Some of the earliest Christian music was about the new testament and most were simple hymns. Some of these Christian musical hymns can still be heard today, including "Awake, awake O sleeper" on the occasion of someone's baptism.

Jesus and his disciples very likely would have sung psalms from their time which by the very nature makes them Christian music. Early Christians continued to sing the psalms much as they were sung then. The gospels of Matthew (26:30) and Mark (14:26) state that Jesus sang a hymn with his disciples immediately before his betrayal. The apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians (5:19) exhorted the church at Ephesus to speak to each other "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord". Recent Christian Music

The most recent common form of Christian music is contemporary Christian music. This draws some of its influence from secular music of the last century and is the most popular kind of Christian music in the Western world today. Although there are many Christian music artists in the mainstream music industry, the term contemporary Christian music usually refers specifically to artists within the Christian music industry that are played on Christian music radio. Christian Music Touches You Where You Are. But through it all, Christian music, with or without lyrics, has been used by Christian music singers and musicians to honor God, inspire his people, challenge the wayward and brighten a stormy day for thousands of years.

Most of us especially within the past several years have read about the politically correct rantings of secularists that want to do away with anything dealing with Christianity and also as it applies to Christian music. There are many people who are against all forms of contemporary Christian music and Christian Rock. They have tried to judge its source and determine it is just another form of rock n roll. That there is no Christian message to it that matters spiritually so it should just be grouped into the rock n roll or contemporary music categories.

So the question has been asked is there ministry to Christian music? Does the message within this Christian music mean anything more than any other average rock song or contemporary listening music today? The current Christian music business has the obligation to prove that giving Christian music the title of ministry is deserved.

One Christian music artist that is doing just that is Tim Kaufman. He brings praise to the Lord in his songs. He rejoices to the fact that his Christian music has helped minister to listeners that were unaware that it would bring the Lord into their life, sometimes at unknown and unsuspecting times that has caused joyous victory for The Lord.

One such time that drives Tim's direction for his ministry comes from letters like this one were his Christian music has touched lives:

"Tim…My wife and I drove our van out to the woods and were planning our suicide. We noticed one of your tapes on the floor, put it in and began to weep as the Lord brought a renewed hope to our hurting hearts. We thank you and our kids thank you. Keep the Christian music coming." J. & K. D., Florida

When you hear the victories for The Lord like that being sent into Tim Kaufman Ministries it sure tells you everything you need to know about whether there is ministry in his Christian music. Letters like these also tell you that true Christian music fills you with more than just old time rock n' roll. You can receive a free weekly devotional from Tim Kaufman Ministries and also listen to free samples of his Christian music. This article is sponsored by Tim Kaufman Ministries. Tim Kaufman Ministries is a source for online Christian music, spiritual guidance and Christian ministry charities. For questions regarding any of his Christian music products or his ministry, please contact him at Tim Kaufman Ministries .

Please share the content of this article with your friends, family and Christian music fellowship. Reprint rights granted. All reprints must include a link to Tim Kaufman Ministries . Content may not be altered and articles must be as distributed by Tim Kaufman Ministries .

Copyright Tim Kaufman Ministries 2005

Article written by Chris Maley
Chris Maley is in charge of marketing and development for CenterCube, Inc. and is a practicing Christian that listens to Christian music to further instill The Lord's thoughts and praise in his life.

The trick to selecting good used guitars is determining how hard they have been used. The salesman telling you it was only played by an old man on his way to church on Sundays won’t sell many used guitars. Looking for obvious signs of wear, will.

First, look at the soundboard for scratches that would indicate some really hard playing. That may not make it a bad investment, but if you think you may have to replace the sound board, and then move on. That’s an expensive and tricky project. Most electric guitars have a pick guard protecting the top sound board finish, which can easily be replaced.

Look for signs that it may have been dropped or thrown out of frustration or anger. This could affect the balance of the instrument and is a main reason some instruments become used guitars. Look length wise down the neck for twists or bowing of the fret board, or finger board as it’s sometimes called. See that the strings are an equal distance from the board for the entire length.

