The Bright Forever
Rediscovering the power and richness found in some of greatest hymns of the faith. Join us as we dive deep into the authors, the stories, and the power behind some the greatest hymns of the past.
The Bright Forever
My Jesus, I Love Thee
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Imagine the sweet notes of a timeless hymn weaving through the air, carrying with them sentiments of undying love for Jesus. That's the melody that frames our latest episode, where my daughter Zoey and I take you on a journey through the beautifully poetic lyrics of "My Jesus, I Love Thee." A touching testament composed by a teenager, William Ralph Featherston, this hymn has the power to resonate across generations, speaking to the hearts of many. Our exchange bridges the gap between young and old, revealing the depth of emotion and devotion present in this cherished piece of hymnody.
As Zoey lends her youthful wisdom to our conversation, we share personal reflections on the impact of Featherston's words, especially in times of loss and mourning. It's a discussion that transcends mere analysis, becoming a comforting embrace for those seeking assurance of salvation and the hope of heaven. The power of Featherston's creation is not lost on us; we marvel at how a young man from the 1800s could craft words that still echo with relevance and inspire current and future generations to express their love for Jesus in such a profound way.
We close our episode with a dose of spirituality, as Zoey takes the lead in a heartfelt prayer that encapsulates our gratitude for the enriching dialogue we've shared. It's a sweet moment of peace and reflection, one that extends blessings for the week ahead and solidifies the connections we've nurtured through our faith and appreciation for this great hymn. We invite you to join us once again as we continue to explore the richness of faith through song and story.
SHOW CREDITS:
Red Mountain Hymn Collective
"My Jesus, I Love Thee" taken from Depth of Mercy: A Red Mountain Church Hymn Project
UPDATE: THE SONGBOOK RESOURCE SITE IS CURRENTLY DOWN
Download the entire Red Mountain Music catalogue of songs in one PDF Songbook (does not include hymns from Silent Night, Demos & B-sides).
The PDF download includes everything Red Mountain Music has available.
DEPTH OF MERCY ALBUM CREDITS:
Brian Barrett: bass
Lori Cheng: cello
Chris Copeland: guitar
Robbie Cureton: drums
Patrick Darby: trumpet
Karl Digerness: guitar, vocals
Joseph Digerness: upright bass
Mollie Garrigan: vocals
Michael Glaser: drums
Geoff Irwin: bass
Chip Kilpatrick: drums
Jeff Koonce: guitar
Josh Meredith: violin
Hugh Mitchell: vocals
Corey Nolen: vocals
Brian T. Murphy: piano, keyboards
Tim Pitzer: guitar, mandolin
Connie Skellie: vocals
Stokes Skellie: vocals
Andrew Spear: guitar
Ashley Spurling: vocals
Clint Wells: electric & acoustic guitars
Zac Young: drums
Depth of Mercy was recorded by Brian T. Murphy
Recorded at Red Mountain Studios, May - October 2003
Produced by Brian T. Murphy and Paul R. Scodova
Mixing and Mastering: Paul R. Scodova
Executive Producer: Brian T. Murphy
Project Management: Bradley N. Cordell
Graphic Design and layout: Kory Westerhold
Photography: Kory Westerhold, Frank Price
www.thebrightforever.com
All songs used by permission.
There is no light in the planet but that which proceeds from the sun, and there is no true love to Jesus in the heart but that which comes from the Lord Jesus himself. Charles Virgin, this is happening again.
Speaker 2Oh, hey dad.
Speaker 3Hey Zoe, so whatcha doing?
Speaker 1Oh, this is my part. I'm co-hosting.
Speaker 3Oh, you are.
Speaker 1Of course you need me today.
Speaker 3Oh, I do, and why is that?
Speaker 1Hello, you're doing my Jesus. I love thee.
Speaker 3Uh huh, I'm still confused.
Speaker 1I hear that happens more and more as people your age get older.
Speaker 3Grounded.
Speaker 1Dad, I just mean that you need me on this podcast. Today's hymn was written by a teenager, and I'm about to be a teenager, so I bring a certain je ne sais quoi.
Speaker 3That literally means I don't know what.
Speaker 1Exactly.
Speaker 3Okay, well, you already did the quote, which, by the way, I like, that one. Uh, where'd you find that?
Speaker 1I'm extremely well read. I have amazing parents.
Speaker 3That is true. So now, all I need to say is this is the Bright Forever Q Music.
