Twas not the angels’ singing
That gave the Christmas thought
Nor yet the gold and incense
Which the wise men had brought .
Twas not the star that led them
Upon their unknown way
It was the birth of Jesus
That make our Christmas day!
So it is not the presents
That make our Christmas day ;
Tis not what we receive that counts
But what we give away .
The joy of loving service
Makes all the day seem bright ,
The thought of others’ pleasure ,
With self put out of sight .
Oh , Never mourn that Christmas
Comes only once a year
Because it is our giving
That brings the Christmas cheer .
Then keep the Christmas spirit
Within our hearts always ,
And through the year thus make it
A Christmas every day .
Written by Annie Johnson Flint
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Born Of a Virgin
BORN OF A VIRGIN
"The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son."
Matthew 1:23
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, some still can't believe My supernatural birth. How I long for them to mirror Mary's attitude, one not of disbelief, but of wonder: "How can this be?" she asked in awe, yet she surrendered her total heart, mind, and body to My Father: "May it be to me as you have said." I was born of a virgin, not a super-saint, just an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and humility. It's that same spirit I want for all My children, including you, My child. I desire to do extraordinary things through you.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, what a wonder that You were born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and sealed with heaven's kiss. The purest sacrifice, the sweetest gift, God's own child—You are truly a miracle. I celebrate You, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Impossibilities are God's specialties.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
"The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son."
Matthew 1:23
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, some still can't believe My supernatural birth. How I long for them to mirror Mary's attitude, one not of disbelief, but of wonder: "How can this be?" she asked in awe, yet she surrendered her total heart, mind, and body to My Father: "May it be to me as you have said." I was born of a virgin, not a super-saint, just an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and humility. It's that same spirit I want for all My children, including you, My child. I desire to do extraordinary things through you.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, what a wonder that You were born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and sealed with heaven's kiss. The purest sacrifice, the sweetest gift, God's own child—You are truly a miracle. I celebrate You, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Impossibilities are God's specialties.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS
LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Help us suppress our fears
So we can hide our tears
That flow so easily
Have your grace make the earth become
A peaceful globe, filled with joy
So deep in our hearts, we’ll be proud
That You gave the gift of hope
To every man, woman, girl and boy
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Smile on us from up above
Fill the world with love
Let evil quickly flee
Set Your sacred decree
Let humankind clearly see
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Help us suppress our fears
So we can hide our tears
That flow so easily
Have your grace make the earth become
A peaceful globe, filled with joy
So deep in our hearts, we’ll be proud
That You gave the gift of hope
To every man, woman, girl and boy
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Smile on us from up above
Fill the world with love
Let evil quickly flee
Set Your sacred decree
Let humankind clearly see
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Survivor
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his
few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him.
"How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his
few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him.
"How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
Monday, December 20, 2010
men as men ; God as God
Men as Men; God as God
"I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and host feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:12-13).
Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger. "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
"I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and host feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:12-13).
Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger. "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Friday, December 17, 2010
Paradoxes of Christmas
A paradox is an apparent contradiction which conceals a profound truth - and the Bible is filled with paradoxes: We triumph by first surrendering to God. We find rest under a yoke. We see the unseen through faith. We find freedom in becoming Christ's bondservants. We are made great by becoming little. We gain through giving. We become wise by becoming fools for Christ's sake. We can only truly live if we die to self.
Yet the greatest paradox in the entire Bible is found in the birth of Jesus Christ. During the time of Jesus' birth, Caesar Augustus was the greatest ruler of the world. He possessed absolute power and incredible wealth. Yet even with all of his earthly authority and riches, Caesar was just a man. When God Himself came to earth, He was not the leader of the largest empire. He was born as a poor and obscure child in Bethlehem. The pagan man, Caesar, was at the height of power; the God-infant, Jesus, was in the depths of helplessness. Caesar was the wealthiest man on earth; Jesus was one of the poorest. Caesar slept in a Roman palace on a golden bed covered with fine linens; Jesus slept in a manger, bundled in swaddling clothes.
But none of the wealth or power that Caesar possessed compared to the glory and splendor that Jesus had left in heaven. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Jesus endured a human, earthly birth so that everyone who follows Him can undergo a spiritual, heavenly birth. Jesus found no room at the inn, yet He said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Jesus became a member of a human family so that those who love Him can become members of His heavenly family.
The infant Jesus was pursued by the ruthless and evil King Herod who killed the baby boys in the Bethlehem area, hoping to end the threat of the One "born king of the Jews" (see Matthew 2:1-18). Yet Jesus was born for the very purpose of pursuing and destroying the root of all evil, Satan.
We can learn from the paradoxes of Christmas: We should not judge things by appearance, because God hid His greatest gift in a humble package. We should not judge an end by its beginning, because the babe in the manger will one day return in full glory. We should make room in our hearts for others, so that we can find room for Jesus. By reaching out and witnessing to those who need to hear about Jesus, we can experience Christ even more fully.
In celebration of His birth, thank Jesus for giving up the riches and splendor of heaven to be born a poor and humble infant. Thank Him for dying on the cross, even though He Himself was sinless, so that we may find forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:6, 7
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Yet the greatest paradox in the entire Bible is found in the birth of Jesus Christ. During the time of Jesus' birth, Caesar Augustus was the greatest ruler of the world. He possessed absolute power and incredible wealth. Yet even with all of his earthly authority and riches, Caesar was just a man. When God Himself came to earth, He was not the leader of the largest empire. He was born as a poor and obscure child in Bethlehem. The pagan man, Caesar, was at the height of power; the God-infant, Jesus, was in the depths of helplessness. Caesar was the wealthiest man on earth; Jesus was one of the poorest. Caesar slept in a Roman palace on a golden bed covered with fine linens; Jesus slept in a manger, bundled in swaddling clothes.
