This summer my kids went to a preschool VBS while I taught at a Performing Arts Camp. And because I had to listen to the songs for my 3 classes eleventybillion times AND had to stay for the rehearsals, my kids learned all the songs, too. Plus, since it was the “big kids” class, my kids were enthralled by all of it.

Even though Peforming Arts Camp has been done for months, they still ask to listen to the CD. And as they do the dishes, play with puzzles or ride in the car, the words to those songs find their way out of my kids’ hearts and mouths. My favorite song from the musical and the song that most often pops out of my kids is one written by my friend Yancy (and originally recorded by Avalon) called, I Don’t Want To Go.

They chorus says, “I don’t want to go somewhere if I know that you’re not there. ‘Cause I know that me without you is a lie. I don’t want to walk that road, be a million miles from home. My heart needs to be where you are.”

Read those lyrics again and imagine your daughter singing that to Jesus with all her heart. Isn’t that what we’re trying to do? Lead our children to declare that for themselves?

This is why I choose to play Christian music for my kids. This is why we only listen to worshipful, Word-filled songs at our house. And even though we do listen to a lot of Sarah Groves, Nichole Nordeman and David Crowder, we mostly listen to kids’ music. Yeah, kids’ music can get kinda old. Yeah, sometimes I wish we didn’t listen to the same 15 albums over and over again. But the return is so worth me being out of the loop of modern music!

There’s something about music that gets inside your head and in your blood. And if that music is coupled with God’s Word? With worship to Him? It can also get into your heart and spirit. It can also change you and comfort you and strengthen you.

When my daughter was born, I did like all parents do–and sang to her. And not the beautiful lullabies you think of. Nope, it was all the crazy songs I learned as a kid. All the silly camp songs, the funny nursery rhyme songs and yes, all the Christian songs I learned at church. It wasn’t any of the new CDs my husband and I liked or the music from concerts we had been to when were dating. It was the songs I learned as a child.

I want the same thing for my own children. When they are alone, need to stand up for what’s right, being tempted or need comfort, I believe the songs they learned will come to mind. I believe God’s Holy Spirit will remind them of those words and those songs to be a salve to their spirit.

I want my son to walk through his college campus and sing, “I don’t want to go somewhere if you’re not there…I don’t want to walk that road, be a million miles from home.”

I want my daughter to sing, “Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.” (-Psalty) on the playground at school.

I want my son to sing, “Wherever I go, whatever I do, God’s with me!” (-I Count On You) when he’s away from home for the first time.

I want my children to sing, “I can do all things, all things, all things. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (-Donut Man) when they are feeling insecure.

I want them to sing, “Take heart! I have overcome the world!” (-Power of Encouragement) when they are overwhelmed or stressed.

So, today? Sing. Sing. Sing! Sing with your children. Find music that will lift up Jesus, that will plant God’s Word in their hearts and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:2

Our favorite Bible-based CDs:
Yancy {rockin’ cd’s for elementary and preschool!}
Seeds Family Worship {scripture put to music the whole family will enjoy!}
Amber Sky Records {subscription based site with music written for kids’ church}
Go Fish {3 dads doing fun and crazy semi-a cappella music}
The Rizers {high energy scripture}
Hillsong Kids {live worship concert cd’s for kids}
Donut Man {Bible story songs, scripture songs & more fun preschool music}
Psalty {stories and songs!}
Colin Buchanan {aussie praise}

See all our music posts!

Do you sing with your kids?

photo source: Michal Marcol

I am so inspired by all the Meaningful Easter posts you guys are linking up! I thought I knew everything I wanted to do with the kids this week to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection but now I have even more ideas–and I hope I can incorporate them into our celebration this week!

Yesterday was a crazy day and we didn’t get to do the Palm Sunday stuff I wanted to do. But it wasn’t a big deal because at church they had real palm branches and did a parade through the hall. Asa thought he was at Disney World he was so excited. They talked about it all day!

Regardless, I decided to do some Palm Sunday stuff this morning. First we made some palm branches from our PALMS! We traced our hands on paper then cut them out, glued them to a craft stick and had a dance party downstairs!

We actually have TWO favorite Palm Sunday songs. Who knew, right? Well, they aren’t Palm Sunday exactly but they do say, “Hosanna!” which is what the people were shouting to Jesus when he rode into town on the donkey.

The first song is called, “Shout Hosanna” from The Donut Man. Lydia loves this one because it begins with “Jumping up and down, shout Hosanna!”

