Preparing Our Hearts for Eternity

“Near to the Heart of God,” is a simple hymn, expressing in a profound way the counsel of James 4:8, “ nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.”

Our song today is “I’d Rather Have Jesus”."I’d Rather Have Jesus" is a song written by Rhea Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, penned in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Shea’s mother who wanted her son to find it and change the direction of his life. His mother often would leave poems and quotes around the house that she collected, in order to spiritually guide him.

One of my favorite hymns, "Jesus Paid it All". This hymn was written by Elvina Hall in 1865, and it expresses the wonderful truth that Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the cross, and that nothing we can do can add to or take away from his finished work.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the troubles of life? Have you ever faced a situation that seemed hopeless or unbearable? Have you ever wondered how you can cope with the pain, the loss, the fear, or the uncertainty that you are facing? If you have, you are not alone. Many people in the Bible and throughout history have experienced the same feelings. They have faced trials, tribulations, and temptations that tested their faith and their endurance. They have cried out to God for help, for relief, for deliverance, and for peace.

Our Song this week is one of my favorite hymns. The arrangement is beautifully moving and expresses the glory of the moment when we will see Jesus. Face to Face was written by Carrie E. Breck in 1898, and music composed by Grant Tullar and it expresses the longing of the Christian to see Jesus’ face to face in heaven

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is a Christian hymn that originated in the United States. The lyrics were written by Thomas O. Chisholm, a Methodist minister from Kentucky. He wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. The music was composed by William M. Runyan, a friend of Chisholm, specifically for the poem. The hymn was later popularized by the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham’s crusades.

This week we are looking at a newly written song. And it’s written by a guy born in Fresno California in July of 1943. . He began playing music in 1952 playing the flute-o-phone in the 3rd grade music at school. Next year he took up the clarinet, and He really took to it. His Dad had been a part of a family band and by this time it was in his blood.You might have guessed by now that the author of this week’s song is none other than Glenn Dawson, cohost of Preparing our Hearts for Worship Podcast. Our podcast is about Music insturments in the early New testiment church.

Our Song today is “The Old Rugged Cross” written by George Bennard. We also have a guest on our Easter program. The latest member of Forgiven joins us, Vivian Bowman.

Born on January 21, 1849, in Ohio, Julia was 6 years old when her family moved to Peoria, Illinois. Her strong Christian upbringing set the stage for her life’s work. Around 1910, Julia H. Johnston penned the words, "Grace Greater Than Our Sin.” . Born on March 5, 1850, Daniel Towner displayed a passion for music at a young age. His love for music led him towards serving God as well; he eventually became a music director at multiple churches and ultimately worked at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Here he deeply influenced their music programs.

How beautiful heaven must be is a song was written by Mrs. Cordie Bridgewater. She was born in North Carolina and married Samuel Bridgewater from Tennessee. They lived near Hanceville, AL, from 1909 to 1917, where he farmed and that’s where apparently she wrote the words of “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be." Married to Albert Samuel Bridgewater, Cordie and her husband lived in America’s Deep South on either side of the start of the 20th century, when and where they had one daughter named Florence.