Could you believe there was a time when life was simple and neighbors trusted one another?
A time when few people felt a need to lock their doors?
Could you believe there was a time when farmers helped each other with the harvest?
When laborers gave their employers an honest day's work for an honest day's pay?
And a handshake was more binding than any contract?
Could you believe there was a time when learning was a treasured privilege?
When children honored their parents and respected their teachers?
When parents considered their children God's greatest gift?
Could you believe there was a time when people went to church to stay all day and never got
in a hurry to leave?
A time when families met to sing together and pray for one another and then spread out
a huge meal to eat together?
Could you believe there was a time when no one went home empty, in body or in spirit?
Because there was always plenty, plenty of laughter and music and fellowship and food
to go around.
Well, as you can see, there was such a time, and not so long ago.
See some neighbors and friends got together to celebrate the best of the old times and
to weave together a strong cord of ties that bind, trust, love, honesty, commitment, forgiveness.
And once again, there was such a time.
There was singing and laughing, stories to be told, testimonies to the faithfulness of
God and the renewing of strong friendships that had been mellowed by time and experience.
There was dinner on the grounds and lots of confirmation of a truth that perhaps only
a history together can teach us.
We really do need each other.
So that we can pass this kind of heritage on to another generation, you might want to
gather your family together for an all day singing and dinner on the grounds.
As I travel through this pilgrim land, there is a friend who walks with me.
Leaves me safely through the sea, thinks that it is a prize, the Calvary.
This would be my prayer dear Lord, each day to help me do the best I can.
For I need thy light to guide me day and night.
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
I need thee every hour.
Through this pilgrim land, protect me by thy hand.
He my King, behold me, O Lord.
Go down on me, where thy will be.
I am I, for you be fair, blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
When I walk in through the valley, into the city of the sun,
lead me safely to a land of rest, where fire and crown of life have won.
I have put my faith in thee dear Lord, that I may reach the golden strand.
There's no other friend on whom I can demand, blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
I need thee every hour.
Through this pilgrim land, protect me by thy hand.
He my King, behold me, O Lord.
Look down on me, when I kneel and pray.
I hope to meet you there, blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
Jesus, hold my hand.
I need thee every hour.
Through this pilgrim land, protect me by thy hand.
He my King, behold me, O Lord.
Look down on me, when I kneel and pray.
I hope to meet you there, blessed Jesus, hold my hand.
There's a true story all about glory, and the glad angel band.
Wonder if it's been told to you, if it's ever been told to you.
If I could tell you how it would thrill you, you could then understand,
why the Lord built a place for you.
A place for you.
Over there, there's hope, there's always faith.
Over there, good joy, but a dream, a show.
And the Lord my friend, so shall sing with the angel band.
My holy rainbow, that happy day.
When my soldiers sail on the high reach, more in glory land.
Now that I've started, never downhearted, ever the path is bright.
It is ever bright.
Glorified God in all I do.
That's in everything I do.
Happy and glowing, daily I'm showing.
Love is the path of pride.
Telling the world his love is true.
His love is true.
Over there, there's hope, there's always faith.
Over there, good joy, but a dream, a show.
And the Lord my friend, so shall sing with the angel band.
I'm only waiting for a path that's happy there.
When my soldiers sail on the high reach, more in glory land.
Over there, there's hope, there's always faith.
Over there, good joy, but a dream, a show.
And the Lord my friend, so shall sing with the angel band.
I'm only waiting for a path that's happy there.
When my soldiers sail on the high reach, more in glory land.
When I'm tossed on life's sea, where those old ways start troubling me.
Where it seems there's no refuge I can find.
Oh, I know where they're in place.
I've found a haven of sweet rest.
A strong mighty tower that will stand every test of time.
Brother David said lead me to the rock.
Oh, won't somebody lead me to that rock.
See Jesus is a rock of my salvation.
Oh, it's a sure foundation.
Oh, my Jesus is a rock on which I stand.
All of the ground is shaking safe.
Lead me to my rock that is higher than life.
So I will not be afraid, nor will I be dismayed.
You see my Lord hides me no hollow of His precious hand.
There is nothing, nothing in harmony.
There is nothing to adore me.
See I've found a refuge in this struggle weary land.
David said lead me to the rock.
