
With the seraphim above .

As we gather round our firesides
On this glad Thanksgiving Day
Time would fail to count the blessing
That have followed all our way .
Grace sufficient , help and healing ,
Prayer often answered at our call;
And the best of all our blessings
Christ Himself , our All in all .

He has blessed our favored country
With a free and bounteous hand ;
Peace and plenty in our borders ,
Liberty through all our land .
And although our sins and follies
Often provoked Him to His face,
Mercy still restrains His judgments,
And prolongs our day of grace.

While we love to count the blessings,
Grateful for the year that’s gone,
Faith would sweep a wider vision ,
Hope would gaze yet farther on.
For the signals all around us
Seem with one accord to say ,
“ Christ is coming soon to bring us
Earth’s best , Thanksgiving Day !”
\ Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

The House of Prayer

The House of Prayer
Just close your eyes
and open your heart
And feel your worries
and cares depart ,
Just yield yourself
to the Father above
And let Him hold you
secure in His love –
For life on earth
grows more involved
With endless problems
that can’t be solved –
But God only ask us
to do our best ,
Then He will take over
and finish the rest –
So when you are tired ,
discouraged , and blue
There’s always one door
that is open to you –
And that is the door
to the house of prayer
And you’ll find God waiting
to meet you there ,
And the house of prayer
is no farther away
Than the quiet spot
where you kneel and pray-
For the heart is a temple
when God is there
As we place ourselves
in His loving care .
And He hears every prayer
and answers each one
When we pray in His name
“ Thy will be done ” –
And the burdens that seemed
too heavy to bear
Are lifted away
on the wings of prayer .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Have a blessed weekend !

With Faith

With Faith
For every disappointment
That ever comes your way ,
There also will be happiness
Upon another day .

Sometimes there will be failure
In things you try to do ,
But with both faith and fortitude
Success will come to you .

When life appears its darkest
And clouds obscure your view ,
You know that you are bound to find
The sun come shining through .

The faith that you possess in God
Is never placed in vain ,
It will sustain and be your guide
Life’s finer things to gain .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Don't Ever Stop Dreaming Your Dreams
Don't ever be reluctant to show your feelings when you're happy, give in to it. When you're not, live with it. Don't ever be afraid to try to make things better you might be surprised at the results. Don't ever take the weight of the world on your shoulders. Don't ever feel threatened by the future, take life one day at a time. Don't ever feel guilty about the past what's done is done. Learn from any mistakes you might have made. Don't ever feel that you are alone there is always somebody there for you to reach out to. Don't ever forget that you can achieve so many of the things you can imagine. ... It's not as hard as it seems. Don't ever stop loving don't ever stop believing, don't ever stop dreaming your dreams.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
The holidays are very depressing for some . Call them if you can . Remember one call , one prayer might save a person life . Remember God loves us , And to my brothers and sisters thank you for reading my blog .

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ,
Like the wideness of the sea ;
There’s a kindness in His justice ,
Which is more than liberty .

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind ;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind .

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word ,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Eternity written on Our Heart

would challenge you to surrender to the call of heaven. This destiny provides meaning and significance.



Have you seen the movie Antwan Fisher? This film tells the moving story of a young man who struggles with anger and pain because of the abuse he experienced growing up in a foster home. He feels disconnected because he doesn't know his family. His deepest desire is for family, to know to whom he belongs, to have a home.



While serving in the navy, Antwan is encouraged to find his family by a navy psychologist (played by Denzel Washington), who serves a mentor and father figure in his life. With bits and pieces of information, Antwan heads out on his search, and he is successful. He learns his father is dead but meets his father's family. Then an uncle takes him to meet his mother.



As he enters the apartment of the woman who gave birth to him in prison, he is filled with anticipation and hope that this is going to be a joyful reunion. But it's not. She sits there, not knowing how to respond. It's as if she's in shock. The meeting is a disappointment.



Disappointed and once again rejected, Antwan returns to the home of his aunt. He walks through the door, and to his surprise he finds a room full of people - his extended family that has gathered to meet him. He is swallowed up in a sea of love and acceptance. And when he walks into the dining room, there is an enormous feast, a banquet in his honor. His grandmother, the matriarch of the family, says, "Welcome home."



As we live the Christian life, we must embrace the tension of both living this life to its fullest down here and at the same time understanding that this is not our home. We are pilgrims on a journey to our real home, where there is a family and a banquet waiting for us, and a Savior eager to say, "Welcome home."



