Mr. David

David George has been a close friend of mine for about 20 years now.
Last weekend he did something he rarely does. He skipped church.

You see, Dave is in his 50s and has been working with children at two different churches now ever since he was a teenager. His mom tried to discourage that for some reason, but Dave stood his ground. He knew that God wanted him to work with kids and to the glory of God he stuck to it.

"Mr. David"--as the kids call him--is one of the most pure hearted men I have ever known. He just plain and simply loves God and knows that God is his only Source.

The reason he skipped church last week, was b/c he wasn't feeling well. On Monday he called his doctor. His doctor got him into a local hospital. Long story short, he has 4th stage pancreatic cancer.

I am looking to God for a healing of David. I know that we need David here. But, I also know that if the worse happens that David has a home waiting for him.

So tonight after church I went to The Gap, a singles Bible study. I kind of dominated the conversations tonight. Afterward, I apologized for doing so and explained that the truth is that if I didn't talk about something, I'd dwell on David and start to cry. Fortunately they understood and some of them even know David via the children's ministry.

On the way home I started to feel sad about David, but then I turned on my CD player. You see, I love Southern Gospel music. One of my favorite groups is Legacy Five. They lost their lead singer to cancer earlier this year. Their latest album is mostly songs about Heaven. I guess they did that as a tribute to that man.

I listed--for the first time since I learned about David's cancer---to a song called Goin' Home Day I wish I had a way to put up an audio or a video clip of that song. However, in lieu of that, here are the lyrics.

Verse 1
I just get a blessing, thinking 'bout what's waiting up ahead

And there's no need for guessing, we know the Lord's returning 'cause that's just what He said

So I'm watching and I'm waiting, remembering what the prophets had to say

I'll leave behind this earthly house of clay, it'll be goin' home day

Chorus
The cares and all the troubles that I've carried for so long

Will vanish like a vapor, in a moment they'll be gone

I'll have a brand new body that no gravity can hold

I'll fly through pearly gates and then I'll land on streets of gold

My journey's winding down now and soon the angel band will start to play

Sweet traveling music then I'll fly away, it'll be goin' home day

Verse 2
Waiting's hard to do now, I'm a stranger in this wicked world below

But I cling to what is true now, I know when Jesus comes, He'll find that I'm prepared to go

So saints, don't be discouraged, those gates will open wide some happy day

We'll step inside and never move away, it'll be goin' home day

Chorus
The cares and all the troubles that I've carried for so long

Will vanish like a vapor, in a moment they'll be gone

I'll have a brand new body that no gravity can hold

I'll fly through pearly gates and then I'll land on streets of gold

The clouds will start to moving, the trumpet blast will sound

The graves will start to open and the saints will leave the ground

And heaven won't be very far away, it'll be goin' home day

Tag
And heaven won't be very far away, it'll be my goin' home day



I know that David relied on Jesus a long time ago to forgive his sins. I know that when David dies, whether it is from this current situation or another 50 years from now, that David will sit in Daddy God's lap. Maybe he'll whisper a few hurts in God's ear, or maybe he'll just sit there and cry. Maybe he'll dance, maybe he'll cry, maybe he'll laugh. Maybe God will tickle him, maybe God will tell him jokes, or maybe God will just hug David to Him and just love on him.

I don't know what Heaven will be like, but I do know this: Whenever we both get there,David and I will see each other. And it will be wonderful.

If you are reading this, and you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, I encourage you to do two things:
First, Pray something like this very simple prayer.

Dear God, no matter how I've lived my life, I've not lived it well enough for You. But, I know that You sent Your Son Jesus to live His life well enough. I now ask You to let me use His life in place of mine. Please forgive me of my sins. In Jesus Name. Amen

Secondly find a local church and join it. Talk to them about those steps needed to grow as a Christian.

Below are the lyrics to one more song about Heaven. For what it's worth, I think this is one of David's favorites.


I Can Only Imagine lyrics

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

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe 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
And 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

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

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

I can only imagine