With Jesus.

I attended a funeral the other day. Okay, memorial service. And it was incredible. Honestly, I left that service a changed person.

It was for my old teacher, Mrs. Shickert. She died of cancer just last week. It's crazy to think about her being gone... she was my first ever real teacher. Just remembering all the wonderful memories I'd had with her... it's just so strange to think she's gone.

But what we all realized was how much she lived for Christ. In everything she did, she glorified him. Truly, I think that was her goal; and she taught us more than she ever knew.

Thinking about deaths, and funerals... I was just thinking about mine. What would happen at my funeral? Would it be a celebration of my life, or a mourning of my death? I'd want it to be a celebration. I'd want people to laugh and smile in knowing where I was; with Him. I'd want them to dance with joy, because what the Lord has prepared for us is far better.

To live is Christ, to die is gain.

Another thing to think about is... what people would say. Would they say, "Oh she was a nice girl, who always did the right thing." or would they say, "Oh she was a Christ-loving girl, who did all that she could to glorify the Lord." What would they say? It's crazy to think about. Partly, it's what you should base your behavior on. What it all means, and how it all adds up, in the end.

Anyway, thinking about funerals, I wondered what kind of songs I'd want played... and I know that's kinda silly. I'm going to be gone, and I seriously doubt I'm going to be caring about what's happening waaay below me. But I think I know what I'd choose...


Every Man

I'm the man with all I've wanted
All the toys and playing games
I am the one who pours your coffee
Corner booth each Saturday

I am your daughter's favorite teacher
I'm the leader of the band
I sit behind you in the bleachers

I am Every Man

I'm the coach of every winning team
And still a loser in my mind
I am the soldier in the airport
Facing giants one more time

I am the woman shamed and haunted
By the cry of unborn life
I am every broken man
Nervous child, lonely wife

Is there hope for every man'
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man'

Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man'

It seems there's just so many roads to travel
It's hard to tell where they will lead
My life is scarred, my dreams unravelled
Now I am scared to take the lead

If I could find someone to follow
Who knows my pain and feels the way
The uncertainty of my tomorrow
The guilt and pain of yesterday

Is there hope for every man'
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man'

Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man'


There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man

There is love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand
Jesus is hope for every man

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man

There is love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand
Jesus is hope for every man


Also:

Come to Jesus

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!


Also:

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine


Last one:

Nothing Without You

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
See I have nothing, I have nothing without You

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing
But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You


So, I'm not trying to post these, sayingl like, "Just in case I die tomorrow... you'll know what to do." No- I also wanted to post these songs, because they just mean so much to me, and they are each so incredibly beautiful, in their own ways. :) Anyway, this is a post reflecting on life and death... while also giving you some of my alltime favorite Christian songs. :)