The Morris's

Story Behind The Song

It’s Not Goodbye

Everyone who writes gospel songs longs to write a song that would be a comfort to God’s people. We were blessed to be able to do so with "It’s Not Goodbye".

I’m in my 13th-year of pastoring, and one of the necessary responsibilities that occurs all to frequently is that of officiating funerals. Once a minister finishes speaking, he is most often expected to stand at the head of the casket while friends and family pass by. It is there that one hears many tender statements, especially those of the family.

Early on I would hear bereaved spouses, as they bid their companion farewell, softly say, "This is not goodbye dear, I’ll see you later." Kathryn I discussed often that if we could ever write song which covered that theme, it would likely minister to many people. We just had no idea how many people.

Whale University

They claim that one of the most-written-about themes in southern gospel music is that of Jonah and the whale. Well, here’s another song to add to that list.

The idea for Whale University came from a sermon preached by our good friend , evangelist Wilbur Hurt, from Indianapolis, IN. Bro. Hurt preaches a series of meetings annually at the church I pastor in Mt. Washington, KY, Calvary Christian Center, and on his last visit in September of 2005 he happened to mention Jonah in his message, saying "God had to send Jonah to whale university." Immediately Kathryn whispered to me, "That’s a great idea for a song." I have to admit that I wasn’t sure at first, but she persisted.

Within a few weeks we had the chorus finished, but it would not be until May 2006 that we would complete the song.

When I Think Of What You’re Doing There

After writing and recording "It’s Not Goodbye" and hearing from hundreds of people across the country, both Kathryn and I better understood just how God could use a song to help bring some measure of comfort during one of the most difficult seasons of life.

"It’s Not Goodbye" dealt more with the early stages of a loss. We still hear from people on a monthly basis who want the song for a funeral service. But, " When I Think Of What You’re Doing There" speaks more to the period after the loss, those weeks and months - even years - when one is adjusting to life without that precious one in their life.

For those who have passed on "in Christ", meaning they have died in faith trusting the promises of God, we have the assurance that they are now at home with the Lord. I know personally that it helps me to consider just what they are doing there.