CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAGAZINE

Be Not Afraid

2008-08-20T02:50:00.000-07:00

Be Not Afraid
Posted by Christopher Frazier on March 25, 2006 -->
Overcoming the Fear of Death
Johann Christoph Arnold

In Be Not Afraid, Arnold addresses fears that every person faces - fear of illness, aging, death and loss, fear of vulnerability, and fear of suffering.

A pastor who has worked with the dying for three decades, Arnold knows that each of us must meet death in our own unique way. Yet through stories of people he has known and counseled as a pastor, relative, or friend, he shows how all suffering can be given meaning, and despair overcome. These real-life stories offer sure proof that even today, in our culture of isolation and death, there is reason for hope.

Other free ebooks
by this author…

Escape Routes
So you think you can tell heaven from hell…?
More about this book
Download (PDF, 335 KB)

Drained
Drugged up and sexed out, Ashley flirted with despair. Then one day…
More about this book
Download (PDF, 550 KB)

Cries From the Heart
In a wireless age, how do you connect with God?
More about this book
Download (PDF, 539 KB)

Why Forgive?
Why Forgive? Read these stories and decide for yourself.
More about this book
Download (PDF, 459 KB)

Sex, God, & Marriage
Sex and God: two 3-letter words you can’t play around with.
More about this book
Download (PDF, 735 KB)

Endangered
Children: the planet’s most endangered species?
More about this book
Download (PDF, 415 KB)
Based on his popular 1997 book I Tell You a Mystery, this new version has been broadened in scope to include discussion of contemporary issues such as AIDS, suicide, and euthanasia.

This book in other languages:
No Tengas Miedo - Como superar el temor a la muerte
두려움 너머로
Takut? Nggak! Kematian : Kenapa Menakutkan

Paul Brand, M.D, author, Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants
I have read many books about dying, but this is the one I would give to someone approaching death or facing bereavement. From start to finish it shines with hope. I want a copy beside my bed when my time comes.

Jonathan Kozol, author, Ordinary Resurrections
This is a beautiful book of surpassing dignity and tenderness…I hope it will be widely read, not only by those who call themselves religious. Although written with great simplicity of style, it is nonetheless a work of moral mystery…a small treasure, unpretentious and transcendent.

Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder, St. Christopher’s Hospice, London
There are many books available by people bereaved of someone they loved, but this one has a special strength.

Download this free e-book (PDF, 570 KB)
http://www.ploughbooks.co.uk/ebooks/be-not-afraid/

Christian singer's message delivered in music and words

2007-12-03T04:23:00.000-08:00

This Article from : http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071201/NEWS10/712010355/-1/NEWS

published Saturday, December 1, 2007

Christian singer's message delivered in music and words
Kathy Troccoli will be in concert at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Rd., Toledo. Admission is $12. Information: 419-841-8077 or www.kathytroccoli.com.
Zoom Photo ReprintsBy DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
Ever since Kathy Troccoli made her recording debut in 1982, the contemporary Christian singer has been sure to give a few words of encouragement to concert audiences.

Over the years, Ms. Troccoli said in an interview this week, she became increasingly aware of the importance of those little chats. Today, the singer-songwriter is almost as well known for her speaking engagements and inspirational books as she is for her 17 No. 1 hit singles and sales of 2 million records.

Ms. Troccoli comes to Toledo for a series of concerts Wednesday through Friday at Westgate Chapel that she said will feature a mix of Christmas tunes, her own hits, and messages of hope.

The speaking engagements - including talking to 250,000 women each year at Women of Faith conferences - and her books are ministries that Ms. Troccoli said she had to grow into.

"Almost 10 years ago, I got in front of an audience and I just started sharing a lot of the stuff I hadn't been able to share in my 20s and 30s, because age brings that ability to talk about such things," she said.

Ms. Troccoli, 49, said that when she is honest and open in talking about her struggles with bulimia and depression, her vulnerability and candidness have a noticeable impact on audiences.

"I found that it was something that women loved and they craved, to know that someone else was going through what they were going through but who is able to say, 'You are going to make it through the next day.'•"

Losing both parents to cancer brought a depth of emotion that many people can relate to, Ms. Troccoli said.

"So many people understand that. That element of my story becomes their story, and their story becomes my story," she said. "I try to express what they would want to say if they could write."
She said she has been "completely healed of bulimia for years" and also has learned to overcome depression when it starts to slip into her life.

Her susceptibility to depression is part of her "artist's makeup," she said. The ability to pour her heart into music as a writer and performer, tapping into deep and strong feelings, makes her vulnerable to depression, she said.

"I struggled as a young girl, but thank God, helping to understand the stuff that was going on in my body, through friends and prayer, I can tell women: 'You don't have to stay in that state of mind. There's a path to freedom, and that path is in Jesus Christ.'•"

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Islip Terrace on Long Island, Ms. Troccoli said she was "raised in a religious home but had no clue about really making Jesus part of my everyday life and my future. Giving him control was very foreign to me."

She was singing in dinner clubs and nightclubs when, at age 20, she had a conversion experience.

"I immediately started singing at coffee houses on Long Island and started writing songs to God in the same style of music I was singing in clubs. A youth pastor said, 'Do you know there was contemporary Christian music out there?' I said, 'You're kidding!' Gospel music to me was Mahalia Jackson. I was so excited to see that there were people out there singing this stuff."

Ms. Troccoli was in the vanguard of contemporary Christian music when the genre first began to grow into a music-industry phenomenon in the early 1980s.