Purpose, Passion, Perspective



The apostle Paul points us to the perspective and the motivation that should anchor us on our journey. Read carefully these words from 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Weigh them. Let your mind absorb them.



According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.



There are four observations I want to make based on this passage. First, the foundation of our lives is Jesus Christ (v.11). The Christian life is the life of Christ living in and through us. Jesus Christ should be everything to us. He is our reason for living, and as our foundation, He brings strength and stability to the structure of our lives.



Second, we must approach life with discernment and great care because our lives reflect the foundation upon which we are built (vv.10-11). Ever time we trade in the motivation of responding to god's love and provision for the stuff of this life, we introduce foreign substances to our foundation. It weakens the building (our lives) and cheapens the structure.



Some of us have absorbed the "foreign substances" of this life. It weighs us down and it is causing damage to our spiritual structure. In a word, we need to strip our foundations and return to the bedrock: Jesus.



Third, we will be held accountable for our choices and approach to life (v. 13). It is true that as followers of Christ we will not be judged concerning our eternal destiny. That was settled at the cross, and when we placed our faith in Christ, our sins were forgiven and we received the gift of eternal life. But that doesn't mean we should live carelessly, following the whims of whatever we desire. According to this passage, we will be held accountable for what we do with our lives. The critical question is: What will be revealed when "the fire itself will test the quality of [your] work"?



This leads me to the fourth observation: The enduring (eternal) quality of our lives will be rewarded (vv.12-14). Every day of our lives we must choose that which endures ("gold, silver, and precious stones") over that which may be so appealing but is perishable ("would, hay, straw"). It is my view that this passage clearly teaches that although we are saved for eternity, some of us will experience the loss of reward because we settled for the perishable. In this regard, we're wasting our eternal wealth.



The burden of my heart, and the reason I'm writing this lesson because , that God has called us to be a people of destiny. We have a longing in our souls because eternity has been written in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Eternity is a powerful motivation. Someone once said that if you have a why for living, you can stand almost any how. Our home in heaven is our motivation and destiny. When we live up to that sense of destiny at the center of our lives, we will experience purpose, passion, and perspective. We have been called to live for a time we cannot see.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Dark Shadows Fall in the lives of us all :

Dark Shadows Fall in the Lives of us All :

Sickness and sorrow
come to us all ,
But through it we grow
and learn to stand tall ,
Far trouble is part and parcel of life
and no man can grow
without struggle and strife ,
And the more we endure
with patience and grace
The stronger we grow
and the more we can face ,
And the more we can face ,
the greater our love ,
And with love in our hearts
we are more conscious of
The pain and the sorrow
in lives everywhere ,
So it is through trouble
that we learn how to share .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

God asks no man whether he will accept life .That is not the choice . You must take it . The only choice is how .

A Friend

A friend is a person of great understanding
Who shares all our hopes and our schemes ,
A companion who listens with infinite patience
To all of our plans and our dreams
A true friend can make all our cares melt away
With the touch of a hand or a smile ,
And with calm reassurance make everything brighter ,
And life always seem more worth while –
A friend shares so many bright moments of laughter
At even the tiniest thing –
What memorable hours of light-hearted gladness
And pleasure this sharing can bring !
A friend is cherished and precious possession
Who knows all our hopes and our fears ,
And someone to treasure deep down in our hearts
With a closeness that grows through the years !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Take moment and think who this is .

It's me again , God

It’s me again , God

Remember me God?
I come every day
Just to talk with You , Lord ,
And to learn how to pray .
You make me feel welcome ,
You reach out Your hand ,
I need never explain
For You understand .
I come to you frightened
And burdened with care ,
So lonely and lost
And so filled with despair ,
And suddenly , Lord ,
I’m no longer afraid ,
My burden is lighter
And the dark shadows fade .
Oh , God , what a comfort
To know that You care
And to know when I seek You
You will always be there !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Come to me , all who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest .Take my yoke upon you ,and learn from me ; for I am gentle and lowly in heart , and you will find rest for your souls . For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light
Matthew 11: 28- 30

The Secrets of Providence

The Secrets of Providence

There are secrets of Providence which God's dear children may learn. His dealings with them often seem, to the outward eye, dark and terrible. Faith looks deeper and says, "This is God's secret. You look only on the outside; I can look deeper and see the hidden meaning."

Sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen. When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained.

God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not worry if they are done up in rough wrappings. You may be sure there are treasures of love, and kindness, and wisdom hidden within. If we take what He sends, and trust Him for the goodness in it, even in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of Providence. --

"Not until each loom is silent,

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Will God unroll the pattern

And explain the reason why

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver's skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

For the pattern which He planned."

He that is mastered by Christ is the master of every circumstance. Does the circumstance press hard against you? Do not push it away. It is the Potter's hand. Your mastery will come, not by arresting its progress, but by enduring its discipline, for it is not only shaping you into a vessel of beauty and honor, but it is making your resources available.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Please be in prayer for Nyica Greg she is my niece and she will have operation Tuesday morn at 10 o' clock .

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him" (Ps. 25:14).

Don't Grow Old

Don't Grow Old


Many people are afraid of growing old.
I'm afraid of growing old and boring.

Many people are afraid of growing old, alone.
I'm afraid of growing old, insane.

Many people are afraid of losing their looks.
I'm afraid of losing my dreams.

Many people are afraid of losing their youth.
I'm afraid of losing my soul.

When you're 15, 35 seems ancient.
When you're 35, 15 seems juvenile.

A turnaround in a split second - two decades zoom past and
before you know it, it's only a mile to the next millennium.

Don't fear age,
it's a right of person-hood.

Don't fear death- it's God's greatest jest.

Don't grow old - you don't have to.

Don't date because you're desperate.

Don't marry because you're miserable.

Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.

Don't separate because you think it's fashionable.

Don't drink because you have troubles.

Don't gamble because you think winning is inevitable.

Don't philander because you think you're irresistible.
Most likely, you're not.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat.
Don't lie.
Don't pretend.

Don't try to buy your way into the kingdom of God.

Don't dictate because you're smarter.

Don't demand because you're stronger.


Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don't sell yourself, your family or your ideals.

Don't stagnate.
Don't regress.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new friend.

Start a new career.

Don't live in the past.

Time can't bring anything or anyone back.

Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.

Don't throw you life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your
biological clock is ticking and you can't afford to have your
eggs harvested before the new millennium.

There's always a mad rush to something, somewhere - but victory
does not always belong to those who finish first.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid
for some of life's more hasty decisions.

You can't always go with the throng who could be wrong.

Sometimes, you have to be alone to be enlightened.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.

Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong
reasons.

To keep yourself warm, buy a jacket.
In the long run, it will be less complicated and less costly.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of
what you can be.

Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements - abusive friends, nasty habits
and dangerous liaisons.

Don't abandon your responsibilities, but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your
family.

Be true to yourself. Don't commit when you're not ready.

Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Fall in love - it's the greatest thing on earth.
But take care and remember, after the fall must come the rise.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.

Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you must even at society's scorn.

Write poetry. Love deeply. Walk barefoot. Hold hands.
Dance with wild abandon. Cry at the movies.
Take care of yourself.
Don't wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except you.
It is true that life doesn't get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.

Don't be afraid.
Don't lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.
Live your dreams.

Don't lose faith in God.

Don't grow old.

Just grow up.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

The Future Is Yours

The Future Is Yours

The future is yours ,
It belongs to you ,
And with faith in God
And in yourself , too,
No hill’s too high ,
No mountain’s too tall ,
For with faith in the Lord
You can conquer them all .
And all that you wish for
That is honest and true
The Lord will certainly
Give to you ,
Not always the way
You most desire ,
But He always gives
What you most require .
So accept what He sends
Be it bitter or sweet ,
For God knows best
What makes life complete .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while he has overcome while trying to succeed .

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

We cannot all be famous
or be listed in “Who’s Who ,”
But every person great or small
has important work to do ,
For seldom do we realize
the importance of small deeds
Or to what degree of greatness
unnoticed kindness leads
For it’s not the big celebrity
in a world of fame and praise ,
But it’s doing unpretentiously
in undistinguished ways
The work that God assigned to us ,
unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding
and brings reality to dreams .
So do not sit and idly wish
for wider , new dimensions
Where you can put in practice
your many good intentions ,
But at the spot God placed you ,
begin at once to do
Little things to brighten up
the lives surrounding you ,
For if everybody brightened up
the spot on which they’re standing
By being more considerate
and a little less demanding ,
This dark old world would very soon
eclipse the evening star
If everybody brightened up
the corner where they are !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Last night I sat listening to my youngest son preach ,
And thought ,I am truly blessed among men and proud father .
When you feel down and out God has HIS way of pick you up !
Father God , Thank you for my two sons , My mother ,my sister and all my great friends !!

