Thoughts

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

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

  • JW Worship Guitar Class on Facebook

    Are you already in Facebook? I just posted a page there for Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class{TM.} Would love to have you become a ‘fan,’ Facebook is a great way to keep in touch and there are many people joining it every day. Click the blue link in this paragraph and when you get to the new URL, click the 'Become a fan' text in the upper right corner. You'll need to be logged in at Facebook to see this option.

    More on JW Worship Guitar Class on Facebook

  • 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:

    More on For Cat Lovers - a New Devotional Book

March 8, 2008

February 14, 2008

  • Ruth - Known by her Love

    I just finished reading the book of Ruth again. What a wonderful woman! Ruth had such a commitment to Naomi, her mother-in-law. She was loyal, a hard worker and humble. At the end of the book, the woman of Bethlehem told Naomi:

    “May he (the son of Ruth & Boaz) be to you a restorer of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, and is better to you than seven sons, has born him.”

    The whole town saw Ruth’s love and beautiful traits!
    More on Ruth - Known by her Love

January 26, 2008

December 4, 2007

  • O Come O Come Emmanuel

    My gift to you this Christmas is an arrangement I made for this lovely song. The Bible ends with a statement from Jesus that He is returning soon. It could be tonight. A pastor I know received Christ at the window of an AAA store, while buying car insurance.

    More on O Come O Come Emmanuel

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.

    More on Guitar Ministry

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!

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