If I Could Fly . . .

Oh, if I could fly away,
I would soar into my Savior's arms
there I would find my rest
and I'd be safe from all that harms.

I would take off,
and rest under the shadow of His wings
there I would be free from all the strife
that living in this world brings.

Oh, if I could fly away,
like an eagle, I'd mount and rise
to where my true love waits for me
and perfect rest would be my prize.

I would go up to Him,
and lay all my burdens at His feet
for I know that He has promised me
His peace, my soul shall meet.

Oh, if I could fly away,
if only I had wings like a dove
I would climb all the way to heaven
and rest in His eternal love.

I would sky-rocket,
to where I'd rest in His stillness
I would soak in all His calm
while I basked in His quietness.

Oh, if I could fly away,
I would take you along with me . . .
and together we'd find blissful rest
throughout ~ eternity!

Psalm 55.6

KJV

“And I said , Oh that I had wings like a

dove for then would I fly away , and be

rest,”

Jan Bagwell

God Bless!

Reach Out In Love

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek
not caring of another.
And each absorbed in selfish woe
did not know of the other.

Oh, how can we be any good
just thinking of ourselves?
And how can we become like Christ,
if locked inside our shells?

Don't be afraid to break your shell.
Give sacrificially.
Reach out in love with both your arms
and live life faithfully.

Each lonely tear ran down a cheek
not caring of another.
And each absorbed in selfish woe
did not know of the other.

Jan Bagwell
God Bless !

If  you want your children to be taught about Christ , it your duty to teach them . If you want your children to be taught about Jesus in school , they have a program that takes your children to a locate church and they have class on Jesus  , It not state supported it run on donation It cost around 20.00 dollars  per student  get involved . Pickens County has it !!

Get up, go to work, go home, go to bed

Get up, go to work, go home, go to bed.
Surely my life’s worth more than this I said?
Working very hard and late ev’ry day
to earn enough money my debts to pay.

Life must consist of so much more than this.
Someone please tell me what the purpose is!
Is there anyone who can please tell me
what I must do in order to be free?

Then, I heard the Lord Jesus say to me.
“You can have life much more abundantly.
For I’m the door and if you enter in
then your brand new life with Me will begin.”

“For all things of earth will just pass away
but the life that I give is here to stay.”
So I turned around and I followed Him
and my life's no longer looking so grim.

I still have to work hard to earn my pay
but with Jesus there’s purpose in each day,
What’s more the future’s certain and secure
with Jesus in His kingdom for evermore.

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

John 10 : 10 

 This request come from Brother Mike Wells

Did I ask you to add John (Nicky) Nixon to your prayer list? He is my nephew and was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last week.

The Carpenter

The Carpenter
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell
into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of
farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and
goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small
misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and
finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by
weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to
find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few
days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs
here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in
fact, it's my younger brother.

Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between
us.

Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one
better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn?

I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't
need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation.
Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to
do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped
the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for
the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing,
nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter
had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge.

A bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other!

A fine piece of work, handrails and all, and the neighbor,
his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said
and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge and then they
met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his
shoulder.

"No, wait!  Stay a few days. I've got a lot of other projects
for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said,

"but, I have many more bridges to build."

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

Do you need to rebuild some bridges !!

The Fruit of the Spirit

Within each of us,
the Holy Spirit lives
and His awesome power
in our life's He wants to give.

But, we must feel the fire,
the burning of desire
to call upon His strength
so His might we'll acquire.

Once we have received,
this supernatural gift
our souls will belong to Him
and we'll no longer drift.

For, He'll anchor us in His love,
in all things, we'll have peace
and His unexplainable joy
in our life's will never cease.

We'll have patience for everyone,
to others we'll be kind
His gentleness and goodness
will fill our hearts and minds.

People will see that our faith,
is kind and full of justice
for our meekness will shine
as they learn to trust us.

Within each of us,
the Holy Spirit lives
and all of His fruits . . .
the Holy Spirit wants to give!

Jan Bagwell

God Bless !

Galatians 5:22-23

KJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love

joy , peace long suffering gentleness

goodness faith , Meekness , temperance against such there is no law.”

Am I Really Pure As Snow?

Am I Really Pure As Snow?

"My marriage broke up through no fault of my own."

I was very interested in this statement.

Twenty years ago, my marriage broke up after my husband had
several affairs. I prayed nightly for nothing and no-one to
come between us. After my husband left, he said he knew he
would have to be the one to go because I was committed
regardless. Actually it was the fear of failure and
loneliness that kept me bound as a martyr. It hurt my pride
that someone else could make him happier than I could.

