Psalm 23

The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil: For thine it is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. –

The Lord’s Prayer

Afterglow

I’d like my memory of me to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done

I’d like to leave an echo

Whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times

And bright and sunny days

I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave behind

When the day is done

-Afterglow

The Master Called

I’m sorry I had to leave you. My loved ones, oh so dear.

But you see, the Master called me, his voice was very clear!

I had made my reservation

A heaven-bound ticket for one

And I knew that he would call me

When He felt my work was done.

I know that your hearts are heavy because I have gone away

But when the Master called me, I knew that I could not stay.

Yes, I’m sorry I had to leave you my loved ones, oh so dear

But, you see, the Master called me, and now I’m resting here.

Yes, I’ve crossed on over to glory,

Yes, I’ve crossed on over to glory and, To you all, I say just stay in the hands of Jesus

And we’ll meet again someday.

– The Master Called

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long, and not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me-but let me go.

This is a journey that we all must take, and each must go alone

It’s all part of the Master’s plan, a step on the road to home

When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends you know.

Laugh at the things we use to do Miss me-but let me go.

– Miss Me, But Let Me Go

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now,

I’m free I’m following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard him call

I turned my back and left it all

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found that peace at the close of the day

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it up with remembered joy

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Oh, yes these things I too will miss

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow

My life’s been full, I savoured much

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief

Lift your heart and share with me

God wanted me now, He set me free!

– I’m Free

Be Not Afraid

“Be not afraid!” the Master said, “I’m with you always,”

So instead of shouldering my cross alone

I place my burden on his own

For I’m not nearly strong enough

To make it when the going’s rough

And it’s a comfort to believe “You need but ask me to receive” handed down to me through time, these blessed words of hope

And I’m Renewed in spirit to recall “Am I not Father to you all?”

One day these feet shall cease to roam

Earth’s but my temporary home

I was in truth for Heaven made

And so I shall not be afraid. – Be Not Afraid

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years

But start out bravely with a gallant smile

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same

Feed not your loneliness on empty days

But fill each waking hour in useful ways

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer

And I, in turn, will comfort you and hold you near

And never, never be afraid to die

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

– When I Must Leave You

Heaven Has Gained An Angel

As you complete this temporary journey you have embraced our hearts

Yes we mourn but realize this is where your life truly starts

Your smile sparkled greater than silver and gold

We’re willing to let go of your hand so that God can grab hold

We will always love you as you have continued to love us

All we ask now is that you look down while you are above us

We are grateful that God put us in the midst of your presence

We breathe with our memory and walk with our essence

The Lord is our Shepherd he tends to us as sheep and mends the hearts that are weak until one day we can shake his hand and sit at his feet we don’t think of you as a loss to our family that remains

We cherish you as a beautiful angel that heaven has gained!

-Heaven Has Gained An Angel

He Is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone, Or you can smile because he lived, You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back, Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him Or you can be full of the love that you shared, You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him and only that he is gone or you can cherish his memory and let it live on, You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back, Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

– He Is Gone

Asleep

I’ve closed my eyes and fallen asleep

So there’s no reason for you to weep; This is a debt we all must pay

You will see me again someday. I’ve endured pain and sometimes sorrow

Now I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. But life for you must go on,

You must not worry because I’m gone. You stood beside me all the way,

When I was down, you knew what to say … You always told me, “get some rest,”

Let me sleep now, I’ve done my best. So please let me rest in peace,

The tears you’re shedding soon will cease. You’ll soon realize this was meant to be

I thank God because he came for me.

– Asleep

Togetherness

Death is nothing at all – I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was: there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is passed: nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as before — only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ.

-Togethernes

Don’t

Don’t spend too much time in mourning

Tears are for the sad; I left to be with Jesus And this should make you glad

Don’t waste your hours grieving, No need to feel distressed; I’m tired of life’s frustrations And had to get some rest. Don’t puzzle yourself with questions Or try to reason why Life here for me was ended, It came my time to die. Don’t lose the love I gave you Feed it with your care; Grow it with devotion And spread it everywhere. Don’t fret because my leaving Came in such a way; We’ll have another meeting On God’s eternal day.

