The Father’s Hand
While through this changing world below
I would not choose my path to go ;
‘Tis Father’s hand that leadeth me ,
Then O how safe His child must be .
Sometimes we walk in sunshine bright ,
Sometimes in darkness of night ;
Sometimes the way I cannot see
But Father’s hand still leadeth me ,
Sometimes there seems no way to take ,
But Father’s hand a way doth make ,
Sometimes I hear Him gently say ,
“Come follow Me , this is the way “
Why should I mind the way I go?
His way is best for me , I know ,
He is my strength , my truth , my way
He is my comfort , rod , and stay .
So on we travel hand in hand ,
Bound for the heavenly promised land
Always through all Eternity ,
I’ll praise His name for leading me .
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Land of Begining Again
The Land of Beginning Again
I wish for the Land of Beginning Again
Where I could start life all a new ;
Where confusion and strife
That filled this poor life
Could not dampen my way like dew ,
If I could forget how I’ve stumbled along ,
How I’ve fumbled and fathered and failed ,
How I’ve veered each day
From the service way ,
And from duties have halted and quailed ,
My ear has been dull to the call of the world
With its sorrows , and heartaches , and needs ;
So taken up with self
I’ve had for naught else ,
No time to cheer others with helpful deeds.
If I could make right all the wrongs-
Every unkind word spoken ,
Every good intention broken ,
It would turn all my signs into songs ,
Oh God , to that Land of Beginning Again
Let me come thru these penitent tears;
Let me start life a new ,
Let Thy rich grace endue
Me for service thru life’s golden years.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
I know that the past is the past and God forgive all .
But gave me this for today .
So remember the prayer request , Lisa Henson , David , Hali, Scott, Elizabeth , Emily , Judy , Mike , Melvin , and Betty .
I wish for the Land of Beginning Again
Where I could start life all a new ;
Where confusion and strife
That filled this poor life
Could not dampen my way like dew ,
If I could forget how I’ve stumbled along ,
How I’ve fumbled and fathered and failed ,
How I’ve veered each day
From the service way ,
And from duties have halted and quailed ,
My ear has been dull to the call of the world
With its sorrows , and heartaches , and needs ;
So taken up with self
I’ve had for naught else ,
No time to cheer others with helpful deeds.
If I could make right all the wrongs-
Every unkind word spoken ,
Every good intention broken ,
It would turn all my signs into songs ,
Oh God , to that Land of Beginning Again
Let me come thru these penitent tears;
Let me start life a new ,
Let Thy rich grace endue
Me for service thru life’s golden years.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
I know that the past is the past and God forgive all .
But gave me this for today .
So remember the prayer request , Lisa Henson , David , Hali, Scott, Elizabeth , Emily , Judy , Mike , Melvin , and Betty .
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Bibs or Aprons ?
Bibs or Aprons?
I recently visited a fast-growing church in Greenville , S.C. a to learn
from their staff. It was a privilege to witness their passion
for doing high quality ministry in Jesus' name. I left with
some new insights and renewed passion for the Gospel.
One of the phrases that I heard while I was there was, "We want
our members to wear aprons, not bibs." Here's what they meant:
Bibs are for people who only want to be fed.
Bibs are for those who are not yet ready or willing to feed
themselves.
Bibs are for those who are more interested in being served than
in serving.
Bibs are for those who insist that the church exists for them
and their needs.
Bibs are for babes in the faith, those who haven't caught God's
vision for the church, or those who are not yet of the faith.
Aprons are for those who have a heart to serve others in Jesus'
name.
Aprons are for those who know that they are the church.
Aprons are for those who don't mind getting their hands dirty.
Aprons are for those who take the time daily to feed their
spiritual hunger.
Aprons are for those who are growing in faith, and hunger to
help others grow.
Church growth consultant, Chris Steele interviewed thousands of
Christians in America several years ago and asked them, what
they though the church existed for. Eighty-eight percent said,
"The church exists to serve my needs and the needs of my
family." In other words, 88% of Christians in America are still
wearing bibs.
On the night when he was betrayed, just hours before he was
crucified, the very Son of God took off his outer garments,
wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed his disciples'
feet. When he was done he said, "I have just given you an
example to follow." In other words, Jesus called his disciples
to wear aprons, not bibs.
In Matthew, Jesus is recorded as saying, "For even I, the Son of
Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give
my life as a ransom for many." He also said, "If you cling to
your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you
will find it."
Jesus calls us to wear aprons, not bibs. Which are you wearing?
Bringing It Home:
1. How would you answer the question, "Why does the church
exist?" Does your answer reflect your bib or your apron?
2. How can you help others in your Christian community to trade
their bib for an apron?
3. If you're not already serving in a ministry in your church,
make a commitment to begin this month.
"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to
serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28
Prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank you for feeding me daily with your
word. Fill me with your redeeming love. Open my eyes to clearly
see the needs of those around me, and then open my hands to
serve them. Each day, strengthen me with your Spirit, so that I
might choose to wear an apron, not a bib. This I pray in your
name. Amen."
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
I do hope this has Blessed Some one !
