Every so often I’ll run into someone who reminds me that long after we record an album, God continues to use it in people’s lives.
In late January, I was in Orange County, CA for a Gathering event. On Sunday morning I spoke at the Sovereign Grace Church of Orange County, led by Eric Turbedsky. It was there I met David and Laura. They shared their story with me and I was so affected that I asked them to send it to me. Here’s what they wrote:
We have been blessed with not only a daughter, but God in the last two and a half years has blessed us with four more little ones. These children belonged to my wife’s niece, but because of her constant drug use and continued imprisonments her children were taken from her. Unfortunately, these children suffered through physical and mental abuse, as well as, two were born with meth in their systems. We were overjoyed and humbled to think that God would use us to love and minister to these precious children. So as it stands, we have already been able to adopt the first three and are in the finalization process for the last boy to be adopted.
We have been so blessed to be introduced to Sovereign Grace Kids and play the CDs all the time with our little ones. They love the songs, and have learned many of them and sing along when we play them at home or in the car. One of the girls, along with her brothers, will request “Lazy Bones” which is their favorite one of all! As we have been in the process of finding a new church body, and I have gone alone to scout out a fellowship, my wife has stayed home with the kids and done “children’s church.” She uses these wonderful songs to teach our kids the wonderful things of the Lord and the Gospel. Because the words reflect the Word, our kids are getting deep theology with a great tune and memorable lyrics.
Thank you and your team for taking the time to put these CDs together. Your labor is not in vain. We see the fruit now, and have faith in God that these songs and His Word will bear fruit in changing their lives for Christ, and using these little ones to impact the world with the grace and love of God.
At this point we’ve produced three kids albums, and hope to produce more in the future. Awesome God focuses on the attributes of God, To Be Like Jesus explores the fruit of the Spirit, and Walking with the Wise contains songs from Proverbs. In all our kids albums we seek to steer away from moralism (“just be better and work harder”), and seek to highlight God’s mercy, goodness, and wisdom in providing a Savior for us in Jesus Christ, who is the greatest of all treasures.
If you haven’t heard any of our kids albums, you can check them out on our new website here, under the KIDS tab.
My daughter, Kyrie, usually renames the songs and we have to determine which one she’s referring to. She always asks for Watch Out, but she’s referring to Give Me Self-Control. My son, Jaden, is a little older and usually gets the titles right. He always asks for All Ears.
It’s been such a blessing to my wife and I to have these albums. Our kids aren’t the only ones being encouraged and taught by the truth in these songs. (e.g. “Jesus died so I don’t have to hide anymore!”) Thanks to all who worked on these projects. We’re certainly looking forward to the next one.
My kids have all your kids albums and also love to listen to many of your other CDs that I have and love. There is nothing more precious then hearing your kid in the backseat belt out, “Wonderful Savior, beautiful Jesus!” Especially when these kids lived the first 6 to 10 years of their lives in another country and had never heard the name of Jesus!
Your reminder about your kids music today made me realize that I need to order some albums for my friends who are embarking on foster care and just received their first kids. It makes me very happy that they will be listening to God honoring, Christ exalting, scripture saturated music that will minister to their hearts and help them to learn about the amazing gospel of Jesus.
Thanks for all your hard work!!
Awesome story! We don’t have any children, but I think these albums are some of my wife’s favorite SGM albums haha!
I love the kids music. It is so refreshing to have kids music that the parents enjoy listening to, and that have such fantastic, God-exalting lyrics that I think will really help my kids to remember good theology. I can’t wait for more!!! (Is there one in the works?)
I couldn’t agree more! I am so thankful for these CDs both as a dad and as a local churchman. We have done a complete turnaround in our children’s worship choirs in recent years, and these albums are the ones we sing most. On Mother’s Day we did 3 songs, two of which were from these albums (“Gentle Like Jesus” and “To Be Like Jesus”). We often give the CDs away to parents, leaders, and to the kids as prizes. We love them because the music, lyrics, and production are great, and they are not silly, as some kids music can be.
Be encouraged! These CDs are doing more than you know.
Barry Joslin
Louisville, KY
Barry, thanks for your kind and encouraging words! You’ll have the opportunity to see more of me in a few weeks time. Don’t know whether you’ll be glad about that or not…
Ha ha. Bob, you must be joking–I am thrilled you guys are planting here! What a delight to have an SG church right here in our fair city led by you and CJ. These are exciting days. Louisville is quickly becoming ground zero.
Barry
Awesome testimony!
My son, Corban, loves the Walking With the Wise CD–it’s a special treat to hear “Mr. Jones” at home as well as on Sunday mornings.
His favorite songs are Nuggets of Gold and Make Me Wise, but he regularly asks to listen to each one. I love this CD, too! Wow, so much better than Elmo (no surprise there) It feeds my soul almost daily as I’m caring for the kids at home.
It’s been a great tool for helping our son understand telling the truth, obeying dad and mom, and being a good friend. We’ve found them invaluable in teaching Corban about the goodness of the Lord and how much we need Him.
“A cheerful heart is never empty…” :)
Thanks so much!
I was first introduced to SG music with the song “Mighty Mighty Savior.” I heard a children’s choir at Grace Life of Muscle Shoals singing it and I thought to myself that if somebody was writing lyrics like this for kids, they must be biblically sound. Plus the music was alive and exciting and worshipful.