– Don’t

Come to me

God saw she was getting tired And a cure was not to be

So he gently closed those loving eyes And whispered “Come to me”

he days of toil and nights of pain The weary hours have passed The patient’s gently worn-out frame Has found sweet rest at last. Day and night we stood by her And saw her in pain, Anxiously awaiting her cure But our waiting was in vain. God who knoweth all things best Eased her suffering, gave her rest She is gone but not forgotten, Never will our memories fade Sweetest thoughts of her will ever linger Round the place where she rests.

-Come to me

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave”. The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you”.

~Footprints

The Mansions Above

We strain every nerve, we strive for the prize Of our calling in Christ, A home in the skies. The battles all fought the victory won we have the reward “Good servant well done.”

Come enter thy home these mansions above rest in heaven of infinite love from sorrow and sin forever released, come sit with the guest at the heavenly feast all stains washed away in robes of pure white we bask in his rays we shine in his light the crowns of rejoicing we ever more wear the glory of Christ eternally shared. Make me “O” father more grateful for life more willing to bear the turmoil and strife more anxious to serve more like him to be who gave his own life for an answer, for me that bearing Christ’s image here below. My word is done in him his glory may show fill the summer hear in accents of love daughter come higher and serve me above what glories await the spirit set free from fetters of earth untrammelled to be the work begins here is continued above and all that’s left in life is service and love. ~

He is Mindful Of His Own

I know not what the year will bring, But this I know, my heart will sing; For He who gives the gift of years has power to still my doubts and fears. And if the way is dark or fair, I shall not doubt God answers prayer. Though I may walk the depths, of night, His lamp of Truth shall give me light. To me there is no foreign land, For with me is His guiding hand. And God, Who heeds the sparrow’s fall, will always answer when I call. I shall go forward, upright, free; For He will walk the way with me. I leave this year with God alone, For He is mindful of His own.

– He is Mindful Of His Own

To Say Goodbye

To say goodbye is not the end To all my family and friends For life goes on, you must endure For my eternity is sure. Remember all the good times The memories we’ve shared The precious jewels of laughter The tender love and care. I found my resting place God’s peace surrounds my soul Let love abound in all your hearts Let heaven be your goal.

– To Say Goodbye

There’s A Reason

For every pain that we must bear for every burden, every care there is a reason. For every grief that bows the head for every tear drop that is shed, there is a reason. For every hurt, for every plight For every lonely, pain-racked night, There is a reason. But if we trust God, as we should it all turns out for our good He knows the reason.

– There’s A Reason

I Am Resting

I’ve parted this life I loved one, But worry not for I am not gone, I am merely resting. Don’t cry or mourn For God is with you and in your hearts. Carry on. We will miss each other, but remember God is with us all. Be strong my loved one, For I am not gone, but merely resting.

– I Am Resting

I Needed The Quiet

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside, Into the shadows where we could confide. Away from the bustle where all the day long I hurried and worried when active and strong. I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld. And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings to heights never dreamed of when active and gay. He loved me so greatly, He drew me away. I needed the quiet. No prison, my bed, But a beautiful valley of blessings instead – A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide. I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside.

– I Needed The Quiet

I’ve Changed My Address

I’ve changed my address to Heaven I’ve crossed the Great Divide

I know there’s no sorrow or crying Because I’ve reached the other side

I am so happy to be here, for the Lord Himself I see. I’ve changed my address to Heaven

That’s the place where you’ll find me. I’ve changed my address to Heaven

I bid this world goodbye

I now live forever with Jesus in my new home in the sky

I have no burdens or heartaches and from tears, I am now free

I’ve changed my address to Heaven, That’s the place to find me.

I’ve changed my address to Heaven, I’m safe forevermore

For the Lord built a mansion and my name is on the door

You can find us walking together, for where He is, I’ll always be

I’ve changed my address to Heaven, That’s the place you’ll find me.

-I’ve Changed My Address