Christian Guitar Resources Newsletter March 9th, 2001 www.christianguitar.ws ------------------- CONTENTS ------------------- 1. DATABASE IS COMPLETE 2. LESSONS 3. NEW SPONSOR 4. MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL ------------------------------------------------ 1. DATABASE IS COMPLETE After months of work, the database conversion is complete! This means easier access to the songs, faster searches, and an overall better looking site. I also have some new features coming out in the next few weeks that will take advantage of the database. ------------------------------------------------ 2. LESSONS Be sure to check out the lessons section, as Tyson has spent a lot of time adding MP3 clips to the lessons. Now you can see what the lesson is written about, and then listen to how it should sound! http://www.christianguitar.ws/lessons/lessons.htm ------------------------------------------------ 3. NEW SPONSOR You've probably noticed that we're now using a new sponsor - Beliefnet. This will help the site in a number of ways. First, it'll keep the lights on. My hosting costs on the new server are much higher than I can afford on my own, and this will help pay those bills. Also, Beliefnet will be able to send us much more targeted advertising than before - you'll be seeing ads that might actually interest you. I simply ask that if you see an ad that you like, please click on it. These are great Christian companies advertising their products and services, and it benefits everyone if you take a minute to see what they have to offer. ------------------------------------------------ 4. MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL Ben Kraker, a sixteen year old in his Junior year of high school, knows that God has called Him to bring revival to his generation. In his devotionals, Ben writes to all Christians but also makes references specifically aimed to today's teens. If you would like to learn more about Ben and his ministry, visit his website at www.BenKraker.com --- A Slap in the Face James 4:6-10 - "He gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor." (NLT) Sometimes I need a good slap in the face to get me focused on what is important. I remember as a child I would get a swift smack on the bottom or a "tender" slap on the cheek from my parents when I disobeyed them. That is what it took for me to realize what I was doing was wrong, and that remains true today. My parents, however, don't do any of the "slapping" anymore. God has in many instances showed me passages of Scripture where when I'm done reading them, I hurt inside! Reading verses like the ones above should have that effect on everyone. When we go against God's word and we don't pay attention to His leading in our lives, sometimes He chooses to give us a smack across the face to get our attention. That smack across the face could be a comment from a fellow Christian, an event in which you realize you were wrong, or a passage of Scripture. Sometimes it hurts when God catches our attention like that. I've found that to be true in my life. When I read this passage of Scripture about a week ago, I was totally convicted. I had been prideful, and I certainly was not depending on God like I should have been. This passage of Scripture hit me hard and it broke me. That is what it should do for you, too. Have you ever heard the quote "You can't fix something unless it's broken"? As simple as it may sound, it is very true. What is the point of fixing something unless its broken? In the same way, what is the point of God fixing up our lives and building them up unless we confess to Him that we are broken vessels, in need of the Potter to craft us and build our dependence on Him? There is no point! If we aren't going to realize our brokenness and come before God, chances are he may not repair us. I'm not saying "You sinner, you didn't admit your brokenness before God, you can't be healed" because that simply is not true. God is merciful. However, He also wants us to come before Him and admit our dependence on Him. When we don't, chances are He'll give you a nice slap in the face to break you and return you to that dependence on Him. Application How are things going in your life? Is there chaos, unrest, and rivalry? What about lust, anger, hatred? Feelings of hypocrisy? Whatever you may be experiencing in life, I invite you to get down on your knees right now and do what James 4:10 says to. "When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor." James 4:10 Right where you are, get down on your knees and bow down before the Lord. Cry out to Him, let Him know you are nothing without Him. Maybe its time to once again put your entire life in His hands. Tell Him what is on your mind; just hand everything over to Him in complete surrender. If there is any unconfessed sin, deal with it now. Don't let it fester and cause more pain. Deal with it before the Lord, wherever you are now, just get down on your knees and bow before the Lord. I encourage you to bow down daily in that state of surrender. You wouldn't believe how God lifts you up and honors you when you do this. It is absolutely incredible. ------------------------------------------------ Have a great month, and feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or problems with the site. IHL, Mickey mickey@christianguitar.ws http://www.christianguitar.ws/