Look on the Sunny Side

Look on the Sunny Side
There are always two sides ,
the good and the bad ,
The dark and the light ,
the sad and the glad ,
But in looking back over
the good and the bad
We’re aware of the number
of good and the bad .
And in counting our blessings
we find when we’re through
We’ve no reason at all
to complain or be blue ,
So thank God for good things
He has already done ,
And be grateful to Him
for the battles you’ve won ,
And know that the same God
who helped you before
Is ready and willing
to help you once more .
Then with faith in your heart
reach out for God’s hand
And accept what He sends
though you can’t understand ,
For our Father in heaven
always knows what is best ,
And if you trust in His wisdom
your life will be blessed ,
For always remember
that whatever betide you
You are never alone
for God is beside you .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Growing Old

The first day of school our professor
introduced himself and challenged us
to get to know someone we didn't already know.
I stood up to look around when
a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled,
little old lady beaming up at me
with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome.
My name is Rose. I'm eighty - seven
years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically
responded, "Of course you may!"
and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such
a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here
to meet a rich husband, get married,
have a couple of children,
and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was
curious what may have motivated
her to be taking on this
challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college
education and now I'm getting one!"
she told me.

After class we walked to the
student union building and
shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends.

Every day for the next three
months we would leave class
together and talk nonstop.
I was always mesmerized listening
to this "time machine" as she
shared her wisdom and
experience with me.

Over the course of the year,
Rose became a campus icon
and she easily made friends
wherever she went.

She loved to dress up and
she reveled in the attention bestowed
upon her from the other students.
She was living it up.

At the end of the semester
we invited Rose to speak at
our football banquet. I'll
never forget what she taught us.
She was introduced and
stepped up to the podium.

As she began to deliver her
prepared speech, she dropped her
three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed
she leaned into the microphone
and simply said "I'm sorry I'm so jittery.
I gave up beer for Lent
and this whiskey is killing me!
I'll never get my speech back
in order so let me
just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared
her throat and began: "We do not
stop playing because we are old;
we grow old because we stop
playing. There are only five
secrets to staying young, being
happy, and achieving success
and loving God with all your
heart
"You have to laugh and
find humor every day."

"You've got to have a dream.
When you lose your dreams,
you die. We have so many people
walking around who are dead
and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference
between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old
and lie in bed for one full year
and don't do one productive thing,
you will turn twenty years old.
If I am eighty-seven years old
and stay in bed for a year and
never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older.
That doesn't take any talent or
ability. The idea is to grow up
by always finding the opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly
usually don't have regrets
for what we did, but rather
for things we did not do. The only
people who fear death
are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech
by courageously singing
"The Rose."

She challenged each of us to
study the lyrics and live
them out in our daily lives.
At the years end Rose finished
the college degree she had
begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation
Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college
students attended her funeral
in tribute to the wonderful woman
who taught by example that it's
never too late to be all
you can possibly be.

GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY,
GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless!

The Philosopher

The Philosopher


I saw him sitting in his door,
Trembling as old men do;
His house was old; his barn was old,
And yet his eyes seemed new.

His eyes had seen three times my years
And kept a twinkle still,
Though they had looked at birth and death
And three graves on a hill.

"I will sit down with you," I said,
"And you will make me wise;
Tell me how you have kept the joy
Still burning in your eyes."

Then like an old-time orator
Impressively he rose;
"I make the most of all that comes,
The least of all that goes."

The jingling rhythm of his words
Echoes as old songs do,
Yet this had kept his eyes alight
Till he was ninety-two.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

God's Glory Month

God’s Glory Month
October speaks to me of God
With every phase of Autumn hue,
In flaming hills against the blue,
In waving fields of goldenrod.

No other season can compare
Or scatter with such lavish hand,
This wealth of color o’er the land
And handiwork of God declare !

By rocky cliffs , the sparkling streams ,
Wending down through their narrow rills ,
Reflect the sunlight’s fading beams .

