I don’t do reviews that much. Craig and I used to do them a lot on our little personal website when we were with The Navigators just for fun and our own personal edification. But I’m thinking it’s time for me to engage my review function a little more. And today I’m excited to recommend this CD: Deliberate Kids from Phil Joel, formerly of the Newsboys.

I gave this CD to my kids for Christmas this year. We just took off the cellophane this week and started listening to it when we were taking down the tree. I’m blown away. It’s good theology for kids set to great music and sung well. Really.

I know, we’re all used to “Christian” music for kids being sugary-sweet-sappy-knock-your-head-against-the-wall bad (not necessarily the theology, though that’s debatable, too). We usually steer our kids more toward U2 and the like as opposed to any VeggieTales or Miss Pattycake soundtracks. We listen to mainstream music with our kids so we can talk about things that come up that their discernment faculties may not be ready to process on their own. I’m less inclined to plug in the normal Christian kids’ selections to listen to with my kids because, let’s be honest – I want to listen to good music in addition to good words.

I’ve been listening to Joel’s Deliberate Kids for two days straight and I can’t get enough.
In Joel’s own words about this project:

“For the past six years, my wife Heather and I have been involved in children’s ministry at our church. The Lord has put a real passion in our hearts to write new songs that teach and inspire the newest generation to know the Lord and develop a personal relationship with Him at the youngest age possible.”

Here’s one favorite called A Plan:

In the beginning God created
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
It was a beautiful place
Everything He made in 6 days
And on the 7th day, He took a break
And He saw that it was good
So very good
Cause God made the heavens and God made the earth
God made you before your birthday
And He’s got a plan
He’s got a plan for you
Cause God made the flowers and God made the trees
God made the birds and God made the bees
He’s got a plan
He’s got a plan for you
And if you walk in His ways it will come true
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Deliberately formed, there are no mistakes no
No mistakes no
He knows every hair that is on your head
He thinks about you
He never goes to bed
He never gets sleepy
Never sleepy
Cause God made the heavens and God made the earth
God made you before your birthday
And He’s got a plan
He’s got a plan for you
Cause God made the flowers and God made the trees
God made the birds and God made the bees
He’s got a plan
He’s got a plan for you
And if you walk in His ways it will come true

Don’t just read it; go to the site and click through the jukebox to get a sample of all the songs. I’m putting this CD right up there with the Jesus Storybook Bible. I think every parent who cares about instilling good theology in their kids and appreciates music that is well done and well-sung will enjoy this CD.

Amazon has Deliberate Kids through the used section for $12.99 plus shipping. You can buy it directly through the Deliberate Kids site with a Paypal account for $17.75 including shipping, or you can download it at iTunes for $9.99. Either way, consider making this one of your first purchases of 2008.