Because He Lives

I’m a fan of ‘Gaither Homecoming’ music and videos.  Bill and Gloria Gaither have written 600+ songs over the years. They travel all over the world doing concerts with the ‘Gaither Vocal Band’ and a large group of ‘Gaither Homecoming’ singers.

I love the ‘Gaither Vocal Band’.  They sing both southern gospel and contemporary Christian.  Members of the group have changed over the years – currently, it’s David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, and Bill Gaither.  I love David Phelps.  His passionate voice can reach up to the gates of heaven.  I can still listen to my ‘former favorite members’ on YouTube.  One is Guy Penrod - his voice can rattle those very gates.  Mark Lowry and Michael English were also long-time members. 

These are a few of the classics Bill and Gloria wrote:

He Touched Me

The King Is Coming

I Bowed On My Knees

Midnight Cry

There's Something About That Name

I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary

Because He Lives

Rise Again

(Others with the Gaither's have also written many well-known songs.  For instance, one of my favorite Christmas songs, Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene wrote the lyrics and music.)

But at the very top of my favorites is Because He Lives.

 

(There is a story behind this song: Bill and Gloria were expecting another child. They were going through some difficultiesat the time. A sadness came over Gloria as she realized it's a horrible world to raise kids in and she worried about this baby's future.)

Soon after, God gave Bill and Gloria the words and melody to this song:

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!