After signing with Christian label Reunion Records, she moved to Nashville, where her smoky voice and pop music sound quickly turned her into one of the major stars of contemporary Christian music.

Her chart-topping hits include "Psalm 23," "Live for the Lord," "My Life Is in Your Hands," "I Will Choose Christ," and "I Call Him Love," and she cracked the mainstream charts with "Everything Changes" and her collaboration with the Beach Boys on "I Can Hear Music."

She has won two Dove Awards, was nominated for a Grammy three times, and in 2003 was named one of the "Most Influential Christian Women in America" by Today's Christian Woman magazine.

"It all happened very quick," Ms. Troccoli said, looking back at the early days of her career. "But I often say that we all have gifts but we can be gifted and be a mess."

She said she felt pushed into appearing "hip and cool" for the Christian youth market, even though that was not her true self.

"I'm not putting myself down here, but I was never hip and cool," she said. "I was a club singer from New York. I struggled with the style and music everyone thought you should be as a 20-year-old singer in front of the youth."

She compared it to forcing jazz artist Norah Jones to imitate a pop artist such as Britney Spears.

"It wasn't for me," Ms. Troccoli said. "But at this time in my life, I'm comfortable in my skin and with my audiences. I'm where I should be, singing the songs I should be singing."

Kathy Troccoli will be in concert at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Rd., Toledo. Admission is $12. Information: 419-841-8077 or www.kathytroccoli.com.

Stellar Kart Inspires Fans to 'Expect The Impossible' in 2008

2007-11-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

This article from :http://www.cmspin.com/
Stellar Kart Inspires Fans to 'Expect The Impossible' in 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Source: CMSpin

Award-winning youth group rock band Stellar Kart inspires listeners to strive for greatness, taking comfort in God’s enduring faithfulness, on its third studio album, Expect The Impossible, releasing Feb. 26, 2008.

Produced by Ian Eskelin (Krystal Meyers, All Star United), who additionally co-wrote alongside lead singer Adam Agee on eight of the album’s 11 tracks, Expect The Impossible is more sonically diverse than the band’s previous projects, intended to connect with a wider audience.
“Sonically, we wanted to shoot for a broader sound,” says Eskelin. “Stellar Kart has never been afraid to challenge the current trend, so we decided to incorporate some new elements. This album will please the band’s die-hard punk fans while offering something to straight-up pop and rock lovers as well. The goal is to meet listeners where they are, driving an emotional connection to the music.”

Among the project’s recurring themes is that of striving to achieve one’s best self in Christ. For instance, “Shine Like The Stars” calls believers to emanate God’s light in all circumstances, while “I Give Up” reflects the need for complete submission to Him. Also prevalent is the message of God’s faithfulness to those who love Him. “Sunshine” likens God to sunshine on a rainy day, and “Pray” urges listeners to “hold on to the promise that help is on the way.”

“We talk with kids after concerts and are always hearing from youth leaders about the issues facing teens today,” says frontman Agee. “We wanted to write songs that would address such topics and encourage kids to expect God to work in their daily lives.”

The record’s debut single, “Jesus Loves You” will be going for adds at both Christian Adult Contemporary and Christian Hit Radio Jan. 4, 2008. Additionally, Stellar Kart will kick off its annual “Punk the Halls” tour in late November, playing 25 dates in 27 days, while continuing as a headlining artist at Acquire the Fire events nationwide. For additional information, visit http://www.stellarkart.com/ or www.myspace.com/stellarkart.

Word Records’ punk pop rock band Stellar Kart launched onto the music scene with its 2005 release, All Gas. No Brake. The national debut landed Stellar Kart a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Best New Artist, and the band was honored as New Artist of the Year by readers of Ignite Your Faith magazine. In 2006, Stellar Kart debuted at No. 1 on SoundScan’s Christian retail chart with its sophomore release, We Can’t Stand Sitting Down.

Furthermore, the band’s single, “Me And Jesus,” held the No. 1 spot at Christian Hit Radio for seven consecutive weeks. The group also received a 2007 Dove Award for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Me And Jesus”) as well as three other nominations in the categories Artist of the Year, Rock Recorded Song (“Activate”), and Rock/Contemporary Album (We Can’t Stand Sitting Down). Additionally, Stellar Kart was recognized by SESAC with four 2007 National Performance Activity Awards. Last spring the band opened on newsboys’ wildly popular “GO” tour.

Word Records is a part of Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company. The artist roster heralds some of today’s top Christian music performers and songwriters including Mark Schultz, Point Of Grace, Building 429, Nicole C. Mullen and Stellar Kart. The Word Label Group leads the industry with over 50 years of music-making history.

Da'T.R.U.T.H. Nominated for Gospel Music Channel Video Award

2007-11-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

This Article From :http://www.cmspin.com/

Da'T.R.U.T.H. Nominated for Gospel Music Channel Video Award
Friday, November 16, 2007 Source: CMSpin

Stellar Award winner, 2008 Holy Hip-Hop Award honoree and Cross Movement Records recording artist Da' T.R.U.T.H. has received a Gospel Music Channel Video Award (GMCVA) nomination in the hip-hop category for his video "Who Am I?" (featuring Tye Tribbett)--the first radio and video single from his latest album Open Book. In addition to Tribbett's guest vocal performance, Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s high energy video also features a cameo by GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin.

The GMCVAs will honor the top videos in six genre categories: Rock, Country, Soul, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Latino, as well as the overall "Top Video of the Year." Winners will be determined by viewers and fans through daily online voting at http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/ through December 2, 2007. Voters will choose from nominees in each category, which were determined by the amount of airplay the videos received on the Gospel Music Channel during 2007. Winners will be announced on-air in a special program, "Hot List: Viewers' Choice 2007," on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. EST.