Speaker 1Hello and welcome to the Bright Forever where each week we discover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith. My name is Zoe Pivilleros and my dad will be our host and guide on this, our adventure through hymnity.
Speaker 3Nice job, you girls have been on fire.
Speaker 1I know we totally sway, and without further ado. Dad, the mic is now yours.
Speaker 3Well, all right, here we go. By the way, thank you, zoe, that was a great intro and for all of you listening out there, it is wonderful to be back with you again this week, coming off an amazing week, getting to hear from my dad about the timeless Fanny Crosby hymn, blessed Assurance. Today, as you can hear, I have another fantastic co-host this week my eldest daughter, zoe Pivilleros. Hi, zoe, hi. She will be helping me stay on topic as well as giving us her unique insight into our hymn for today. Hey, zoe, I'm going to ask you the same thing that I asked Lily what about Gemma? Should we, like, have her co-host one?
Speaker 1I think she could do it now.
Speaker 3Okay, can you go and get her? I'm just kidding.
Speaker 1No, she's sleeping.
Speaker 3Oh, good point. Well, today we'll be exploring the beloved hymn my Jesus, I Love Thee, a powerful expression of devotion penned by William Ralph Featherston In the 19th century, when he was just in his teens. And to tell us her insights into this classic hymn of the church, we will speak to my very special guest, my 12 year old daughter, zoe. So, whether you're familiar with the hymn or hearing it for the first time, we hope that as we explore this song, it will stir your heart towards a closer and more intimate relationship with your Savior and Lord.
Speaker 1Before we begin, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and follow us, so you'll never miss an episode.
Speaker 3The story behind this hymn is as moving as the lyrics themselves. William Ralph Featherston was just a teenager when he wrote the poem that Would Become my Jesus, I Love Thee. Born in Montreal, canada, july 23, 1846, featherston was the son of a Methodist minister, an Englishman, who had immigrated to Canada. As a young man, featherston experienced a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result of his conversion, he became captivated by the love of God and wanted to express his adoration in words. At the tender age of 16, or 12, depending on the stories he penned a poem celebrating his conversion. He called it my Jesus, I Love Thee, as a heartfelt declaration of his love for his Savior.
Speaker 3Featherston's poem was never intended for publication, but years later his poem found its way into the hands of a music publisher who recognized its beauty and potential. It said that Featherston's aunt was sent the poem by William and recognized its potential. This story is explained by Ira Sanky in his book my Life and Sacred Songs, published in London in 1906. Sanky relays what was told to him by Featherston's aunt. Some of the dates don't quite add up, but essentially he explains that Featherston either 12, or possibly 16, at the time composed the words to this beautiful hymn that has quote outlived hymn.
Speaker 3She submitted it for publication and soon after it found its way into the hands of AJ Gordon, a prominent Baptist minister and founder of Gordon College and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Also a hymn writer in his own right, gordon was touched by the sincerity of Featherston's words, but felt that the original musical setting didn't do justice to the profound message of the poem. So he took it upon himself to compose a new melody that better captured the essence of Featherston's heartfelt declaration of love for Jesus. Gordon's new musical arrangement breathed new life into my Jesus, I Love Thee and catapulted it to worldwide acclaim. The hymn quickly gained popularity among Christians of all denominations and has since been translated into numerous languages. What makes my Jesus, I Love Thee so enduring is its genuine expression of love and devotion to Jesus Christ. Featherston's simple yet profound words resonate with believers across generations, reminding us of the deep and abiding love that Christ has for each one of us.
Speaker 1My Jesus, I Love Thee. I know that weren't mine, For Thee are the follies of sin. I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou. If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now.
Speaker 3I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow. If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now.
Speaker 1I'll love Thee in life. I will love Thee in death and praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath and say, when the death dew lies cold on my brow if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now.
Speaker 3In mansions of glory and endless delight. I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright. I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow. If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now. And with that, let's hear more about this special hymn from another extraordinary 12-year-old, my daughter Zoe, as she shares her thoughts on my Jesus I love Thee and why she chose to talk about this timeless hymn. We are here today with my amazing 12-year-old and that just boggles my mind sometimes, daughter, that she is 12 already and getting older and making me feel older and older every day. But we're here with my amazing daughter Zoe. How are you doing?
Speaker 1I'm doing great. How about you?
Speaker 3I'm doing good, so we're talking about my Jesus. I love Thee. Let's start real simple. What does this hymn mean to you personally?