Oh, won't somebody lead me to that rock.
Oh, Jesus is a rock of my salvation.
Oh, it's a sure foundation.
Oh, my Jesus is a rock on which I stand.
All of the ground is shaking safe.
Lead me to my rock that is higher than life.
Lead me to my rock.
Oh, won't somebody lead me to that rock.
See Jesus is a rock of my salvation.
Oh, it's a sure foundation.
Oh, my Jesus is a rock on which I stand.
All of the ground is shaking safe.
Lead me to my rock that is higher.
Lead me to my rock that is higher.
Lead me to my rock that is higher.
Oh, He's much higher.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than life.
Well, when people get together to sing about the Lord and to celebrate what He's done in
their lives, it isn't long before they find themselves singing about the amazing fact
that the Creator of the universe chose to get involved in our daily lives, to actually
come to where we are.
Sooner or later, someone is bound to be singing about the incredible love of God.
Most great songwriters have written about God's transforming love, but none more convincingly
than evangelist and writer, Vep Ellis.
The love of God has made extendeth through the fallen ways.
Through Christ the Savior of all men bears hope in saving ways.
The love of God is greater far than gold or silver.
It reaches past the highest star and covers all the world.
It's power is eternal, eternal, it's glory is eternal, eternal.
When all is done shall pass away, there'll always be a love of God.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When the evening shows you live again, you will on Christ's name.
The love of God is greater far than gold or silver.
It reaches past the highest star and covers all the world.
It's power is eternal, eternal, it's glory is eternal, eternal.
When all is done shall pass away, there'll always be a love of God.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
When sin grows beneath the needless pain that sin could ever be.
Oh, I heard about a stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
I heard about a stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
I heard about a stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the kingdoms
of this world.
Oh, Lord, I'm searching for that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
I'm searching for that stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
I'm searching for that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the
kingdoms of this world.
Oh, Lord, oh, Daniel saw that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
Oh, Daniel saw that stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
Oh, Daniel saw that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the kingdoms
of this world.
Oh, Lord.
Oh, my mother had that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
My mother had that stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
My mother had that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the kingdoms
of this world.
Here's the part I like.
Well, I found that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
I found that stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
I found that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the kingdoms
of this world.
Oh, Lord, oh, and you can have that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord.
You can have that stone that came rolling down from Babylon.
You can have that stone that was hewed out of a mountain, Lord, and tore down the kingdoms
of this world.
Oh, Lord.
Part of the heritage we want to pass on to the next generation is the great songs of
writers like Clavont Derricks, an African American writer whose work has impacted believers
everywhere.
On this well-known song of his that features the bass part, watch the fun duel between
bass singer J.D. Sumner and Jeffrey LaValley on the organ.
I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in.
And when a little light from heaven will my soul.
It made my heart in love and wrote my name of love.
And when a little light from heaven will my soul.
It made my heart in love and wrote my name of love.
And when a little light from heaven will my soul.
It made my heart in love and wrote my name of love.
And when a little light from heaven will my soul.
It made my heart in love and wrote my name of love.
And when a little light from heaven will my soul.
It made my heart in love and wrote my name of love.
I've left word not to have an organ in my funeral.
Let us tell Him all about our troubles.
He will hear our faces now.
And He will answer by and by.
So when you feel a little pain, a little suffering.
Here I will have hope with Jesus' face in Christ.
If you win the battle for the Lord and Christ, keep on the firing line.
If you win the battle for the Lord and Christ, keep on the firing line.
Oh, He was wise, He brave, against all evil.
Never a lorry ride behind.
When we get to heaven, brother, we'll be glad.
Keep on the firing line.
I will praise the Savior for the calling man.
Keep on the firing line.
And we see the souls that we have helped to win.
Leading Him to Jesus from the path of sin.
With the shout of welcome we will all march in.
So keep on the firing line.
Oh, He was wise, He brave, against all evil.
Never a lorry ride behind.
If you win the battle for the Lord and Christ, keep on the firing line.
We're floating down the streams of time.
We have not long to stay.
The stormy cloud of darkness will turn to brightest day.
Then let us all take courage, for we're not left alone.
The life of sin is coming.
Together his children hold.
In sin, my brotherhood, our trials will soon be over.