In addition to its success at the Gospel Music Channel, Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s "Who Am I?" video is also in high rotation on programs such as BET J's "Lifted" and BET's "Video Gospel" and "Lift Every Voice," as well as the hip-hop section of Comcast Cable's On Demand. Online, the video is available on such popular music/video sites as YouTube, MySpace TV, AOL Music, AOL Video and Yahoo! Music.

Da T.R.U.T.H.'s Open Book project, which released this summer on Cross Movement Records, set a new record by securing the highest Soundscan/Billboard Chart debut for a gospel hip-hop artist when Open Book captured the #2 position on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart. The album also debuted at #1 on Soundscan's Christian Hip-Hop Chart and at #3 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Chart. Open Book has delighted fans across a variety of genres according to Billboard's charts, debuting at #5 on the Contemporary Christian Chart, #6 on the Top Christian/Gospel Chart and #18 on the Rap Chart. The album's single, "Who Am I?" featuring Tye Tribbett, debuted at #9 on HipHopRnBSoul.com's Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs as the only gospel song on the chart, sandwiched between Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" and 50 Cent's "Amusement Park." Da' T.R.U.T.H. was also prominently featured in the October 2007 issue of CCM Magazine and named one of the top "Movers and Shakers Under 40" this summer by Trumpet Magazine alongside Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s widespread appeal has landed him in the pages of Vibe, The Source, XXL, Sister2Sister, JET, Charisma, CCM and New Man magazines, among others. His television appearances include "BET News," BET's "Lift Every Voice," TBN's "Praise The Lord," INSP's "Steelroots" and "Mixx Master's Lounge," The Word Network's "Bobby Jones Gospel" and Daystar Television Network's "Sound Check." Da' T.R.U.T.H. was also a featured artist in "Holy Hip-Hop: The Movie."

Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s Open Book is available on Cross Movement Records and distributed in the CBA market by Provident-Integrity Distribution and by Sony RED in the general market.

For more information on Da' T.R.U.T.H. and his new album Open Book, visit http://www.datruth.net/, myspace.com/truthonduty or http://www.crossmovementrecords.com/.

Local talent earns honors in Nashville

2007-11-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

Local talent earns honors in Nashville
Written by Kathy Rhoads
Wed, 14 Nov 2007

It was a whirlwind week for two talented Paris residents while recently visiting Nashville, Tenn. and attending the Christian Country Music Association’s Week (CCMA).

Amanda Fessant, executive director of HIS Ministry was nominated for “New Artist of the Year” and Katlyn Wolfe, a 14-year-old Paris High School freshman came in second in the Inspirational Country’s Music (ICM) Talent competition sponsored by Power Source Music Magazine.

“Many things happened that were significant among them was being selected to perform for the ICM Opening Spectacular, being asked to do the worship service, doing a showcase at the convention center, being a nominee and most of all I was afforded the privilege of being asked to perform on a benefit CD for the McDougal Children,” said Fessant with enthusiasm.

Other artists singing with Fessant on the CD are Mike Hammock, Greg McDougal and Mary James. Also performing on the special CD are the Oak Ridge Boys and the Bellamy Brothers.

Fessant was invited to return to Nashville in December to perform at the benefit concert with the group.

“I am so excited to be able to help and to be counted among them,” Fessant said. “This is just a sample of the wonderful blessings I received while there (in Nashville).”

HIS Ministry sponsored Wolfe in the talent competition and afforded her and her mother, Rosa, the opportunity to attend the entire ICM Week including the talent competition.

“She was awesome!” exclaimed Fessant. “She did exceptionally well! I am so proud of her performance. This was an opportunity for her to get a taste of the music business and meet people.”

While in Nashville, Wolfe had the opportunity to attend many valuable seminars and showcases.

She competed against many artists that already have CDs out and are touring.

“I heard many favorable comments concerning her (Katlyn’s) performance. She is young and has the ability to grow and take advantage of opportunities afforded her,” explained Fessant who worked closely with the 14-year-old offering tips on performance skills. “We wish her well in the future.”

Fessant stressed it is not just the vocal or instrumental education opportunities that are given in Nashville, but the colleges teach music business and provide opportunities for internships all over the world.

“Katlyn came back to Paris with a new view of the world of the music industry and the whole Nashville scene, some very good and some not so good,” Fessant noted. “One has to learn to work with it and allow the Lord to guide you to make the right decisions.”

HIS and Friends with Amanda Fessant will present a Christmas program at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Lake Ridge Christian Church.

This Article From: www.parisbeacon.com

Pillar's Announces New Album, For The Love Of The Game

2007-11-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

This Article From http://www.cmspin.com/
Pillar's Announces New Album,

For The Love Of The Game
Monday, November 12, 2007 Source: CMSpin

First Radio Single, “For Love of the Game,” showcased on ESPN;Explodes Out of the Gates at Christian Rock Radio

Christian Rock leader Pillar will release its fifth-studio album, the big, fun and commanding, For Love of the Game, on February 26, 2008. The buzz is well underway. During the 2007 MLB (Major League Baseball) World Series, the title track was prominently featured during ESPN’s nightly program, Baseball Tonight. Nearly one month prior to its official add-date at radio, “For the Love of the Game” was most added at R&R Christian Rock Radio. For the Love of the Game was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was produced by Travis Wyrick (Disciple, Spoken, P.O.D.).