Time Takes a Toll on Guitars

It’s not uncommon. Especially on acoustic guitars, for the strings to be slightly higher from the fret board the closer it gets to the body, but the string height will affect the action on used guitars. Since few people are able to play an acoustic guitar really close to the body, this detriment probably won’t make a major difference.

Check to make sure the tuners on used guitars are strong enough to hold the tension and stress of the strings. Too many times they will weaken over time and slowly cause the guitar to go out of tune. While this is not a major problem and one that is easily fixed, it may affect the price you’re willing to pay for the instrument.

Another common problem with used guitars is the bending of the neck adjustment rod. There is a steel rod which runs through the neck from the body to the nut. An adjustment bolt inside the body is used to adjust the action of the guitar bringing the neck closer to the strings or vice versa if the strings buzz against the fret lines.

If the previous owner had a habit of changing all the strings at once, removing them all at the same time, it’s possible that rod became bent due to the repeated lack of tension supplied by the strings. If you believe this is the case, you may want to keep looking.

From a distance, they look like your typical teenage concert-goers, in t-shirts, jeans, and athletic shoes, hanging out with fellow music-lovers. But take a closer look, and you'll find many of their t-shirts bear decidedly Christian viewpoints, like the blunt affirmation, "Abortion is homicide." And the songs they're listening to are markedly different from the sex-and- drugs theme popular at many concert venues. These are the fans that have made Christian music a nearly billion dollar industry, one of the fastest-growing musical genres.

While hard-core rock fans have mega-tours such as Lollapalooza and Ozzfest, Christian music fans have Festival Con Dios, the first Christian alternative-rock tour. The 30-city extravaganza features Pillar, a rap-rock band; the OC Supertones, which specialize in the Jamaican form of music known as ska; the rapper T-Bone and the Newsboys. The concerts are definitely parent-pleasers; their drug-free, alcohol-free atmosphere make them certifiable family fare. All told, Christian recording stars posted 747 million dollars in record sales last year, representing seven percent of all music industry sales. That works out to double the rate of U.S. Latin music sales, or more sales than jazz, Classical, and New Age artists combined.

Christian music mega-stars include Amy Grant, whose adult contemporary style makes her the best-selling performer; Steven Curtis Chapman, a pop contemporary star; CeCe Winans, whose Gospel works have placed her among the top performers; Carman, an evangelical artist, and P.O.D., a rap-rock group that's appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

This is not your father's Christian music. Soulful ballads are supplemented with heavy metal tunes and rap manifestos. But, unlike many mainstream songs, these works are often directed to God or stress religious values. And their message appears to be gaining in popularity. Music giants such as Sony and Universal are grabbing independent gospel-based labels; major publishers such as Warner Brothers have added Christian book divisions. The rise in the popularity of Christian music comes at a time when the number of evangelical Christians has jumped dramatically and may now represent the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. religious population.

Whether it's a poignant ballad from the trio ZOEgirl or a barn-burner from the Temper Tantrums, the first all-girl Christian punk band, Christian music has become a powerful soundtrack to the lives of members of Generation Z. For some, the music is actually leading them to a closer relationship with Jesus and with their brothers and sisters in Christ. The musical bridge becomes a bridge to heaven, the soulful chords amplified by the message of the Gospel. It truly is a musical experience that's out of this world.

Article written by Maria Vitale

The classic guitar sometimes referred to as Flamenco or Spanish guitar, is not played in the traditional fashion of other guitars, and therefore is designed with this adjusted playing style in mind. While most guitars are designed to be strummed or, using a pick playing one string at a time, the Spanish guitar is designed for finger-picking.

In finger-picking, the left hand will hold strings down to the desired not, while fingers on the right hand are used to pluck the individual strings. This playing technique can produce polyphonic tones with two, three or even four “voices” of music at the same time. As a result of this technique, there has to be more room between the strings to allow for the fingers to pluck the strings and the guitar neck also needs to be wider.

When playing Spanish guitar music, it is necessary at times to strum the strings. The strumming is done, usually with the back of the fingernails and is called rasgueo or if strumming in a pattern, rasgueado. The Spanish guitar usually has a larger body than that of traditional guitars to produce more volume while the strings are being individually plucked. When they are strummed the sound is usually full and rich.