Our other favorite song is called “Hosanna Rock” from Yancy. This was the first songs Asa ever sang when he was little and he pronounced it, “Ho-nanna, Ho-ho-ho-nanna!” Now he can sing all the words (correctly) and do all the motions, including when they “play the drums and rock the guitar!” I love this one because it talks about how you can praise the Lord in different ways–clapping, instruments, raising your hands, etc.

I loved seeing the kids run around the room singing and dancing to the Lord. There’s nothing that makes me more exciting than hearing words of praise and adoration come from my children’s lips. That’s why good music is so important to me. And to help you with a little Word-filled music, Yancy is giving away THREE of her Little Praise Party: Springtime EP’s which includes “Hosanna Rock”! These CDs are basically out of print (they were an Easter gift for her church last year) so this is an exclusive for you!

Enter to win one of three Little Praise Party: Springtime EP by Yancy (do one or all, leave a separate comment for each):

• Leave a comment. How are you celebrating Easter? Or what’s your favorite Easter candy? Or whatever!
• Tweet it! I’m celebrating Easter with @yancynotnancy and @impressyourkids–win a Springtime CD! http://bit.ly/hosannaCD
• Share on Facebook. It’s easy – just click the “Like” button at the bottom of this post! You can even add a status update with it!

Contest ends Sunday, April 22.

Can’t wait to listen to find out if you won? You can download Springtime for only FIVE BUCKS at KidzMatter.com!

linked to Ultimate Guide for Celebrating Holy Week

Since Lydia’s recent new fear, we’ve been pumping her (and our house) full of God’s Word. I made a BRAVE playlist for my iPod and thought I’d share it with you. If you don’t have some of these CDs, they might be great for Easter baskets!

Refuge & Strength from Seeds of Courage {based on Psalm 46:1-2}

Out of the Mud from Seeds of Courage {Lydia’s favorite from Psalm 40:1-1}

Do Not Fear from Seeds of Courage {best part: “I will hold you in my righteous right hand!” Isaiah 41:10}

Never Be Shaken from Seeds of Courage {we’re focusing on “my soul finds rest in God alone” Psalm 62:1-2}

What Kind of Man Is This? from Bible Songs Volume 2 by the Donut Man {story of Jesus calming the storm!}

The Lord Listens when I Pray To Him from Bible Songs Volume 2 by the Donut Man {great foundation for kids “praying through” a fear!}

I Can Do All Things from King of Kings by the Donut Man {from Philippians 4:13}

Be Bold and Strong from King of Kings by the Donut Man {a fun song coming from King David–”banish fear and doubt!”}

Cares Chorus from Kids Praise 5: The Camping Adventure by Psalty (I have a coupon code from Psalty: FOREVER. I just can’t remember what it saves…maybe 10%?)

Think on These Things from Kids Praise 9 by Psalty {based on Philippians 4:8–thinking about good things instead of fearful!}

Take Heart from Seeds of Encouragement{my favorite verse John 16:33, “I have overcome the world!”}

Always Be from Yancy’s Rock N Happy Heart {rockin’ song that says God is a “constant peace in every storm”}

God is For Me from Yancy’s Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams {“I have nothing to fear! He makes me strong!}

The Battle Is Not Yours from Sweetpea’s Songs for Girls {This is actually from Veggie Tale’s Queen Esther movie…a big role model for a little girl trying to be brave!}

I Will Not Be Afraid from Group’s Crocodile Dock VBS {BEST. SONG. EVER.}

God Cares for Me from Great Big God at Amber Sky Records {“He’s the one who keeps me strong!”}

Wherever Whatever from I Count On You at Amber Sky Records {“Wherever I go…Whatever I do, God’s with me!”}

Count on You from Amber Sky {CANNOT FIND IT ON THE SITE, but the album of the same name is there…it’s one of my new favorite songs because it says, “God you are strong. I am safe in your arms. You make me brave all day long. I count on you!”}

Strong in the Lord from Little Praise Party {“I am strong in the Lord, for He is strong!”}

:: :: ::

So, whether your kids are afraid of storms, the boogie man, the dark or of going to school why not make a playlist like this and help them focus their minds, feed their spirits and renew their thoughts with God’s Word?

Do you know of any other songs I should add?

ps–speaking of Easter gifts, don’t forget you can get 30% off one item for the whole month of April with the code: IMPRESS at Cha Cha’s Treasures! Her Memory Verse Pillows would be perfect coupled with one of these CDs!

(some affiliate links above)