Our love, once we shall meet, shall meet upon the golden shore.
We're pilgrims and we're strangers here.
We're seeking a city to come.
The lifeboat soon is coming.
Together his children hold.
The lifeboat soon is coming.
By the eye of faith I see.
As she sweeps through the waters.
She will rescue you and me.
And land us safely in the boat.
With friends we love so dear.
Yet ready Christ, the Captain, just look, she's almost here.
In tears, my brother, tears, our trials will soon be over.
Our love, once we shall meet, shall meet upon the golden shore.
We're pilgrims and we're strangers here.
We're seeking a city to come.
The lifeboat soon is coming.
Together his children hold.
Do the second verse one more time.
The lifeboat soon is coming.
By the eye of faith we can see.
As she sweeps through the waters.
Gonna rescue you and me.
And land us safely in the shores.
With friends we love so dear.
Yet ready Christ, our Captain, just look, she's almost here.
In tears, my brother, tears, our trials will soon be over.
Our love, once we shall meet, shall meet upon the golden shore.
We're pilgrims and we're strangers here.
We're seeking a city to come.
The lifeboat soon is coming.
Together his children hold.
Take me in the lifeboat.
Take me in the lifeboat.
It will stand ready to soar.
Take me in the lifeboat.
Take me in the lifeboat.
It will bear my spirit whole.
Hear the voice of my beloved.
Gently call that close the day.
Come my love, come and meet me.
Rise, oh rise and come away.
Winter's dark will soon be over.
And the rain is nearly done.
Flowers bloom and trees are fully.
Time for seeing has begun.
I have waited through the shadows.
For my Lord to call for me.
Now the morning breaks eternal.
In its light, his face I see.
Now the morning breaks eternal.
And at last, his face I see.
When you see a future, buddy,
You will know the summer's near.
When you hear the words unspoken,
You will know my coming's near.
Keep on listening, my beloved,
For my coming's bearing me.
For my coming's bearing me.
My beloved, spake and send unto me.
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For lo, the winter's past.
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing of birds has come.
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs.
And the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
We're an anchor for those who are hurting.
It seems like we're a harbor for those
Who are struggling and lost.
And sometimes it's not always easy
Bearing Calvary's cross.
We've been recued by those who don't know him.
Sometimes we're mocked by those who don't believe.
Still I love standing up for my Jesus
Because of all that he's done for me.
And that's why I am not ashamed of the gospel.
It's still the gospel of Jesus Christ.
No, I am not afraid to stand and be counted.
But I'm willing to give my life.
You see, I'm ready to be all he wants me to be.
Give up the wrong for the right.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For every moment that his hand has held mercy
And for all the love that he's shown all my life
A simple thanks doesn't say how I'm feeling
I get tears in my eyes.
So as for me, I've made up my mind
To keep on believing in that God who's been so faithful
Year after year and week after week
See I'm not out to please this whole world all around me
I've got my mind on eternity.
That's why I am not ashamed of the gospel.
It's still the gospel of Jesus Christ.
No, I am not afraid to stand and be counted.
But I'm willing to give my life.
You see, I'm ready to be all he wants me to be.
Give up the wrong for the right.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
No, I am not ashamed of his gospel of Jesus.
Right.
Right.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel.
No, I am not ashamed of his gospel.
I've got too much behind me.
You'll never see what I'm wearing.
A song is just a name, but to me he's my everything.
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel.
No, I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Sing it with me.
Of Jesus Christ.
The power of God unto our salvation.
Amen.
Praise, praise God's grace.
Grace and divinity and blimps within.
Praise, praise God's grace.
Grace and his raider than all I sing.
Praise, praise God's grace.
Grace and the pardon and blimps within.
Praise, praise God's grace.
Grace and his raider than all I sing.
To the old rugged road of Epaphos, till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be to his shame and reproach gladly bear.
Till he calls me someday to my home far away where his glory forever I'll share.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be to his shame and reproach gladly bear.
I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.
When I was in high school, my daddy was a holy roller preacher and I was a boy soprano.
So I got beat up every night.
I did.
On the way home I got beat up a boy at Murphy every night.
So I said, I got to stop this.
This is killing me.
So I learned how to box.
I won a couple of little Golden Gloves tournaments and everything turned out great.
Suddenly nobody bothered me.
