I wanted to take a minute and share some exciting and fun news in the Shaw house!
Over the last 2+ years, Jason and I have been working on songs for children to help teach Bible verses and important truths from the Scriptures. The songs cover topics like the nature of God (infinite and personal), how the Holy Spirit strengthens and equips us, the Lord's Prayer, how humans bear the image of God in day to day life, and several other foundational beliefs of the Christian faith.
We've titled the collection "Living & Active Songs," based on this verse in Hebrews:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
- Hebrews 4:12-13
By God's grace, Jason has brought these verses to life with fun and beautiful melodies and filled them with memorable lyrics. I have often found myself singing them around the house on days when I need to remember who God is and who I am in Christ!
We have recently begun to make recording of these songs to share, and will be posting them on SoundCloud as they are available. (For those who don't have a SoundCloud account, I am embedding the album below). I hope these songs encourage you and your children to know, love, and trust God because He is knowable, loving, and trustworthy.
In addition to working on this collection, I've slowly (and tentatively) begun exploring songwriting again. So far this year, I've been able to finish two songs for special people in my life. Actually, both songs were presented as birthday gifts... which probably reveals something about what I need to finish a project (mainly, immovable deadlines).
Songwriting is something that I've loved doing since I was young, but have always found a way to condemn myself out of the habit. Picking up an instrument or a notebook will usually trigger the low hum of inner reproach and self-criticisms, and more often than not it is far easier to give into the doubt and discouragement rather than press through and press on.
By His grace, God has been exposing and correcting these falsehoods in my heart and mind, primarily through Jason, dear friends, and even other musicians who are in a continual journey of growth, creativity, and battle to quiet the nagging doubts and inner-judgments.
So, here is a link to some things I've been working on - I hope to keep writing more about humanity, truth, celebration, laments, and the humor that one finds in day to day life.
Create fearlessly! And please share it. It does everyone good.