Speaker 1It reminds me of Christ's grace to me and love towards me, because His loving grace is shown. In the second verse. It says I love Thee because Thou first lovin' me and purchased my pardon in Calvary's tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on my brow. If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus tis now. So the second and the third line just talks about His crucifixion, how he purchased my life so that I can be saved.
Speaker 3When you say His grace and His love towards you. Why are those so important?
Speaker 1So then I can go to heaven and rejoice with Him all day long.
Speaker 3Can you share a specific moment or an experience when this hymn had a significant impact on your faith or on your relationship with Jesus?
Speaker 1Months back, like right after my birthday, my aunt unexpectedly passed away at a young age, and being upset and like just sad about her death, I read this hymn and it reminded me that she's safe in heaven. Rejoicing God, that's larger than life.
Speaker 3What made you think that everything would be okay?
Speaker 1I know that she accepted Christ into her heart, and in the last verse it says in mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright, I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow. If ever I love thee. My Jesus is now in heaven. It's like better than ever. That just helps me know that she's in a better place now.
Speaker 3So how do you interpret the lyrics? My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine, in that very first verse.
Speaker 1Well, when you accept Christ into your heart, you are his and he is yours. Isn't that a verse in John dad?
Speaker 3in John 15.
Speaker 1John 15.
Speaker 3John 15, verse 5, says I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing. So when it says my Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine that we are part of him and he is part of us. The hymn talks about loving Jesus because thou hast first loved me. How does this idea, this idea that God loved us first, now, how does that understanding affect your own love for Jesus?
Speaker 1John 3 16 says for God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, so that Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God gave us a way to love him through his son, jesus. Before that, we could like Never love him and others as much as as much as he does with us. But because Jesus came into the world, he gave us that pathway in order to love God as much as he's he does us so so You're saying that we could not have loved God like we couldn't have chosen God?
Speaker 3He had to choose us first. He had to love us first. He had to show us how to love, how to love in that that sacrificial love. By giving his life for us, he showed us how to love, not just to love him, but how to love each other and love each other correctly. Absolutely so in what ways does singing or listening to this hymn help you connect with God on a deeper level?
Speaker 1it gives me a better and deeper like understanding on how to love him as much as he loves us. So In like the third, like the second and third verse, well, but mainly in verse 3 you talked about loving him as much as possible, even when death is literally one second away from us. I see that because it says in the second line it says and praise thee as long as the land to me read like you're going, like you're going to praise him Until death strikes you. Because in line 3 of verse 3 it says and say when the death do lies cold on my brow, if ever I love thee at my, jesus does now.
Speaker 3So is there anywhere in scripture where it talks about that?
Speaker 1Isn't that in Philippians 120?
Speaker 3It is yeah, so like. So verse 3 is saying it's kind of echoing what is said in Philippians, chapter 1 we're saying I'm gonna honor you, whether in life, whether in death, however it is, I'm going to honor you, I'm gonna love you, god, no matter what. And then he's saying in verse 21 he says For to live is Christ and to die is gain, meaning to live. I think it goes into that second line where it says and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath. You're saying as long as I'm alive, for to live is Christ. To live I'm gonna keep praising you, I'm gonna keep telling people about you. To live is to be in Christ and to be Talking about him and to be praising him and to be giving my life for him. So, whether in life or in death, that is it. And In life it means praising you, in Death it means I get to be with you. Would you agree with that?
Speaker 1Absolutely, because it's the truth.
Speaker 3Are there any particular lines or phrases from the hymn that like really resonate with you, like more than any other, and why?
Speaker 1I absolutely love. If ever I love the my Jesus is now Verse one. It's basically saying out with the old and with the new, and you're going into a new life and you're resigning from your old life, which is like the follies of sin, the foolish things I've done in my life, and whenever you're going into your new life, it's your new life through Christ. And at the end it says if I ever love the, my Jesus is now. Like you love Jesus more than you did in the past. And in verse two it talks about why we love Jesus and talks about how he was crucified on the cross for so then we can live.
Speaker 1And at the end of that verse it says if ever I love the, my Jesus is now, which it's more than you did in the first verse, and like you love him, like right now. And in verse three it talks about how you love the in life and love the in death and how we can live our life and rejoice in Christ, and even when death is like literally standing right in front of you about to take your life away. If ever I love the my Jesus is now More than you did. In verse one and two and even before then. And in verse four, you're in heaven, you're meeting God face to face, you're rejoicing him in awe. And at the end, of course, again it says if ever I love the, my Jesus is now. You live him now more than you did in life.