I could sing as high as I wanted to.
So then somebody said, Cal, you can sing.
I want you to sing in my quartet.
So I thought, well, I know how to make it.
All I got to do is be tough.
I thought I could handle it by myself, you know.
And in the process I alienated most of you people that I loved.
I've wanted to get back with you guys for the last 30 years.
But nobody would give me a corner and I don't blame you because you were afraid.
You were not afraid of me physically.
You were afraid that I might mess up.
Well, I did mess up in a prison cell in Atlanta, Georgia, where not only did I have my friends alienated from me,
but my family, I was helpless to help them.
Jake Hess came to see me.
I love you, Jake.
Then one day, let me tell you this, when I started out, when I started out,
my dreams and aspirations were as great as anybody's in the world when I was 16.
Bill Song said it so sweetly and so accurately.
Then one day I wrote Bill a letter and I said, Bill, nobody ever asks me to sing.
Nobody ever asks me to come to a singing.
Nothing.
That man truly forgave me.
You know, the Bible says to forgive is to reinstate.
That means you got to think of me as though I had never done the transgression.
That's hard to do.
That's hard to do.
He and that lady sitting behind him did it.
And all it cost me was two loaves of sardo bread.
You guys are real.
You questioned me not.
I told you I was serious and you said, yes, he's serious.
I told you I meant it and you said, yes, he means it.
I saw a guy killed every week for 32 months in prison.
I paid for my sins.
Thirty years of my life that I could have been singing gospel music because I messed up is gone now.
I'm almost 65.
You know, there are some angels in life.
Did you know that?
And I'd almost bet you there's more than one in this room.
I know there's one and I bet you there's more than one.
I love you all.
You're welcome back, Calvin.
Thank you.
Sometimes I feel discouraged.
I think my work is in vain.
I'm tempted of times to murmur, to grumble and complain.
But then I stop and think I'm Jesus and all He's done for me.
Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide, please hide, Thou.
Oh Rock of Ages, hide, Thou please.
There is no other refuge can save only Thee.
Through this whole world I wander so far, far from Thee.
Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide, Thou please.
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there, my King, I received Thy sight
And now I am happy all the day.
But fear the Christ that I have not beckoned upon the tree.
Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond be free.
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there, my King, I received Thy sight And now I am happy all the day.
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light And the burden of my heart rolled away.
It was there, my King, I received Thy sight And now I am happy all the day.
Would You be free from Your burden of sin? There's power in blood, power in blood.
In the victory wind, there's wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder-worthy power In the blood of the Lamb.
There is power, power, wonder-worthy power In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Would You be service for Jesus, Your King? There's power in love, power in love.
Would You be as great as You seem? There's wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder-worthy power In the blood of the Lamb.
There is power, power, wonder-worthy power In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Now would You do service for Jesus, Your King? There's power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would You live daily His praises and sing? There's wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder-worthy power In the blood of the Lamb.
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Whenever people tell each other how they've been changed by the death and resurrection of Christ, how they've been touched by the love of God, the natural result is a sweet time of worship and praise.
When God takes a life that was getting worse and worse, He changes it into a life that gets sweeter and better as the days go by.
The more I trust Him, the more I love Him, nothing good for me He'll deny. The longer I know Him, the better I can show Him, I couldn't stop now if I try.
Oh, it gets sweeter as the days go by. It gets sweeter as the moments pass. His love is richer, deeper, over, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
The moment He saved me, His grace He gave me, He put His love down deep in my heart. There's great joy in knowing with Him I am going and never from Him to depart.
Oh, it gets sweeter as the days go by. It gets sweeter as the moments pass. His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
Oh, it gets sweeter as the days go by. It gets sweeter as the moments pass. His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
Oh, it gets sweeter as the days go by. It gets sweeter as the moments pass. His love is richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
Oh, it gets sweeter as the days go by. It gets sweeter as the moments pass. His love is richer, richer, deeper, fuller, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
Sweeter, sweeter, sweeter as the days go by.
Yeah! Good time! Good stuff! Oh, that's good!
Well, by then our hearts were full. But our stomachs were getting pretty empty. We'd been singing all day and it was time for dinner under the big tent. When forgiven people get together around the table, there's bound to be some great fun.
Yeah!
As soon as they finished eating, Bill cokes some of the guys over to sing in his old convertible. Believe it or not, this is the same car Bill and I used to drive around the Indiana countryside listening to Jay Baselmahl's Southern Singing Convention on the radio.
Did you get it?
After dinner, the old timers were too full to sing. So this was a good time to step aside for some new kids on the block, two sisters and their brother, the Martins. Listen to this family harmony.
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one. No, not one. None else could heal all our souls' diseases. No, not one. No, not one.
Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide till the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one. No, not one.
Oh, I'm so glad I know that friend that sticks closer than a brother. Amen.
No friend like him is so high and lowly. No, not one. No, not one. And yet no friend is so meek and lowly. No, not one. No, not one.
Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide till the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one. No, not one.
Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide till the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.
No, not one. No, not one. No, not one. No, not one.
No, not one. No, not one.
I don't have the foggiest idea why I'm here, but I have had the best time of my life.
I talked on the phone to my mama for two and a half hours last night to tell her every bit about this. This is great. I grew up listening to all of y'all. I grew up sitting on the second row piano side. Rain, snow, or shine. If you're in a body cast, my mother will wheel you in and lean you against the wall.
But you are not going to miss church. Many of you pass through those doors of my church and I'll never ever forget it. It was so funny because my mother, I was a preacher's kid, and we had posters of the rambos and the spears in our foyer all my life.
And it was so precious because my mother used to dress us alike, and we would sing and, well it was hard on my brother because he was a boy.
But he got the hang of it, and we just have wonderful, we have wonderful church services, I'm telling you. And we would practice our little songs that we would sing. We thought we were going to be the Spear Family someday because we sang The King is Coming about that good.
And you know it was wonderful, and I'll never forget, finally the highlight of our lives when we were kids growing up was we were asked to sing The King is Coming at Camp Meaton. Now that's, you know, Friday night Camp Meaton service is the one you want to get to.
And it was wonderful. We got to sing The King is Coming and the funeral fans were all going in unison. It was a beautiful sight. And we were singing The King is Coming, my brother thought he was a rock spirit, you know, and he had it down, right?
And it was wonderful service except Brother Smith in my church is a runner. And about the third verse of The King is Coming, he'd run every time.
And he'd run around the corner, wave his hanky, we'd sing The King is Coming, he'd run down that aisle. The King is Coming back through the middle, he'd go, you know, The King is Coming, and he tripped over this speaker in the corner.
We'd sing The King is Coming, that speaker went boom, real loud. About 14 teenagers hit the altar.
I was one of them.
I got saved 347 times growing up.
Probably every time one of y'all came to my church, I'd get saved again.
Just beautiful memories, I'll never forget. But the highlight of my life, the highlight of my life was revival times or Wednesday night prayer meeting when we'd have a quartet in or saw night singing.
That was it. It was precious. And I'll never forget this one. Well, Brother Chuck, you'll forgive me for saying this, but this one evangelist came to our home and they always stayed at our house.
They'd always sit at my seat at the table, get on my nerves.
This one evangelist came with a cat and he knit little sweaters for it, you know, put little bows in it.
Name it little people names. Just, you know, some of y'all aren't a conviction, I know, but.
But you know, this one evangelist came with this cat.
And he walked in the front door of our home and handed my mother a menu for himself of the foods he would like to eat while he was there.
And a menu for his cat, Georgeette.
And that cat sat at my seat at the table.
Well, my brother and my sisters and I were in the backyard one afternoon painting this picnic table.
We got to wondering what that cat would look like if he was a skunk.
We painted that thing up good. My mother came out there. She is so embarrassed. She started crying.
That evangelist bust through the back door. He said, Oh, you kids are colonel centers. You kids are colonel.
My mother said, Go get the paint off that cat. So we went and got this great big bucket of turpentine.
We dug that cat down in there over and over and over. That cat went crazy.
I said, Oh, your cat is corn. Oh, your cat is corn.
He never did come back to our church, but his cat stayed around a while.
We had him mounted. It's like a war trophy or something.
Boy, I'm telling you, your songs, they were there most of my life, but just beautiful memories, beautiful memories.
And sitting through here, it's been it's been unbelievable experience for me.
