The Bright Forever

Send us a text Have you ever needed something steady to hold onto when everything around you was shaking? "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" might be the quietest anthem of faith ever written—not making a grand entrance, but showing up faithfully when your strength doesn't. Unlike hymns of triumph and majesty, this beloved gospel song speaks to our deepest vulnerabilities. Born from real heartbreak...

Send us a text "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," a hymn so universally beloved it's often called "The National Anthem of Christendom." Join us as we trace the remarkable journey of Edward Perronet, born in 1726 to a French Huguenot pastor and associate of the Wesley brothers. Perronet's life exemplified devotion to the King he proclaimed. We explore this hymn's global impact through moving stor...

Send us a text George Matheson sat alone on his sister's wedding night, a blind pastor abandoned years earlier by his fiancée who couldn't bear life with a blind man. In just five minutes, from this place of profound heartache, he penned one of the greatest hymns of surrender and God’s faithfulness: "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go." This episode takes you on a journey through each verse of this ex...

Send us a text Surrender might be the hardest spiritual practice of all. It runs counter to everything our culture celebrates – control, self-determination, making our own path. Yet somehow, in the letting go, we find something extraordinary. This episode explores the powerful hymn "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" – a hymn born from disappointment when Adelaide Pollard's missionary dreams crumbled in 19...

Send us a text Join us this week as we explore the simple yet transformative hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," composed by the remarkable Helen Lemmel. We dive into her inspiring journey through music and faith, revealing how the hymn was influenced by a simple yet powerful pamphlet challenging believers to focus on Christ, not the distractions of life. This episode details the hymn’s profound mes...

Send us a text In our latest episode, we uncover the depth and beauty of "All Creatures of Our God and King," a hymn deeply rooted in the life and teachings of it's author St. Francis of Assisi. Together, we explore how this powerful hymn not only showcases the glory of the Creator through creation but also calls each of us into an act of humble worship. Journey with us as we delve into the life o...

Send us a text This week’s episode concludes a heartfelt exploration of the hymn "Be Still, My Soul," emphasizing its significance in a world filled with chaos and grief. With our special guest, Steve Peavyhouse, we explore personal stories and reflections, and highlight the power of stillness, community, and faith in guiding listeners through life's trials. Through our discussion we talk about th...

Send us a text This episode invites listeners to rediscover the comfort found in the hymn "Be Still, My Soul." Through personal stories and deep discussions, we explore the hymn's message about trusting God in life's uncertainties and the importance of remembering to preach the gospel to ourselves everyday. We look at the power of personal stories in our faith journeys. We discuss musical prosody ...

Send us a text Have you ever asked whether your life story is about you or part of something greater? As we kick off the third season of "The Bright Forever," we hope to illuminate the transformative power of viewing our lives as part of Jesus's grand narrative. We look at how this simple song speaks volumes and reminds us sweetness found in the precious story of our Savior. This episode takes you...

Send us a text I've always marveled at the power of a single hymn to uplift spirits in even the most somber moments. This season on the podcast, we've unearthed the profound stories etched into the lines of classic hymns like "How Great Thou Art," "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," and "Blessed Assurance." Join us for this Season 2 send off as we recap all the amazing episodes that made this season s...