September 25, 2009
- The Guitar Hymnal
Want to learn 68 hymns in guitar friendly chords? The Guitar Hymnal book and CD have 68 hymns. This is great for the Christian guitarist. You can have all these hymns in easy to play guitar keys for personal worship, or in your small group or church. The book is by Steve Turley. It's one of two new worship and praise books we've started carrying.
March 30, 2009
- Christian Drum Lesson Videos
Carl Albrecht has produced some excellent Christian drum lesson DVDs. He is not only a professional drummer and accomplished musician, but he is also a gifted teacher.I am pleased to offer his drum/percussion training videos at the website.
http://worshipguitarclass.com/christian-drum-lessons.htmlHe knows how to teach anyone the basics of playing drums. He teaches how to sit, hold the sticks, placement of drums, techniques, drumming patterns, and much more.
I particularly appreciate his words of encouragement at the end of the DVD. He talks about honoring the Lord with your music and having a servant's heart on a worship team. More on Christian Drum Lesson Videos
February 19, 2009
- Encourage Young Musicians
In talking with Alice Adams the other day it got me thinking about my own musical journey and how special it is to both worship everyday and also to play for others. Alice shared with me how much they they are benefiting from the Worship Guitar Class program.What caught my attention was when she mentioned that her kids play once a month with a Christian bluegrass group. I remembered that as a young player I used to play once a month at hootenannies. These were casual musical evenings in private homes.
Some of you are Pastors or lead Home Groups. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to invite younger musicians to lead worship. If you are a worship leaders, why not ask less experienced players to join you?
More on Encourage Young Musicians
January 19, 2009
- Plek Station at Westwood Music
I recently talked to Fred Walecki, the owner of Westwood Music, and he showed me an incredible machine that can dress your frets with perfect precision. They have a Plek Machine in the store. I played some of the guitars that had been adjusted by the machine and actually purchased one too.
December 4, 2008
- His Thoughts Outnumber The Sand
In the last Worship Guitar Class Newsletter I mentioned my thoughts on Psalm 139:16-17:"How precious are Your thoughts towards me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand"
Cheryl Perry sent me this photo and message:
Dear Jean,
I have received your email for a few years now and want to say how much I enjoy the scripture you included today with your mini testament. I too love the beach and have a great appreciation for it. Being a sister in Christ also, I am part of a women's group that shares what God has done for us and ways we can serve Him better.
I have made a ministry of using personal photos that I have taken and placing scripture with them. Here is the one that I used for today along with the scripture that you have brought to light. This photo however is of me at Wilmington Beach, NC taken by my husband.
God bless you and your ministry.
Cheryl D. PerryTami sent this fascinating email with the actual sand count in a teaspoon and an excellent gift idea:
October 30, 2008
- Joe Deblasi - Guitar Christmas CD
It was fun recently reconnecting with an old friend, Joe Deblasi. Joe, John Doan and I were guitar majors together years ago. Joe went into studio work after college. He's been featured in lots of movies, recordings, etc. Joe is a very fine musician and is also quite involved with worship music. He plays on the worship team most Sunday Mornings.
March 19, 2008
- For Cat Lovers - a New Devotional Book
For those of you who love to read, there’s a new book out by my good friends Dottie Adams and Marion Wells, with their friend Connie Fleishauer.
It’s called Purr-ables from Heaven, Devotions for Cat Lovers.
On Page 71, Dottie talks about her friend Jean, a songwriter, worship leader and guitar teacher. I’m the Jean, it’s me.
Dottie is a teaching director for a Community Bible Study class. I was her worship leader for many years. You can listen to some of her teaching at DottieAdams.com.
Dottie, Marion and Connie are all wonderful writers and this book will encourage you in your walk with Christ. I highly recommend their new book. If you love cats and love to read… you'll especially adore this book.
To the left of this article is a link to order their book from Amazon.com, for your convenience.
On the back cover of Purr-ables from Heaven it says:
January 24, 2008
- Lou Lollio wins award in the UK
Many of you saw Lou Lollio on my Worship Guitar Class DVD Volume 2. He joined me in one of the lessons. Lou and Jeanne told me, at a recent worship party, that Lou has won the 'Artist of the Year' 'Male Rock Vocalist' given by New Christian Music UK.
November 7, 2007
- Guitar Ministry
King David didn't play the guitar, but if he had one I bet he would have written some beautiful worship songs with it!
Carlton and Sharon Jones are helping modern day 'Davids' acquire guitars in obscure places around the world. They started a ministry that gives guitars to missionaries - guitarministries.com.
