KEY #SB10: THE B-I-B-L-E

"Now, where did I put that blue songbook?"  I look around the room and laugh.  My youngest grandson, two-year-old Little c, has begun to stack the old hymn and gospel songbooks like a tower.
"Here is it, Grandma," says Big C.  "On the bottom of my brother's tower.  Oh, dear."  He starts to gently tug at the favored book.
"My tow-er!"  Huge tear drops form in the eyes of Little c's anguished face.  He grabs the precious book and holds on tight.
The incident shows promise of becoming our first conflict since I brought the boys to show them the old country church by my childhood home.  (*NOTE FOR NEWCOMERS TO MY BLOG:  If you check the archives on the right side, you can read about the previous adventures!)
"Little c," I rush over and kneel down beside my grandsons.  "I think it's time to play one of your favorite songs on the old pedal organ.  Don't you think so?"
Little c thinks a moment.  "Yes," he says.  I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Good," I respond.  "The song is in this book, here on the bottom of the pile.  Let's lift the other books off carefully and set them aside.  Then we can play the song."
"Okay."
Together, we set the other books out of the way.
"What is your favorite song, Little c?" asks Big C.
Little c shakes his head.  "Don't know."  He looks at me and shrugs his shoulders.
"Come and sit on the organ with me and let's play it," I tell the boys.
"My turn to play the organ?" Big C asks.
"Yes, go ahead."
Big C takes the preferred spot in the middle of the organ bench.  His feet are long enough to reach the pedals, so Little c and I sit on each side, like bookends.  Big C starts to play and we all sing.
"The B-I-B-L-E.
Yes! That's the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E!"
Suddenly, Little c grabs the book from the organ rack, puts it on the floor and steps proudly on top.
"No, Little c, you can't step on a book!" his older brother protests.
"Song says 'stand on'!"Little c stubbornly stiffens his whole body, crossing his arms.  Such determination; not even a big semi-truck would cause him to budge!
Big C laughs.  I smile, wondering how to explain this concept to a two-year-old.
I needn't have worried.  Big C leans down to his little brother.  "That's not what the song means, Little c," he speaks gently.  "The song talks about the Bible, God's Word, not the song book!  But we don't really put our feet on top of it.  It means that the Bible is the best book in the whole world and it's just like we put our whole lives on top of it."
Little c looks doubtful, but steps off the book.
I take Little c in my arms and cuddle him.  "Big C, you said that exactly right.  When we put our trust in God, we stake our whole lives on His goodness and His love for us.  The precious book that God wrote, the Bible, is the only way that we can find out the honest truth about how the world was made and why we are here and how God wants us to live."
"But how did God write the book?" Big C raises questioning eyes to me.
"God told forty different people who lived on three different continents to write His Holy Book in three different languages  They wrote down the words God's Holy Spirit put into their minds.
"It took many, many hundreds of years to finish writing the Bible.  And, in spite of that, the whole Bible story fits together perfectly from beginning to end, sort of like a puzzle shows the whole picture when you put all the pieces together.  That is one way we know that only God could have written it!  Without knowing God's Word, all people are helpless in this life.  That is why it is so important to read our Bibles every day and tell others about God and where to find the truth."
"Let's sing it again," Big C starts to sing with abandon and Little c and I join in willingly.

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEK AS WE EXPLORE A BIT OF NATURE AND I SHARE A SONG I LEARNED AS A TEEN-AGER!