Speaker 3So it kind of tells a story. And hymns like this and I've talked about it on multiple podcasts before how hymns tell stories and I like how you kind of went through and it tells the story of a life from the moment we accept Christ to the moment we see him face to face and that idea of loving him more and more and more and more, that's really good.
Speaker 1Thanks.
Speaker 3So what lessons have you learned from my Jesus? I love you that you could carry with you into your own faith journey.
Speaker 1I learned how it tells like more of a story.
Speaker 3Why do you think stories are so important?
Speaker 1So then people have like something to talk about, read, just like to not be bored.
Speaker 3And that's it.
Speaker 1No, I feel like it kind of might like reflect on their life a bit.
Speaker 3So stories help to not just tell us something, but they teach us things and they can help us kind of maybe put ourselves into somebody else's shoes, or maybe stories help us understand, maybe concepts that if you just heard somebody tell you about something let's say I told you about well, god loves you and God cares about you. But telling a story about how you experience God's love or how you know that God loves you, or you tell a story about it, that story may resonate with somebody and they may go oh wow, I felt like that before too. That's really cool that God was able to talk to you in that way or to do something in your life. And so stories tend to not just teach us but help us kind of work through things, would you say. That's true.
Speaker 1Absolutely. I feel like you can make people like more empathetic through stories.
Speaker 3So, before we go, and I saved this one for last and I saved this one for last because I know when you and I talked about doing this him, one of the reasons why you were like, oh yeah, that sounds good, is because, featherston, when he wrote this, he was just a teenager. And, as someone who is about to be a teenager, do you find it inspiring, do you find it surprising that someone of your age could write something that is so meaningful and that is so timeless, that stood the test of time? And how does knowing his age at the time he wrote this affect your understanding or your appreciation for it?
Speaker 1Well, I really find it inspiring that he was just a teenager and he wrote something this meaningful and powerful in life. And knowing that kids my age and older they're too lazy to do anything, they're usually just on their phones looking up stuff on YouTube.
Speaker 3People your age on phones.
Speaker 1Yes.
Speaker 3Spending time on mindless entertainment, what that can't possibly be true. You don't do that right.
Speaker 1I don't have a phone, so no, oh good, good, you must have really good parents. Yeah, totally.
Speaker 3But you do have an iPad.
Speaker 1Yeah, I do have an iPad. I also do stupid stuff on it too.
Speaker 3Thank you, I have that on record now. Thank you. Oh my gosh. So what do you think the difference between Featherston and the as a teenager way back then in the 1800s, and you today, what are? Or teenage, not to say you, let's say teenagers, just your age group, that that, that age from about 12 to 19, like that age. What exactly is so different between him being a teenager then and you being one now? And is it just that we have a lot more technology and a lot more things to to distract us?
Speaker 1I feel like because of a lot of technology like I feel like that kind of distracts us and like putting our idle soft phones, tablets, computers, pod I'm just kidding. I feel like because of that we kind of put like an idle, like we put that as our idle instead of God being our idle.
Speaker 3Yeah, so technology-wise, there's a lot more idle manufacturing happening in our lives with cell phones, with wanting to be liked or hearted on Instagram or see the latest TikTok video or be and I know this is making me old get a, get a like on Facebook. Because I know yeah, I know, see, I'm getting eye rolls just for saying the word Facebook, because Facebook's like so old people it's all about. It's all about TikTok and Instagram and Snapchat.
Speaker 3Twitter. Yeah, or well, it's called X, now X. That's right. I know that part, because we are on X.
Speaker 1Yeah, you're Gen X, no the podcast.
Speaker 3Yes, I know, I'm Gen X. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1X, because people who use it are Gen X.
Speaker 3Wow, wow, okay. Well, that's all the time I have for you today. I really do think that people your age I think that teenagers though there are a lot more distractions and there's a lot more out there for you to mindlessly surround your life with I think that teenagers have the ability to think like this. I think teenagers have the ability to write songs like this and to write poems like this that can stand the test of time. That just because you have technology, just because you have a lot of distractions at your fingertips, I don't necessarily think it in any way stops you from thinking in a deep way, thinking critically and thinking deeply. But you've got to be willing to think deeply.
