Our soldiers know exactly what it is like to be serving so far away from home and thinking about you on Christmas Day (and every other day). Your letters and care packages mean so very much to them. Many of them are in Iraq and Afghanistan where life is waiting for the next gun shot or explosion. Many others are in support postings elsewhere. I have a friend serving in a German hospital where her patients are wounded soldiers from the war zones. She has a deep need to know that you care about her. They all do!

Soldiers' Christmas

Creeping through the silent night,
Things that move are things of fright,
Sleighbells never ringing now
Angels seldom singing, now
Nothing comes to make their season bright.

Ring the bells and praise the Lord
For our soldiers' love outpoured,
Post their names upon your tree
As they fight to keep us free,
Remember ... their gift forevermore.

Helicopters - guns and tanks
Moving now in guarded ranks,
Not a bit of Christmas cheer
That must wait 'til Home next year,
Since their only present is your “Thanks.”

Ring the bells and praise the Lord
For our soldiers' love outpoured,
Post their names upon your tree
As they fight to keep us free,
Remember ... their gift forevermore.

Now with many flags unfurled
Boys and girls from 'round the world
Lift their voices - battle cry
Bound to win or bound to die
Brave young heroes all - to chaos hurled.

Ring the bells and praise the Lord
For our soldiers' love outpoured,
Post their names upon your tree
As they fight to keep us free,
Remember ... their gift forevermore.

Here at home with Christmas cheer
In this fun time of the year,
Let's pause a bit from what we've planned,
Singing songs - with praises ... and
Send a loving hug to soldiers dear.

Ring the bells and praise the Lord
For our soldiers' love outpoured,
Post their names upon your tree
As they fight to keep us free,
Remember ... their gift forevermore.

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

Be safe and come home soon !!!

Flutter of Wings

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

Psalm 55:22 

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Hwy 123 Easley S.C.,., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast,  into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump. I got out to see if she was OK.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her.. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying " don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car who attacked it like wolves and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Florida  Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent November 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents - with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Let's continue to pray for one another.

Here is the prayer:

"Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen."

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

I am condensing the last 25 years in to this poem. I have had many struggles. Some very intense. But even though God didn't spare me from trouble in every situation, He always was with me through it. Sometimes young people can't see light at the end of the tunnel. And some of us older folks can lend a helping hand. I wish the best for all who read it.

Lighten Up Today

When you're going through life's valleys,
And you think there's no way out,
You're not the first to feel this way,
There's hope, without a doubt.

It was easier many years ago,
Thought life would stay that way,
But now you feel like crap,
And it seems it's here to stay.

Your friends have tried to help,
But you tell them it's no use,
You think one has it in for you,
It seems you can't get loose.

Set the problem aside today,
Have fun and take a break,
You have no idea until you try it,
What a difference it can make.

So your trouble didn't vanish,
What time you were away,
But it sometimes makes it easier,
And can help you through the day.

If you feel like giving up,
How will you ever Know,
If you had diverted your attention,
Learned what God wants you to know.

He wants you to be blessed He does,
He loves you till it hurts,
He's cared about you many years,
Since you were a little squirt.

If the devil tries to scare you,
You know he's telling tales,
Jesus defeated him completely,
The day he got those nails.

What ever you are going through,
Keep a song playing in your heart,
And give thanks to God above,
You don't push a shopping cart.

Use a little humor today,
It makes things seem much lighter,
And I'm hoping that you real soon,
Will feel a whole lot brighter.

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

Please Remember Charles Shaw {Rowland ] in your prayers

Merry Christmas

Neighborhood Church

The Littlest Christmas Tree

The littlest Christmas tree,
lived in a meadow of green,
Among a family,
of tall evergreens,
He learned how to whisper,
the evergreen song,
with the slightest of wind,
that came gently along.

He watched as the birds,
made a home out of twigs,
and couldn't wait till, 
he too was big.
For all of the trees,
offered a home,
the maple, the pine, and the oak,
who's so strong.

"I hate being little",
the little tree said,
"I can't even turn colors,
like the maple turns red",
"I can't help the animals,
like the mighty old oak",
"He shelters them all,
in his wide mighty cloak".

