Welcome to our homecoming in the mountains.
We are in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville,
North Carolina.
And we've got all of our homecoming friends.
And we're here to celebrate the beauty and color of God's creation and the beauty of
our colorful friends.
So come join us in Around the Fire and let's sing.
Yes.
I'll meet you on the mountain, in the shadows far behind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up with me you will find.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up above.
In the valley mighty giants cause my heart to live in fear.
Shades of doubt moved in to haunt me in the night their tone side of fear.
But through all the dark depression my sweet Savior's voice rang clear.
Move my child up to the mountain, I have called you out of here.
I'll meet you on the mountain, in the shadows far behind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up with me you will find.
That the sun is always shining and the air that is your mind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up above.
So I followed nails scarred footprints holding to my Savior's hand.
And I hear His voice familiar saying child come claim the land.
Move your camp up on the mountain, high above the veil of tears.
Nothing there can make your heart quake when you see it all from here.
I'll meet you on the mountain, in the shadows far behind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up with me you will find.
That the sun is always shining and the air that is your mind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, above the Lord.
I'll meet you on the mountain, in the shadows far behind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, up with me you will find.
That the sun is always shining and the air that is your mind.
I'll meet you on the mountain, above the Lord.
Applause.
Come meet on the mountain in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina
at the historic Grove Park Inn, where Bill and Gloria Gaither have gotten many of their homecoming friends together
to celebrate life's experiences in the mountains and the valleys.
Featuring the Gaither Vocal Band.
Sonia Isics.
Russ Taft.
George Younce.
Vestal Goodman.
Lily Knowles.
A special tribute to J.D. Sumner.
Woody Wright.
Candy Christmas.
And many others.
There is a mountain I'll cross over.
I cannot see the other side.
Will it be home or just another mountain to climb?
I can't decide.
Fortunately I'll climb with a friend.
One who will carry me on to the end.
There is a mountain I'll cross over.
Fortunately I'll cross with a friend.
There is an ocean I'll sail over.
I cannot see the coming tide.
Will it be still or stormy weather?
When will I reach the other side?
Fortunately I'll sail with a friend.
One who will glide with me on to the end.
There is an ocean I'll sail over.
Fortunately I'll sail with a friend.
There is a road that I must travel.
Blinded by headlights in the night.
I look for a map or a sign to guide me.
Just want to make it home tonight.
Fortunately I'll ride with a friend.
One who will drive with me on to the end.
There is a road that I must travel.
Fortunately I'll ride with a friend.
There is a mountain that I gotta cross over.
I cannot see the other side.
Will it be home or just another mountain to climb?
Oh Lord I can't decide.
Fortunately I'll climb with a friend.
One who will carry me on to the end.
There is a mountain I'll cross over.
Fortunately I'll cross with a friend.
I'll cross with a friend.
I'll sail with a friend.
I'll ride with a friend.
Troublesome times are here.
In the midst of hearts with fear.
Freedom we all hold dear.
Now is that state.
A opening of hearts to God.
States from the testing heart.
Seek the way, build and strive.
Grace is our way.
Peace is coming soon.
Glory to God our new.
Many will be there due.
Promise the sun.
Oh the day the sun rises.
Christ will be in the sky.
Oh when we're going, oh when no one dies.
Never were mine.
Troubles will soon be o'er.
Happy forever more.
When we meet on that shore.
Free from all care.
Rising up in the sky.
Telling this world goodbye.
Well, homeward we will fly.
Glory to share.
Jesus is coming soon.
Glory to God our new.
Many will be there due.
Promise the sun.
Oh the day the sun rises.
Christ will be in the sky.
Oh when we're going, oh when no one dies.
Never were mine.
Peace is coming soon.
Glory to God our new.
Many will be there due.
Promise the sun.
Oh the day the sun rises.
Christ will be in the sky.
Oh when we're going, oh when no one dies.
Never were mine.
Peace is coming soon.
Glory to God our new.
Many will be there due.
Promise the sun.
Oh the day the sun rises.
Christ will be in the sky.
Oh when we're going, oh when no one dies.
Never were mine.