My older sister was 20 years of age when she got in her car on a terrible rainy morning and was hit head on and killed instantly.
And life for us on that little second row, piano side out in the middle of nowhere, it began to change.
And we began to grieve and have broken hearts and hurts. And your songs were there.
I remember about 18 months later, my little sister came home from high school.
We'd still dress like every now and then fame, same.
She's feeling under the weather on a Friday.
I think it was about three or four days later before a specialist had checked her out from head to bottom and said, Listen, I'm sorry.
She's got leukemia.
And about 21 days later, she died in life on the second row.
Piano side was never getting the same.
And some of your songs were there.
It amazes me.
Somewhere in all that hurt and pain and disillusionment that all of us face.
My dad packed a suitcase and left the church and left his marriage.
And there sit me and mom.
Second row.
Piano side.
And your songs were still.
And we sang them.
And I remember scripture verses I learned when I was a little kid.
Hymns that I sang.
Choruses at youth camp.
During those days in my life, those were the very things that reminded me I was not alone.
God is there.
His peace and his grace follows me always.
He's my strength.
My guide.
It is amazing thing that I'm here.
Jesus is my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me.
In my life, my heart and my song.
He's my strength.
From day to day without him.
I would surely fall.
When I am sick.
To him I go.
No other one can cheer me so.
When I am sick.
He makes me cry.
He's my best friend.
The woman needed healing of that dreaded disease.
And her money brought physicians.
But only Jesus could bring relief.
And though her last thread of hope.
It was worn down to a strain.
Her heart held on to faith.
Till she could touch him with her hand.
Cause when you're hanging by her thread.
Still you can climb life's mountain.
Though the cliffs are rough and jagged.
You can cope.
If you should slip and be troped in.
You'll find the hell of his garment.
So don't let go of that last thread of hope.
And yet is that you.
Hanging on to afraid and fragile faith.
And are you clinging to the rocks.
Above the canyon of dismay.
Reach out for the lifeline.
It will never break in two.
And hold fast and don't lose heart.
For once again God will pull you through.
Cause when you're hanging by her thread.
Still you can climb life's mountain.
Though the cliffs are rough and jagged.
You can cope.
If you should slip and be troped in.
You'll find the hell of his garment.
So don't let go of that last thread of hope.
If you should slip and be troped in.
You'll find the hell of his garment.
So don't let go of that last thread of hope.
If I could I'd love to say something to each and every one of you.
We all do the same things.
We all give and give and give and give of ourselves.
Night after night.
And you know what? Sometimes it's just nice to sit back and receive.
I'm very thankful for each and every one of you.
I can't tell you what you've meant to me.
Kelly a while ago was mentioning the strong hold that her father has been.
So many, many of you have been my strong hold.
This year is the 10th anniversary of my daddy's death.
He died June the 12th, 1984.
And it's been a hard road to hoe.
But you know what? I have people like you on a nightly basis that I can turn to.
That I can share with and I'm so thankful for you.
God bless each and every one of you.
Thank you.
Applause
Music
Birds are lifted at Calvary.
Birds are lifted at Calvary.
Jesus is very near.
Cast your cares on Jesus right now.
You can leave your worries, your fears.
All your burden can be lifted at Calvary.
Jesus is very near.
Birds are lifted at Calvary.
Your burdens are lifted at Calvary.
Jesus is very near.
Jesus is very near.
In His presence there is joy beyond measure.
And at His feet peace of mind can still be found.
And if you have a need I know He has every answer.
Just reach out and claim it for you are standing on holy ground.
And we are standing on holy ground.
And I know that there are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.
We are standing on holy ground.
And I know that there are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence.
On holy ground.
If this day proved anything, it was that innocence and joy and trust aren't just virtues of some bygone time.
They are the products of choices that we can make at any age.
Could you believe that there was a time when people really cared about one another?
And could you dare to believe that time is whenever two or three forgiven children gather in their Father's name?
Could you believe there is sure to be an all day singing and dinner on the grounds?
We are standing in His presence.
On holy ground.
I hope that you enjoy these videos half as much as Gloria and I do preparing them for you.
Here is a complete list of the entire series starting back with Homecoming.
If you are interested in buying them, simply check at your local Christian bookstore or you can write together videos with the address there on the screen or call the toll free number.
Thank you.