Playing in a Seated Position

It is rare that you will see a Spanish guitar played while being held with a strap. Normally, the musician will be seated on a stool with the right leg propped up on a smaller stool or on the rung of the stool on which they are seated. The guitar is placed on the right knee and held in place by the right arm. This gives the person playing the Spanish guitar much more control over the guitar’s position and more flexibility in the movement of the right hand.

Strings on a Spanish guitar are traditionally a mix of nylon and wound steel. The three strings used for treble sounds, are nylon while the remaining three bass strings are usually flat-wound steel. The strings have less tension than on a traditional guitar and offers better vibration for improved resonance through the hollow body of the guitar.

The body of a Spanish guitar is usually made with mahogany or rosewood while the top, or soundboard, is made of spruce, mahogany or red cedar. It is extremely thin and internal bracing is used to prevent it from collapsing under the strain of the tension of the strings. The quality of the soundboard and placement of its internal bracing helps define the sound quality of the guitar.

These days there is a growing trend towards reality TV shows that are based on external shallow values. With the appeal of junk food, it has a powerful hypnotic effect even on the strongest minds. But while reality TV may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, the damage (which is done so subtly) is very powerful and therefore it deserves a closer look. So the question is 'Do we really need another reality TV show or perhaps it's time for a reality check?'

The popularity of reality TV shouldn't come as a surprise considering the fact that we live in a culture that worships vanity, rather than virtue, and lives by the mantra of 'He with the most toys lives,' rather than 'He with the most joys lives.' It's been said that circumstances don't make a man, they only reveal him. Likewise, reality TV is merely a reflection of what our society has become - a materialistically driven society where the love of power and money overcomes the power of love. It's a reflection of a society that is not only devoid of a solid wholesome value system, but is also separated from spiritual roots. It's also a culture that thrives on living on the edge, characterized by thrill-seeking and addictions (including the addiction to stimulation).

So here is the true reality behind reality TV.
Reality TV, which is in the business of making us feel good rather than be good, actually contributes to the growing problems in our society by celebrating human weakness rather than human excellence. Reality TV doesn't empower us, but rather overpowers us by taking our innate power and inner knowing and spirituality away from us, leaving us feeling insecure, inadequate, less fulfilled, isolated and confused by virtue of the promotion of anti-social behavior, excessive self-indulgence, self-entitlement, greed, compromised integrity, obsession with winning at all costs, and erosion in morality.

When you consider the magnitude of the challenges that are facing America today, it becomes obvious that what we need is certainly not another mind-numbing reality TV show, but rather a good reality check. Whether we recognize it or not, America is in desperate need of healing and true revival. It needs a jump-start, not only in the economy, but most importantly a jump-start in the spirit. After all, we are only as strong as our spirit, because when the spirit is weak it's easier to become overwhelmed by what life throws our way. But when the spirit is strong, no turbulences can effect us, much like a ship in the vast ocean that can sail smoothly as long as there are no holes in it to make it sink.

America could use a reality check if only to reexamine our value system, which is out of balance and has led to social ills and failing systems and institutions. In a conflicted state of uncertainty, doubt and fear, it's only natural for people to feel overwhelmed, wishing to escape from reality. However, reality TV proves only an artificial relief. It's obvious that we are looking for love (real joy, fulfillment, meaning and purpose) in all the wrong places. In a culture that demands instant gratification, and relief from everyday anxieties, a quick fix (for coping), seems to be the chosen drug of choice.

So now for that reality check. The reality is that the prevailing mentality in American society today is 'more is better,' acquiring external riches as opposed to internal riches and that you can get something for nothing. There is a sense of entitlement and an expectation of wanting the good life without having to work hard for it. This is reinforced, glorified and perpetuated by the media with shows like 'The Lifestyle of The Rich and Famous.' When all you see is glamour, but not the hard work and sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only inspires more envy and the desire for a 'get rich quick' scheme leading to the erosion of morality and integrity.

