Thursday, November 13, 2008 - Hymns for a Kid's Heart

It is a privilege for me to begin reviewing books for Crossway Books and Bibles. This first edition is dedicated to a book that really delighted me from the first time I read it! I hope you all can get a chance to look at this book sometime and enjoy it as well--and while you are at it, head over to the Crossway Blog!

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Volume One by Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth

As Christians, we believe we live in the twenty first century because God has placed us here for "such a time as this." With that, though, comes the changing cultures--for good and for bad. That includes the emergence of contemporary Christian music. While we can enjoy worshipping through that kind of music, it is sad to many to see that we aren't just adding on contemporary music, but replacing cherished hymns with it. A young child now would not be familiar with most of the songs some of us (or our parents!) worshipped with years ago. However, that doesn't mean that they are any less meaningful, relevant, or beautiful. How do we continue to pass on these old favorites and instill their wonder to our children?

Hymns for a Kid's Heart is a wonderful place to start. Volume One contains twelve traditional hymns, conveniently organized into the categories of Hymns about God, Hymns of Truth from the Bible, Hymns about Christian Living, and Hymns of Prayer for our Country. They are:

• Holy, Holy, Holy
• A Might Fortress is Our God
• This is My Father's World
• O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
• How Firm a Foundation
• Amazing Grace
• The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll not Want
• Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
• Take My Life, and Let it Be
• America, the Beautiful
• Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
• Eternal Father, Strong to Save
• Do You Know What it Means?

 

You are probably at least a little bit familiar with many of these hymns (but do not worry if you are not--because the book includes a cd with beautiful renditions of each, as well as containing the lyrics and music if you'd prefer to perform it yourself). But do you know the stories behind each of them? You may find yourself surprised as you learn the story behind some of your favorite songs and what influenced the writers to pen them. Besides these inspirational stories, for each song you will also find a related Scripture, prayer, and devotional.

I especially enjoyed hearing the author's own personal feelings on each song. They presented clearly what the song met to them and how they first experienced it. They have transported me back onto slave ships with John Newton as he wrote Amazing Grace and into the halls of the US Naval Academy chapel as midshipmen sing Eternal Father, Strong to Save!

This book is a wonderful tool for parents to teach their children more about favorite hymns. It could be used as a devotional program, a music program, and in Sunday School or co-op classes as a great tool to teach not just hymns, but simple Biblical truths through song.

Joni Eareckson Tada and Bobbie Wolgemuth said in their introduction:

"We want to share the bounty of a lifetime of hymn-singing with you and your little ones. The deep truths that have sustained us, cheered us, and tenderly tied us to those people we cherish are waiting to be poured into the hearts of the children whom you love."

Through this book, you can pour these same truths into the hearts of your own children!

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Comments

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Narniagirl

Hello there,

We wanted to let you know that our blog was nominated into the Homeschool Blog Awards (www.homeschoolblogawards.com). We'd be honored if you would consider voting for us!

Please go to this link and select "Young Writers Lounge":
http://homeschoolblogawards.com/best-teen-group-blog-2008/

Thanks so much!
Ashley and Kylie

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Thursday, November 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by YoungWriters4Jesus

Sorry, the above comment was meant to be from us!

Ashley and Kylie

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Friday, November 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sharla88

That is really cute, and neat that your doing a book review fro somebody.

The apron is really cute I like aprons, I just don't have any that fit! LOL

Yea, it might be hard to find FS in Maryland! LOL

Have you read the Red Badge of Courage?

Aw no Australia for me :(( LOL. Your correct in the fact that we do have to stand, and protect our rights. I read a...rather shocking article about the FOCA that Obama has promised to initiate. That is just one thing that really needs to be apposed by all Christians. have you read about that?
GB~
Sharla~

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Saturday, November 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by carygrant19

Oh, you really should see 'Some Like It Hot!' It's amazing.
*moans and whacks head on table* 7 days?! Ack! I'm such a slow reader!

Yeah, 'The Princess Bride' is an amazing book! I love the story of Inigo's life before....
"Inconcievable!"

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Saturday, November 15, 2008 - Funny Name

Posted by YahwehsDaughter

I LOVE the name of your blog!! It is HILARIOUS! And sooo true of my family too. Except maybe more of the galloping and less of the running. Lol.

Love,
Yahweh's Daughter

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CrossView

Sweet! But mine are all too old now. =(

And congratulations! How often will you be doing a review?

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