After the breakup, I committed my life to the Lord in a deeper
way. I was praying (probably complaining to the Lord) about
my husband's infidelity. The Lord told me, lovingly but
firmly,  that my mistrust and jealousy (He named several other
negative characteristics of mine) were as much sin to Him as
my husband's infidelity. "Sin is sin!" He said.  It made it
very easy to forgive my husband after I examined my
contribution to the situation.

A friend recently said that she had never heard me say
anything negative about my ex-husband. I'm glad because we
had good times as well as bad times. When he left, I lost my
best friend. We seldom  contact each other but when we do, we
are comfortable with each other. More people may be in this
position. Too often, the good someone has done is totally
forgotten or destroyed by back-biting, hatred and greed. This
is the case even among Christians. The Lord can turn any
situation around and use it for the good while bringing glory
to Himself at the same time. That is my "Joseph Prayer",
which I use often and the Lord always answers.

A couple whom we were friends with went through a similar
scenario. However, the wife's attitude was to make her life
interesting and ignore his behavior. He eventually realized
that his lifestyle was not productive, changed his ways and
their relationship came back together. 20 years later, they
are still together.

Another thing the Lord showed me at that time was to see
people the way  He wants us to see them. This helped
enormously with my situation and has helped others. It doesn't
just apply to just marriage, friendships and work situations;
it applies anywhere.

Does attitude count? I believe it does even if it is to make
our lives happier in difficult circumstances. Would my
situation end differently if my attitude had been different?
We can never know but it certainly makes a difference in our
happiness. It makes it easier to be less judgmental and more
compassionate  when we realize that our  behavior  is is not
hidden from God. In fact, the hidden flaws are the most
dangerous because they are a weakness that we don't know about
or won't admit to. They will slowly erode any relationship we
enter into.

Afterwards, I hid behind a wall and was afraid to commit to
another person; I didn't want to get hurt again. Lately, I
recognized it through the caring Christian men the Lord has
brought across my path. I have a heart for older singles and
part of my ministry is to help them in the struggles they face
accepting loneliness that has been thrust upon them.

I thank the Lord for what He showed me. I was able to accept
it as truth and act on it. Am I a saint? As a Christian, I
may be a Saint but as a person, definitely not. However, I am
learning to assess things more through the eyes of the Lord
when I take time to seek Him.

My marriage broke up through no fault of my own until the Lord
showed me how He saw me.

Here is a song I wrote during a bad patch last year. It
promises hope in our bad times.

 By  Maureen Durham  , Thank you , for this letter . I am sure this what we need to hear .  I hope you don't mind but  I wrote a song about this . I felt your pain .

 

 
Broken Glass Of Shattered Dreams

Chorus: Broken glass of shattered dreams,
All is lost, it would seem
But I have Jesus here with me
Giving me a new dream     (Repeat last time)

God hadn't promised my longed for things
So my ways did not go well
But He allowed me my direction
Then He caught me as I fell.

In small pieces my heart was broken.
All the pain destroyed my dreams,
I'd placed my hope in yearned for things,
But now they're gone so it seems.

Though still surrounded by shattered dreams
I'm no longer broken down.
I know that my Lord's right here with me
Shattered dreams will be my crown.

God's ways are not mine but this I see
He has plans to help me grow
I can trust Him because He loves me
So where He leads I will go.

Go on, broken creature, blessed by a love that no human
partner can give and more beautiful because of the unique
character God has formed from the broken pieces. Each crack
tells a story - the story of your life.

Jan Bagwell 

God Bless !

Remember, Read My Heart

My Child, when sorrow covers you,
when every hope departs,
though faith may seem to be afar,
remember, read My Heart.

When you feel lost and all alone,
and suffer fear’s dread darts,
temptation will say I have gone,
but you can read My Heart.

For in your time of deepest need
you must this promise hold.
I love you more than words can say
more than can e’er be told.

I carry you within my breast.
Each hurt you bear, I feel.
And though all else may turn to dust,
My care for you is real.

So weather faithfully the storms
that tear and dash apart
each remnant of your earthly life.
Remember, read My Heart.

Fret not to understand the why
of losses you must bear.
For there will come a Time, you’ll see,
when I make all things fair.

Now rest your head upon my arm,
and we will bear the pain.
Though dark the night and steep the way,
I with you will remain.

Don’t trust the weakness of dim sight
for I the course will chart.
And when you fear you are alone,
remember, read My Heart.

Jan  Bagwell

God Bless !

“How priceless is your unfailing love!

Bold high and low among men find refuge in

The shadow of your wings.”