the night draws nigh
and eyes grow dim

what one last look
will you give

except goodbye
a gentle smile

then a turning of your face
to welcome forever day.

Let's take a stroll here in this time,
    a stroll through Glory Land;
To paint a masterpiece of old,
   by brush in Master's Hand.

The background hails of purest blue,
   in Heaven's by and by;
No beauty matches close on earth,
   to yonder in the sky.

A pathway marked by shining light,
   each soul anticipates;
What grandest beauty He'll unveil,
   behind those pearly gates.

They're opened now so step inside,
   to see all glory there;
To feel no pain, no hurt at all,
   nor shed but one more tear.

The blind will see the lame man walk,
   first step on purest gold;
Each one of those who've lost a love
   will have them there to hold.

Our Lord and King will shed His Light,
    with Him we're soon to stand;
That oh so glorious day,
   we'll see our Beulah Land!

My God went there, prepared a Home,
a mansion in the sky;
What glorious splendor we'll behold,
that very day we die.

We'll all rise up when trumpet sounds,
to take Our Saviour's Hand;
He'll guide us Home right through the clouds,
to Home in Beulah Land.

We'll stop in awe at massive gates,
huge pearls swing open wide;
That's but the entrance to our Home,
go on now, step inside!

Your mouth will drop right when you see,
the sights of Glory Land;
When beauty melds with Heaven's sound,
of Angels in His band.

Take in the sights, soak up the sounds,
and stroll down streets of gold;
But watch real close 'cause soon you'll see,
your loved ones there to hold!

Now grab their hands and don't lose pace,
there's so much more to see;
You've yet to meet Him face to face,
  My Lord, The Prince of Peace.

These words can't even start to show,
what glory that will be;
That moment when those trumpets sound,
from Heaven's Jubilee!

come what may
and it will

the futures secure

We didn't have the pleasure of first meeting:
The get-to-know you touch of tiny hands,
The careful cradling,
The inhalation of all scents new,
The wonder of a being so tiny,
To see if we could find ourselves in you.

Never knew your sleepy sigh,
Your first smile,
The different infant cries:
Hunger, anger, fear,
Or the fidget-whimpering need for words.

Your Mother knew and told your Dad....
They held each other while you grew,
Gathering and stretching,
A silent wonder in her womb,
A sweet surprise, and wanted,
If still a little early...
Too early yet...
Better to wait and make sure....
But always you were awaited
With hopeful joy.

And then one morning,
As though you'd found a better place,
You took your leave in silence,
Left without a face or name
For us to see and know you
When we finally meet.

You need to know we mourn you,
Or perhaps we need you to know...
Regret your passing.

Strange longing this,
For a loved one we have yet to see,
To add someone to the growing list
Of those we miss and long to meet
At Jesus' feet.

----------

But Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:14

I bring all that I have
I bring all that I am
I bring all that I hoped that I'd ever be

And I place it
On the alter
At your feet

I give all that I can
I give all that I own
I give all that I hoped that I'd ever have

And I give you
All my worries
My hopes and despairs

Because all that I am is yours!
All that I have is yours!
All that I am is yours
Forever I will be yours!

When the stars fall from the heavens and the final curtain is drawn. The skies will part and roll back like a scroll. The veil between worlds will be torn into. All will see the truth that has been hiding in plain sight. To those for whom death holds fear, their dread will have come true, but for those who have accepted life, there will be much to do. In a moment and a twinkling of an eye, the whole universe will change. What to some is the end, will to others be the beginning.

I know your situation may seem impossible to you now.
I know that your Hope is wearing thin more than ever.
I know that your hurt feeds your depression every day.
I, know this for I am living from day to day at times here.
Other times I live second to second in this here Life.
But I know that he whom walk upon the water is near me.
I know that he shall draw me out of this here situation.
For this will only last a short time compare to forever.
So whatever you do, never give up it shall end soon enough.

The pattern on the underside confused
By snarl and tangle, jumbled, twisting knot.
Its warp and woof constructed without thought
It seems: the flawless linen now infused
With spots of wreckage--perfect weave abused.
“A waste of thread,” I cry, upset, distraught,
And try to pluck the mess now sewn in taut,
Then see the Eye that watches me, amused--
Whose Hand now turns the underside to light.
Amazed, I view a matchless, pristine shawl,
Embroidered dosser, interlaced with shine
That stirs me as I contemplate the sight
Of faultless weft, undamaged after all.
Eternity alone discerns design.

Hope Lives, because the Christ lives yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I may at times go through bad things such as trials and have sufferings.
But since I have place my Trust in the True Living God and Hope.
I gain a stronger Hope in him to protect me and deliver me from death.
I have gain a renew Hope that is by far Greater than any steel made.
I have seen death so many times here on the earth , yet I still Live.
Because my Hope is by far Greater than any circumstance or situation.
That exist here on the earth, my God is by far Greater than any adversary.
For he Truly Care and Love me, he is my True Hope in this life and the next.

He leads me gently.
Yet.
Firmly.
With His Shepherd's
rod and staff.
Through every mountain
and valley.
Warning me to stay on
His path.
But then...
the Wolf comes.
He lures me.
He entices me.
To desire.
To lust after.
What my eyes see.
To crave the things
which do not satisfy.
To spend my wages
feeding on ashes.
Instead of the Bread
of His Word.
And His Presence.
I buy into the lie.
I stray.
I go my own way.
As my Shepherd looks on...
grieved and righteously angry.
He sorrowfully.
But sternly.
Breaks me with His rod.
To bring me back into the fold.
Back close to His heart.
He disciplines me in
His Love.
To spare me more pain.
Down the road.
To keep me near Him,
and in His arms enfold.
I cry out for mercy.
He hears my humble plea.
And.
Rescues me.
In tears of repentance
and desperation.
I fall on my knees.
His Blood washes over me.
And makes me clean.
I stand to my feet.
With renewed strength.
And lift my hands.
In praise.
In praise of His mercy.
In praise of His Love.
In praise for all He is.
In praise for my redemption.
In praise.
For His Shepherd's
rod and staff.
For He never fails.
To lead this wayward sheep.
Back to His path.