Going Home

I never imagined what a joy it would be,
To see friends and loved ones waiting for me.
To be welcomed home with such celebration,
Escorted in by such a heavenly delegation.

As we walked together down golden streets,
On the splendours of heaven my new eyes did feast.
Oh! The sights and sounds of this beautiful place,
And majestic beings with such beauty and grace.
Every where I looked were wonders to behold,
It is true, the half has never been told.

Then angel voices mingled with mine,
Increased in crescendo as upward they climbed.
The air was charged as the praises ascended,
And I marvelled how all the voices blended;
Each one becoming a part of the other,
Unbroken in harmony, beauty and splendour.

After a while the voices died down
And I took this opportunity to look around.
I had one desire, and it was to see
The One who made all this possible for me.
Then I heard a voice, like a soft gentle rain,
Saying, 'welcome home, I'm so glad you came.'

As He gathered me close in a loving embrace,
I saw joy and happiness shining on His face.
"We've so much to talk about, you and I,
I've some answers for your many why's.
I was so happy to be there with my risen Lord,
I was so glad that I held fast to His precious Word.
Nevermore will I have to fear sickness or pain,
It can never ever touch me again.

No earthly reunion could ever compare
With the regal reception that I've received here.
Rejoicing and praising such as I've never known
What a wonderful introduction to my beautiful new home.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Prayer Changes Everything

Prayer changes,
everything . . .
we can pray for
anything.

Prayer adjusts,
our attitude
when we give God
His latitude.

Prayer brings,
peace and calm
it is our
soothing balm.

Prayer alters,
our life
helps us through
the strife.

Prayer atones,
every sin
gives us power
from within.

Prayer corrects,
our ways
helps us through
bad days.

Prayer changes,
everything . . .
prayer IS
life-altering!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Psalm 34:17

“The righteous cry,
and the Lord heareth,
and delivereth them
out of all their troubles.”

The Christmas Tree Story

If Jesus told a story
about a Christmas tree,
would Christmas lights be mentioned
in ways that make us see?

Would He describe the garland
and other fancy things -
like mistletoe and sparkles
and pretty angel wings?

Would He mention ornaments
and colorful designs?
Would He explain the colors -
why present wrappings shine?

Or would He paint a picture
of something more oblique -
of something more descriptive -
of something more unique?

Would His tree not have needles -
but rather be quite grim?
Would His tree not have branches -
except a couple limbs?

Would ornaments be mentioned
or dropped from His details?
Would He, Himself replace them -
along with cruel nails?

Would thorns replace the angel -
that's perched way up on top?
Would love surround that very tree
in blood from every drop?

Would He describe the lighting
that turned so very dark?
And would the mountains echo
His final last remark?

His tree was seen by many folk,
remembered their own way -
but it was very different,
and priceless still today.

If Jesus told the story
about His Christmas tree -
would it have any impact
on folks today, like me?

Jan Bagwell

God Bless

God Sent A Special Present

He laid aside his glory, to be born as a babe.
This Holy God from heaven, in a cattle stall was laid.
No royal crown of splendor was placed upon his head,
He only had a manger of hay, to be his bed.

No birthday celebrations with food, and friends and toys,
Just some cattle lowing, welcomed this baby boy,
His parents knew this Baby, a special one would be
Fulfilling all God's promises, sin's Sacrifice was He.

Out on a lonely hillside, where shepherds tended sheep,
A choir of holy angels, their frightened eyes did see.
The sky was filled with splendor, angelic voices raised
Filling the night with praises for the gift of the Heavenly Babe.

Behold! We bring you tidings of peace, good will to men,
For unto you a Savior is born in Bethlehem.
He is a Gift from heaven, sent down from God above,
He came to bring salvation, and show the world God's love.

The shepherds came with wonder, and worshiped with great joy
This precious Holy Baby, Mary's brand new little boy.
Now this message has gone out so all the world may hear
God sent a special Present to all people everywhere.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

A Christmas Charity Choice

Ann was no stranger to wealth.
She even owned a Rolls-Royce.
Every Christmas, Ann had to make
The Christmas charity choice.

Ann discussed it with Sam, her hubby
A month before Christmas was here.
"Sam, I really want to do something
Unusual for our charity this year."

"Exactly what do you mean?" he asked.
"Choose some worthy cause," my Dear.
"Sam, I prayed and made a decision
To help some homeless ones this year."

"I will act like a homeless person
And hang out with them somewhere,
And maybe I'll find special needs
Among some homeless people there."

Sam began to grin and laugh aloud.
Then he began to shake his head.
"That's too dngerous, Ann, you know.
You could very well end up dead."

Ann found some faded old clothes.
Then she tried to dress like a bum.
She prayed and found a homeless group,
Who were sharing a bottle of rum.

They shunned her as she appoached.
She was not part of their clan,
But she stayed with them anyway
And observed each woman and man.

Soon an old truck rolled to a stop.
There exited a lady and a man.
They handed a sandwich to everyone.
"God bless you," said Betty and Dan.

When they left, Ann found a letter.
It fell from the truck to the ground.
It was an eviction notice. Said Ann,
"My charity choice I have found!"

Ann wasted no time that very day,
For such speedy plans she laid.
She found them and wrote a check.
"With a sandwich, your bills are paid!"

Betty and Dan were not homeless yet,
But because they did God's will,
God honored this with Ann's gift.
They are helping the homeless still.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless

Joe , the Bug

"If I could elevate myself
and look down from the sky,
then I could see the facts of life
and learn of truth and lie."

Now that's what Joe, the Bug had thought.
He therefore went afoot
t'ward great gigantic tree atop
its long and bulging root.

Then finally he started up.
That trunk had massive girth.
It seemed to be as solid as
the ground upon the earth.

He climbed the largest limb he found
and then the highest branch.
It all seemed very sturdy there.
It overlooked a ranch.

Back up, Joe glanced and then he spied
the highest leaf of all!
And so he climbed some tiny twigs
which seemed quite weak and small.

"I'm almost there," he told himself,
"I'll rest on highest leaf."
At last that bug stood right on top
his firmly held belief.

Now Joe gripped tight, that little leaf
that he, himself, had earned.
And though he thought he knew it all,
one lesson hadn't learned.

You know, the truth is not always
the things that we can see.
Invisible, those autumn winds
had yanked that leaf from tree.

So Joe, the Bug was on his own.
He feared for his own soul...
and he was at the mercy of
that wicked wind's control.

He soared there on that wayward leaf
to places yet unknown,
then settled on a foreign ground
where he was all alone.

All winter he, in circles walked
and aimlessly did roam.
He shed such long repentant tears
but couldn't find his home.

He ran and cried and cried and ran,
then fell flat on his face.
Then God reached down and picked him up...
and that's what we call grace.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless!