Passion & Tenacity 

Autumn is here and the color of the leaves are beautiful! I hope you experience fulfillment and joy during this season. Thank you for your continued engagement with me and Heartfelt Music® Ministry. You help this ministry stay vibrant and productive.

There’s been a lot of things happening with me over the last month. I’m still developing The Complete Guitar Course with 49 lessons; I just added 30 videos of me playing and singing individual songs on YouTube so you can find specific ones for encouragement; I’m performing another Home Concert November 9th with a personal Live Stream just before it; We just had our annual Board of Directors & Officers dinner (What a joy to serve with these folks!); I’m also teaching guitar and bass classes at Valley Christian School and private lessons both online and in person. It’s a full schedule, but I still have plenty of time to be with Sherri and balance family life. I’m thankful to be doing what I’m passionate about.

On our website, there’s a section called Think About It with helpful ideas to spur us on to excellence and motivation. The recent post is a focus on Passion and Tenacity.

Genuine passion is a deep, authentic commitment to something that matters to you, characterized by focused effort, enduring commitment through challenges, and integration into your identity, rather than just a fleeting interest or a pursuit of pleasure. It involves investing significant time and energy, a willingness to make sacrifices for it, and a deep, often unspoken, internal drive.

A tenacious person is someone who is determined, persistent, and does not give up easily when pursuing a goal. They are resilient in the face of obstacles, with a strong work ethic and the resolve to see things through, even when they are difficult or progress is slow.

How about you? What are you passionate and tenacious about? Our website post goes into more detail.

You can hear the audio for any song on eight of my albums on our YouTube Channel by clicking on the album here:

Encore (8 Songs/Videos)

Instrumental Guitar, Volume II (10 songs/videos)

Heartfelt Worship (17 songs/videos)

I Wish You a Mary Christmas (10 songs/videos)

Here & Now (10 songs/videos)

Instrumental Guitar, Volume I (10 songs/videos)

Intimacy (20 songs/videos)

Heartfelt Celebration (20 songs/videos)

Now, you can also watch me play any of 30 individual songs on our YouTube Channel. You can also watch and listen to the whole playlist. I hope these songs uplift you today!

Reggie’s Songs Playlist
Abundant Sunshine
Ain’t Nobody
Celebrate
Draw Near to God
Filled with You
Freedom’s Challenge
Getting Stronger
Go the Distance
God’s Love Medley
Here & Now
I Can Laugh Now
I Can’t See the Future
I Lift My Love to You
I’ll Worship with My Life
Isaiah 12:2
Jesus Lives in Me
Lord I’m Yours
Morning Come Lately
My Prayer for You
Partly Cloudy
Peace
Radically Committed
Remember
Ruminate on Grace
Seasons
Slow Me Down
Stephanie
Take a Stand
Worthy & So Wonderful
You Will Make a Way

A student asked me the other day, “I am so excited about playing guitar right now, but how do I keep this enthusiasm? Will I still be this excited in 15 years?” On the spot, I mentioned a few things I find impelling to encourage enthusiasm: Getting a new guitar or equipment (motivational); Watching a favorite guitar player (inspirational); Teaching someone else guitar (challenging). Yet reflecting on his question further, I find there are two character qualities that will help you stay committed to guitar (or anything) for the long haul: passion and tenacity.
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Passion

Genuine passion is a deep, authentic commitment to something that matters to you, characterized by focused effort, enduring commitment through challenges, and integration into your identity, rather than just a fleeting interest or a pursuit of pleasure. It involves investing significant time and energy, a willingness to “suffer” or make sacrifices for it, and a deep, often unspoken, internal drive.

The true meaning of passion is a powerful, persistent, and intense emotional drive toward a self-defining activity (like playing guitar, singing, or songwriting) that is deeply aligned with your personal values. It is a strong inclination to invest time and energy into something you love, not for external rewards, but because the pursuit itself brings immense joy and fulfillment.
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Key Characteristics of Passion:

• Authentic Engagement: You are deeply involved and committed to the activity, not just passively interested.
• Commitment Through Difficulty: You are willing to persist through struggles, setbacks, and discomfort because the activity holds deep personal value.
• Investment of Time & Energy: You willingly invest significant time and energy into it, often losing track of time while doing it.
• Part of Your Identity: The activity becomes a self-defining trait; you are no longer just someone who does it, but a guitarist, a songwriter, a vocalist, etc.
• Internal Drive: Your motivation stems from an internal place, a desire to do the work itself rather than just for potential rewards or recognition.
• Focus on the Work Itself: Genuine passion is about the love for the process and the act of doing, not just the concept or the idea of success.
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Tenacity

A tenacious person is someone who is determined, persistent, and does not give up easily when pursuing a goal. They are resilient in the face of obstacles, with a strong work ethic and the resolve to see things through, even when they are difficult or progress is slow.

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Key Characteristics of Tenacity:

• Determination and persistence: A tenacious person shows persistent determination to achieve their goals, even when things get tough.
• Resilience: They are able to handle setbacks and don’t get easily discouraged by challenges.
• Strong resolve: They have a firm purpose and are unlikely to give up on their beliefs or objectives.
• Motivation: They are often self-motivated and focused on the long-term outcome.
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How to recognize if you have Passion & Tenacity:

• Look at actions, not just words: See if your behavior shows a willingness to push through difficulties for the thing you claim to be passionate about.
• Notice the details: You might pay attention to nuances others overlook in your chosen activity (guitar, songwriting, singing, etc.).
• Ask yourself if you’d do it for no reward: True passion & tenacity often show up even when there’s no immediate reward or appreciation from others.

Praying for You

It’s my prayer that you would experience the Lord directing your hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. You can enjoy my song My Prayer for You on my YouTube channel by video or just audio. It’s the last song on my Intimacy Album (check out HearNow.com). Also, if you’re interested in learning the song on guitar, the music notation and guitar tab is available at Gumroad.com. Purchasing the physical album or digital album are also available. No matter what life throws at you, I hope you are encouraged and experience the joy of the Lord!

We are so grateful for your generosity!

We have received $390 through the Amplify the Sound of Hope fundraising opportunity. With this, we were able to purchase a year of MOOZ, which enables us to upgrade training musicians online (MOOZ is like ZOOM for musicians). We’ve already started it with new students and they love it. Mentoring students wonderfully enables us to spread hope. Since part of the funds we need to operate are from donations, we are not able to upgrade our website at this time. If you would like to help out financially with either a one time gift, monthly gift, or yearly gift, visit our Donation Page for more information. Thank you!

My Prayer for You Music Video

We need to have our hearts anchored in a way that gives us undeniable stability through it all. In 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Paul tells us that the two things that give our hearts a strong foundation are “the love of God” and “the steadfastness of Christ.” I was reading though the Bible and came across this verse and thought, “What a wonderful prayer for my family and friends.” Watch my backyard performance of My Prayer for You on my YouTube channel. Sherri has beautifully designed our backyard.

Reggie’s Complete Guitar Course

As I mentioned at the beginning of the summer, I’m creating a world class guitar training course, equipping people young and old with the tools to master guitar playing and dramatically impact contemporary culture for good. These dynamic lessons take guitarists from beginner to advanced. The 49 lessons are “spiral” in that they go in order and build on each other. They work best by taking them in order. Yet, you can start at any level and continue from there. It will take a few more months to complete.

Lesson Tips – Think About It

Take a look at some very helpful tips for students regarding Goals & Objectives, Discipline & Desire, and Practicing & Rehearsing. As you pursue guitar playing and look forward to getting better, it’s important to define goals and objectives. In order to keep your motivation and initiative thriving from lesson to lesson, it is essential to keep a balance between discipline and desire. Thinking about the frequency of your practicing is helpful to improve your skill.

Coming Events

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As you pursue guitar playing and look forward to getting better, it’s important to define goals and objectives. Here’s a closer look at what they are and how they can practically help you improve.

Goals are broad, long-term statements of what you intend to achieve, providing a general direction or vision, while objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) actions taken to reach those goals. Objectives break down a larger goal into smaller, actionable steps, allowing for progress tracking and successful completion of the overall aim.

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Goals

• Broad and Visionary: Goals are like the destination on a map, outlining the ultimate aim without detailing the route.
• Long-Term: They represent a larger outcome or ideal that is often achieved over an extended period.
• Intangible and Abstract: Goals are often conceptual and can be more difficult to quantify directly.
• Focus on the “What”: They describe what you want to achieve.
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Objectives

• Specific and Measurable: ?Objectives are concrete targets that can be defined with numbers or clear, tangible indicators.
• Short-Term and Tactical: They are the specific, smaller steps that are completed within a shorter timeframe.
• SMART: Effective objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Focus on the “How” and “When”: They describe how you will achieve the goal and by when.

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How They Work Together

1. Set a Goal: Start with a broad, overarching goal.

2. Define Objectives: Break the goal into smaller, specific, and measurable objectives.

3. Track Progress: Use the objectives to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

4. Achieve the Goal: By accomplishing the individual objectives, you move closer to achieving the main goal.

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Example with Health

Goal:
– To improve your physical health.

Objectives:
– Exercise for 30 minutes every day for the next month.
– Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
– Drink 8 glasses of water per day.

Example with Guitar

Goal:
– To improve your ability to play chords.

Objectives:
– Practice chords for 20 minutes every day for the next month.
– Play through 4 different chord progressions while changing chords quickly.
– Learn at least 10 new chords a week.

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In order to keep your motivation and initiative thriving from lesson to lesson, it is essential to keep a balance between discipline and desire.  Discipline is the “I will” aspect of our commitment toward learning something.  Desire is the “I want” aspect of our commitment toward learning something.  Inspired to play guitar, we get the desire and say “I want to learn that cool instrument.”  Then we embark on a journey to learn the guitar and try to be disciplined saying, “I will do what it takes to get better on the instrument.”  You must have both of these to be effective in your training (I will and I want).  You can have the I want to play all day long, but without the I will, you will never actually learn to play.  You may have the I will, but without the I want, practicing gets dull and isn’t very fun.
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When you practice, remember why you started in the first place and get your desire ramped up.  Then let your discipline kick in and take the time necessary to make noticeable progress.  You will find more creativity and satisfaction in your playing as you keep both discipline and desire strong and in balance.

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Thinking about the frequency of your practicing and rehearsing is helpful to improve your skill and ability. “Practicing” is the habitual procedure or way of doing something, to exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. “Rehearsing” is practicing for a later public performance. I think of them as practically the same and will use the word practice for both.

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So, how often do you practice?  I know of some musicians who practice 6 to 8 hours a day and others who practice 6 to 8 minutes a week.  You would agree that practice makes better, right?  Sometimes it’s not just about the time you put in, but the quality of what you practice.  It’s good to go over exercises, songs and techniques until you get them accurate and at a good pace. Make it your aim to put in a little more time in practicing than you have been. You’ll see the difference!

Take a look at this general practice scale and think of how often you practice.  Based on practicing 6 days a week, here is a scale from 1 to 5. What number are you at?

1 = Up to 1 hour a week or 10 minutes a day

2 = Up to 2 hours a week or 20 minutes a day

3 = Up to 3 hours a week or 30 minutes a day

4 = Up to 6 hours a week or 1 hour a day

5 = Over 6 hours a week or over 1 hour a day

Anticipating Hope

Thank you for taking time to read this Newsletter, celebrate our successes, and consider how you can help us spur on hope through music. Heartfelt Music Ministry has been inspiring bright hopefulness for over 25 years. Lives have been transformed eternally because of the message and music we share in so many ways. This Sunday, we will be kicking off a remarkable fund-raising campaign to enhance Heartfelt Music’s effectiveness in reaching a world swimming in hopelessness. We live in a very discouraging time. So, we are rising up to turn despair to hope and broken faith to confident assurance in Jesus. I make it a habit to regularly memorize Scripture to keep me focused on following Christ and Psalm 71:5 is the verse for this week, “Oh Lord, You alone are my hope.”

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This summer, we’ve already seen hundreds of people encouraged through Heartfelt Music producing the Mount Hermon Summer Concert Series (come see the Katinas this Saturday night for free!). I’ve been leading worship for a small fellowship, here in Mount Hermon, which has been a meaningful and renewing gathering of believers. I’ve started several projects that will have a global impact on our Mission Statement: Leading others toward intimacy with God and excellence in artistry. I took a break from teaching private lessons since December, but I’ll be starting back up in August. Let me know if you are interested. I’ve had a dream for many years to create a dynamic guitar method that will take guitar players from beginning to advanced. I’ve been spending most of my time this summer creating this curriculum. I’ll be continuing at Valley Christian School as head of their Guitar Studies. This new curriculum and the new material in it will also help these guitar classes.

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By the way, Doyle Dykes is coming to Mount Hermon next Saturday, July 19. He is a master guitarist with a shepherds heart. Don’t miss it.

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Hope you have a fantastic summer! Thanks again for your continued prayers and support. We would not be able to do what we do without you.

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Support through Prayer & Giving

On Sunday, the Officers and Board of Heartfelt Music Ministry will be launching our fund-raising project, which has opportunities for you to help enhance our message of hope. You can contribute with confidence knowing your funds are being used for ministry purposes. PayPal Giving Fund will give you tax exemption and not take out any fees. Thank you for your support in prayer and gifts! Learn more at our Donation Page.

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Guitar Playing Method Course

I’m creating a world class guitar training curriculum, equipping people young and old with the tools to master guitar playing and dramatically impact contemporary culture for good. Through 7 Levels and 49 Lessons, guitarists will systematically go from beginning to advances learning songs, fun guitar techniques, colorful chords, music theory, different music styles, highlighted guitarists throughout history, and much more.

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The Katinas in Concert Saturday

The Katinas are a contemporary Christian music group. They are a family of five brothers. The group’s members sang in church as children, and began playing fairs, soon moving up to nationwide slots opening for artists like DC Talk, Amy Grant. These vibrant singers are both positively inspirational and delightfully entertaining. Come this Saturday at Mount Hermon, July 12, at 6:30pm. Here them sing How Great Thou Art.

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Upcoming Events

Summer Concert Series at Mount Hermon

For the past eight years, Heartfelt Music Ministry has produced the Mount Hermon Conference Center’s Summer Concert Series. I have thoroughly enjoyed selecting the artists with the Conference Center’s leadership. Our hope is for you to find encouragement and spiritual refreshment. These concerts greatly enhance our Mission Statement: Leading others toward intimacy with God and excellence in artistry.

June 21 begins the concerts with popular and encouraging artists over six Saturdays. The concerts are free, but you’ll need to register through iTickets and indicate whether you want to sit inside or outside. Visit the Mount Hermon Concert Series Webpage for information on each concert and links to register. Concerts start at 6:30pm. Click HERE to watch a promo video of the Concert Series. Here’s the line-up:

6/21 – Buddy Greene & Jeff Taylor
6/28 – Point of Grace
7/12 – The Katinas
7/19 – Doyle Dykes
7/26 – Foto Sisters
8/2 – Phillips Craig & Dean

Below are other links to uplift you and give you the opportunity to join hands with us in ministry. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Enjoy Listening to Reggie’s Music

You can check out the many ways to enjoy listening to my music at HearNow.com. There are links to Spotify and many more. The eight albums included are:
– Encore
– Heartfelt Worship
– Here & Now
– I Wish You a Mary Christmas
– Intimacy
– Heartfelt Celebration
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 1
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 2

“My peace I give to you” – Jesus Christ

This verse is so relevant today. We need His peace and a sense a well being. My song called Peace is right from John 14:27 and accents one of the main messages He gives to His followers, He gives us peace today! Not only does a close relationship with Jesus give us overwhelming love and joy, but he provides us His calming peace that permeates every aspect of our lives. Click HERE to hear my song.

Support through Prayer & Giving

I am so grateful for your prayers and encouraging comments as I draw others closer to Christ through Heartfelt Music Ministry! If you would like to help support Heartfelt Music Ministry, you can contribute with confidence knowing your funds are being used for ministry purposes. PayPal Giving Fund will give you tax exemption and not take out any fees. Thank you for your support! Learn more at our Donation Page.

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Music Education & Improving Singing

Earlier this month, I took my Guitar 2 & 3 class from Valley Christian School to Santa Cruz to perform on the street in public (busking). We had so much fun! You can see excerpts by clicking HERE. Music education doesn’t only have to be in a classroom. This year has been so meaningful and fulfilling teaching the guitar students and investing in their lives. One student wrote in my yearbook, “Thank you so much Mr. Coates! This year, I have gained such a fondness for guitar, especially through seeing your deep passion for it. You are by far the most joyful, kind, and encouraging teacher I’ve ever had. This is my first time going to a Christian school and it’s so refreshing having a teacher that visibly loves Jesus so much.”

Since training is a large part of what Heartfelt Music Ministry is all about, this month I’m making available for free a Vocal Workshop training video for the singers on your worship team. There are a lot of tips I’ve included from the seminars I’ve taught at the National Worship Leader Conferences. May these videos inspire skill and confidence as you worship.

Enjoy Listening to Reggie’s Music

You can check out the many ways to enjoy listening to my music at HearNow.com. The eight albums included are:
– Encore
– Heartfelt Worship
– Here & Now
– I Wish You a Mary Christmas
– Intimacy
– Heartfelt Celebration
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 1
– Instrumental Guitar, Vol. 2

Vocal Workshop Training Video

This is a vocal training workshop for singers on a worship team. It includes the six points to good vocal production, the five parts of the vocal instrument, the four elements of sound, and tips for increasing your confidence while singing in front of others. I can train your musicians in person as a worship band or as singers on a worship team. For more info, click HERE.

Upcoming Events

Beautiful Spring Backyard

I’ve been working on my backyard this Spring. It’s turning out so beautiful and is a haven to rest and reflect before summer begins. I’m wrapping up teaching at Valley Christian School for the year and finalizing the Mount Hermon Christian Summer Concert Series starting in June. Ministry is thriving, but it always helps to stop and smell the roses.

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers!