Lydia is at a Vacation Bible School this week. The curicullum is by Group Publishing and it’s called Crocodile Dock. It’s kind of a swampy theme with lightning bugs, crocodiles and raccoons. (Are racoons swampy?) Anyway, the first day we got a CD with all their songs. The idea is to play the CD all week so the kids can learn the song. Then on Friday night, they’ll be “performing” them for us!
As of Day 3 of VBS, we have now listened to that CD approximately 25 times. I don’t know about Lydia but *I* know all the lyrics! The main theme song is kind of a O-Brother-Where-Art-Thou thing with banjos and harmonicas. It is actually extremely fun and cool.
But what gets me really excited is the lyrics (I’m typing these from memory):
I will not be afraid
Tho’ trouble’s out there night and day
I will not respond in fear
‘Cuz God is always always always yeah, He’s always here!
I mean, could anyone have written a better song for my daughter with the shy-bashful-fearful-scaredy-cat tendencies?! So, here we are singing in the car, clapping and doing the motions 14 times a day and I see her boldly singing, “I WILL NOT RESPOND IN FEAR!” I really believe this week was crafted for her. I believe the truths she’s learning this week—especially from this theme song will be rooted in her heart. Then she’ll be able to hang on to it when she needs it.
I’m a big believer in positive, up-lifting, faith-building words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.” Imagine “harvesting” your words…this could be good or bad. I don’t want to walk around saying, “My head hurts. Probably a tumor.” or “My husband hasn’t called in 3 hours. He must have been in a wreck.” or “Lydia, you don’t want to do that. You’ll just get scared.” I want to speak LIFE into my kids and myself!
I’m not talking about positive thinking or crazy self-talk. I’m just talking about words that build faith. Words that confirm, lift up or repeat God’s promises to us. And there is no better way to do it than with music! I remember some of the craziest songs from when I was a kid. I know one day when Lydia’s 8 or 10, this theme song will pop to her mind. God will use it to remind her of His promise of peace and power!
So, my two suggestions:
1. Find a Crocodile Dock somewhere this summer! At the very least your kids will learn a good song about being fearless!
2. Get some good Christian kids’ music! One of my favorite memories from being a Children’s Pastor was leading kids in singing songs with lyrics like, “Jesus, you are my best friend! And you will always be! And nothing will ever change that!” There is nothing like seeing 300 kids sing something like that at the top of their lungs!
Click over to HisKids.net. It’s an online radio, basically. But full of today’s hippest kids’ performers! You can listen to see who you like best. My two faves: Yancy and Rob Biagi!
Also, try out Amber Sky Records. It’s a subscription based website where you can download individual songs for your kids. It also includes the lyrics, chord charts and some even have music videos. Pretty fancy.
(And oh! look! You can listen to a clip of the Crocodile Dock theme song here!)
Wow! I love that soundtrack. I might just buy it even though we aren’t going to Crocodile Dock!
I really need to get some cool Contemporary Christian songs for my 8yo. She is really into the Radio Disney crowd, but I’d love her to WANT to listen to Christian stuff too.
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I’ve seen the signs for Crocodile Dock around here – I’ll have to remember where! I’m so excited for Lydia and you! And THANKS for those music links!!!
We did Crocodile Dock this year at our church and I agree the music was too much fun! I helped teach the music to the kids and had a blast! Group publishing does the best VBS’s, in my opinion, as we have done theirs the last 3 years and the thing that strikes me is the music. It is always so enriched with God’s word. I too think that music is a great way to put the word of God in your children’s hearts and minds! Thank you Amanda for such encouragement to speak words of truth to our kids!
my 3yo daughter is also in VBS this week. This is her second VBS w/the Crocodile Dock theme and I gotta tell you…we LOVE it! The songs are awesome, she is runny all around the house singing the songs. I bought the CD on ebay today and we can’t wait for it to arrive.
My daughter loved VBS and I bought her the CD, unfortunately the CD I bought did not include the lyrics. Could anyone be kind and email them to me? I searched the web, but could not find the lyrics anywhere..
Thank you and God bless,
Anna