All these proclaim to eyes that see ,
That beauty such as this can come
From God alone , Who forms the sum
Of all created majesty!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
I am standing on God’s promises !

Faith

Imagine a young girl asleep on the second story of her home. She awakes one night—middle of the night—and there is the smell of acrid smoke. She stumbles to the door and opens it to a sheet of fire. The young lady slams the door against the flames and stumbles to the window and stares down into the smoke and the darkness. From the ground below the young lady hears her father's voice saying, "Honey, jump!"

The young lady replies, "But, Daddy, I can't see you."

The father replies, "It's all right, Honey, I can see you. Jump!"

So the young lady jumps into her father's arms.

Now it's a part of faith for that young lady to believe her father is there. It's another part of faith to believe in her father, to feel that her father is able to catch her. It's the essence of faith to throw herself into a father's waiting arms.

That's what it means to believe on Jesus Christ. It's a part of faith to believe Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for your sin; it's another part of faith to believe God is able and willing to forgive you and give you eternal life. It's the essence of faith to abandon yourself to God completely and allow Jesus Christ to be your Savior.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, expressed it well when he said that to believe on Jesus is "casting yourself with a reckless abandon on the grace of God."

Belief that brings us to God is as simple and life-changing as that.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
I AM STANDING ON THE PROMISES of GOD !!
I gave Him my soul , he gave me my life !

With Faith

With Faith
For every disappointment
That ever comes your way ,
There also will be happiness
Upon another day

Sometimes there will be failure
In things you try to do ,
But with both faith and fortitude
Success will come to you .

When life appears its darkest
And clouds obscure your view ,
You know that you are bound to find
The sun come shining through.

The faith that you possess in God
Is never placed in vain ,
It will sustain and be your guide
Life’s finer things to gain .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

The Art of Greatness

The Art of Greatness

It’s not fortune or fame
Or worldwide acclaim
That makes for true greatness , you’ll find –
It’s the wonderful art
Of teaching the heart
To always be thoughtful and kind .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
The greatness man is he who chooses the right with invincible
resolution ; who resist the sorest temptation from within and
without ; who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully ; who is the
calmest in storms , and whose reliance on truth, on virtue , on God ,
is the most unfaltering

Count Your Gains and Your Losses

Count Your Gains and Not Your Losses
As we travel down life’s busy road
Complaining of our heavy load ,
We often think God’s been unfair
And given us much more than our share
Of little daily irritations
And disappointing tribulations ,
We count our losses , not our gain ,
And remember only tears and pain …
And wrapped up in our own despair
We have no time to see or share
Another’s load that far outweighs
Our little problems and dismays .
And so we walk with head held low
And little do we guess or know
That someone near us on life’s street
Is burdened deeply with defeat ..
But if we’d but forget our care
And stop in sympathy to share
The burden that our brother carried ,
Our mind and heart would be less harried ,
And we would feel our load was small ,
In fact , we carried no load at all .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ
Galatians 6:2

This Too Will Pass Away

This Too Will Pass Away
If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me ,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be ,
If I can remain calm and quiet
With all my world crashing about me ,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me ,
If I can keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true ,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this pass away , too
Then nothing in life can defeat me ,
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all the chains
That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear ,
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
To reach the port of Heaven we must sail , sometimes with the wind
and sometimes against it – but we must sail , not drift or lie at anchor .

Daily Prayers Are Heaven's Stairs

Daily Prayers Are Heaven’s Stairs
The stairway rises heaven high,
The steps are dark and steep ,
In weariness we climb them
As we stumble , fall and weep,
And many times we falter
Along the path of prayer,
Wondering if You hear us
And if You really care .
Oh , give us some assurance ,
Restore our faith anew ,
So we can keep on climbing
The stairs of prayer to You ,
For we are weak and wavering ,
Uncertain and unsure ,
And only meeting You in prayer
Can help us to endure
All life’s trails and troubles ,
Its sickness , pain and sorrow ,
And give us strength and courage
To face and meet tomorrow !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Be strong and let your heart take courage , all you who wait for the Lord !
Psalm 31:24

Autumn Quest

Autumn Quest
The maples wore dresses of amber and scarlet ,
The sky clutched a silken shawl silver and grey ,
The wind left a spicy scent trailing behind her ,
And I knew at a glance it was Autumn today .
Far in the distance , the cry of the blackbirds ,
Winging their way over wide fields of brown ,
Hazy blue wood-smoke curled up from the dry leaves ,
As Autumn appeared on the outskirts of town ,
And with a footfall light as a whisper ,
Making her way over thicket and fence ,
Pensively gazing with wide eyes about her ,
Down went the last bar of Summer’s defense .
Chancing upon her , my lonely quest ended ,
And warmed by her welcome , I’ve followed her since .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Please go to a church of your choice tonight , and thank God for our many blessing !