But none of the wealth or power that Caesar possessed compared to the glory and splendor that Jesus had left in heaven. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Jesus endured a human, earthly birth so that everyone who follows Him can undergo a spiritual, heavenly birth. Jesus found no room at the inn, yet He said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Jesus became a member of a human family so that those who love Him can become members of His heavenly family.
The infant Jesus was pursued by the ruthless and evil King Herod who killed the baby boys in the Bethlehem area, hoping to end the threat of the One "born king of the Jews" (see Matthew 2:1-18). Yet Jesus was born for the very purpose of pursuing and destroying the root of all evil, Satan.
We can learn from the paradoxes of Christmas: We should not judge things by appearance, because God hid His greatest gift in a humble package. We should not judge an end by its beginning, because the babe in the manger will one day return in full glory. We should make room in our hearts for others, so that we can find room for Jesus. By reaching out and witnessing to those who need to hear about Jesus, we can experience Christ even more fully.
In celebration of His birth, thank Jesus for giving up the riches and splendor of heaven to be born a poor and humble infant. Thank Him for dying on the cross, even though He Himself was sinless, so that we may find forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:6, 7
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Lord is There ! part 2
Pain and suffering can damage our faith. Throw us headlong into confusion. Convince us we are motherless children left to fend for ourselves. Almost as bad as the thought of God abandoning us is the notion that he is standing by but with a look of disapproval on his face, with an "I told you so" kind of expression, as if to say that we are only getting what we deserve.
The other day a close friend confided that she and her husband were having difficulty. Dan had suffered irreversible brain damage after a motorcycle accident two years earlier. Since then, he'd become irritable and impulsive, hard to get along with. The two had regular shouting matches. They lived in a constant state of tension. Nothing seemed to help. Not the medicine, not the therapy, not the prayers, not all the effort or goodwill in the world. The loving, mature man Jennifer had known for the first ten years of their married life was gone for good. She found it hard to like Dan, let alone to love him.
Jennifer's suffering was compounded by her sense of guilt. She chided herself for reacting so poorly to him. Why couldn't she be more patient, more understanding? The poor man had been in an accident! She could feel God's displeasure. Then she stumbled on Isaiah 63:9.
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
This picture of God took her by surprise, suddenly altering the picture she had formulated in her own mind. Instead of seeing Dan and herself at odds while a disapproving God looked on, she saw the three of them together. All three were weeping. All three were grieving what had happened to Dan and to their marriage. She no longer felt divine disapproval but divine compassion. God was standing beside her, sharing her distress.
By transforming her picture of the spiritual reality, God was beginning to transform her understanding of the possibilities for her marriage. The answers might not be swift. They might not be exactly what she had hoped. But there would be relief because God was there, present in the midst of her suffering. Jennifer remembered the words of her favorite psalm: "For even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
Jennifer's story helped me. I thought about how a single Scripture passage had transformed her sense of how God looked at her. Today, as you face your own set of struggles, join me in reading the words of Isaiah as though God is speaking them directly to you: In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas
Pray request Please remenber Sister Judy Pangborn she been having medical problems . Thank you Judy , for always being there for all us . And if anybody know where I can find a 93 Toyota Tercel 4cy engine , I would like to buy it ,
The other day a close friend confided that she and her husband were having difficulty. Dan had suffered irreversible brain damage after a motorcycle accident two years earlier. Since then, he'd become irritable and impulsive, hard to get along with. The two had regular shouting matches. They lived in a constant state of tension. Nothing seemed to help. Not the medicine, not the therapy, not the prayers, not all the effort or goodwill in the world. The loving, mature man Jennifer had known for the first ten years of their married life was gone for good. She found it hard to like Dan, let alone to love him.
Jennifer's suffering was compounded by her sense of guilt. She chided herself for reacting so poorly to him. Why couldn't she be more patient, more understanding? The poor man had been in an accident! She could feel God's displeasure. Then she stumbled on Isaiah 63:9.
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
This picture of God took her by surprise, suddenly altering the picture she had formulated in her own mind. Instead of seeing Dan and herself at odds while a disapproving God looked on, she saw the three of them together. All three were weeping. All three were grieving what had happened to Dan and to their marriage. She no longer felt divine disapproval but divine compassion. God was standing beside her, sharing her distress.
By transforming her picture of the spiritual reality, God was beginning to transform her understanding of the possibilities for her marriage. The answers might not be swift. They might not be exactly what she had hoped. But there would be relief because God was there, present in the midst of her suffering. Jennifer remembered the words of her favorite psalm: "For even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
Jennifer's story helped me. I thought about how a single Scripture passage had transformed her sense of how God looked at her. Today, as you face your own set of struggles, join me in reading the words of Isaiah as though God is speaking them directly to you: In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !
Merry Christmas
Pray request Please remenber Sister Judy Pangborn she been having medical problems . Thank you Judy , for always being there for all us . And if anybody know where I can find a 93 Toyota Tercel 4cy engine , I would like to buy it ,
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