From environmental pollution to spiritual pollution, we can no longer ignore our failing systems and institutions. From an Enron economy with ballooning budget deficits (which is really a reflection of a deficit in integrity) and a vanishing social security system (which creates social insecurity) to politicians doing what's politically correct instead of what's in the best interest of the community, to a failing education system as reflected in poor test scores which lag behind those of other nations, to the break-down of the family system (where kids find themselves home alone growing up with their peers, gangs or TV without nurturing parents to instill in them solid wholesome values system), we are planning to fail by default.

Our spiritual bankruptcy is evident practically in every facet of our lives, resulting in social ills from perversion, to the phenomenon of people going from being heroes to zero. We can no longer ignore the senseless violence in our schools and crime on our streets, increased teen suicide (often due to hopelessness, low self-esteem, lack of direction and a solid, wholesome value system) and substance abuse. Americans are more stressed out today than ever before despite the fact that we have the highest standard of living in the entire world. The true reality is that America is going, slowly but surely, from being a nation of producers and innovators to a nation of insatiable consumers (even the holidays are too commercialized to enjoy) while drowning in debt just to support a lifestyle we can't even afford. All of these problems can be traced to the pursuit of materialism, which is a by-product of the American Dream.

But rather then play the 'blame game,' it's far more productive to approach the reality TV issue in terms of what you can do to improve your own life. A reality check is a good starting point. Remember, the true spirit of the American Dream was all about perspiration, innovation, risk and reward with the focus on a wholesome values system, integrity, a strong work ethic, community and being of service. All of which creates total prosperity (from health to wealth) with purpose, meaning and real joy. Now that's a reality worth striving for!

Copyright © 2004, Geela
Author of *The American Dream*
http://www.Geela.com

Geela is an award winning singer/songwriter/composer, columnist, and author of the best-selling book *THE AMERICAN DREAM,* her true- life story of how she came to America as a young immigrant with nothing and overcame incredible obstacles to achieve mega-success. She founded ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD to help children and promote a culture of peace and harmony. Get a free sample of her music and her book at http://www.Geela.com

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

There are almost as many techniques and styles of playing a guitar as there are guitar players. Which technique is the right one, is the one that works for the individual guitar player.

The one common factor among techniques, however, is when someone is playing a guitar, people generally stop and listen. How long they listen will depend on how good that person plays.

The type of music being played is another contributing factor for popularity. Virtually all type of music is an option, from classical to country and millions of songs in between.

Many songs are written while playing a guitar, although many songwriters prefer a keyboard or piano. The guitar is easier to master than a piano and songwriters, especially country or rock and roll, will incorporate a guitar into the music.

An example would be Paul McCartney of The Beatles. He began with a bass guitar and then went on to playing a guitar before mastering many other instruments. The guitar allows the musician to learn the basics of music and music theory before advancing in their knowledge.

Skill Level Varies Among Musicians

How well a person is known as a guitar player hinges solely on their dedication and ability and desire to practice. For some, playing a guitar is about knowing how to strum a few chords and sing a few simple songs. Others equate playing a guitar with mastering a tough foreign language. They won’t quit learning until they believe they know it all.

There are guitar players who make playing a guitar look as easy as falling off a slippery log and others who make it appear extremely difficult. These two extremes do not give the accurate appearance however as neither are an apt description. Because playing a guitar is not that simple, if played until mastered, nor is it so difficult as to be impossible.

How well a person plays will depend on how well they want to play and how much effort they are willing to put into playing a guitar. Sheet music, chord books and recorded music are all helpful to the budding guitar player, but having an objective listener to tell them what’s right and wrong with their playing can help immensely.

When you’re ready to take the plunge, buy a second hand guitar, in case you change your mind and be prepared to practice until it feels like your fingers are about to fall off.

That is, after all, what playing a guitar is all about!