“We love what we get to do!” shares Pillar lead man, Rob Beckley. “We get to say that we play rock ‘n’ roll for a living. We get to see lives changed. We have a renewed love and focus. With that in mind, making For the Love of the Game was very fun, and very fluent; it just came out. We went into the studio knowing what the album was going to be called and we were able to carry the vision through. We wanted to have a positive, bright, fun sounding record. That was our intent from the beginning. We trust that as people hear this record, God will use it to change lives. That’s the ultimate fuel for our fire. When someone tells us, ‘your music changed my marriage, or brought me closer to God,’ that’s when we know God is using our music, and that’s what it’s all about to us.”

Further evidence of the excitement and support behind For the Love of the Game:HM Magazine Editor, Doug Van Pelt, explains Pillar’s broad impact, “Pillar has honed its own game to a steady, heavy polish; there’s been a progression through the years, from rap-rock, to super-tight, melodic songs that continue to demand respect. Pillar has the ability to rock two generations: one that grew up on Kiss and Motley Cre anthems, and younger rockers growing up on bands like Linkin Park today. For the Love of the Game begs for an arena-sized crowd ... as well as an arena-sized stack of speakers!”

Major League Baseball pitcher, Mike Maroth, shares, “Pillar’s For the Love of the Game definitely rocks! It’s so hard to find quality music that actually has purpose and meaning. For the Love of the Game is not only great music, but it’s encouraging and challenging at the same time – it’s music that matters. When I’m listening to music before a baseball game to get myself psyched up, Pillar is at the top of my playlist.”

Jasen Rauch, guitarist in the GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning band Red, exclaims, “For the Love of the Game is one of the most intense records I’ve heard in years. Pillar has written its best work yet!”

Mike Smith, drummer in the GRAMMY and Dove Award-nominated band Leeland, comments on the influence Pillar has on other Christian Rock bands, “Pillar is amazing. Those guys have been on the frontlines for years, continually knocking down incorrect barriers about what Christian Rock is all about. They have huge hearts to share the Gospel, and from a musical standpoint, they are awesome. Lester [Pillar’s drummer] is one of the best drummers, not just in Christian music, but in any kind of music.”

One track on For the Love of the Game that Pillar is particularly proud of is “Turn It Up.” “It’s a tribute to Christian music,” Rob explains. “Every lyric in that song is an album title or song title from another Christian band, with the exception of two lines. All in all, there are 34 bands represented in that song; bands whose songs have influenced us and impacted us. In preparation for writing and recording For the Love of the Game, I listened to a whole lot of Christian music. Prior to Pillar, I didn’t know the Christian music world existed. Over the last year, I’ve fully come to understand just how well the Christian music world is established. In today’s music market, Christian bands are starting to set musical standards. Bands like Underoath, for example, are really making a huge impact on the music scene, and that is really cool to me. I want people to know that we are a Christian band. We are proud of who we are!”

The ten-track project comprises the following: “For the Love of the Game,” “Turn It Up,” “Reckless Youth,” “State of Emergency,” “Smiling Down,” “The Runaway,” “Throwdown,” “Get Back,” “I Fade Away,” and “Forever Starts Now.”

For more information on Pillar visit: http://www.pillarmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/pillar.

2007-11-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

By PAUL C. JONG

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Pseudos and Heretics within Christianity

<> “But the word of the Lord was to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,’ that they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught. Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem.”

BIBLICAL HERESY

How does the Bible define the word "heretic?"

The Bible defines a heretic as one who has sin in his heart even though he believes in Jesus.

There are many pseudo newswriters these days, especially in developing countries. They are the ones who pretend to be newswriters but usually extort money from their victims, threatening to expose something their victims have done. Pseudo means something that looks genuine but is not the real thing. In other words, it refers to something whose outside is completely different from its inside.

The words “heretic” and “pseudo” are used quite often, especially in Christian churches.

But there are few clear-cut definitions of what a heretic is and what it is to be termed “pseudo,” nor are there many who teach these concepts in strict accordance with the Bible.

Under these circumstances, I feel duty bound to disclose what the Bible defines as “heresy” and shed some light on the subject. I also want to point out some examples of heresy in real life and thus have us think about it together. Anyone who believes in God has to think about heresy at least once in their lives.

Titus 3:10-11 defines a heretic as a divisive person who is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. A heretic is someone who condemns himself as a sinner. Therefore those who believe in Jesus but have sin in their hearts are heretics before God.

Jesus took away all sins through His baptism. But heretics refuse to believe in the true gospel that brings salvation to sinners and thus condemn themselves to join the ranks of sinners.

Are you a heretic? We have to think about this if we want to live an upright faithful life.

Aren’t you condemning yourself as a sinner even though you believe in Jesus if you have not yet heard the gospel of the water and the Spirit? If you consider yourself a sinner, then you are doing a disservice to Jesus by slighting His perfect salvation and the gospel of the water and the Spirit.

To call oneself a sinner before God is to admit that one is not a son of God. Those who confess to Jesus, “Lord, I am a sinner,” have to reconsider their own faith.

How can you believe in Jesus and still claim to be a sinner when Jesus took away all the sins of the world and saved you perfectly from eternal damnation? How can you deny His free gift of salvation and define yourself as a sinner when Jesus took away all your sins through His baptism and was judged thoroughly for them on the Cross?

Such people are heretics because they volunteer to be sinners apart from the word of God. You have to know the gospel of the water and the Spirit to avoid committing heresy before God.

