23rd Psalm (Protestant)

 

    The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.

    He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

    He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths 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 preparest 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 for ever.

 

23rd Psalm (Catholic)

 

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose. Before restful waters He leads me. He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for His name's sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side, with your rod and your staff that give me courage. You spread a table for me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

 

Safely Home

 

I am home in heaven, dear ones

    Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

    In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

    Every restless tossing passed,

I am now at peace forever,

    Safely home in heaven at last.

There is work still waiting for you,

    So you must not idly stand.

Do it now, while life remaineth-

    You shall rest in God's own land.

When that work is completed,

    He will gently call you Home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting,

    Oh, the joy to see you come!

 

 

You are not forgotten, loved one.

    Nor will you ever be.

As long as life and memory last

    We will remember thee.

We miss you now.

    Our hearts are sore.

As time goes by

    We'll miss you more.

Your loving smile, your gentle face,

    No one can fill your vacant place.

 

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 belonging 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 me."

    The LORD replied, "My 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."

    Author Unknown

 

AFTERGLOW

 

I'd like the memory of me

    To be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow

    Of smiles when life 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 life is done.

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For every burden that we bear,

For every sorrow, every care,

    There's a reason.

For every grief that bows the head,

For every tear-drop that is shed,

    There's a reason.

For every hurt, for every plight,

For every lonely pain racked night,

    There's a reason.

But if we trust God as we should,

All must work out for our good,

    He knows the reason.

 

Going to God

Passing beyond the shadow

Into a purer light,

Stepping behind the curtain,

Getting a clearer sight.

Laying aside a burden,

This weary mortal coil,

Done with the world's vexations,

Done with its fears and toil.

Tired of all earth's playthings,

Heart sick and ready to sleep,

Ready to bid friends farewell,

Wondering why they weep.

Passing out of the shadow

Into eternal day,

Why do we call it dying-

This sweet going away?