Welcome Home

I know you have waited so long to see my face, though you have known Me for so long.Yet I have watched you from the time you were born. You have been in my care and in my will. The day you asked Me to be your Lord, I started. I began a work within you. I began working here in preparation for your arrival.
Now I can finally say, “Welcome Home”.

I know that you have had some trials. I know the pain you have been through.I have been by your side every step of the way. I know that your family misses you, but you know that I will take care of them. My hand is upon them even now.

Walk with Me a little farther now….
there is something I’ve wanted to show you.
There on the left, “Welcome Home”.
I have made a place for you because you made a place for Me in your life.
You will dwell with Me always.
“WELCOME HOME”
tsf

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever believes in me will never die. John 11:25

The apostle Paul’s perspective of death can serve as a good model. Writing to the Philippians (1:21–26) he expressed the desire to die and be at home with Christ but then added that he was also willing to continue his ministry and wait until the Lord would call him into his eternal home. Some of the converts in the Thessalonian church were afraid that those who had died already would be neglected at the time of the Lord’s coming. He assured them that those who had died in Christ would rise first, and then those still alive at the Lord’s return would be caught up together with the believers of the past and be with Jesus forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). That was a comforting message.
The Christian hope of the resurrection is unique. Since death is an ever present reality, we will have many opportunities to talk about the hope we have. And so we should. Our living hope helps us feel safe and secure. There is comfort in reminding ourselves often that because Jesus lives we too shall live.

Home Family Homeschool Store Encouragement Links Messageboard Music Prayer

I Watched
Please Remember
The Lighthouse
She Falls
There is My Father
If Only I Had My Baby’s Eyes
Two Men
The Gap
This Day
He Walked Between the Rows
Revolutionary Perspective
Welcome Home
You Are Faithful
I Remember
Walls
Enter In
The Little Lamb
The Sail
Where the Blood Fell
The World at My Doorstep
Another Day at the Office
The Valley
Another Second Chance
I Want to Fly

The poems on this website were written by my husband. I pray that the Lord will speak to you through them.
**Feel free to share these poems with others. We only ask that you leave the
TSF at the end of each and that you place a link to our website (http://www.geocities.com/shout_2_the_lord) with it. Thanks.

WE WILL LIVE FOREVER
WITH OUR LORD

DEATH HAS NO terror for the saved, for to be absent from the body in death is to be at home with the Lord. The apostle Paul was able to say with heartfelt assurance, "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. " How can that possibly be the case? Because "...to depart, and to be with Christ ... is far better" (Phil. 1:20-23). What an understatement! Even when the righteous die, however, there is a measure of sorrow; it is only natural that hearts ache whenever loved ones part company for a time. But the difference between the sense of loss the Christian experiences and that of the unsaved is that believers do not sorrow as others "which have no hope. " A reunion lies ahead for all who die in Christ. They will also be joined by those yet living when the Lord returns. This blessed truth removes the anguish of dying. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

The promise of eternal life with God in heaven is a reminder that this life is just a journey. Heaven is the promised land for all believers, filled with that sense of journey, of hope, of better things to come. It is assuring to be able to live our lives in light of the promised hope of heaven. Let's look at how God has historically kept his promises:
Rich and wonderful--Peter exhorts believers to grow in Christ in light of the value of his promises: "He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life." (2 Peter 1:3-5)
Joy--In his story of the lost sheep, Jesus ends with this comparison: "In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!" (Luke 15:7) A similar conclusion is reached in the next story about the lost coin. (Luke 15:8-10).
Rest--After the description of the 144,000 in Revelation 14, three angels make announcements. The third warns of the danger to those who accept worship the beast and accept the mark. To believers comes this encouragement: "Let this encourage God's holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials; for their good deeds follow them!" (Rev. 14:12-13)
Unity and Right Relation with God--Suggesting a glimpse of the future, Peter also urges righteous living now in anticipation:"But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God.And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God." (2 Peter 3:13-14)
Reward--Enduring persecution and difficulty is tempered by the promise of the future, as Jesus says in the Beatitudes:"God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too." (Matthew 5:11-12)
Glory--Paul also suggests that heaven is worth the cost of any suffering in this life:"And since we are his children, we will share his treasures— for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are." (Romans 8:17-19)
Give the gift of the promise of eternal life and Share Eternity with someone you love.

Welcome Home

ORIGINAL POETRY

The Hope of Heaven

The Living Hope at the End of the Journey