Anyone who believes in Jesus but is not born again is a heretic because he still has sin in his heart. Because God took away all the sins of the world including our own, we are heretics before God if we ignore this blessing of salvation.

Because God is holy, we are heretics if we have sin in our hearts. If we really want to become righteous, we have to believe in the gospel of the baptism of Jesus and His blood on the Cross.

Andrew Peterson: The acoustic roots singer finding new outlets as an author

2007-11-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

This article from http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk

Andrew Peterson: The acoustic roots singer finding new outlets as an author
Friday 9th November 2007
Susanne Martin reports on a folk-tinged songsmith ANDREW PETERSON now developing his book writing gifts

Andrew Peterson
Not many ordinary family men can claim to have recorded eight albums, performed on tour with Caedman's Call and Nichole Nordeman and written the first in a series of children's fantasy novels. But then Nashville-based Andrew Peterson is no ordinary dad. Best known in the UK for his 'Carried Along' album debut of 2000, the acoustic-based songsmith now has a children's book The Ballad Of Matthew's Begats out in the US. Based on the lyrics of a song from Peterson's Christmas album tracing the genealogy of Jesus, the book has been enthusiastically received Stateside. There is a heavier literary work due to be published in the US in the new year. He spoke to Infuze magazine about his new work On The Edge Of The Dark Sea Of Darkness. "This is the first of what will probably be a trilogy," he said, "in which we discover that Darth Vader was Frodo's father, and that Tumnus was Gurgi's best friend while they studied at Hogwart's under Morpheus and Count Olaf! . . . I'm holding out for movie rights."

Andrew clearly has a healthy sense of humour. He has been working on the book for four or five years now. "I've been really bashful about it, but finally mustered the guts to take it seriously and was blessed to find a publisher for it [at] Waterbrook Press/Random House," he said. "I've loved books for even longer than I've loved music, so I'm still freaked out that I'm actually publishing one." But up until this point in his career, Peterson has been writing and performing songs on his acoustic guitar "as a frail and simple gift to God" for 17 years. He described his style as "folk music in the literal sense, meaning that it's music for the common people. It's not too lofty, artsy or hard to understand."

In 1996 he and his wife, Jamie, met guitarist Gabe Scott and the group went on the road together across America. From the beginning Andrew said that "if I wanted to play music, then I should make myself available to whomever wanted to listen." The threesome performed to audiences from elementary school kids to the elderly. "We didn't have the advantage of a CD that people could take home and look over the lyrics and figure out the songs," Andrew explained. "So, when I write a song, I have to make it clear because the audience is only going to hear the song one time until we see them again in six months."

Then, one destined day, lead guitarist and songwriter for Caedman's Call, Derek Webb, came across Andrew's website. Derek was so impressed with Andrew's lyrics that Derek spontaneously invited him to open for Caedmon's Call at an upcoming show. No one else in Caedman's Call had heard a single note of Andrew's songs until he started to play that night. They were so impressed that the band turned down appeals from numerous major-label artists to place Andrew on their nationwide 1998 tour.

In the spring of 1999 Andrew signed with Essential/Watershed Records. His first album, 'Carried Along', debuted in the Top 10 on both SoundScan Christian Adult Contemporary Albums Chart and Billboard's Top Internet Sales ahead of Sting and Faith Hill. It also made an impact on CCM Magazine who named it in their top 10 albums of 2000. Andrew's country-tinged acoustic pop music kept to the simplicity of his unsigned days on the road, but is by no means shallow. "Honesty, truth and art all rolled into one thing is a rarity," said Peterson. "To me, the pinnacle of what makes a good song is something that everyone can relate to, and at the same time, it's beautiful. Making it beautiful is the hardest part. There are a lot of honest and true songs that are just lousy."

Andrew's second album, 'Clear To Venus', was released on the infamous September 11, 2001. The songsmith spent the following several months performing church concerts in the hope of bringing light to a hurting nation. During that time Andrew's wife decided to stay at home with the couple's three sons while Andrew toured. Gabe also went off to explore other avenues after five years of backing Andrew on guitar and vocals. Then one weekend, the singer/songwriter retreated for a weekend to the hills of Kentucky where he found inspiration for his third album while reflecting in the gardens of a monastery. 'Love & Thunder' is "peppered" with reflection of the previous year as "the theme of suffering, the long, hard journey of faithfulness, and ultimately redemption in the depths of our pain kind of crept out during the making of the album." It was recorded with a number of accomplished talents such as Alison Krauss, Cliff Young (Caedman's Call) and Randall Goodgame and was produced by Dove Award winning Christian music veteran, Steve Hindalong.

