Jewel # 114 (June 24, 2012)

"And They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts,

in that day when I make up

MY JEWELS."

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren,

Tommy's Rescue

Tommy had spent a week at a day camp and had heard how God loved him and had sent His Son Jesus to die for him.  Even though he was just nine years old, Tommy decided to trust Jesus as his Saviour.  He believed that on the cross Jesus had taken the punishment he deserved for his sins.

Some weeks later, Tommy was at a lake with his family and was so happy to discover he could go out alone in a canoe.  He had learned how to paddle it and get back to the dock by himself.  So one afternoon while his dad sat on the dock reading, Tommy headed off in the canoe.  A wind suddenly came up, and the water became rough with waves.  Hard as he tried, the canoe refused to turn in the direction he wanted it to go.  Instead, he found himself being blown farther and farther away from the shore.

Now Tommy was really scared and started to cry.  But his dad, not realizing what was happening, never looked up from his reading, and Tommy was out too far for his calls to be heard.  

But all was not lost.  Tommy thought about what he had learned at the day camp.  He remembered that God loved him and would hear his prayer.  So he stopped crying and prayed that God would make someone see him before the waves took the canoe out of sight.

Did God answer his prayer?

His sister was in the cottage and suddenly decided to go see where Tommy was.  Searching the water, she finally saw him far away on the other side of the lake.  She quickly told the family where he was.  They got a boat and followed him across the choppy lake and rescued Tommy from his scary adventure.

Tommy was happy to tell his family that after he had prayed he was not scared any more.  He knew God would send someone for him.  Isn't it great that God hears the prayers of children, as well as older ones, who call upon Him?  In the Bible we have a wonderful promise from God:  "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).  Tommy probably will never forget his lesson of how God answered his prayer.

I love you all,

Grandpa

Jewel # 113 (June 10, 2012)

Stradivarius Violin                                   Antonio Stradivari

Carved Model

"And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, 

in that day when I make up 

My Jewels."

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren,

Diligence

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth

 not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

(2 Timothy 2:15)

The story is told of a young Italian boy who lived some centuries ago.  His name was Antonio and he loved music.  Sadly, whenever he tried to sing the music that was in his heart, it sounded so bad that all his friends laughed at him.  Next to singing, even though Antonio could not play the violin, he dearly loved to hear violin music played by a master.

Antonio always carried a pocket knife with him and though he couldn't do his two favorite things - sing or play the violin - at a young age he began to whittle wood objects.  Before long he became quite an artist.

One day Antonio learned that the greatest master violin maker in all Italy, the great Nicolo Amati, had moved to his village and set up his work shop there!  An excited Antonio began to whittle a small wooden violin.  He worked for many painstaking hours and created a beautiful model of a violin.  Though shy, Antonio greatly desired to present his carved wooden violin to the great violin maker as a sign of his respect and awe of the master who had moved to his village.

It took quite a bit of time for Antonio to work up the courage to go to the Master's house.  Finally one day, Antonio, with trembling hands and pounding heart walked down the street to the great man's home and workshop.  He tremblingly tapped on the door expecting a servant to answer his hesitant knock.

Antonio was very surprised when the master violin maker, Amati himself, opened he door.  Antonio hesitatingly offered the beautiful little carved violin he had made.  He told the master, "Sir, I love music, but I cannot sing.  I specially love to hear violin music, though I cannot play a violin well.  But I do wish with all my heart that I might learn to make violins."

The great master violin maker Amati smiled as he carefully studied the small gift.  Then he said, "This is beautifully done!  So you want to make violins?  Well you shall!  In time your violins will be the equal of mine and they will make beautiful music!"

And so it was that young Antonio Stradivari became the pupil of Nicole Amati and in time did indeed create the highly treasured Stradivarius Viloins. 

I love you all,

Grandpa