Something Tugged Me

The stars sparkled brightly above frigid sky

and then something tugged me. I didn't know why.

In fresh-fallen snow at the end of the day
were parallel tracks from a horse-driven sleigh
which led down the road to the center of town.
I followed those tracks and I looked all around.

Nativity scenes were all scattered about,
but one seemed quite diff'rent. It seemed to reach out.
And there, sure enough, the closer I trod,
I saw a few movements which seemed somewhat odd.

On one side, a lamb laid. On other, stood goat,
and Joseph and Mary were wearing a coat.
The babe was a doll and was there in between,
yet, this was a living Nativity scene!

My eyes took this in as my thoughts had explored.
The "stable" was built out of painted cardboard.
And though it was made kind of flimsy and cheap,
the shepherds were there with the "baby" asleep.

The wise men held presents with paper and bow
as colorful lighting reflected off snow.
The cold was quite icy. The dark dampened air
had frozen my cheeks as I tarried there.

The genuine smiles on faces were real.
The spirit of Christmas was something to feel.
Then Mary's eyes twinkled and with wink and nod,
she mouthed the words slowly, "Oh yes, Son of God."

This Christ child would give of Himself and then die.
So question that came to me was... How could I?
Oh, how could I love those who hated me so?
And how could I die for sins I didn't owe?

The stars sparkled brightly above frigid sky
and then something tugged me. And now I know why. 

Jan Bagwell

God Bless 

 

The Neighborhood Church
Church Plant in Easley SC is looking for a Worship Leader
Do you have an interest in leading cutting edge and passionate worship to the Lord? Do you play an instrument? Do you love equipping others and developing other worship leaders and teams? If so, than this is the ministry for you. This is a great opportunity to be on the ground floor of a church plant in a fast growing community. This will be a multi-ethnic church so all races, genders, and ages are encouraged to call/email for more information.
If you are interested or know someone who may please pass this information along. Thank you.
call: 864.616.6722
email: office@neighborhoodchurch.cc

The calling

I am a minister. I minister to the largest mission field in the world. I minister to all  People

My calling is sure. My challenge is big. My vision is clear. My desire is strong. My influence is eternal. My impact is critical. My values are solid. My faith is tough. My mission is urgent. My purpose is unmistakable. My direction is forward. My heart is genuine. My strength is supernatural. My reward is promised. And my God is real.

In a world of cynicism, I offer hope. In a world of confusion, I offer truth. In a world of immorality, I offer values. In a world of neglect, I offer attention. In a world of abuse, I offer safety. In a world of ridicule, I offer affirmation. In a world of division, I offer reconciliation. In a world of bitterness, I offer forgiveness. In a world of sin, I offer salvation. In a world of hate, I offer God’s love.

I refuse to be dismayed, disengaged, disgruntled, discouraged or distracted. Neither will I look back, stand back, fall back, go back or sit back. I do not need applause, flattery, adulation, prestige, stature or veneration. I do not have time for business as usual, mediocre standards, small thinking, outdated methods, normal expectations, average results, ordinary ideas, petty disputes or low vision. I will not give up, give in, bail out, lie down, turn over, quit or surrender.

I will pray when things look bad. I will pray when things look good. I will move forward when others stand still. I will trust God when obstacles arise. I will work when the task is overwhelming. I will get up when I fall down.

My calling is to reach man and woman for God. It is too serious to be taken lightly, too urgent to be postponed, too vital to be ignored, too relevant to be overlooked, too significant to be trivialized, too eternal to be fleeting and too passionate to be quenched.

I know my mission. I know my challenge. I also know my limitations, my weaknesses, my fears and my problems. And I know my God. Let others get the praise. Let the church get the blessing. Let God get the glory.

I am a minister. I minister to all. This is who I am. This is what I do.

In God Love,

Jan Bagwell

God Bless

Always there

Before the Daystar was in position
and the planets began their round.
Before galaxies were called into being
and a single star was found.

There standing at the threshold of 'The beginning',
preceding time and space.
God said 'Let there be' and the vast universe
nestled neatly into place.

Light commenced a great journey
bursting forth with its' illuminating ray
and thus began the glorious dawning
of that very first created day.

Many years have passed and gone since that first day
with its pristine light did shine
including times when in the garden Adam
walked and talked with God Divine.

But sin through disobedience brought
separation between God and man
and God through grace began to implement
His wonderful salvation plan.

To walk with humankind on the earth and to climb
Calvary’s hill to die.
Saving us from the penalty of our sin
and the law to satisfy.

God has always been there,
throughout the history of the human race
Lord of lords He’ll forever be,
when the new heaven and earth takes its place.

When this old creation has passed away
and the New Jerusalem appears.
Then multitudes of the redeemed will sing His praise
throughout eternal years.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless 

Galatians  # 6 [ 9-10]

 Niv

 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The Opportunity Of A Lifetime

The Opportunity Of A Lifetime

We often hear advertisements
Of lifetime opportunity claims.
These opportunities of a lifetime
Go by so many different names.

The opportunity of a lifetime
Is to receive eternal life.
If we don't claim this opportunity,
We will have no peace, just strife.

Spending time in prayer with God
Is an opportunity of a lifetime.
The spiritual blesssings it gives
Are beyond measure and so sublime.

Being a willing servant for Christ
Is a lifetime opportunity too.
We can also reap eternal rewards
If for the Savior we stand true.

Don't miss the lifetime opportunity.
Receive Christ, the Savior today,
For eternal life He will give
And come into your heart to stay.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
The Neighborhood Church
Church Plant in Easley SC is looking for a Worship Leader
Do you have an interest in leading cutting edge and passionate worship to the Lord? Do you play an instrument? Do you love equipping others and developing other worship leaders and teams? If so, than this is the ministry for you. This is a great opportunity to be on the ground floor of a church plant in a fast growing community. This will be a multi-ethnic church so all races, genders, and ages are encouraged to call/email for more information.
If you are interested or know someone who may please pass this information along. Thank you.
call: 864.616.6722
email: office@neighborhoodchurch.cc

Jesus Christ the Nazarene

The greatest Man to walk this scene
was Jesus Christ the Nazarene.
Son of God and Son of Man
alive before the world began.

The kindest Man that's ever been
was Jesus Christ the Nazarene.
He walked on water healed the lame
climbed the hill and bore our shame.

The purest Man Who was so clean
was Jesus Christ the Nazarene.
He lived a life of righteousness
seeking just to heal and to bless.

The most worthy Man that's ever seen
was Jesus Christ the Nazarene.
Exalted in the heaven's now
and every knee to Him shall bow. 

Jan Bagwell 

God Bless !

The Neighborhood Church

Church Plant in Easley SC is looking for a Worship Leader
Do you have an interest in leading cutting edge and passionate worship to the Lord? Do you play an instrument? Do you love equipping others and developing other worship leaders and teams? If so, than this is the ministry for you. This is a great opportunity to be on the ground floor of a church plant in a fast growing community. This will be a multi-ethnic church so all races, genders, and ages are encouraged to call/email for more information.
If you are interested or know someone who may please pass this information along. Thank you.
call: 864.616.6722
email: office@neighborhoodchurch.cc