November 5, 2007
- Fear Not!
Why does Jesus keep telling us to “Fear Not?” He tells us because we need to hear it. We have pretty amazing minds that can create vivid pictures of whatever we focus on.
If you watch and listen to the news, most of what we see or hear is pretty dismal. There are wars, famines, fires and threats of all sorts.
We have real enemies who would love to destroy us. We think our enemies are terrorist groups or specific people, but if you pull the veil back, it’s orchestrated by demonic powers.
More on Fear Not!
August 9, 2007
- How to have a Worship Party
There are several references to feasts and banquets in Scripture. One of my favorite parties, this side of heaven, is a Worship Party. I've hosted two kinds of worship parties: one where I and friends lead worship and one for guitar students to lead worship.
For the personal parties, we start with a potluck dinner, then end the evening with worship and prayer. I like potlucks because if doesn't matter if 7 people show or 50 people. There's always enough food.
Sometimes I print up some of the words to songs so quests unfamiliar with the lyrics can sing along. Every party is different. Several of us participate in leading worship. We take turns leading songs and sharing original songs too.
March 9, 2007
- Jeff Leslie, an inspiration
Jeff submitted a song in the worship contest last summer. After his song was chosen for the website, I discovered he was a quadriplegic. He is such an inspiration! Here is what he wrote about his life and song:"I have a music degree (BME voc/instr) and I played drums, guitar, pno, and bass until a diving accident that left me paralyzed from the shoulders down. Now I create music w/th the computer. The original version of my song was written before my accident. I always liked the melody but felt the lyrics needed help as I matured and became a better lyricist.
I did a lot of writing and recording from the time I began high school. Every year I'd record the songs I wrote that year. I began experimenting with multitrack recording in college but I didn't really come into my own as a serious songwriter until a couple of years after my accident when I met a writer from Nashville that tutored me for a couple of years.
I have music software where I have a blank score and I choose a note value from a selection of notes and drag it over with my mouse and place it on the staff. One by one, eventually I have a music score. I then designate each line or part to an instrument in my selection of sound modules, electric keyboard, drum machine or instruments circling me in my studio. These are all wired together to my computer in a process called MIDI (musical instrument digital interface).
More on Jeff Leslie, an inspiration
January 3, 2007
- Worship Contest 2006
Bethany Waters send me her picture with the new guitar and DVDs. Thought it would be fun to share with you. God is so gracious. They only sent the contest website to a few friends, but somehow the email was circulated and then someone posted it on their Homeschool Website.
May 28, 2006
- New Lutheran Liturgy
A few weeks ago, Pastor Dan Gibson asked me to participate in recording his new collection of songs called 'A Southern California Setting.' Pastor Dan is a huge fan of the Beach Boys and pastors a church called 'Bethel Lutheran' in the Los Angeles area. The songs are set within a traditional Lutheran framework.
March 25, 2006
- John Doan - Harp Guitar
Joan Doan is an old friend of mine, and brother in Christ. He gave me his CD 'Eire - Isle of the Saints' a while ago and this last week, while recovering from Dental work, I probably listened to it a dozen times. John wrote the songs while he and his wife, Deirdra, were in Ireland. They love the Lord, and He inspired John to write such healing, enchanting music in a Celtic Style.
January 30, 2006
- Untouchables, part 3
It's amazing what God can do through a life to touch a whole community. This is the follow-up on what He is doing among the Untouchables in Mori, India. (You should read the 1st & 2nd articles first.)
December 8, 2005
- The Untouchables, part 2
Subbamma had always been a woman who prayed. After nearly 40 years of praying to Hindu gods, she found the Living God. The first article titled 'The Untouchables, part 1' talks about her miraculous healing and conversion to Christ. This one will cover a bit of her life as a Christian.
October 31, 2005
- The Untouchables, part 1
I just met Solomon Darwin and his wife Amy. What they shared with us was so amazing, I wanted to tell you about it too. You see, Solomon's Grandmother was born into the Untouchable Caste in India. The Untouchables are considered the ‘scum of the earth’ in India.They are denied an education and the opportunity for regular jobs.
September 2, 2005
- Personal Promise Bible
We met so many interesting people and ministries at the CBA Show. This a a picture with Gill Keith. He publishes the Personal Promise Bible. I was thinking was a great gift this makes, especially for people new to the faith. Their New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs inserts your name in over 5000 places. It helps to make the Scriptures even more 'personal.'
