Thoughts

February 3, 2010

  • New Guitar Course

    I'm working on a new guitar course that should start coming out, Lord willing, in February. Am currently working on Lesson 4 of a 17 week course. It will teach you how to read notes on the guitar, plus music theory. It's going to be geared towards the worshipper who wants to understand music and learn how they can easily transpose songs to any key and how chords and scales are constructed.

    More on New Guitar Course

January 2, 2010

  • Goals For The New Year

    There is something about setting GOALS in a New Year. One of my goals is to read through the Bible every year. In 19981 I met an older believer who mentioned he had read through the Bible every year for the last 50+ years.

    More on Goals For The New Year

November 18, 2009

September 4, 2009

  • Delight Yourself In The Lord

    Last weekend my Women's Bible Study attended a simulcast with Beth Moore. There were over 500 churches in 8 countries participating. Over 90,000 women were looking into the treasures in God's Word. He had given us such wonderful promises!

    The particular study last weekend was on Psalm 37 and focused on Psalm 37:4. I've always loved this verse and see that God changes our desires to more more like His desires. He gives us the desire to worship Him and inspires people to write such beautiful worship songs! (Will be announcing the next Worship Contest soon.)

    Psalm 37:4 says:

    Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

    Beth had a good visual for us to remember, using verses in Psalm 37. She suggested looking at your JAW if we weren't delighting in God. More on Delight Yourself In The Lord

August 27, 2009

  • Healthy Smoothies

    How To Make Healthy Smoothies

    God has made such a wonderful variety of foods for us to enjoy. One of my favorite meals is combining His fruits and vegetables in healthy smoothies. I made a short video to give you some ideas for making your own drinks. More on Healthy Smoothies

June 10, 2009

  • The Cat and Deer

    This is a very charming video that will put a smile on your face. The second half of the video is the cutest. God has certainly made 'A Wonderful World.' Here the the delightful friendship of a cat and a young deer.

    More on The Cat and Deer

May 26, 2009

  • Playing with Confidence

    In the recent survey there were two related questions:  "How to control stage fright?" and "Tips on playing in front of an audience."

    In looking at the questions it occurred to me a better question is "How to play with confidence."

    Years ago I learned that even when the poles are far apart, there were a lot of people hitting telephone or electrical poles in accidents. Before the accident, turns out their predominant thought was 'I can't hit that pole!' You naturally head towards what you're focused on.

    "How to control stage fright" presupposes you will have stage fright. When I first started playing the guitar, I was very nervous playing in front of people, so I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I does. You can experience stage fright, but you don't have to stay there. Stage fright can become a distant memory. Yes, every one of you can learn to play with full confidence.

    Here are my suggestions for playing with full confidence: More on Playing with Confidence

May 18, 2009

April 16, 2009

April 10, 2009

  • New Headstock Tuner

    I heard about a new headstock tuner and just got an opportunity to try one yesterday. Wow… it's so easy to use. It just clips on the head of you guitar and can tell what the note is by the vibration of your guitar.

    More on New Headstock Tuner

March 25, 2009

  • Breathtaking Moments

    Fall ColorsGod has created a beautiful place for us to live. I shared in a Newsletter one of the breathtaking moments I experienced backpacking. On an early morning walk, I saw a grove of trees with delicate round leaves. A soft breeze was making them shimmer and with the light of the morning sun, they sparkled and danced like shining silver dollars. I took my breath away!

    More on Breathtaking Moments

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 10, 2009

  • Delightful Dolphins

    God has His fingerprints all over this world. Here is a delightful video of dolphins creating and playing with bubble rings.

    Years ago I was playing music at a wedding in a ship on the open seas. A school of dolphins were spotted in the distance. One of the wedding guests asked the captain to go out to them, but he relied that they would come to us because dolphins just loved ships.

    More on Delightful Dolphins

December 25, 2008

  • Merry Christmas - 2008

    Christmas Manger SceneWishing you all a very Merry Christmas. The birth of Christ was a unique time in history. Jesus emptied Himself to show us God's Love. Can you imagine the Creator of the Universe entering the human race as a fragile dependent baby! He is coming back, but the next time it's not going to be so discreet. No one will miss the second coming of Christ.

    More on Merry Christmas - 2008

December 4, 2008

  • His Thoughts Outnumber The Sand

    Picture of the sand at the beachIn 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. Perry

    Tami sent this fascinating email with the actual sand count in a teaspoon and an excellent gift idea:

    More on His Thoughts Outnumber The Sand

August 28, 2008

  • Olympic Lessons for Christian Guitarists

    SwimmerI don't know about you, but I sure enjoyed watching the Olympics from Beijing. What an incredible opening night and how inspirational to hear the stories about these athletes.

    Did you notice how often the news commentators talked about their relaxed technique? I did. Several times the newscasters talked about Michael Phelps' relaxed swimming style. When Rebecca Soni finished swimming they mentioned her big smile and that you have to have a relaxed face to smile like that right after a swim.

    More on Olympic Lessons for Christian Guitarists

May 23, 2008

  • How To Practice The Guitar

    Christian Guitar Practice - Pray First

    The exciting difference between just practicing the guitar and using it as a tool for worshipping an Awesome God is that our purpose and focus shifts.

    It's no longer just you learning to play the guitar. When you as God to help you, He can give you insights and help. You can use the guitar as a tool to worship Him. It helps to continue to ask Him for His help whenever you're playing the instrument.

    In my guitar studio there were countless times when a student was having difficulties and I just said, '"Help him Lord.'" They always immediately played better. Then I'd always say '"Thank you Lord."

    The first step as a Christian musician is to pray. Try to use your practice as a time of worship. It's a matter of where your heart is focused. It says in Scripture, if we seek Him with all of our hearts we will find Him. (For the rest of the article click the 'More' link below.). More on How To Practice The Guitar

May 20, 2008

April 18, 2008

  • Praise and Worship

    This year I’m reading through the ‘New Spirit Filled Life Bible’ translation. There are so many great versions of the Bible. I love reading all the commentaries from each one. In Psalm 99:5 it says, 

    More on Praise and Worship

March 19, 2008

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