Pacesetters Bible School Newsletter

 “…All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, harps and lyres, for the service of the house of God.”  1 Chronicles 25:6 

It is my belief that the violin is well-suited to be used in the praise and worship of God, and that we were created to praise Him.   The “harps and lyres” of Biblical days’ are today’s violins.  They are all same Hebrew word, “kinnor”.  Lake Kinneret, or the Sea of Galilee is named because it is shaped like a harp. 

It has been my delight and joy to be able to use my violin for many years in worship of my Creator.  Sometimes this happens in an environment of a worship service, and other times, it is just in an intimate moment alone with God. 

I also believe that God can use a worship violinist in creative ways, to prophesy, or bring healing.  One great joy I had was playing as I toured the land of Israel, leading the group in praise and worship.  In my heart, my notes were prayers to God for the land and people of Israel. 

Spiritual warfare is done through the strings, according to Is. 30:32 which says, “And every blow of the rod of punishment which the Lord will lay on him (the enemy), will be with the music of tambourines and lyres…”  In other words, as every note of music is played in worship to God, He deals with the spirits that are coming against God’s people!

I was trained as a young person many years ago as a classical violinist.  I was blessed to be able to learn from one of the best teachers possible, Mrs. Anna Tringas in Pensacola, Florida.  However, my ideas at age 12, of having a career as a violinist soon came to a halt when I had an accident that broke my left elbow.  I tried for a few years to make a recovery of my violin skills, but due to limitations because of the break, I eventually gave up and sold my violin.  I did not play for the next 18 years, and believed that the desire of my heart to play the violin was over.

However, God, in His goodness, gave it back to me.  During those 18 years, I became a believer in Jesus, Whom I found out was Jewish.  I began to discover the Jewish Roots of Christianity, and took a very deep interest in everything about this subject.  Naturally, I began to develop a love for Jewish Music in this process, particularly the growing realm of Jewish/Christian music. 

One day, in 1995, I heard an incredible violinist playing Christian music with a Jewish sound.  I was immediately hooked, and knew that I must play the violin again.  However, the problem was, I had sold my violin!

While in a church service one night, I was flipping through my Bible when I saw a scripture that captured my attention.  Ps. 149:4 said, “Praise Him with stringed instruments…”  (dated Nov. 2, 1995)

I immediately put in my request to God for a violin, knowing that if He had put this strong desire in me to play for Him, that He would not only override my limitations, but also provide a violin.   I only had to wait until Christmas that year to receive what I had hoped for.  My husband surprised me with a new violin!  It was the best Christmas I can ever remember, because I knew how much he had sacrificed to get it for me.  As I took it out of the case and picked up the bow to play, it was as if 18 years had not even passed. 

However, this time, it was not classical music I was playing, but praise music that was coming up out of my spirit for the Lord that was coming through the strings.  There was no music in front of me.  I was just playing what was in my heart.  I couldn’t really explain how it was happening, but it was happening!  I have been playing His praises ever since. 

I have come to a richness of understanding about Him, as I’ve combined uncovering my Jewish Roots as a believer in Yeshua (Jesus).  I believe that music can be used to tear down dividing walls.  I believe that the Jew and the Christian have much in common through the God of our common fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

For me, when I play the violin, I am claiming a spiritual inheritance, and proclaiming God’s truth.  I am simply stepping into the Kingdom of God that Jesus gave us access to.   Pulling the bow across the strings is a prophetic act of “taking the land” that has been given to us.  This is a way of praying, as we come into His presence through the music, and strongholds and bondages are broken down.

We can do nothing that God has not given us.  I simply want to worship Him, and also to impart to others the gift that God has blessed me with, whether that be through playing or teaching others.