This world is not my home

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
(Col 3:2)

I have my earthly father to thank for instilling in me a yearning for heaven with an old Jim Reeves tape which I must have played hundreds of times, until the tape wore thin. I loved the tunes, and did not realize that I was imbibing the message at the same time.

I do realize there isn't much of the gospel in these songs. Much of it is maudlin sentimentality and in fact, there is even more than a hint of universalism. Nevertheless it does point to an other-worldliness which is to be found only in true saints.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb 11:13-16)

And so, without further ado, here is today's Jim Reeves nostalgia fest.



This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

I have a loving mother just over in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know...

Just over in Gloryland we'll live eternally
The saints on every hand are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know...



When my way groweth drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry hear my call
Hold my hand last I fall
Take my hand precious Lord lead me home

Precious Lord take my hand
Lead me on let me stand
I am tired I am weak I am worn
Through the storm through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord lead me home

When my work is all done
And my race here is run
Let me see by the light Thou has shone
That there city so bright
With the Lamb as the light
Take my hand precious Lord lead me home

Precious Lord take my hand...



Some glad mornin' when this life is o'er I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh glory I'll fly away
When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have flown I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh glory I'll fly away
When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end I'll fly away
I'll fly away oh glory yes I'll fly away
When I die hallelujah by and by I'll fly away



I have lived a life of sin in this world I'm living in
I have done forbidden things I shouldn't do
I asked a beggar along the way if he could tell me where to stay
Where I could find real happiness and love that's true

Across the bridge, there's no more sorrow
Across the bridge, there's no more pain
The sun will shine across the river
And you'll never be unhappy again

Follow the footsteps of the King till you hear the voices sing
They'll be singing out the glory of the land
The river of Jordan will be near, the sound of trumpets you will hear
And you'll behold the most precious face ever known to man

Across the bridge...



I have heard of a land
On a faraway strand
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
Built by Jesus on high
There we never shall die
'Tis a land where we never grow old.
Never grow old, never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old.

When our work here is done
And the life crown is won
And our troubles and trials are o'er
All our sorrow will end
And our voices will blend
With the loved ones who've gone on before.
Never grow old, never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old...