I Thank Him

I Thank Him
I thank Him for the morning light
That takes away the gloom ,
For every breeze that cools the day ,
And all the flowers that bloom .

For every friendship I have made ,
For a love that I have shared ,
For every kindness shown to me
That proved that someone cared .

My heart is filled with gratefulness
And I daily give Him praise
For all the blessings He bestows
In so many different ways .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
"The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart."

The Rules for being Human

The Rules for Being Human


1. You will receive a body.
You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for the
entire period.

2. You will learn lessons.
You are enrolled in an informal school called Life. Each day in
this school, you will have the opportunity to learn lessons.
You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons.
Growth is a process of trial and error.
Experimentation.
The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process
as the experiment that ultimately "works".

4. A lesson is repeated until learned.
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you
have learned it. You can then go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end.
There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons.
If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no better than "here."
When your "there" has become a "here," you will simply obtain
another "there" that will again look better than "here."

7. Others are merely mirrors of you.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it
reflects something you either love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you.
You have all the tools and resources you need.
What you do with them is up to you.
The choice is yours.

9. Your answers lie inside you.
The answers to Life's questions lie inside you.
All you need to do is look, listen and trust.

10. You will forget all this.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Remember our God is watching us to see how we learn these lessons . Have a blessed day !!

In Control

In Control

It was August of '07.

I was in labor with my first child, I started Thursday and
didn't have her until Saturday. All while I was in labor,
I cried for my Mommy, the doctor, and even something for the
pain.

Finally, Saturday morning I was ready, I was still hollering for
the doctor. They wheeled me into the delivery room, I looked
around, and still no doctor, finally he came in, I felt
relieved, but something happened, my baby got stuck.

I was scared, afraid. I started crying for my mommy. The doctor
had to pull my child from me. I didn't hear her, I couldn't
hear my baby cry.

I cried out what was wrong, the doctor had asked one nurse to
rush out and get another doctor, I still didn't hear a baby cry.

I was still crying for my mommy. Finally another doctor rushed
in, it was like one of the scariest moments in my life,
everything stood still for a moment and then something happened,

I called the Lord, I asked Him to help me, I cried Lord have
mercy on my baby, let my baby live. Take me not my child.

Finally, the doctor asked a nurse what time it was, it was 11:22
a.m. My baby was pronounced dead. He turned around wiping the
tears from his eyes, and I knew what he was going to say, and I
just started praying Lord help me.

And before the doctor can tell me, she started crying.
A miracle had happened. My child was born at 11:00 and
pronounced dead at 11:22 a.m. and before 11:23 came back to me.

It was nothing but the grace of God.
I feel like that was my test.
The Lord showed me that Mommy can't do it, not even the doctors,
but He has ALL powers in His hands.

I realized that no one can acknowledge God but you yourself.
Everyone needs to know the Lord for themselves, and for me, I
honestly thought that I knew the Lord. My mother, she's a
preacher, I was practically raised in the church, but yet, God
had to remind me to go on my own faith.

Isn't it amazing how the Lord reminds us that He is in control
of everything? Through good times, bad times, and even through
our grief and pains.
Thank you Gail Norton for your life story
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Autumn
There’s a hint of a chill,
Autumn time has arrived ,
It came in with the dawn
In a winter’s disguise .
Everyone’s bundled
And they look out of place .
Everything’s still intact
With a Summertime face.
Oh , I love Autumn’s breeze ,
There is beauty a bound,
When the tinge of the leaves,
Flaunts their colors around
It’s a sight to behold
Autumn time everywhere ,
One can tell by the wind
Autumn’s sure in the air .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

winning Ways

Winning Ways
We walk along life’s highway
meet the bitter and the sweet .
Rejoice with those who’ve made it …
pity those who’ve met defeat ,
And as we journey down the road ,
see sadness , joy and pain ,
We wonder why some lose the race
while others , goals attain .
We know misfortune comes to all
and problems we must weight ;
The Lord will stand beside us
every minute of each day .
So walk the road with head held high ,
though life , at times , seems glum ;
But if you keep the faith you’ll find …
your battles can be won .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