Mother, give her four thirds.
Move it Haha.
ś And it's all right, all right
ś It's all right to praise the Lord
ś It's all right, all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, we praise the Lord
ś We like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś You don't have to worry
ś Who might be standing near
ś We're all gathered in His name
ś All right, all right
ś It's all right to praise the Lord
ś It's all right, all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś I woke up this morning
ś Praise in Jesus' name
ś All day long I felt the joy
ś That I cannot contain
ś It's all right, all right
ś It's all right to praise the Lord
ś It's all right, all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś It's all right, all right
ś It's all right to praise the Lord
ś It's all right, all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś It's all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś It's all right
ś Yeah
ś It's all right
ś It's all right to praise the Lord
ś It's all right, all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś It's all right
ś We're His children and we like to praise the Lord
ś God, it's all right
ś It's all right
ś Yeah
ś He's called the Lord
something as beautiful as these North Carolina mountains into words,
or something as wonderful and big and majestic as God
into mere words. Well, Stuart Hamblin came as close as anybody
when he wrote this great song, How Big Is God.
That's small enough to rule this mighty universe.
That's small enough to live within my arms.
Though men may strive to go beyond the reach of space,
to go beyond the distant, glimmering stars,
this world's a room so small within thy master's house,
the open sky but a portion of his yard.
How big is God, how big and wide His last obey,
to try to help these lists and only start.
Is big enough to rule this mighty universe,
yet small enough to live within my own.
How big is God, how big is God.
No matter where I may roam in this world,
I'm still at home with the Father.
I feel at home anywhere in this world,
cause it all belongs to my Father.
I'm not afraid in this world anymore,
I know it belongs to my Father.
The earth is my yard and the sky my front door,
it all belongs to my Father.
The mountains, the valleys, the deserts, the hills,
they all belong to my Father.
The good Lord He made them and He owns them still,
they all belong to my Father.
McClaskey or Steinberg, whatever your name,
we all belong to the Father.
He made Saul and He loves us the same,
we all belong to the Father.
The mountains, the valleys, the deserts, the hills,
they all belong to my Father.
The good Lord He made them and He owns them still,
they all belong to my Father.
He made Saul and He makes us all brothers,
we all belong to the Father.
That's why He told us to love one another,
we all belong to the Father.
The mountains, the valleys, the deserts, the hills,
they all belong to my Father.
The good Lord He made them and He owns them still,
they all belong to my Father.
The mountains, the valleys, the deserts, the hills,
they all belong to my Father.
The good Lord He made them and He owns them still,
they all belong to my Father.
They all belong to my Father.
Howard, Asheville is a very meaningful place to you
in your history, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
I, uh, talking about this beautiful place up here,
I was glad to get a little one room somewhere.
When in 19...
I was here in 1955 and part of 56.
And you were doing a radio program from here or TV?
TV.
That early?
We was on television.
In fact, we came to Channel 13 here.
Is that all right to tell?
Yeah, that's great.
W-L-O-S, I see the sign out there.
Looks like it's in the same place.
Were you sang there?
Oh, sang there.
I was on, I don't know how long, a year or so.
We done early morning shows and noon shows.
Now it was, uh, we were here when they ushered in the color.
It was black and white and they just turned color.
And, uh, they didn't have such things.
Tape, you know, you had to do it and that was it.
Do it live.
That's right.
Do it live, nothing, no reruns.
But I bet it's good to be back at the Grove Park.
Is this your first time here?
It's the first time I'm here.
You know, uh, they was talking about,
I believe Larry Gatlin said, just think.
He made a joke out of it because he makes a joke out of a lot of
things, you know.
He said, uh, God made this place,
the whole earth and everything in six days.
And then he rested.
And I'm thinking, look this place over and look at the
mountains and the valleys behind me.
And look all you want to and you'll see what God made in six days.
Now it's been nearly 2000 years.
Just think about what heaven's going to be because he's had all
that time to make it.
18
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Eternal love to Jesus I did pray to the Lord, and they prayed.
He heard my prayer, rescued me that very day.
Praise God, I'm free, free from every chain of sin.