"I think restoring childhood to our children is the biggest challenge of the next century." (Doris Kearns Goodwin, historian - 1999)

"kids are grossly underestimated…" (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter author - 2000)

Once they pass the age of interest in Barney and Sesame Street, kids are left with limited musical choices. By default, they enter the world of "teen pop", where the song lyrics revolve around romantic relationships and a world that young children know very little about. With the increasing acceptance and popularity of rudeness and rebellion in popular music, young kids are walking around mouthing lyrics like "do you really wanna touch it?" and "if you wanna be my lover…" (hopefully, without the first clue as to the meaning of their words). They often end up latching on to the more "sanitized" of the teen pop stars…but, because those artists have careers to build, they can't afford to be seen as appealing to a very young audience for more than about one album. Remember Britney Spears? How many parents are comfortable letting their kids listen to her now? Can other "good, clean" artists like Hilary Duff be far behind? If she is, she would be the rare exception to the rule…

Freedom, independence, romance and sexuality are all normal, natural parts of the maturation process…as well as defining topics in the lives of adults…when balanced with responsibility and commitment. But for developing young minds, they are topics best introduced slowly, as curiosity arises naturally…and in doses they can take time to digest over a period of years. However. our lay-it-all-out-there, reality-show culture seems to have thrown off virtually all restraints. It can be argued whether or not that's a good thing for adults, but its our children who are the real losers. Where do we think all this talk of "going out" at age 6-7 comes from?

To be clear, this is not about the concept that children might accidentally see an uncovered human body part or hear an expletive that should have been deleted. Rather, the real issue is that we have allowed the societal compact to protect our young to erode terribly in recent years. We no longer honor childhood in the way we used to. We used to believe that children needed to be protected until they were "of age" for exposure to a given adult topic or activity. However, in order to honor something, it needs both to be protected and invested in. This means time, energy, money and creativity. Instead, we've ripped away the protections that once allowed kids to learn from role models without a profit motive or a personal agenda.

When I was the host of a children's radio program back in the Eighties, I became aware of a law that forbade the host of a children's program from endorsing and promoting products to children. Think about that for a second. Talk about a foreign concept! Today, the hosts and main characters of many children's shows ARE THE PRODUCTS THEMSELVES (whether human beings or anthropomorphic characters). In effect, our entertainment (and much of our educational and even moral instruction) for children comes in the form of 30-minutes commercials for products. And once the naked profit motive is revealed…it's no wonder our entertainment has lost its "soul". When you can sell "fluff"…why take the time to create memorable, meaningful art? There's nothing wrong with making a profit, of course. But there is something wrong with "dumbing down" entertainment in order to produce it in mass quantities.

With very few exceptions, kids music today operates under the radar of the public consciousness. There is little awareness of it at the major record labels. There is virtually no broadcast presence. In fact, it is viewed with disdain by many, because…except for the few cases where there are not strong marketing tie-ins (read: Disney)…it's not a big money-maker. It rests largely on the backs of independent artists and bands who have a burden for children, and who use their gifts and resources to educate and inspire them with whatever opportunities they can find.

One thing you can do to help support the creation of quality music for kids is to support independent artists. You'll find them on sites like KidsMusicWeb.com and ChildrensMusic.org, and you can even download some of their music for free at FreeChildrensMusic.com, and FreeKidsMusic.com. Take some time to listen to some of the great, free music available for download. If you hear an artist who catches your kid's fancy…support them. Buy an album. Go see them in concert. Consider sponsoring them in concert in your area.

Article written by Chuck Brown

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

When you think of the color pink, you usually think of toy cars and dolls made especially for girls. However, lately the color pink has made a drastic comeback into the mainstream. Pink is quickly becoming the most popular selling cell phone. Women everywhere now have pink purses and other clothing accessories.

Guys, too, are jumping on the bandwagon. It is now popular for guys to wear pink shirts, hats and other clothing. Pink stands out, it grabs attention. Nothing, however, brings more attention and style to the stage than a guitarist with a pink electric guitar.

A pink electric guitar shimmers and shines. Its user commands attention, whether on stage or anywhere else. Many retailers now offer pink electric guitars and they are quickly becoming popular among all ages and sexes.

Not Just For Women

No longer is the pink electric guitar limited to girl bands or just women in general. Many guys are picking up pink electric guitars as their instruments of choice. Pink electric guitars command attention and force others to take notice.

The color pink has a certain sophisticated air to it and the electric guitar has forever held that same air. When combined, the pink electric guitar is second to none to bringing out the best in any guitar player. Guitar playing requires style, it requires confidence. The guitar player is usually the front band member.

