A Healer’s Geste

Jamie Soles

If you have toddlers or young children and have not yet discovered Jamie Soles, you and your children are missing out.

Can you tell me all the kings of Israel, can you tell me — one by one — their names? Can you sing a verse summarizing the story of each of the judges of Israel? Can you recite Christ’s genealogy, the line of promise? Do you know the names of the 12 disciples?

The place to start is certainly The Way My Story Goes, an upbeat album of Bible stories, all pointing to Christ and climaxing in songs on Christ’s life and death. Hans, for his birthday, received Up from Here and Memorials. I love The Way My Story Goes, but Mommy’s ears needed something new after listening to it for 8 months during every minute in the car.

The albums’ backs (except Memorials) list the Bible references the songs are based on, which is quite helpful, since — if you’re like me — you’ll be curious to look them up and realize your severe deficiency in God’s story recorded in the Old Testament.

Abraham, Jacob, Korah, Deborah, Jael, Samson, Absalom, Esther, Moses, Abigail, Noah, Machpelah, the daughters of Zelophehad, Joshua… “these are they that speak of Me.”

“How to Catch a Wife” by the Benjaminites, “Rats” by the Philistines (after capturing the ark), “The Last Supper at Endor” by Saul, songs explaining the sacrificial system, songs about the exile, songs connecting the Old Testament to the New, songs connecting God’s people today to those since the beginning, songs telling the story of Christ throughout the Bible.

The Way My Story Goes focuses on God’s redemption of His people and is primarily upbeat. Up From Here is more bluesy and melancholy, and focuses on God’s faithfulness through exodus-themed Bible stories. Memorials is, obviously, about the memorials God established with His people throughout history (rainbows, sacrifices, Passover, monuments), culminating in The Lord’s Supper and is musically more sophisticated than the other two.

His first children’s album, Good Advice, still needs to be added to our collection, but you can be sure that it will be, along with any future releases! We love them!