Please remember Lisa Henson in Prayer [Cancer } Please remember My children { David and wife Hali Bagwell , Scott and wife and Elizabeth Bagwell granddaughter Emily , My mother Hazel Bagwell , and Betty Hill , Judy Howard , Mary Carpenter , Mike Wells , Melvin Mobley , Billy Phillips ,Beverly Brown , Tal Groce ,and Jeanette Bagwell . And Jan Bagwell , I am always in need of Prayer . Thank You , and may Jesus always be in your heart !
I recently visited a fast-growing church in Greenville , S.C. a to learn
from their staff. It was a privilege to witness their passion
for doing high quality ministry in Jesus' name. I left with
some new insights and renewed passion for the Gospel.
One of the phrases that I heard while I was there was, "We want
our members to wear aprons, not bibs." Here's what they meant:
Bibs are for people who only want to be fed.
Bibs are for those who are not yet ready or willing to feed
themselves.
Bibs are for those who are more interested in being served than
in serving.
Bibs are for those who insist that the church exists for them
and their needs.
Bibs are for babes in the faith, those who haven't caught God's
vision for the church, or those who are not yet of the faith.
Aprons are for those who have a heart to serve others in Jesus'
name.
Aprons are for those who know that they are the church.
Aprons are for those who don't mind getting their hands dirty.
Aprons are for those who take the time daily to feed their
spiritual hunger.
Aprons are for those who are growing in faith, and hunger to
help others grow.
Church growth consultant, Chris Steele interviewed thousands of
Christians in America several years ago and asked them, what
they though the church existed for. Eighty-eight percent said,
"The church exists to serve my needs and the needs of my
family." In other words, 88% of Christians in America are still
wearing bibs.
On the night when he was betrayed, just hours before he was
crucified, the very Son of God took off his outer garments,
wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed his disciples'
feet. When he was done he said, "I have just given you an
example to follow." In other words, Jesus called his disciples
to wear aprons, not bibs.
In Matthew, Jesus is recorded as saying, "For even I, the Son of
Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give
my life as a ransom for many." He also said, "If you cling to
your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you
will find it."
Jesus calls us to wear aprons, not bibs. Which are you wearing?
Bringing It Home:
1. How would you answer the question, "Why does the church
exist?" Does your answer reflect your bib or your apron?
2. How can you help others in your Christian community to trade
their bib for an apron?
3. If you're not already serving in a ministry in your church,
make a commitment to begin this month.
"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to
serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28
Prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank you for feeding me daily with your
word. Fill me with your redeeming love. Open my eyes to clearly
see the needs of those around me, and then open my hands to
serve them. Each day, strengthen me with your Spirit, so that I
might choose to wear an apron, not a bib. This I pray in your
name. Amen."
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
I do hope this has Blessed Some one !
Please remember Lisa Henson in Prayer [Cancer } Please remember My children { David and wife Hali Bagwell , Scott and wife and Elizabeth Bagwell granddaughter Emily , My mother Hazel Bagwell , and Betty Hill , Judy Howard , Mary Carpenter , Mike Wells , Melvin Mobley , Billy Phillips ,Beverly Brown , Tal Groce ,and Jeanette Bagwell . And Jan Bagwell , I am always in need of Prayer . Thank You , and may Jesus always be in your heart !
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Rear View Mirror
The Rear View Mirror
When driving along the interstate during rush hour, most of us
keep our eyes on the road and what's ahead of us. Rarely do we
ever keep our eyes on what's behind us and what's to the left or
right of us for more than a few seconds at a time.
Yet, concerning many matters in our lives, we fail to look ahead
and keep driving along.
When faced with some tough and trying times in life, we tend to
look around and look behind instead of looking ahead. We also
allow mistakes to resurface by recalling them. That's driving
by looking in rear view mirror. By wondering 'what if' won't
change the past. Again, we're taking our eyes off of the road
ahead.
Once you know to where you are going and who you are, you'll
begin to focus on what's ahead of you more often. There is
nothing wrong with remembering the past mistakes, heartaches,
trials, and tribulations.
There is something wrong with living in the past.
You have to keep the faith and stop looking behind you and to
the left or right. You're never going to get ahead by looking
back. If you do, you're liable to have a wreck.
It's time to move forward!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
So if God has forgiven you , why not forgive yourself !!
When driving along the interstate during rush hour, most of us
keep our eyes on the road and what's ahead of us. Rarely do we
ever keep our eyes on what's behind us and what's to the left or
right of us for more than a few seconds at a time.
Yet, concerning many matters in our lives, we fail to look ahead
and keep driving along.
When faced with some tough and trying times in life, we tend to
look around and look behind instead of looking ahead. We also
allow mistakes to resurface by recalling them. That's driving
by looking in rear view mirror. By wondering 'what if' won't
change the past. Again, we're taking our eyes off of the road
ahead.
Once you know to where you are going and who you are, you'll
begin to focus on what's ahead of you more often. There is
nothing wrong with remembering the past mistakes, heartaches,
trials, and tribulations.
There is something wrong with living in the past.
You have to keep the faith and stop looking behind you and to
the left or right. You're never going to get ahead by looking
back. If you do, you're liable to have a wreck.
It's time to move forward!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
So if God has forgiven you , why not forgive yourself !!
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