Since 2004, Andrew Peterson has recorded five albums; 'Behold The Lamb Of God', 'The Far Country', 'Appendix A: Bootlegs And B-Sides', 'Slugs Bugs And Lullabies' and 'Appendix M: Media/Music/Movies'. By the title it's easy to guess that the fourth in the list was Andrew's first move toward the children's genre. Two of the songs from the album were even used for the newest video in the best-selling Veggie Tales series called 'The Wizard Of Ha's'. He teamed up with Randall Goodgame on the 2006 record. "I've never made a record where I laughed so much," said Andrew. "The studio is usually a place of precision and jaw-clenching effort. You can spend a whole day on one guitar part - for some of us, two whole days. But with this record, the bulk of the recording was done in a week. A lot of the parts are results of spontaneity, like the 'yo-ho-ho's' in 'Dreams' and the big band-type background vocals in 'The Post Office Song'. We had a ball." Despite the obvious changes in this album compared with his others, Andrew explained that the target audience is the same fan base he's always had. "A big chunk of it is parents - people in roughly the same place in life as Randy and I. We both know what it's like to drive around in the car with screaming or laughing kids, forcing ourselves to play that annoying children's record one more time. We wanted to make a record that might be easier for the parents to endure. I hope we pulled it off."Andrew's creativity is greatly affected by his perspective of the ultimate Creator making us in his image. "Pardon me whilst I geek out for a minute and mention a little known author named J R R Tolkien. He wrote a monumental essay that partly dealt with creation called On Fairy-Stories. He coined the word 'sub-creation' and pointed out the God-given urge we humans have to create; since we have been created in the image of a creative God, we also were made to and find satisfaction in creating, whether by painting or spinning tales or making music or cooking cheesburger pie. I see songwriting and storytelling as a remarkable gift - a tiny glimpse into the satisfaction, the care and labour, and ultimately the delight our God had in making us and our world. My first novel is a fantasy-adventure story, and I got to experience that sub-creator's delight in a new way when I saw the characters I created coming to life on the page, doing things and saying things I wasn't expecting, living in a world whose rules I dreamed up. Who knows the mind of our God? Who can fathom what it's like for him to reign over a world that he made, a world moving forward in time, occupying actual space, peopled with humans with free will? Writing this book gave me a new, humbling understanding of God's power and goodness."

The novel, On The Edge Of The Dark Sea Of Darkness, about which Peterson is very excited, is due out in March 2008. "It's about three kids in a sleepy town that's crawling with snaky soldiers called the Fangs of Drang, not to mention the dreaded toothy cows or the marginally sane Peet the Sock Man, who wears socks up to his elbows and speaks mostly gibberish. The kids uncover a secret in their town that just might kill them dead. Sounds fun, eh? It's got a crusty old pirate, a haunted manor, a maggotloaf, sword fights, and three brave siblings who may or may not have been inspired by my own children. The rest of the series is a Big Fat Secret. I haven't even told my editor yet. Just know this: there are no talking lions. Just danger, mystery, and the loathsome toothy cows of Glipwood Forest. Watch out."

About Susanne Martin
Susanne Martin is studying journalism at Staffordshire University.

» Buy Andrew Peterson products from Cross Rhythms Direct

Cheryl Sherry: Annual Christian music festival looks to empower teens. So what's The Big Deal?

2007-11-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

This article From:http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/APC04/711060484/-1/APClife

Cheryl Sherry: Annual Christian music festival looks to empower teens
So what's The Big Deal?

Blaine Howard knows the answer.

"I think teenagers constantly make something a big deal in their lives — whether it's relationships, looking hot on the hotness scale so they can measure up, sports and grades — and there's a lot of stuff vying for their attention," said Howard, new director of festivals at Life Promotions. "We want kids to know at Power of One this year that God has said that they are the big deal.

"Their heart is the big deal, and the fact they can in a way that counts is a big deal. God has said you are more than your grades or how other people look at you or whether or not you fit a magazine cover. Your heart is worth everything, and all that other stuff is just a small aspect of who you are."

An equally big deal, he said, is God.

"Kids discover their true worth when they look at the giver of worth and make following God a big deal in their lives," Howard said. "You are worth something because your creator made you."

The 17th annual Power of One The Big Deal Christian music festival — the largest one-day fest in Wisconsin — takes over the Green Bay's Resch Center Saturday. Bands include Hawk Nelson, Tree63, Jonah33, Cycledown and headliners, Flyleaf, the nationally recognized alternative rock bank whose self-titled album has spent 83 weeks on the Billboard 200, which ranks the best-selling albums in the county.

"Where they are at in their career right now, they are exploding," Howard said. "They have been on a slow burn for a while. Their (first) album, which is approaching platinum sales, has been around two years and the song 'All Around Me' has just started hitting in the last six months. … They are all over mainstream rock radio."

Members of the five-piece Texas band also are very serious about their faith, although they don't view themselves as a Christian peg trying to fit into the mainstream of alternative rock.

"When we started, we didn't have an agenda on what we were going to do," said Sameer Bhattacharya, one of two guitarists in Flyleaf. "We just wrote songs and played shows wherever we could. The inspiration for the songs was life. And being a Christian, your faith should impact every aspect of your life. But we don't categorize ourselves as anything. Everyone is going to make their own judgment and their own labels and we'll go with anything."

Bhattacharya says fans appreciate the bands' musicianship as well as lyrics such as these from "All Around Me":

"I can feel you all around me

Thickening the air I'm breathing

Holding on to what I'm feeling

Savoring this heart's that's healing."

In the song, "I'm So Sick," which was the first release off their album, Flyleaf references the world today, which Bhattacharya calls "a real sick place."

"But the song says just because that's the world we live in we don't have to grow up and become that," he said. "All those experiences in our lives we can learn from and rise up because of."

Yes, Power of One is all about the music, but equally important will be the messages offered by speakers including Josh Finklea, a nationally known Christian speaker who serves as executive pastor and youth minister at the Crossing, a nondenominational church in Quincy, Ill.; Life Promotions media coordinator and musician Tammy Borden; Kent Hulbert, state director for Youth Alive in Wisconsin and northern Michigan; and Vince Lichlyter, lead singer of Jonah33.

From drug addition to eating disorders, these people have been through it, Howard said.

Borden, who personally dealt with an eating disorder in her early 20s, will discuss "Escaping Your World of Secret Sin."

