A Few More Thoughts...

While reading the message boards over at Gaither.com, I came across some song lyrics. Being a musician I often find comfort or solace or inspiration in a song. And I know most of you do as well. But I thought I'd share with you these lyrics. The first song is "We Shall Behold Him" which is the song that Anthony was playing when he collapsed. The other song is one that I have never heard but the lyrics are amazingly moving. It is entitled "Finally Home."

Why is it that we usually start thinking about our own mortality only when death occurs close to home? Now I'm not implying that we should be walking around everyday with a long face mourning the fact that all of us will die someday. But for those of us that are Christians there is this hope that is within us that someday we shall see our creator; Savior; face-to-face! It should be something that moves us so, that the range of emotions is almost unbearable. What a hope! What a promise!! WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM!!! And I propose that the reason why unsaved people are so unhappy is that, since we are "created in His image"(Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 43:1) , God has built into us this "homing device." I think that it's just human nature to want to go to Heaven despite what our personal views are. And God wants us to go to Heaven to be with Him. But you never know when you're going to stand before God.

Anthony, Doug Riley, Warren Parker, none of them had any idea how close to their last breath they were. So what have you been doing here on this earth for the kingdom of God? What are people going to say about you tomorrow should you die today? What will God say to you should you face Him even today? You're going to be dead alot longer than you were alive!! So where will you spend eternity?? Are you sure??

For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV)

We Shall Behold Him

The sky shall unfold, preparing His entrance;

The stars shall applaud Him with thunders of praise.

The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting,

And we shall behold Him, then face to face.

The angels shall sound the shout of His coming;

The sleeping shall rise from their slumbering place.

And those who remain shall be changed in a moment,

And we shall behold Him, then face to face.

And we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him

Face to face, in all of His glory;

And we shall behold Him, Yes, we shall behold Him,

Face to face, our Savior and Lord,

We shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord.

Finally Home by L.E. Singer

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea,

Unknown waves before you roll;

At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,

Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!

Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!

Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,

O how lonely death can be;

At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,

For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!

Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!

Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!