The older tree said,
"Why little tree you don't know?
The story of a mighty king,
from the land with no snow?"
Little tree questioned,
"A land with no snow?"
"Yes!" said old tree,
"A very old story,
from so long ago".

"A star appeared, 
giving great light,
over a manger, 
on long winters night.
A baby was born, 
a king of all kings,
and with him comes love, 
over all things."

"He lived in a country,
all covered in sand,
and laid down his life,
to save all of man.'

Little tree thought of the gift
given by him,
then the big tree said with the 
happiest grin,
"We're not just trees,
but a reminder of that day,
there's a much bigger part,
of a role that we play!"

"For on Christmas eve,
my life I'll lay down,
in exchange for a happier,
loving ground.
And as I stand dying,
they'll adorn me in trim,
this all will be done,
in memory of him".

"Among a warm fire, 
with family and friends,
in the sweet songs of Christmas,
I'll find my great end,
then ever so gently,
he'll come down to see,
and take me to heaven,
Jesus and me".

"So you see little tree,
we are not like the oak,
who shelters all things,
beneath his great cloak.
Nor are we like the maple
in fall,
who's colors leave many,
standing in awe".

"The gift that we give,
is ourselves, limb for limb,
the greatest of honor,
in memory of him".

The little tree bowed, 
his head down and cried,
and thought of the king, 
who willingly died.
For what kind of gift,
can anyone give?
Then to lay down your life,
when you wanted to live.

A swelling of pride 
came over the tree,
Can all of this happen?
Because of just me?
Can I really bring honor?
By adorning a home?
By reminding mankind,
that he's never alone?

With this thought, little tree,
began singing with glee,
Happy and proud,
to be a true Christmas tree.

You can still hear them singing,
even the smallest in height,
singing of Christmas,
and that one holy night.

Jan Bagwell 

God Bless !

Merry Christmas

Neighborhood Church 

A Very Real Dream - I Nearly Drowned

Some time ago, I had a dream. It was during a storm at sea that I found myself in the water battling huge waves trying desperately to keep my head above water. The skies were only lit by occasional lightning flashes, and then the sound of thunder drowned my frantic screams for help. The terrifying thought of dying was all that kept me afloat.

Suddenly, a strong hand took hold of my arm; and I became aware that I was being lifted onto the deck of a boat. Catching my breath, I rubbed the salt from my burning eyes. My first impression was one of safety, although the storm was still raging around the boat. I found my feet - I stood up holding on to the railing on deck.

A voice called out my name - and I recognized Jesus. My first reaction was to display my gratitude, but my words and gestures seemed inadequate to give full meaning to the act that saved my life; and the presence of Jesus being so real. Not knowing what to do next, I looked for a safe place to sit and wait until the storm was over.

In the distance, I could hear other voices crying out for help. I shuddered to think that I was so close to death; and realized how fortunate I was to have been saved, and to be in the presence of Jesus himself.

Then in a loud voice, Jesus called out to me, "get up and pull those who are still in the water on board!"

A cold chill gripped my heart, and in a cowardly voice, I tried to explain my weakness, "but Lord, I cannot do it - I'm scared I'll fall back into the water!"

"I'll hold onto your one arm while you lean over the side, and pull those in the water onto the deck," Jesus assured me.

And sure enough, one by one I pulled all those whose cries I heard out of the stormy water to safety.

Two thoughts I want to leave with you: First, until you have had the experience of being lost, and facing a deathlike situation, it is very hard to understand the experience of being saved by Jesus; and to experience His presence. And second, when you finally get the message - the Gospel - and it is heartfelt, then there is no excuse for not helping others that are in need of a helping hand.

Are you sure of your salvation?  If you would like to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you can say this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make the kind of person You want me to be.. Brothers and sisters , 

I belong to Neighborhood Church in Easley , S.C. Our project is to win everyone we can  to my Lord Jesus We are  presently knotting on every door in the city of Easley.. If you like to join us Please leave me a email or contact Pastor David Bagwell , Neighborhood Church , Easley , S.C.
And if not us, get into your local Church .,and tell your Pastor that ,you want lead people to Jesus .!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !!