DEVOTIONAL: Musicians Prayer Network, "An Unpopular Word."

This month Geoff challenges us to contemplate the significance of a small but unpopular word: sin. Read on for some thought provoking ideas.

"I usually try to make these devotions relate to what you are doing as a Christian in the music scene. But every now and then God gives me a message that is less specific, and applies to Christian living generally. I believe this time He wants me to get back to something really basic.

I have noticed that there is a trend towards having very casual attitudes about the way we live our Christian lives, and particularly about that little word, sin. We allow ourselves to get away with doing what we want, and we feel that we can excuse ourselves any time we “break the rules”. We act as if it is no big deal if we sin occasionally, and so we do whatever makes us happy, or comfortable, or whatever else we feel like doing. It is almost like we are trying to make God a less important part in our Christian lives.

But do we ever stop to consider how God views these things? For instance, if our sin is not a big deal, then why was it necessary for God to send Jesus to die for our sins. In fact, if sin isn’t a big deal, then why is it that, “the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23). Do you think we might be taking it a bit more lightly than we should?

Now I don’t think we need to go to the opposite extreme, and be constantly beating ourselves up for our sin, like those old cartoons we sometimes see, of monks beating their backs in penitence. That verse in Romans 6 goes on to give us some good news. The next part says, “… but the free gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Our sin is a serious thing, but God has provided a way for us to be set free from the “wages” of our sin. Jesus did come, and die, to make the way open for us to be restored to “rightness”, and to enjoy eternal fellowship with God. But when we consider the cost that Jesus paid to buy our freedom, it is not something to be taken it lightly at all.

Perhaps we could consider the attitude that David took, when God sent the prophet to show him how he had sinned. He wrote about it in Psalm 51. Here are some excerpts from that Psalm.

v1 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love”.
v3 “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me”.
v4 “Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight”.
v7 “Cleanse me, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow”.
v10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” v12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me”.

Notice that David recognizes the seriousness of his sin. He owns it, and doesn’t try to downplay it. He repents, or turns from it, and asks God to cleanse and forgive him, and to give him a fresh start. He then asks God to restore the joy of knowing His salvation, and to help him in the future.

Perhaps when you become aware of sin in your life, you might try turning to Psalm 51, and using it as a prayer for forgiveness and cleansing. If you’re anything like me, you will soon become pretty familiar with it. I’ve prayed those things a lot of times, But by doing that I have also become very familiar with God’s grace and His willingness to forgive me, and to “grant me a willing spirit to sustain me”.

One other Scripture is worth considering here. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sin, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

When we have acknowledged our sin before God and received forgiveness, we can move on with a clean heart and a clear conscience.

INDUSTRY: International Songwriting Competition '08

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. Read on to find out more.

ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate.

Entries received before July 15th are subject to a discount and the competition closes on October 15th, 2008. For more information go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com.

INDUSTRY: MusicOz Awards

MusicOz Awards target Australian unsigned artists. ACAN connects with many unsigned artists through it's membership and our Gig Guide so we wanted to let you know about the opportunity. The deadline for applications and submissions is August 31st. To find out more go to http://www.musicoz.org/default.aspx

MEMBER NEWS: Angelica launches new album

Angelica Frances launches her much awaited new album By Royal Decree on Saturday, July 26th at 7 pm at the at the San Souci-Baptist Church. This will be a great time of celebration of life, fellowship and worship. Angelica will be singing some of the songs off her new CD.

For more information about the evening and to RSVP, please contact 02) 9665- 8675 or e-mail to .

ACAN Website Issue

Sorry about the website going down for the last 24 hours or so. We were hacked into, and it was necessary for the webhoster to remove our access until we were clear of the malicious scripts. Special thanks to Muz, our previous web designer for helping out and getting us back online!

Future of Christian Music and ACAN

I am referencing an article that Charlie Peacock wrote regarding the future of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). You can read it here. This relates to where I believe ACAN should be headed. Read the full article.

The basic reality is such that the music industry, not just Christian music, is consolidating. Any expert, or even some not so expert, can tell you that. And the belief that getting that "big break record deal" being the ultimate goal is starting to change. And artists are relying more and more on internal networks and the internet to get their works out to the public. Resources like MySpace and Facebook, and iTunes among others, help get music, gig listings, and bios to fans and potential fans.

So this leads to the question, what of ACAN? And this is a good question. One that I have asked of myself, the Committee, members, and non members. I believe the next step is to reshape ACAN . To reorganize it and make it more effective and use the latest resources available. ACAN shouldn't compete with places like MySpace and iTunes, but embrace them and what they have to offer members. ACAN is more than just promotions in the conventional sense. ACAN is here to help promote Christians in music. Regardless of what type of music you play, or where you play this music.

Very soon, I will be releasing a video that will outline my proposed change. I hope that each of you will consider this proposal and what this might mean to you.

More soon. God Speed

Bryan

NAB Songwriting Competition

As part of their 150 commemorations, the National Australia Bank (NAB) with support from APRA, has launched the NAB Songwriting Competition – an initiative designed to help inspire, educate and unearth the nation’s next generation of great song writers. For more information visit here.
Competition closes August 1st, 2008.