I've been set free by the grace of God.
I'm free with the gentle peace within.
No more the paths of sin I trod.
I'm free, herb and jade, so I'll enter in.
The blood has cleansed every sinful stain.
I'm free with the living God.
I'm free again, I'm free again.
Soon the pearly gates I'll see, soon the pearly gates I'll see in heaven.
Soon I'll live eternally, until I'll ever live forever.
Friends and loved ones wait for me.
I'll sail up high through the sky, because I'm free.
Praise God, I'm free, free from every chain of sin.
I've been set free by the grace of God.
I'm free with the gentle peace within.
No more the paths of sin I trod.
I'm free with the heaven gates I'll enter in.
The blood has cleansed every sinful stain.
I'm free, praise the living God.
I'm free again, I'm free.
Just a closer walk with me, just a closer walk with me.
I am weak, but Thou art strong.
Jesus keep me from all wrong.
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, Lord let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with me, just a closer walk with me.
I'll range in my peace.
Just a closer walk with me, just a closer walk with me.
And through this world of toils and snares,
if I falter, Lord who cares?
I'll be well with all my burdens bare.
Just a closer walk with me, just a closer walk with me.
Gratitude is my plea.
Just a closer walk with me, just a closer walk with me.
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
You know, I suppose there are no two people more loved in our field
than Fay and Brock Spear.
And this sweet girl is the daughter-in-law of Fay and Brock.
Brian, their son, married her.
How many years you been married, hon?
Nine years.
And Allison is here to carry on the Spear tradition.
And you're with friends, hon, listen as she sings.
Give her a good hand.
I boast not of works, nor tell of good deeds,
for not have I done to merit His grace.
All glory and praise shall rest upon Him,
so willing to die in my place.
I will glory in the cross, in the cross rest His suffering,
all be in vain.
I will weep no more for the cross that He bore.
I will glory in the cross.
My trophies, my crowns, my robes stained with sin,
was all that I had to lay at His feet, unworthy to feast from His table of life.
Till God make provision for me and life.
I will glory in the cross, in the cross rest His suffering, all be in vain.
I will weep no more for the cross that He bore.
I will glory in the cross.
In the cross, in the cross be my glory ever.
I will weep no more for the cross that He bore.
I will glory in the cross.
You know from up here we can look down on the tops of trees and the roofs of buildings.
Cars and highways look like toys.
From up here, the tallest buildings cast shadows no more formidable than the shadow of a child.
Up here, where there's nothing between me and the sun, shadows are no big deal.
Lift me up above the shadows, plant my feet on higher ground.
Lift me up above the clouds where the pure sunshine is foul.
Lift me up above my weakness, lift me up into Thy strength.
Lift me up above the shadows till I stand with Thee at length.
Lift me up above the shadows for the storms are raging high.
Lift me up my blessed Savior, let me to Thy bosom fly.
There no evil thing can touch me over on the shining side.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me hermore abide.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me stand on the mountain.
Glory to Thee, let me pray, let me live.
Lift me up above the shadows out of sorrow into joy.
Lift me up above my grief, Lord, for the gold for my alloy.
Then when death must claim my spirit and the storms of life are past,
Lift me up above the shadows till at heaven I stand at last.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me hermore abide.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me stand on the mountain.
Glory to Thee, let me pray, let me live.
Lift me up above the shadows till at heaven I stand at last.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me live.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me stand on the mountain.
Glory to Thee, let me pray, let me live.
Lift me up above the shadows, let me stand on the mountain.
Glory to Thee, let me pray, let me live.
Dad Lou is singing today, 93 years old, singing with his family,
but this sweet lady has just turned 82 and is still singing.
And I can remember one of the first Lefebvre records I bought,
Oh When I Meet You, she was beating up that piano and singing that alto like nobody could sing it.
And she's still singing at 82.
If you have to see Eva Mae, give her a good hand.
When I get in trouble fighting for the right, well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
When I feel discouraged, He will keep me on.
Well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
Oh yes I can.
You know He is always on the line.
You know He is King Almighty.
You know the Lord of God is His name.
Well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
Listen, when the storm is raging and the billows roll,
Well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
When my heart is heavy and my spirit slow,
Well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
Oh yes I can.
You know He is always on the line.
Oh He is King Almighty.
You know the Lord of God is His name.
Well you know I can call Jesus anytime.
In a way, all of life is a climb.
And that climb is anything but easy.
Sometimes we have to pick our way along, hand over hand, up very rough and jagged places.
But as any climber knows, the toils of the climb fade to nothing when at last the climber stands at the summit,
overwhelmed by the vistas that span the horizon, all now beneath our feet.
We're always facing battles and it's hard to keep the pace,
cause Satan never lets up in his fight for winning place.
But I have the Lord to guide me every step along the way,
so when Satan comes against me you can always hear his say.
That's no hill for a climber, that's no battle for a child of God.
Satan's already been defeated and the victory has been won.
Jesus won the final battle when He died for you and me.
Now Satan get behind me cause I claim the victory.
Every time I try to do a little something for the Lord,
Satan tries to block my path and keep me from my goal.
But I don't care how high the hills may seem to be today,
I'll take my Savior by the hand and He'll help me when I say.
Oh, that's no hill for a climber, that's no battle for a child of God.
Satan's already been defeated and the victory has been won.
Jesus won the final battle when He died for you and me.
Now Satan get behind me cause I claim the victory.
Oh, that's no hill for a climber, that's no battle for a child of God.
Satan's already been defeated and the victory has been won.
Jesus won the final battle when He died for you and me.
Now Satan get behind me cause I claim the victory.
Satan get behind me cause I claim the victory.
When Bill and I were dating, I was working at Kellogg's in Bowie Creek,
picking burnt corn flakes off the conveyor belt, work my way through college.
And he would come up on weekends from Indiana and pick me up, Kellogg's, at midnight when I got off.
I'd come out with my stupid green uniform, a few corn flakes in my hair.
And one night he picked me up on a weekend and he had this ring.
Now he wasn't too high on jewelry, he didn't think that was necessary,
but I wanted everybody to know we were going to get married.
And so he kind of acquiesced and got me a little tiny diamond.
And I was glad for any kind of diamond from him.
When we got married he gave me the one that went to it, but he never liked those rings.
And he always made fun of them.
He'd say, those are the dumbest looking rings I've ever seen.
Now what I really like is a plain gold band.
Just looks so married.
So after about three years of this kind of verbal abuse, I was in Kmart one night.
And they were having a special on plain gold bands for $13.95.
Blue light special.
So while he was looking at the records and tapes, I went over in the jewelry department
and I had $13.95 left over from the grocery money and I bought me a plain gold band.
And I put it on my finger and put those other rings in my purse
and didn't say anything until we got to the car.
He pulled out his records and he said, see what I got. And I said, great, see what I got.
He said, no, I like that.
That just looks married.
So for 13 years I wore the plain gold band.
I bought myself a Kmart.
I don't even know if that's legal.
Finally we took a trip to the Holy Land over Easter.
And it was a wonderful life changing experience.
We took our family and walked where Jesus walked and wrote a lot of songs about that idea, Jake.
We got home, had Christmas, went through January.
And one night in February we sat down to eat supper and at our table everybody talks at once.
And so Bill put up his hand like a traffic cop to make everybody shut up.
And he said, I have a presentation to make.
And he pulled out this little blue plastic box and handed it to me.
And I opened it and inside was the most unusual ring I had ever seen
with this funny writing all around the side of it.
And he's grinning over there like he does when he's proud of himself.
And he said, that's 24 karat gold.
That's made for you in the Holy Land.
It says, come away my love from song of Solomon.
Now I thought that was about the sweetest thing I ever heard of.
I mean he thought of that all by himself.
He even paid for it.
So I put it on and I was really proud.
Of course I don't read Hebrew.
I could say, go away my love from all I know.
I could say Kmart.
But I love this ring and I've worn it.
He didn't tell me I had to wear it.
I could have said, I don't know what you're trying to prove here.
You're not going to get this other ring off my finger.
I mean after all I paid $13.95 for that.
But that would have been kind of dumb when I had a 24 karat gold hand engraved invitation
to be loved by this crazy guy who knows me pretty well.
He knows all my bumps and knobs.
He knows all the dumb things I do.
The times I stick my foot in my mouth.
He knows all the things I can't do which are way more than the things I can do.
And he loves me.
I've been quiet and dumb.
Don't you think to turn down an invitation like that?
Jesus says to us, I come that you might have light and that you might have an abundantly.
And he wrote his love in Crimson Red on a cross.
And so often we say, but what do I have to give up?
You're not going to get this life I live.
What are you trying to pull?
And he says, well child I just want to give you everything.
I don't know about you.
But when I look at what I have to bring and what he has to bring
and that the God of the universe tells me that we'll put that all in one pile and we will share.
I'm not too smart.
But I'm smart enough to know that's a good deal.
I am love, I am love.
I can wish loving you.
For the one who knows me best, loves me most.
I am love, you are love.
Won't you please take my hand?
We are free to love each other.
We are love.
I said if you knew you wouldn't want me.
My scars are hidden by the face I wear.
He said my child, my scars go deeper.
It was love for you that put them there.
I am love, I am love.
I can wish loving you.
For the one who knows me best, loves me most.
I am love, you are love.
Won't you please take my hand?
We are free to love each other.
We are love.
Forgiven I repeated, I'm forgiven.
For glee before the Lord, I freely stand.
Forgiven I can dare forgive my brother.
Forgiven I reach out to take your hand.
I am love, I am love.
I can wish loving you.
For the one who knows me best, loves me most.
I am love, you are love.
Won't you please take my hand?
We are free to love each other.
We are love.
I am love, I am love.
I can wish loving you.
For the one who knows me best, loves me most.
I am love, you are love.
Won't you please take my hand?
We are free to love each other.
We are love.
Applause
You know the song says the hills are alive with the sounds of music.
But they were never so alive as in the days of the little old wooden church out on the hill.
It was in my childhood many years ago.
With the spirit of the Savior I was filled.
At an old fashioned meeting my memory lingers still.
In that little old wooden church way out on the hill.
You could hear the people singing about a mile or half a mile away.
And your heart began to give that sudden thrill.
And it would start your body moving.
You couldn't keep it still.
In that little old wooden church out on the hill.
Applause
Every Sunday morning we had our family prayer.
Then into that country wagon we would be.
Then we'd start out all our journey over rocks and over rills.
To that little old wooden church way out on the hill.
You could hear the people singing about a mile or half a mile away.
And your heart began to give that sudden thrill.
And it would start your body moving.
You couldn't keep it still.
In that little old wooden church way out on the hill.
In that little old wooden church out on the hill.
Applause
Many folk have passed us.
And many folk have gone.
But that sweet old golden memory lingers still.
I'm gonna keep that Holy Spirit till death my body chills.
I got it in that wooden church out on the hill.
You could hear the people singing about a mile or half a mile away.
And your heart began to give that sudden thrill.
And it would start your body moving.
You couldn't keep it still.
In that little old wooden church way out on the hill.
In that little old wooden church out on the hill.
Applause
Mark, can you believe all the famous people who have stayed here?
Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Lemon, Victor Borgey, Charles Carraldo, John Denver, Steve Allen.
Every famous person who ever stayed at this hotel is up on the wall.
Mark, you did it.
You did it.
As we tarry there, none other has ever known.
You know, if you're like me, you need some things in your life that you can depend on, things that don't change.
I tend to gravitate to people who are consistent and dependable, but even they can disappoint you sometimes.
That's why we need the constancy of God in our lives.
I love the old song that says,
Time is filled with swift transition,
Not of earth unmoved can stand.
So build your hopes on things eternal,
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
Time is filled with swift transition,
Not of earth unmoved can stand.
So build your hopes on things eternal,
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
And when your journey is ended,
Lift to God, you have been true.
Oh, fair and bright, your holy glory,
Pure and rapture, so will you.
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal,
And hold to God's unchanging hand.
You know, this is the first time that we have met since JD's death,
and the stories have been going around at lunch hour,
and they'll be going around for a long, long time.
I will remember JD with a lot of laughter, a lot of joy.
For you who were not at the funeral, it was a hoot.
It just really was.
People just shared stories.
In fact, George had a story that...
What was that, George?
You know, JD and I were friends for 42 years.
We were friends.
And JD loved to pick on me, all of his articles every year.
Down through the years, he picked on me.
He loved to pick on me.
One time I had on a pair of multi-colored cowboy boots, Bill.
They were black, but they had little streaks of orange and gold
and maroon running through them,
and I thought they were the toughest thing I'd ever seen.
So the first night I wore them, we had to be working with the stamps.
JD walked in, looked down at my boots and said,
Hey, George, how long did the doctor say you had to wear those?
That was him.
That was him, and I miss him.
One of my favorite stories of JD, he tells it on himself.
Back in, oh, I guess it was the early 60s, late 50s,
we were down in either Savannah or Augusta, Georgia, singing.
And in those days they didn't have, for you kids,
they didn't have those paper machines.
They had newspaper boards, kids on the street.
And this little boy got after JD.
He was going to sell him paper.
He said, Please, Mr., buy a paper.
JD said, Get away, kid.
And he followed him.
He said, Please, Mr., please buy a paper.
He said, Get away, kid.
And after about two blocks, finally that kid said, Please, Mr., buy a paper.
I just got four or five, buy a paper.
JD said, I can't read.
That kid said, Well, buy it and roll it up and stick it in your pocket
and you won't look so dumb.
JD said, How many you got, son?
Just give me all of them.
You know, one of the funniest things I think I heard JD do one night,
we were at the Ryman Auditorium and Wally Fowler's all night singing.
And it was probably in the mid-fifties.
The Spear family was there and James Blackwood and the Blackwoods
and Hovie and the Statesman.
And just as about to close, Brock happened to be the last one out to close
and he was going to dismiss in prayer.
And he said, Now, if the Lord don't come, we'll see all of you here
next first Friday night if the Lord don't come.
And JD stuck his head around the curtain.
He says, Well, don't worry about it.
James and Hovie will be there anyhow.
You know, JD was really fast.
Gloria had him and Mark Lowry up at her store.
We have a new store there in Alexandria for a night.
There are special nights that she has an artist and we were in our studio.
I had about 300 people there.
And they were telling stories and Mark was acting up
and JD was telling his thing.
And our little, how old was he, three years old, honey?
About three-year-old grandson.
He thought he could run wild because he's used to doing that, I guess.
He's running back and forth and back and forth while JD was talking.
And I kept thinking up my breath.
Crying out loud, Gloria, do something about getting Jess
because I knew it was aggravating JD.
JD kept trying to talk and Jess was having a big old time
running back to the front of the studio, back the other way,
and Gloria couldn't get him stopped.
And so finally JD turned around and said, Would somebody get that kid
and sit him in a seat?
And somebody sitting in the front row said, Hey, you better be careful.
That's Gloria's grandson.
He said, Oh, he is. What a lovely child.
I serious.
He was mad.
I think for all of our sakes, one more time we need to watch the clip,
the famous clip of JD and the organ player.
Roll the clip and we'll watch it one more time.
Morning blinks and oh, we know.
Now let us.
Have a little love with Jesus.
I've left word on the other organ in my view.
And he would have been happy.
He would have been happy.
There was no organ.
There was a lot of joy.
In fact, Larry and I yesterday were talking about this.
And we said, wouldn't it be great to write a little course?
We only got a little course.
And.
About the funeral.
About the fact that there were that there was an organ.
Larry, can you lead them?
There was laughter.
There were smiles and there were tears.
Friends of his were singing pretty words.
And he said, I'm in heaven.
J.D. was still in charge.
Not a sound of an organ.
I'll tell you one more story.
I was a little kid.
They were working in Lubbock.
Blackwoods were there.
And it was the first they were on the first tour that they'd ever had those new speakers.
And the stands, those metal things, they put them way up high.
You know those big old voice of the theaters?
Well, somehow, like I said, it was the first week or two they had those speakers.