Speaker 3Even the students I teach that's probably the hardest thing to teach them is how to think, how to sit down and read something and think about it, or to sit down and really contemplate what does something mean and why do I believe what I believe and why do I think the way I think and how do I change that or how do I fix that. And I'm not saying that you can't. I honestly think the potential to write a song like this, to write a classic song like this, is there. I think you could do this. I think anybody could do this. It's a question of will you or will you take the time to Do you think that's true?
Speaker 1Absolutely.
Speaker 3Why do you think so many people aren't willing to put in the time?
Speaker 1Because they are lazy. They are lazy bums.
Speaker 3Does that include you?
Speaker 1A little bit Sometimes.
Speaker 3I think we all can be lazy bum sometimes.
Speaker 1Results may vary.
Speaker 3True, very good point. Well, I love this hymn. I have loved my Jesus. I love the four times. I've loved my Jesus more than ever. I've loved my Jesus more than ever. Thank you for being on the podcast.
Speaker 1You're welcome.
Speaker 3Awesome. Thank you, goodbye.
Speaker 2Jesus is now. I love thee because thou hast first love at me and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow. If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. I love thee in life. I will love thee in death and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath and say when the death do lies cold on my brow. If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now.
Speaker 2In mansions of glory and endless delight. I'll ever adore thee in heaven, so bright, I'll sing with a glittering crown on my brow.
Speaker 4If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. I'll ever adore thee in heaven, so bright.
Speaker 3That was my Jesus. I Love Thee. By Red Mountain Church Music From their 2003 release Depth of Mercy, a Red Mountain Church hymn project. For more information about this album, check out the album credits in the show notes for this episode. You can find Depth of Mercy and many other albums from Red Mountain Church Music on their website, wwwRedMountainChurchMusiccom, and the Red Mountain Church Collective on wwwHymCollectiveorg. So what do you think about that song?
Speaker 1One thing I have to say that harmony was perfect, Spot on.
Speaker 3Well, would you like to come back again?
Speaker 1Sure.
Speaker 3What hymn would you like to do next time?
Speaker 1Greatest Thy faithfulness. I love that one.
Speaker 3Greatest Thy faithfulness. That's a good hymn. I like Greatest Thy faithfulness.
Speaker 1Me too.
Speaker 3Well, thank you again for being on, and maybe next time we'll be able to do Greatest. Thy faithfulness.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 3Thank you for joining us this week on the Bright Forever. Remember to follow us, like us, review us and, of course, click that subscribe button on whatever podcast app you use and check out all of the amazing features available on our website at wwwTheBrightForevercom. We always want to hear from you. There are multiple ways you can do just that. You can always email us at podcastatthebrightforevercom Again, that's podcastatthebrightforevercom. You can also click the contact us tab at the top of the website and send us a message through our contact form. Or go to our website and click the radio microphone at the bottom right corner and record a message up to two minutes and let us know what you think of each episode, and don't miss an opportunity to show off the fact that you listen to the Bright Forever.
Speaker 1Visit our merch store on our website by simply clicking the store tab in the menu. I also designed a shirt.
Speaker 3You did. You designed a shirt and I think, a lunchbox too, right.
Speaker 1Yeah, a lunchbox is basically the same as a shirt, though yeah.
Speaker 3Actually I think uh, didn't you design two shirts?
Speaker 1No, just one.
Speaker 3Just one. Okay. Your financial support means the world to us as we continue to reach more and more people with the powerful message of these amazing hymns. If you would like to help us reach an even greater audience with these hymns, take a moment and go to wwwTheBrightForevercom. Click on the support the podcast tab in the menu. You can also find that same link in the show notes that says support the podcast. You can subscribe by giving three, five, eight or $10 each month to support what we're doing here at the Bright Forever. And if you're not ready to commit to every month, you can always click the yellow coffee icon at the bottom left of our page page and give a $5 or greater one time gift through our BuyMeACoffeecom supporters account. Thank you again for listening and I hope you all have an amazing week. Before we go, zoe, would you like to close us out in prayer?
Speaker 1Sure.
Speaker 3Go for it.
Speaker 1Lord, thank you for today, Thank you for this amazing hymn. Hope each of us to remember that we are loved by you because you loved us first and we can love you more and more each and every day. Give us each an amazing week and bring us back next week to hear more from you. Thank you for who you are and we pray all in this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Speaker 3God bless you all. Have a great week and we'll see you back here next week.
Speaker 1Hey, hey, hey.
Speaker 3What.
Speaker 1I started this, so I think I should end this, don't you think?
Speaker 3Oh, okay, just let me say we're out.
Speaker 4Yeah.