"Through Life Promotions I receive a lot of phone calls from kids that are seeking advice or just seeking some help with an issue they have. Almost always it's an issue that they are keeping a secret," she said. "Behavioral addictions like cutting and eating disorders, some kids that already addicted to porn, kids already using drugs and drinking and a lot of relational addictions with sex and things like that. And these are teenagers.

"They're ashamed in dealing with this … and everyday wake up saying, 'Today is going to the day,' but they can't make it through that day without the release. … The more you try to keep it a secret, the more it will try to control you."

People can't "do" life by themselves, Borden said.

"We weren't designed to live alone and to make ourselves attain fulfillment on our own. We were designed for relationships with other people and with God; if either one is struggling, the other will struggle, too."

"The big message of Power of One is there's a God who knows every last secret you've got and shares with you and wants you to feel whole and loved and rock out," Howard said.

Although Power of One is a different venue from Oshkosh's Lifest, where a 16-year-old Menasha girl died during a giant swing ride, Howard said Life Promotions has "acknowledged the concerns of public perception and discussed it as we move forward with Power of One. We have everything in place that anticipates any kind of questions from the community."

Cheryl Sherry: 920-993-1000, ext. 249, or csherry@postcrescent.com

Musicnotes.com Adds One-Millionth Customer, Sells Three-Millionth Download

2007-11-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

November 06, 2007 03:37 PM Eastern Time
Musicnotes.com Adds One-Millionth Customer, Sells Three-Millionth Download

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Musicnotes.com, the online leader in downloadable sheet music and guitar tablature, announced today it surpassed the one million customer mark in early September and also sold its three-millionth download on October 26.

Download number three million was the song “Thankful” performed by Josh Groban from his new holiday CD ‘Noel.’ The song “Thankful” is written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager and Richard Page and is published by leading independent music publisher, peermusic. Sheet music for the song is currently available exclusively at Musicnotes.com.

Peggy Blair, upon learning she was the purchaser of the three millionth download stated, "I’ve been able to locate the words and music for songs requested for weddings for which I’m asked to play piano. I’m also the pianist for a small church and occasionally someone will ask for a certain song I may not have in my library. It’s very nice to be able to locate these songs without having to run from one store to the next, especially with the gas prices so high. Thank you for providing this service!"

Now entering the busiest part of its season, Musicnotes.com sold over 100,000 downloads in October alone and expects to do so in November and December as well. The site sold its first digital download in late 1999.

“Musicnotes.com continues to focus on the customer experience in helping site visitors find and learn to play the world’s great songs” stated Musicnotes CEO Kathleen Marsh. “We believe this approach serves everyone well, including our publishing and songwriting partners to whom we will have paid over $6 million in royalties through 2007.”

About Musicnotes: Musicnotes, Inc. offers an impressive online catalog of nearly 70,000 digital sheet music titles, built on the strength of content agreements with Alfred Publishing, BMG, Sony/ATV Publishing, Disney Music Publishing, Famous Music, peermusic, Word Music, EMI Christian, Bug Music and others. Musicnotes was also recently selected as one of the Top 500 Online Retailers by Internet Retailer Magazine.
On the web: http://www.musicnotes.com/

Christian music hits whittled down to 100

2007-11-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

Christian Music Hits Whittled Down to 100
Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 17, 2006 by Knight Ridder Newspapers

What's the greatest song ever made in contemporary Christian music? CCM thinks it knows. The Christian music magazine has released a new book, "100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music." The list is subjective, and the editor, Jay Swartzendruber, admits so.

But with the help of a group of music industry executives and 2,500 Christian music fans, he has whittled thousands of songs down to the top 100.

You'll find favorites such as Amy Grant's "El Shaddai," Rich Mullins' "Awesome God" and Michael W. Smith's "Friends."

Music to remind us of mystery - Amy Grant's Christmas albums

2007-11-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

Music to Remind Us of Mystery - Amy Grant's Christmas albums
National Catholic Reporter, Dec 24, 1999 by Robin Taylor

I am a pushover for Christmas music. I confess that it makes up a good portion of my CD collection. Old songs mostly, but new ones, too. I'm always happy when I hear it piped over the grocery store speakers, even if it's barely past Halloween.

While much of Christian music is fluffy, sunshiny and gives me a headache, Christmas songs transcend all that. They always remind me of mystery, of holiness, of a miracle that ripped through time and changed the world forever.

One of my favorite Christmas artists is Amy Grant. "A Christmas Album," her first seasonal offering, was released in 1983 while I was in high school. That cassette is still in my car today. Her version of "Angels We Have Heard on High" never fails to move me. Grant's second Christmas album, "Home for Christmas," followed in 1992 and contained the marvelous "My Grown-Up Christmas List."

She has just released her third Christmas album, "A Christmas to Remember." It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Christmas albums chart and is currently at No. 5, behind powerhouses Garth Brooks and Kenny G. It has also fared well on the mainstream Billboard album chart, rising so far to No. 36.

What is CCM Magazine?

2007-11-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

CCM MAGAZINE

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

CCM Magazine is a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine.

When the magazine was first published, it was actually called Contemporary Christian Music and specifically covered that music genre. The name was later shortened to CCM which was still an acronym for Contemporary Christian Music. For a short time, the magazine changed its name to Contemporary Christian Magazine (keeping the CCM but broadening the scope) but then ultimately went back to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Then in May 2007, the name's meaning was changed to "Christ. Community. Music." The editor quickly pointed out that the term "contemporary Christian music" was dated and in some cases downright offensive. The name change was most likely a result of bands like Switchfoot being hesitant to be in a magazine that labeled them Christian. Now the magazine's editor says that Christ, community, and music are three entirely different things - thus, the periods after each word of the acronym to show that they are not related. The editor's explanation of the name change can be found in the May 2007 issue of the magazine.

