{Michael and me at the Fox Theatre!}
A few weeks ago, I got a direct-message on Twitter from my friend, Michael from World Vision. He’s the guy that led us on our blogging trip to the Dominican Republic. He normally leads big-time artists on trips and he’s super well-connected in the Christian Music industry. So, when his direct-message asked if I wanted to go to the Dove Awards with him I was pumped! (OK, giddy might be a better word!) My best friend Staci and I have crashed the Dove Awards twice and we’ve always been Christian Music fans.
{the story of Joshua performed by Blanca and Michael Tait}
Michael produced three songs from the tour at the Dove Awards. People like Michael Tait, Todd Smith from Selah and Natalie Grant sang songs that told the story of Joshua, Jesus and Mary Magdelene. It was so incredibly powerful I have tears in my eyes just writing this! When the three songs (and accompanying video segments) were done I turned to Michael and said, “I forgot where I was.” I was not in the Fox Theatre watching the Dove Awards, I was in the middle of the Bible. It was chill-worthy.
Which is pretty amazing as Staci and I were pretty star-struck the whole night, especially since we were sitting right in the middle of the artists and industry-type folks. We felt kinda famous. 🙂
Fast-forward a few days and I’m off to the Orange Conference. One of the vendors was Zondervan and The Story. This time it wasn’t the CDs or the tour, but the accompanying curriculum for churches. I was so excited I talked the poor PR guys’ ears off at the table about the tour. They in turn, let me take home The Story curriculum and books to preview and share with you!
It’s really a fabulous idea. Preschool, elementary, teens and adults all have their own age-appropriate chronological Bible story-books. The books follow the same stories and then the churches teach on those lessons. It’s a fabulous idea to keep families on the same page at church and talking about it during the week.
Plus, we’ve had some very interesting conversations about the Bible because of it. For example, have you ever talked to your kids about the Ark of the Covenant? Trying to explain how it’s not an idol but still a place for God’s Spirit? Really weird. But still. Good conversation about how the Holy Spirit isn’t far away from us–but really in our lives and working in our hearts every day.
I haven’t read the other versions of the book or looked through the curriculum yet. But I am thinking about doing something fun with it this summer (they even have trading cards!). So, I’ll let you know what I think of it. If you’re looking for a Bible storybook for your elementary kiddos, I really do like this one. And yes, the CD. You must get the CD!!
OK. And one more Dove Awards picture for you. This is Staci and me as we freak out that we’re in Row F. I think the magical blue glow is from our phones! Giddy, right?
Have you read or heard The Story? What do you think of it?
Sounds wonderful! I haven’t heard the CD, but I hope to get it soon. 🙂
We are going to walk through The Story this fall with our whole church – adults through babies. I can’t wait! I hope you post some of the creative projects that you come up with as you walk your kids through this adventure.
Cool, Diane! I’d love to hear how you like it!
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The CD is AMAZING! I would highly recommend it to everyone! What I loved about it was that the songs were written from a first person perspective. Such a great, original approach! Of course, the music itself is also amazing! So glad you’re sharing about it so others will check it out!
I know, it’s fabulous, isn’t it?!
Hi! I saw The Story Tour around Christmas and could NOT stop talking about it. And honestly – Christian music usually gets on my nerves. So often either the music is cheesy or the message isn’t true. But this was an amazing presentation of the gospel, a way to see how everyone’s story pointed to Jesus. Like you said, I forgot where I was!
I know! It was simply amazing!