winning Ways

Winning Ways
We walk along life’s highway
meet the bitter and the sweet .
Rejoice with those who’ve made it …
pity those who’ve met defeat ,
And as we journey down the road ,
see sadness , joy and pain ,
We wonder why some lose the race
while others , goals attain .
We know misfortune comes to all
and problems we must weight ;
The Lord will stand beside us
every minute of each day .
So walk the road with head held high ,
though life , at times , seems glum ;
But if you keep the faith you’ll find …
your battles can be won .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

winning Ways

Winning Ways
We walk along life’s highway
meet the bitter and the sweet .
Rejoice with those who’ve made it …
pity those who’ve met defeat ,
And as we journey down the road ,
see sadness , joy and pain ,
We wonder why some lose the race
while others , goals attain .
We know misfortune comes to all
and problems we must weight ;
The Lord will stand beside us
every minute of each day .
So walk the road with head held high ,
though life , at times , seems glum ;
But if you keep the faith you’ll find …
your battles can be won .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Wait

Wait
If but one message I may leave behind ,
One single of courage for my kind ,
It would be this ,Oh , brother , sister ,friend ,
Whatever life may bring , what God may send ,
No matter whether clouds lift soon or late ,
Take heed and wait .

Despair may tangle darkly at your feet ,
Your faith be dimmed , and hope ,once cool and sweet ,
Be last , but suddenly above a hill ,
A heavenly lamp ,set on a heavenly sill ,
Will shine for you and point the way to go ,
How well I know .

For I have waited through the dark , and I
Have seen a star rise in the darkest sky
Repeatedly – It has not failed me yet
And I have learned God never will forget
To light his lamp . If we but wait for it ,
It will be lit .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

The Best You Can

The Best You Can
When others get ahead of you
In everything you try to do ,
Don’t give up trying , don’t feel blue …
Just do the best you can .

When those you trusted let you down
And greet your smile with scowl and frown ,
Don’t turn and run right out of town …
Just do the best you can .

Though other people criticize
The things you say , your work despise ;
Just straighten up and raise your eyes …
And do the best you can .

When sorrow strikes with crushing blow ,
When day by day you lonelier grow
Remember , there is One who’ll know ..
So do the best you can .

So when the course of Life is run ,
Though fame and wealth you have not won ,

He’ll say , “ That was a job well done “…
So do the best you can .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
God is Good All the Time !!

Migration

Migration
In fall I share the dream of birds
to seek a warmer place ,
To leave the cold and dark behind
for sunlight on my face .
On wings of faith I soar above
on some unchartered course
Which leads me closer to God’s love
which is itself a force .
The journey’s long and perilous
over land and time and sea ,
But then I reach the golden shore
where heaven smiles on me !
The northern winds have come and gone ,
there’s no forecast of snow ,
So I begin my journey home
to watch the roses grow .
In spring my heart is filled with hope .
despite the pain I bear ,
So I return ,as do the birds
on a wing and prayer !
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Please be in prayer for Frankie Wilson , David and Hali Bagwell , Scott and Elizabeth and Emily Bagwell and Nyica Greg .

He's Always Near

He’s Always Near

How wonderful it is know
That God is always near ,
That even just a whispered thought
He will most surely hear .

No matter what you’re doing
Nor what the time of day ,
He never is too busy
To listen as you pray ,

No need to kneel at bedside ,
No need to close your eyes ,
You need not even fold your hands
He’s always at your side .

Remember just a thought . my friend ,
Of our Father up above
Will bring you such contentment
And will fill your heart with love .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

The Voice of God

The Voice of God
I heard the voice of God today
When I awoke at dawn ;
The birds were singing in the trees
And chirping on the lawn .

I heard His voice again this noon
When children came to play ;
I heard them laughing in the yard ;
The sound was light and gay .

I heard His voice again tonight
Upon the evening breeze ;
It rustled in the aspen leaves
And silted through the trees .

I heard His voice within my soul
When I lay down to sleep ;
His voice was peace within my heart;
And I am His to Keep.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!
Please be in prayer for Frankie Wilson , David and Hali Bagwell , Scott and Elizabeth and Emily Bagwell and Nyica Greg .