In October 2006, CCM launched its own social networking site, MyCCM.

Since its start, CCM has covered a wide range of musical artists that mix spiritual themes with their music. From mainstream artists like Bob Dylan, T Bone Burnett, Victoria Williams, The Call, Sam Phillips, U2 and Bruce Cockburn to the more mainstream Christian radio aritsts like Amy Grant, Larry Norman, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Steve Taylor, Phil Keaggy and Randy Stonehill. In the 1980s, CCM also paid enormous attention to some of the more obscure spiritual artists coming out of the Southern California punk rock and new wave scene like the 77s, Daniel Amos, Undercover, Altar Boys, Crumbacher, The Choir, Adam Again, and others. However, as the 1990s rolled around, the magazine seemed to focus more and more on artists that were heavily played on Christian Radio.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCM_Magazine)

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAGAZINE

2007-11-05T05:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAGAZINE BLOG

Firstly, I would like to introduce you to know about new christian music magazine blog. In this blog tell you about christianity stuff especially magazine that christian should read and music that we should hear.

How to Make a Correct Confession of Sin

2007-11-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

FROM : RETURN TO THE GOSPEL OF THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT
BY PUAL C. JONG

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John3:16-17).

How to Make a Correct Confession of Sin

<> “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrigh- teousness.”

THE GOSPEL OF THE BLOOD IS A HALF GOSPEL
Can we enter the kingdom of heaven only

with the gospel of the blood?

Never. We have to believe in the complete gospel

(the gospel of the water and the Spirit).

1 John 1:9 applies only to the righteous. If a sinner who was not yet redeemed tried to atone for his daily sins according to the words of this passage and confessed his wrongdoing, his sins would not be expiated. Do you see what I’m saying here? This passage does not apply to sinners who are not born again. There are many in this world who are not yet born again, but they take this passage from 1 John chapter 1 and pray and repent for their sins, hoping for forgiveness. But can one who is not born again be redeemed completely of his sins through prayers of confession? This is an important point we have to consider and clarify before going any further. Before you read 1 John, you have to decide whether the apostle John was a righteous man or a sinner. Let me ask you. Was the apostle John a righteous man who was born again by believing in the gospel of the water and the Spirit, or was he a sinner? If you say the apostle John was a sinner, you are biblically incorrect in your belief. If the apostle John was a righteous man who was born again when he believed in Jesus, it becomes clear that his faith was different from yours. You have to have the same faith as the apostle John. Let me ask you another question. Was the apostle John writing those letters to the righteous or sinners?

The apostle John was writing the letters to the righteous. Therefore, if sinners who are not born again cited the words of 1 John 1:8-9 and applied them to themselves, it would be wrong. If you are to become righteous, confess your sins before God and believe the gospel of the water and the Spirit. Then the Lord will wash away all your sins with the gospel that has already cleansed the sins of the world. The apostle John’s faith is like this. In 1 John chapter 5 he says that he has faith in “the water, the blood, and the Spirit.” Do you believe in Jesus Christ who came by water, blood, and the Spirit? Do you believe only in Jesus who came by the Cross, or by His baptism, His blood, and the Spirit? Can you enter the kingdom of heaven by believing in the gospel of the blood only? If your faith is only in the gospel of the blood on the Cross, you know only half the gospel. If you believe only in the blood on the Cross, no doubt you find yourself praying for forgiveness every day. Chances are you believe your sins can be washed away simply through prayers of repentance. But can your sins be washed away when you believe only in the blood on the Cross, repent and pray for forgiveness of your daily sins? If you are one of these people, then your sins will remain in your heart, because no one can wash away his sins through faith in the blood on the Cross alone, or daily prayers of repentance. If you are one of these people, then you do not yet know the gospel of the water and the Spirit, and your faith is incomplete. The apostle John was born again because he believed in the gospel of the water and the blood and the Spirit. But you believe only in the blood on the Cross.

When you do not have a clear idea of the gospel yourself, how can you lead others to salvation? You are not born again yourself, but are trying to atone for your sins through prayers of repentance. This will never work. No matter how hard man prays and repents, his sins cannot be washed away from his heart. If you feel sometimes that your sins have been washed away, it is only your imagination and the power of your emotions. If you pray and repent, you might be able to feel refreshed for a day or so. But you can never become free of your sins in this way. Sinners pray and repent, hoping to be saved from their sins. That is why they are still sinners even after believing in Jesus for a long time. They do not know the gospel of the water and the Spirit. If you believe in Jesus but have not yet been born again, you might be one of these people. If you are trying to atone for your sins by praying and repenting every day, that is a clear testimony that you are not yet born again. You have to decide whether to believe in the gospel of the water and the Spirit as the Apostle John did, or to put your faith in your own thoughts and emotions. One is the clear truth, and the other is untruth. The true gospel according to the Bible is that Jesus was baptized and took away the sins of the world once and for all and received the judgment for all sinners on the Cross. If man believes in the baptism of Jesus and His death on the Cross, he shall be saved at once from all his sins. On the other hand, if man tries to wash away his transgressions with prayers of repentance, he will never become free of his sins. Do you think you can remember all your daily sins? Does God take care of sins for which you have not repented? Are prayers of repentance a clear solution to the problem of daily sins? No.