KEY #SB9: JESUS LOVES ME

"Here's another song I love!  You know it, too.  I've heard you sing it."
I hand the songbook that we found in the old treasure chest in the little country church to my grandson, Big C, and he reads the words clearly, "Jesus Loves Me."
"Is that an old song, Grandma?" he asks excitedly.
"Yes, it is very old.  I learned it when I was a child and I still like to sing it."
"But I thought that was a kid's song," Big C says doubtfully.
"Je-sus wuvs me, dis I no . . . " Little c sings exuberantly, "for da BiBo tells me so. . . " Then he takes another book and sits down to look at the pages and a few pictures.
"Jesus Loves Me' is a simple song that tells how Jesus saves us," I explain.  "That is why it's easy for children to learn and understand, but it also makes God's plan of salvation very clear to grown-ups.
"My mommy used to sing this song to me sometimes when she tucked me into bed at night, especially when I was sick or feeling sad."
"My mommy sings," Little c pipes up.
"Yes, dear, and your mommy has a beautiful voice.  My mommy did, too."  The boys are respectfully silent while I reflect for a moment.
"When I was in the hospital before your Uncle J was born," I continued, "I was very, very sick and hurt really bad.  My mommy and daddy came to visit me then,  and my mommy sang 'Jesus Loves Me' to me there, too. It comforted me a lot, even though I was a grown up at the time.
"Hearing or singing that song reminds me to think about the important things of life.  When things around us make us feel hurtful or sad, or when we are sick, it's good for us to remind ourselves that the only real important thing in this earth is our relationship with Jesus.  And because He comes to live in our hearts when we tell Him we are sorry for our sins, He gives us lots of love, too, so that we can love each other.  And no matter how weak we feel, we know that He is strong enough to take care of us.
"Other things in life come and go, like baseball and soccer games and school and parties.  But God and people are the only things that really matter in the long run.  
"When we get to Heaven, we'll live with Jesus forever and ever."
"Sometimes," Big C pondered, "I wish I could take my favorite toys to heaven with me."
"Well," I think before I respond.  "God has so many surprises waiting for us that are so much more special than anything we have on this earth."
"Really?"
I nod.  "And remember I told you earlier that Jesus said he is preparing a house for us to when He comes to take us to live with Him."
"Oh," Big C's eyes light up.  "I know when Jesus lived on earth He was a carpenter.  Do you suppose that's when He learned how to build our house in heaven?"
"No, but I'm happy that you knew that.  And the things He made while He lived on earth must have been very well built.
"But the Bible tells us in the very first book of Genesis that He made the world and all that is in it for our temporary home here.
"My daddy, who is your great-grandpa, built the house that we lived in by a lake.  He built some other houses, too, and sold them to people.  I don't know this for sure," I lowered my voice as though to share a secret.  "But sometimes I wonder if Jesus is letting him help build my house in Heaven.  Of course, I won't know until I get there."
I sit back and stretch my legs.  "But do you know that there is something you can take to Heaven with you?"
"What is it, Grandma?" Big C asks, his eyes round with surprise.
"Wat, Gamma?" Little c gives me his full attention, too.
"You can take people!  When you tell someone about Jesus and they ask Jesus to come into their heart to live, they will also go to Heaven.  So it's sort of like taking them with you!  God loves everybody and wants us to tell others so they can come to.  And I know you are doing that already."
Big C nods solemnly.
"I tell too," Little c announces.
I hug him and say, "Yes, whenever you sing 'Jesus Loves Me,' you are telling other people about God's love!"

"Jesus loves me, this I know;
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so!
Jesus loves me, He who died,
Heaven's gates to open wide.
He wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in!"

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER "SONG SESSION" WITH MY GRANDSONS!

KEY #SB8: THE TREASURE CHEST

"I can't get it open, Grandma!" Big C, my seven-year-old grandson, sounded exasperated.
"Here, let me help," I quickly knelt by his side and together we tugged on the rusty latch on the treasure chest we'd found in the old country church.  Sadly, I shook my head.  "Maybe it will have to wait until we get a strong man to help us."
Little c, the two-year-old brother of Big C, stepped to my side and slowly began to tug on the stubborn latch.  To our amazement, the metal cover began to rise.  Big C and I regarded Little c with awe and he proudly beamed.
"I stwong," Little c stated solemnly and matter-of-factly.
*NOTE TO NEWCOMERS:  I AM TAKING A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE LAND OF ABUNDANT LIFE THIS SUMMER WITH MY GRANDSONS.  IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY, PLEASE SEE THE ARCHIVES ON THE RIGHT.
Big C started digging hastily through the piles inside.  "It's only books, Grandma," he sounded disappointed.  "I like books but I thought we'd find something . . . " he fished for a word. . . "more."
I have to admit visions of gold coins and jewelry swam around in my head for a few moments.  After all, what would you expect to find in a treasure chest?
But Little c reached into the chest, grabbed a book and held it up to me.  "Weed, Gamma, weed," he urged.
I took the book from his hands and started to page through it.  "Oh, this is an old song book," I said.
Placing it down carefully on the floor, I began to sort through the other volumes.
"These contain songs that I have sung many times since I was a young girl," I remarked.  "Hymns and gospel songs."
"Him?  Her?" Little c asked.
I laughed and hugged him.  "Some of the old songs are called 'hymns.' Today we mostly sing praise songs in church, and I love singing them with my Christian sisters and brothers.  I think, when we do that with thankful hearts, we give God joy!
"And I enjoy these hymns very much, too."
"But if they are so old," Big C pondered, "maybe they're not much use any more.  We throw away lots of old stuff."
"Would you throw away your grandma?" I asked with a twinkle in my eye.
"Oh, no!  I love you, Grandma!"  He threw his arms around me.
"I know you wouldn't, honey.  You see, some things wear out when they get old and, you are right, they are not of much use.  But people, if they love God, can get better and wiser as they age even though their bodies are wearing out.
"It's the same with music.  Just because the old hymn books are worn, that doesn't mean the songs are not still useful.
"We can 'enjoy the new, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold'. . . hmm, I don't think I have that poem quite right, but it is still true in this case."
I examined another book and sighed, "Oh my.  I have so many memories tied up with these songs."
"Tell us, Grandma, about your memories," Big C begged.
"Mem-o-wes?  Tied up?"  Little c looked around, probably expecting to discover another box with a rope tied around it.
"They're like stories," Big C explained to his little brother.  " 'cept they really happened."
"Me wike stories."  Little c nodded expectantly.
"The name of this song, " I answered him.  "is "Holy, Holy, Holy."  Did you know that every single Sunday when I was a child and teen-ager, we sang this song first of all every Sunday morning at church?"
Both of my grandsons shook their heads solemnly.
"Mostly now," I continued,   "I like to sing different songs each week because there are so many of them that are good for us to sing.  But when I was young, singing this song every Sunday reminded me how awesome God is . . . remember we sang "Awesome God" earlier?"
They both nodded.
"It also helped me remember how fortunate I was to be able to have a relationship with my heavenly Daddy because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  Sometimes I would walk into church on Sunday feeling sad about something, but singing this song made me feel thankful and happy."
"Awesome God' makes me know that God has enough power to take care of me," said Big C.  "Lots more power than Superman!  And God is very real, too!  Superman is just made up. But I want to learn your song, too, Grandma!"
"Me, too, Gamma!"
"Let's take it to the organ and see if we can play it," I said, rising to my feet and leading the way.

"Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy!  merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy!  all the saints adore Thee!
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy!  though the darkness hide Thee!
Tho' the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity."

PLEASE CONTINUE TO JOIN US WEEKLY AS WE "EXPLORE" SONGS THAT GOD USES TO TOUCH OUR LIVES! 

KEY SB#7: THE OLD PEDAL ORGAN

"That was a great picnic lunch, Grandma!" Big C rubbed his full tummy.
Little c smiled with satisfaction and rubbed his tummy, too. "I wike stwawbewies."
We approached the big double wooden doors of the little country church that stands only a couple of miles from the lake where I grew up.
"It's a Swedish church," I explained as I pushed the doors open with the help of two eager boys.
"Is my church Swedish, Grandma?" asked Big C.
"Swe dis?"  Little c looked puzzled.
"Well, it just means that people who came to this country way across the ocean from the land of Sweden started this church to worship God together.  When I was a child, services weren't held here anymore except for once every summer and then the Swedish language was still spoken for the service."
"Did you go then, Grandma?" asked Big C.
"No,  since we couldn't understand the language.  My family came from Norway.  But we like to come here every now and then just because it is a special place and honors God."
The boys walked around slowly and respectfully, inspecting the antique, wooden pews and the simple pastor's podium.
Suddenly, Little c ran to the old organ with a beaming smile on his face.
"A piano!" he shouted.  "Me pway it, Gamma?"
"Of course," I smiled.  "Just be very careful with it."
He nodded and climbed up on the bench, patting the seat next to him.  I sat down on one side and Big C squished in on the other side of his little brother.  Little c pressed some notes but no sound came out.  He looked up at me, frustrated.
"This is an organ, not a piano," I explained.  "And it won't make a sound unless the pedals are pushed.
The boys looked down to the pedals.
"Feet don't go," Little c was trying hard to stretch his chubby legs to the floor.
Big C quickly knelt down on the floor and began to push the two large pedals alternately with vigor.
"Now try it, Little c," he spoke with encouragement.
When Little c pressed the next note,  a tuneful sound was heard and his mouth opened wide in amazement.
"Tank oo," he told his kind and helpful brother.
"As Little c continued to play, the notes began to turn into real praise songs that we recognized, and when Big C took a break from pedal-pushing, the organ continued to play!
"I didn't know Little c could play real songs," Big C said with awe.
"Well, remember Boys, we are in the Land of Abundant Living!" I said.  "Strange and wonderful things can happen here!"
We started to sing the words which all came easily to our minds, even to Little c's.
We went from song to song, without a pause:
"Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Fa-ther's glory!"  Big C's face shown with delight.
"How majestic is Your Name in all the earth!" I sang with power.
"Grandma, I've never heard you sing so good!" exclaimed Big C.
"Remember, this is the Land of Abundant Life," I reminded him again.
Little c blasted out the words of praise, "He is ex-awe-ted!  The King is ex-awe-ted on hi!  I pwai-ai-sse Him!"
Together we finished with "I could sing of Your love forever!" Then, a refreshed quiet settled on our little group.
"Grandma," Big C looked up at me.  "This is just like real church!  We sing those songs in our church!"
"Yes, Big C.  This is what church is.  Today we studied our Bible together while we had our picnic lunch and now we are worshipping God together.
"Having church is God's people getting together to learn about God and worship Him."
"Pway." Little c contributed.
"Yes, that is very important, too, Little c."  We bowed our heads and each talked to God.
Opening his eyes, Big C spotted something in the corner that had gone unnoticed until now.
"It's a treasure chest!" he exclaimed.  Both boys ran to see what was in it.  I couldn't recall ever having seen it here before.  "But,"  I reminded myself with a smile, "this is, of course, the Land of Abundant Life.  Strange and wonderful things can happen here."

Please join us next week as we find out what is in the Treasure Chest!