Eyes From Above

Eyes From Above


I walked into the store as I had done countless times before.

There was nothing unusual about the night, just a routine stroll
down the aisles of commerce. .

It was a huge store. You would know the name of the chain,
but the name doesn't matter.

Bright lights, wide aisles, and full shelves made for an awesome
store.

The modern stores don't have many helpers like the old days.
I used to work in a store. My job was to price
merchandise, stock the shelves, sweep the floor, ring the cash
register, and watch customers.

I didn't watch customers for fun. Customers would steal in the
old days. My job included helping customers find what they
wanted but keeping a watchful eye to make sure they paid for
what they found.

Those old days came to mind as I wandered or rather was towed by
anxious kids down the huge aisles.

How in the world do they keep people from stealing them blind?
There were no clerks or assistants watching us. What was to
prevent us from pocketing any number of tempting items?

I looked around, not for the purpose of stealing anything, but
of scientific curiosity.

How did they keep people from stealing?

I knew the nature of people had not improved since I was a
clerk. People stole then and they steal now.

This was an extremely successful chain. Surely they couldn't be
this trusting. Surely they couldn't be this benevolent that
they would simply allow people to have whatever they felt like
not paying for.

Surely not.

I am a scientist. I think. I analyze. I wonder. I seek
answers. I am a businessman. No people watching, plenty of
merchandise, a certain percentage of people that would take
advantage of inattention, successful chain stores, it didn't
fit. How could they trust so?

They didn't. That much I knew. I know the commercial mind.
They couldn't and didn't trust people that much.

So why was no one watching?

I knew that couldn't be either.

Maybe they were watching.

If so, then how were they watching?

I knew if they were watching it would have to be though video
cameras. I knew where they would need to be positioned.

I looked up.

Whoa!

As many times as I had been in that store and similar stores of
the chain, I had never thought to look up. I walked beneath
totally unaware and unconcerned about the eyes above.

As I looked up, I saw rows and rows of surveillance cameras.

Somewhere between 100 and 200 cameras looked down as I surveyed
the roof of the huge store.

If you didn't know already, you wouldn't know they were cameras
but I knew. Surveillance cameras are usually mounted behind
blue colored domes. You can't see in, but the camera can see
out. It can point in any direction, and you don't know if and
where it is looking.

It can swivel, tilt, pan, and zoom. They can follow your every
move. They can zoom out to view the whole aisle or zoom in on a
pimple. Hundreds of them, and I never knew or guessed because I
never thought about it.

Eyes from above that watched every move of those below.

So many walk without realizing every move is observed and
recorded.

Eyes from above.

I walked differently once I saw the cameras. I had no intention
of ever doing anything wrong, with or without cameras; I just
walked differently knowing that someone could be watching every
single move that I made.

It shouldn't have made a difference.

But it did.

We often go through life as if no one sees.

As if no eyes from above are watching.

Suppose we realized that?

Every frown, every harsh word, every wrong deed, every good or
bad twitch of our minds and muscles...

Recorded.

Eyes from above.

Encased in a blue canopy.

It makes you walk differently once you realize that.

It really does.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

My Lif'e's Balance

My Life's Balance'' ry

I have found that in this very place and time
Much more than a chemical balance to it all.
It’s not that which is flowing through each vein and artery
To those aging places that bring comfort and makes one well.
But a more Spiritual source, of life streams
Now flows within my mind and space.
Placing that of an after glow, from my higher source
Bringing me joy, peace, deeper love
And a Spiritual inner grace.
Growing older has real benefits
That in ones youth might never bring.
It teaches a person what is important
That importance, in the smallest
The smallest of everything.
In a child’s smile from an innocence of love
Scented sweetness in a summers breeze.
That resting time otherwise overlooked
While just cuddling with a loved one on a swing.
Embrace the years as they come to you
As if in each one, there lies within a hidden gift.
And you will see that in your puzzle of life
That one piece placed thought not to fit.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!

Memo From God

MEMO FROM GOD

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill my promises to you to grant you peace, joy, and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the Ten Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also:

1. QUIT WORRYING
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to me. And although my to-do-list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME
Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please don't forget to talk to me - OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply your having a conversation with me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, met thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush,! rush, rush.

9. BE KIND
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only - to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that!

With all my heart I love you,
GOD
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Has I was sitting wondering what God would have me to write . This came to me and I sending to you .