Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Lessons from the Blue Book

The Blue Book. I think I used a blue song book in church for all of my childhood. I remember going to college in Lubbock and attending church where the songbooks were green. It was a big change for me. :-)

The Blue Book makes me think of my Dad, pitchpipes, Sunday night singings, and learning to sing Alto. All very warm memories.

Very often, in difficult times, Jeff and I are drawn to our copy of the Blue Book. We sing through the songs and find comfort, encouragement, strength...community. We sing these songs to our kids. We want all that for them too.
These songs,sung a bazillion times in my childhood, come to my mind and heart at opportune moments...to alter my attitude, wake me up, make me smile and very, very often....remind me of my Hero and how He lives in many precious people in my life.

*Victory in Jesus--Known in our house as "Papa's favorite." Cuz it is...
*Amazing Grace--the only song my Granny could sing after a series of strokes. Couldn't say our names or remember recipes or even talk much at all...but she could always sing Amazing Grace.
*Follow Me--powerful...my Dad's other favorite :-)
*How Great Thou Art
*Oh Lord our Lord--Sung at ACU with tons of people--heavenly!
*Where We Never Grow Old--the song Mamma sang with us just before she went Home.
*I Have Decided to Follow Jesus-- sung when I was baptized
*Freely, Freely --sung when Jeff was baptized
*Blessed Assurance--
*Just As I Am--
*Walking in Sunlight
*Trust and Obey
*Sing and Be Happy
*Ring the Message Out--learned this song in Loy and Donna Mitchell's living room(the Mitchell's were my first Africa connection)

On and on it goes...a heritage in song of faith. Old tunes, sometimes old words...very current Truth.

So often, a phrase gets stuck in my head. This morning, "Grace, grace. God's grace. Grace that can pardon and cleanse within. Marvelous grace. Infinite grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin." Reminding me of His new mercy every morning. And how I should have that same mercy for all those around me.

And for the past few days, "Count Your Blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done..." With water and power off, I needed the reminder.

So, I'm thankful this morning. For Grace, His Blessings, and His Spirit for giving me yet another lesson from the Blue Book.

4 comments:

Lori Ann said...

When I was growing up it was the red books. Often referred to by us teens as the "Scared Selections"
I like it when I hear Nathan humming or singing a few lines to a hymn. I like it when we sing some of the "old" ones. I love praise songs too, but sometimes there is comfort and memories in the old ones!
Do you have water and electricity yet??

Aimee Jo said...

Man, I do understand. I used to sit down at the piano and tap out the soprano and alto parts to all of those songs. I love them--they remind me of my grandpa and dad.
One of my favorites is "Majestic Sweetness", especially the line that says, "...To Him I owe my life and breath, and all the joys I have. He makes me triumph over death and saves me from the grave."
Thank you, Jesus!

Kristi said...

I love to sing "My God and I" as a lullaby to the kids. I love the look of quiet that comes over them with that particular song.

I'll never forget a bunch of the Cash cousins gathered around Grandaddy's bed, as we were saying our good-byes. He mouthed the words as we sang "It is Well". What a beautiful song to be singing as you prepare to enter heaven.

Steve Maxwell said...

Cheryl,
I don't know where to start when it comes the "Blue Book". The blue book connects me to my beginning in the family of Christ. I believe I was created to encourage Gods people in song and I am so grateful to you for blogging this. It is good to be reminded of the blessings we are to count "one by one". Take care, Cheryl
Big Steve