Sometimes, the lead singer of a band will also play the guitar. That’s because the guitar is so instrumental to nearly any kind of music. The guitar player must stand out and the guitar player must be noticed. With a pink electric guitar, the guitar player won’t be able to help standing out or being noticed.

Great Gift Idea

With the holiday season approaching, a pink electric guitar is a great gift idea for anyone interested in playing the guitar. Whether it’s for a boy or a girl, a pink electric guitar is a great gift idea for anyone interested in the instrument.

Or, maybe you just want one for yourself. If you want a pink electric guitar, you’d better hurry. With the color pink becoming so popular, it’s likely that the pink guitar will be the most popular guitar at your nearest music store. Your best bet is to go right away and order one or order online as many online stores have pink electric guitars available.

With a pink electric guitar, you’ll be stylish while attracting the attention you deserve. Just be wary that, while you look great, others are quickly joining the group by getting pink electric guitars of their own. That means that if you want to look great, a pink electric guitar is definitely for you.

It’s sad that many items made nowadays are made strictly for right handed people. With left handed people making up so much of the population, you’d think that more items would be made to accommodate those people, sometimes called south paws.

Left handed people sometimes find it difficult to use certain items and for this reason, many items are specially made to be used for people who predominantly use their left hands. Lefty scissors and notebooks are just a couple of items that are made to accommodate south paws. Now, many instrument retailers are also beginning to offer the left handed electric guitar.

Made For Left Handed Players

Many left handed musicians find it difficult to use some instruments. This is especially true for guitar players. Before, left handed people would have to train harder in order to use the instrument that was designed predominantly for right handed people. With the left handed electric guitar, they no longer have to do this.

The left handed electric guitar is made specifically for people who use their left hands. A right handed person will rest the guitar on their knee and will grip the neck with their right hand. This is because most of the work required to play a guitar is done with the fingers on the neck. This is where the strings are pressed to the frets in order to command certain sounds. The strumming is done with the left hand.

With a left handed electric guitar, the neck is on the other side. This way, a left handed person can use the hand they’re most proficient with in order to work the frets. Beginners can begin learning certain notes and chords right away instead of having to specially train themselves to use their right hands.

With a left handed electric guitar, a left handed person can learn the guitar and play while using the hand they are most comfortable with. With so many left handed people in the world, it becomes necessary to design certain items that can be proficiently used by them.

While it is true that there are more right handed people than there are those who use their left, but that doesn’t mean they should be ‘left’ out. For years, left handed people have had special scissors, notebooks and other items, and now, left handed guitar players can get the recognition and ease they deserve and no longer do they have to conform to instruments made for right handed people.

Christian music has really taken off in the last couple of years. You can find mp3 songs for some of the biggest acts like Jaci Velasquez and DC talk online. The songs are great but then you also need a site with accurate Christian music lyrics as well. It’s not fun to sing along with the tunes if you don’t have the words in front of you.

Christian music lyrics are usually uplifting, down home, positive and very family friendly. If you have younger children who are always online and listening to their favorite bands, you want to find the right online music service that will give them the ability to import and store the lyrics on their playlist.

Christian music, unlike most other genres gives all of its power through the lyrics. If you see it and read it, you can enhance your enjoyment and learn more about daily Christian living. In addition, access to Christian music lyrics might help to convince secular fans to buy more this type of music and support the new wave of popular artists.

If you look at the average song from Jaci, Points of Grace or Nicole Mullen, the stories and messages in the songs are universal and can easily apply to secular music lovers. They are not showcasing their faith, but instead showcasing their life and how faith has impacted them in becoming better people. In addition Christian musicians like their country counterparts still rely on good, old fashion story telling. The art of weaving entire stories around love, loss, family values and worship in a 4 minute song is still pretty common in christian music lyrics.

Thankfully, getting access to Contemporary Christian Music lyrics is easier with the resources you can get from the online music stores. So how do you get these lyrics? You start by looking for an mp3 music service that offers direct lyrics from the music publisher or via plugins, software upgrades or on a fee per song basis.

Article written by Syd Johnson