Imagining

In 1971 John Lennon wrote the classic song "Imagine" encouraging us to imagine a world at peace without barriers of borders or divisions of religion and nationality, and consider the possibility of  living a life unattached to material possessions.  

Imagine shares a great message for this world choosing anarchy over order, insults over compliments, greed over generosity, crass over clever, profane over profound, hatred over love, war over peace, DEATH over LIFE, and where WRONG is the new RIGHT.  I love this, but would happy just imaging a drive without rush hour traffic.

I do see one glaring problem with using the Imagine recipe for lasting peace and harmony.  While I agree 'religion' is often a problem, the pure direction of Jesus to love the ONE true God and care for others is the only lasting answer for our tumultuous world.  Oh, and so it goes without saying I love the promise of Heaven.  

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In 2001 Bart Millard of the Christian Rock band MercyMe wrote the song "I can only Imagine" which was inspired by the death of Millard's father and considers what it would be like in Heaven and to be standing before God.  

I can only imagine  hit me in a special way lately as my mom passed away this last December.  So,

I do imagine what it must be like for mom to no longer be encumbered by her worn out 88 year old body.. and I smile.  
I imagine what it must be like on the other plane of 'eternal existence'.  
I imagine that Family Reuinion some day with family and friends.  AND recently I have a growing excitement to being with Jesus, and to having the blinders of this world's limitations lifted.  

So let me now share the side by side lyrics of Imagine and I Can Only Imagine.  My purpose is not to declare one 'Imagining' better than the other, but both leave plenty to ponder.  AND of course I also am sharing several cartoons imagining Heaven... and one toasty toon in the land WAY down under.

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"Imagine" - John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today... Aha-ah...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

"I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe
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 you face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by You 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
When I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I would do is forever
Forever worship You
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 awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I…

For those of you who kept reading this blog until the end, I pray you enjoyed and blessed by doing a little Imagining.

Jeff (Imagining a new cartoon right now) Larson

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