J.D. mashed his finger real bad.
Had it wrapped up in a bunch of gauze and tape and stuff.
Putting those speakers up.
So they got out there in the middle of the concert and they got in the middle of a song.
And J.D. said, hold it, James.
I want to talk to these people just a minute.
I said, folks, I want you all to know something.
If I get in the middle of one of these songs and raise my hand up,
it ain't because I'm praising God.
I'm just trying to get the blood to run out of my soul.
And we're going to miss Mark had a wonderful experience the last three years of his life
getting acquainted with him.
And in talking to him one time, J.D. got a prisoner out of prison early
so he could be home with his wife and his family at Christmas.
And it really thrilled J.D.'s heart to know that that guy was going to be home with his wife and his kids.
Mark was quite curious and asked J.D.
He said, what did he do?
J.D. said, what do you mean?
I mean, what did he do to go to prison?
And without hardly missing a beat, right, Mark?
J.D. said, why does it make any difference?
I think it says something about J.D. and what happened in the last years of his life.
We did a special video on his life, and he wanted to sing this song.
He wanted to make this statement.
I want you all to watch it as he sings this special song, okay?
I've never been one.
You all know me, I've never been one to get on stage and what you call testify.
I always said my brother does the preaching and my sisters do the testifying,
and I was the singer of the family.
But this is my testimony.
Man, this was written especially for me.
Just listen to the words.
And this is J.D. Sumner.
I hope I can sing it, and I want to dedicate it to my brother, buddy.
God still lives in this old house.
If this earthly tabernacle would be dissolved today,
I'd trade it for a finer one that would not pass away,
but till the day arrives when it's time for moving out,
it's such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house.
The sweetest fellowship I've known has fortified these walls,
and peace has reigned since he's been walking up and down these halls.
There's snow upon the rooftop now, and these hinges are near worn out.
It's such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house.
To him it's been a dwelling place where he kept my hand and his.
To me it's home away from home is all that it really is,
and it sure ain't fine and fancy.
And all I can boast about is after all the years the Lord still lives in this old house.
There were times when he had the right just to up and move away,
and there were times and days I knew it took God's amazing grace to stay.
That's why I can sing and shout, it's such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house.
To him it's been a dwelling place where he kept my hand and his.
To me it's home away from home is all that it really is,
and it sure ain't fine and fancy.
And all I can boast about is after all the years the Lord still lives in this old house.
After all these years the Lord still lives in this old house.
And so Howard and Vestal and Les and George, Rex and Hovi, Jake and Naomi,
and many more of you, you're very, very important to us.
And we love you and we honor you and we want you to stick around as long as we get you to stick around.
Thank you very much.
Often I'm here, hurt on my way,
and so heavy I almost fall, then I hear Jesus sweetly say,
Heaven will surely be worth it all.
I hear the word of the sorrows and hear the evils, after this life,
with all its pride, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
I will endure until I shall hear the death angel call.
Jesus has promised and I'm sure Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Heaven will surely be worth it all.
After this life, with all its pride, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Someday this damning tongue will falter no more,
and a grander, sweeter song I shall sing,
for I'll join the ransom choir on Heaven's bright shore,
forever to praise the King.
And while the ages roll, I'll keep on praising Him, and my voice will never tire for no more.
And my song shall ever be praise the Lamb who died for me,
and I'll sing it while ages shall roll.
When a million years have passed in that wonderful place,
my song of praise will just have begun,
for my joy will never end while I look on His face,
and my song will never be done.
And while the ages roll, I'll keep on praising Him, and my voice will never tire for no more.
And my song shall ever be praise the Lamb who died for me,
and I'll sing it while ages shall roll.
New shady green pastures so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along.
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
some through the fire, but all through the blood,
some through great sorrow, but God gives a song.
In the night season and over day long.
Sometimes on the mountain where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along.
Sometimes in the valley in the darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
some through the fire, but all through the blood,
some through great sorrow, but God gives a song.
In the night season and over day long.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
some through the fire, but all through the blood,
some through great sorrow, but God gives a song.
In the night season and over day long.