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 PrintableVersion The Music ExchangeSinging with the kidsA pile of nails in your hand does not amount to much. But imagine beyond these nails to see the plain walls about you hung with pictures. Pictures soaked in family memories Ð that first holiday by the beach, the meal celebrating granny’s 90th, the wedding of your eldest. The nails do not amount to much Ð seeing beyond the nails is priceless. Christian children’s music can be like those nails. By itself it really does not amount to much. It can be annoying, repetitive, cheesy, low quality, trite, musically-awkward, lyrically-forced, and so on. However, we need to think pictures not nails. Think pictures not nails for your children individually Imagine in your hand now you have a biblically faithful Christian CD for children. It is not merely a disc of songs your children might enjoy. It is not merely a way of keeping the children occupied. It could be a means God uses to revolutionise your child. Perhaps your child will be helped to understand the gospel for the first time, or to apply an aspect of Scripture to the details of their everyday life, or to start them on a lifetime of sharing the good news of Jesus with friends. The possibilities are exciting. Think pictures not nails. Think pictures not nails for your family together This is probably an area that needs close and careful thought. How can you create a positive family culture that includes Christian songs? We often remember the context of when a song was sung, not just its lyrics. Why not learn the songs your children like to sing and sing along with them? Even if we cannot hold a tune. Children will treasure memories of the family sing-a-longs in the car each holiday. Or the songs sung out on a country walk. Or before bedtime. Or around a smouldering bonfire. Switch off the CD and sing the family favourites unaccompanied. Do requests from your children. Ask why they like their favourites. Talk about the words of their choices. Share your favourites. Think pictures not nails. A selection of nails from around the world Tastes vary a lot. Below is just a selection of music sources which are biblically faithful. It is doubtful that anyone would like the musical style of all of them, but a few might appeal to you and your family. Make them pictures. This selection is not claiming in any way to be exhaustive, it is just a taster to give ideas. Websites are included so you can research more for yourself Ð and even listen to samples online. From AustraliaEmu Music: http://emumusic.com Colin Buchanan: http://colinbuchanan.com.au Johnny Burns: http://www.worshipwithintegrity.com (search for Johnny Burns) From AmericaDana Dirksen: http://songsforsaplings.com Judy Rogers: http://judyrogers.com Steve Green: http://stevegreenministries.org Sovereign Grace Ministries: http://sovereigngracestore.com From BritainDavid Heath-Whyte: http://maynardsgroovytunes.co.uk Keith Getty: http://gettymusic.com Have a poke around these websites. Listen to samples. Perhaps buy one or two. But remember, the size of a CD collection is not as important as how each CD is used. Just one nail can hang a great picture. Sam Osborne, © Evangelicals Now - May 2008 |
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