Jesus Came To Me

When but a child, I learned that Jesus loves me.
I heard He came to die for you and me.
He shed His blood to pay my awful sin debt.
He gave His life so I could be set free.

He came to me when I was a lost sinner.
He came to save me from my sin and shame.
He is my Savior and my great Redeemer,
And I will never cease to praise His name.

Everyday I want to be His servant.
I seek His guidance every passing day.
He gives me peace, and I will ever serve Him.
His guiding light will lead me all the way.

When my race on earth is run and ended,
And my work on earth is finally o'er,
He'll take me home to live with Him in Glory.
He'll land me safely on the Golden Shore.

Jan  Bagwell

God Bless !

I wrote this poem for a song to sing to the tune of "You Raise Me Up". The second verse is the chorus.

I hope you enjoy !

Lemonade Lucy

Lucy went to Wesleyan Female College,
And she was a Methodist so devout.
She really put her faith into practice.
She was a "doer" of the Word, no doubt.

Rutherford, her husband had volunteered
For the twenty-third Ohio Infantry to lead.
When the Civil War was really raging,
For the Union he performed a great deed.

Lucy visited Rutherford sometimes
Right there at his infantry campsite.
She tirelessly helped wounded soldiers.
She watched over them day and night.

All the soldiers dearly loved Lucy.
They called her "Mother Lucy," so dear.
She was a very comforting presence,
Which brought the soldiers much cheer.

When Rutherford became the President,
He and Lucy took a very big stand.
They wanted to ban alcoholic beverages
From being sold throughout our land.

Rutherford Hayes was our 19th President,
And Lucy was his dear loving wife.
She helped him and offered moral support
Throughout her husband's political life.

During Rutherford's presidential term,
He and Lucy honored God and the right.
They had prayer meeting every morning
And conducted "hymn sings" on Sunday night.

In the White House, alcohol was banned.
Visitors were frequently served lemonade.
When dignitaries came there to visit,
Plenty of tasty lemonade was made.

Later, they called her "Lemonade Lucy."
That is not really a bad nickname.
That nickname went down in history.
For serving lemonade, she got her fame.

Jan Bagwell 

God Bless !

If it were not for hopes , the heart would break

RED MARBLES

RED MARBLES
 
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.   I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.  I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.   I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.   Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
 
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller.  Fine, thank ya.   Jus' admirin' them peas.  They sure look good."

"They are good, Barry.   How's your Ma?"
 
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good.   Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right?   Let me see it" said Miller.

"Here 'tis.   She's a dandy."

"I can see that.   Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red.  Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.

"Not zackley but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble" .   Mr. Miller told the boy.

"Sure will.   Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.   With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances.   Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.   When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.   A short time later I moved to Easley, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.  Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that  Mill village community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.   They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.   Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could

Ahead of us in line were three young men.   One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking.  They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.  Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.  Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller.  I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's  b artering for marbles.  With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.  They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them.   Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,"  she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband.   Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

 
The Moral :   We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.  Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
 
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~  
A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.  
Green stoplights on your way to work.
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys found right where you left them.

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

 

For you

He shines the sun for you, my lass
to prove to you the dark will pass
Hoping soon that you will see
He is the truth, He'll set you free

He sheds a tear for you, my sweet
curled up in your retreat
Hoping soon you realize
one who believes never dies

He offers words to you, my son
on the edge, on the run
Hoping soon that you will hear
He's never left, He's always near

He promises a new dawn, my girl
eyes of green and skin of pearl
Hoping that the times you stray
are gone away like yesterday

He gave His life for you, my child
living reckless, living wild
Hoping soon you'll change your ways
He'll love you forever, the rest of your days

He shapes a path for you, my lost
to save your life at any cost
Hoping soon you switch your track
See the light, don't fade to black

He reaches out to you, my daughter
almost sinking, treading water
Hoping soon you do not drown
He'll lift you up, not let you down

He makes it rain for you, my lad
to wash away the pains you've had
Hoping soon that you will know
never will He let you go

He gives a voice to you, my dear
for seven words He longs to hear
Hoping soon that you will say
"I give my life to Christ today"

Jan Bagwell

God  Bless !

THE BLOOD

THE BLOOD

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.

She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.

But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church.

She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter.

So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.

The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.

He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here.

What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.

Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.

If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:23

This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another.

Here is the prayer:

"Father, I ask you to bless my 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 at 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

The Star Spangled Banner

In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, Defense of Fort McHenry. The poem was later put to the tune of (John Stafford Smith's song) The Anacreontic Song, modified somewhat, and retitled The Star Spangled Banner. Congress proclaimed The Star Spangled Banner the U.S. National Anthem in 1931.

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

Have a great July 4^th  and  God Bless you and your family and God Bless  The United States of  America !

Do not cheer, for men are dying

Do not cheer, for men are dying
     From their distant homes in pain;
And the restless sea is darkened
     By a flood of crimson rain.

Do not cheer, for anxious mothers
     Wait and watch in lonely dread;
Vainly waiting for the footsteps
     Never more their paths to tread.

Do not cheer, while little children
     Gather round the widowed wife,
Wondering why an unknown people
     Sought their own dear father's life.

Do not cheer, for aged fathers
     Bend above their staves and weep,
While the ocean sings the requiem
     Where their fallen children sleep.

Do not cheer, for lips are paling
     On which lay the mother's kiss;
'Mid the dreadful roar of battle
     How that mother's hand they miss!

Do not cheer: once joyous maidens,
     Who the mazy dance did tread,
Bow their heads in bitter anguish,
     Mourning o'er their cherished dead.

Do not cheer while maid and matron
     In this strife must bear a part;
While the blow that strikes a soldier
     Reaches to some woman's heart.

Do not cheer till arbitration
     O'er the nations holds its sway,
And the century now closing
     Ushers in a brighter day.

Do not cheer until the nation
     Shall more wise and thoughtful grow
Than to staunch a stream of sorrow
     By an avalanche of woe.

Do not cheer until each nation
     Sheathes the sword and blunts the spear,
And we sing aloud for gladness:
     Lo, the reign of Christ is here,

And the banners of destruction
     From the battlefield are furled,
And the peace of God descending
     Rests upon a restless world.
Jan Bagwell 
God Bless !