Remembering Billy Keene Johnson

Today I sit in a small garden on the campus where I work, admiring the blue skies and imagining the beautiful scene above them. While my family, miles away, attends my grandfather's funeral, I join them in spirit. The spitting image of Roald Dahl's BFG, my grandfather served aboard a navy ship and carried with him a calm presence and sly smile. He loved a good-natured tease and a deep Bible chat. But my most fond memories are of watching Grandad lead the singing of their small 80-member church.

It is a beautiful thing to come from such a long line of godly men and women. As I reflect today on the legacy Grandad passes to me, it feels most appropriate to sing one of the favorites he sang when I was a child. To another ear, the lyrics may sound dated, but my ears hear his sweet, rich voice, singing before Jesus today as I join in.

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins; And won the victory.

O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing power revealing. How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see; And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit," And somehow Jesus came and brought To me the victory.

O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory. And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea; About the angels singing, And the old redemption story, And some sweet day I'll sing up there The song of victory.

O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.