March 20, 2006
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SWEET MUSIC
Yesterday in church a young woman about my middle daughter’s age,
who is an accomplished violinist, played along with the singers for one of the songs.
Now, music has always been a special part of my relationship with God,
and I know that this is a gift from Him to mankind; a unique language of His heart, in my mind.
This, however, was exceptional. The piece didn’t blow me away with it’s
intricacy or degree of difficulty. What touched me was the emotion and feeling conveyed
with Jessie’s style and technique. Like other artists I’ve heard, the heart and spirit of the hymn
was transmitted through the bow and instrument.
I wept as I was connected with the Holy Spirit directly; without words.
The following is my response; sincere,
even if not theologically precise.
+ + + + + + + + +
When Jessie Harvey Plays
When angel choirs sing their songs
And heav’nly anthems play
When sweet praise music fills the spheres
I want to sing that day.
To hear the “holy, holy” cries
Give glory to the Lamb
When trumpet fanfares fill the skies
And hail the great I Am.
But sweeter music ne’er was heard
Than when Jessie Harvey plays
the violin with tender tones;
a precious heartsong prays.
No sanct’ed words with greater grace
Bespeak the pains and tears
Of man and God’s great joys and trials
And triumphs through the years.
It seems that God’s own voice is heard
and human voice as well.
The strings without syllabic sound
Our deep desires tell.
So when we’re there, around God’s throne
And joyful songs begin,
I’m sure that Jessie, by that throne
Will play her violin.
©copyright 2006 James A Smallish
The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.( Isaiah 38:20)
Jessie, with Rachel Smallish and Becca Torres
Comments (27)
Wow, nice. One thing I did yesterday to decompress was listen to my CD of ocean music with some soft classical music in the background. If I could play an instrument, I’d want to play a violin – and piano.
Now, this is odd. Did you just change the color of the letters?
Catchy little tune.
I thought it sounded like it could be in a movie.
I’m a big fan of the violin and the cello too… I often used the cello in the worship sets we did in Atlanta and while in Young Life for leadership retreats.
I can almost hear the music. Beautiful.
ryc: Haha. There’s actually music playing? This is only amusing to me because my work computer has no speakers. I’ll have to give it a listen when I get home this evening.
music convey the emotions inside the person who sing…and to relay it to the other person makes her/him a good one.
i also believe that message and theway the singer sing it is the two key for a music to be great the tune is also important but not the real key for that.. 
I have heard instrumental music that moved me to tears like that. Some people just have a gift of making their instrument “sing” from the soul. And when the Holy Spirit sings through their soul out through the instrument, there’s just no way “not” to be touched. It sounds like that’s what happened Sunday. Praise the Lord, and thanks to Jessie for allowing the Spirit to move through her and her instrument. Thank you for sharing that, Jim. love to all, Gerrie
ryc: i believe being ourselves makes a lot of difference.. cause people will like you the way you are and not the way you pretend you to be..
ummm.. just like to ask whats ur real name.. ummm cause james nickname is jimmy…was wondering if ur name is also james and jim is ur nick…
tnx and God bless
I think the violin is one of the most expressive of instruments, I know how you felt listening to the music Sunday, I’ve been blessed that way too.
Mike
I am moved. Like you, music plays a special part in my relationship with God. I enjoyed the poem, you are a wonderful writer. Thank you for sharing
God bless!
I am moved. Like you, music plays a special part in my relationship with God. I enjoyed the poem, you are a wonderful writer. Thank you for sharing
God bless!
thanks for your prayers jim-
no the scans didn’t show anything. she’s home now eating cereal and poking around pretty good. so, a few more days and she’ll be outside running again.
beautiful words, i’m sure it was a moving moment. – -
peace -
bill
Sounds like the girl was annointed.
Another thing about violin, when someone plays that instrument and they are annointed, it is like the music becomes a voice singing, maybe I’m not articulating this well but I have heard 2 individuals that were really annointed and you really feel God’s presence, I’m g;lad you were able to be blessed too…ryc, kind of neat how our birthday came on the 1st day of Spring, new life in nature and spiritually!!
Mike
This is a beautiful page today with the music and your interpretation in words of what you experienced. I don’t think anyone has ever written a poem about my playing. I do remember once a blind woman said she heard me dancing on the strings, whatever that means. It sounded somewhat poetic anyway.
I have been led to post less personal posts on my blog, which is why you haven’t heard much about what is going on with me lately. Things are going well. I will email you with more details if you like.
BTW, where did you find your violin music for your page this time?
Jim, that was absolutely beautiful! My mom and dad are in Heaven and I am sure they wept when she played. My dad loved violin music and I thought of him when I read your poem. Thank you.
Wow – you really know how to dig in.
… not to be a wet blanket – the violin is a worthy instrument and all, but the translation of Isaiah 38:20 that you’re using isn’t quite accurate. When taken directly from the original language, it should more properly read: The LORD will save me, and we will sing with Stratocasters all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.( Isaiah 38:20, NEAV)
Oh my…thanks for your comment this morning. Wish I could have seen it, our district forbids/blocks access to any blogging sites (xanga included of course). I got home before 4 pm today even with a stop at a grocery store! First time in a week and a half! Hope you got a lot of the necessaries done:) The comment by Left Overture left me laughing out loud…some people’s kids
And how does he know it was a stratocaster, maybe it was a fender??? 
couldn’t resist. bless you, Jim, always. Gerrie
Ryc: you know they say haste makes waste:) Seriously, though, it’s the thought that counts, I knew what you meant! Today was wild… and I’m dying to ask whether you got it finished… part of me wants a nap, part of me would rather “converse”….
wanan say Hi and hope you have a blessed Evening
Just bounced over to Baltazar Seymour’s site in response to her comment on mine…there’s a story she posted that made me cry…don’t know if it’s true or not, it’s the kind of story you WANT to be true… how God saves people through the little ones. just fyi…Gerrie
What usually happens with conflicting scientific facts that you find on the web is that one, or both of them are wrong. I am lucky to have a mother who is a doctor who could clear up my confusion.
Is that her playing the violin, now, on your site?
There are three violins sitting in my parents’ attic, I always wanted to play them, but we could never afford the lessons…Maybe I can get my kids to love the instrument. I agree with you, music can nearly transport us to the throneroom of God!
wow…
I love the violin… your poem makes me wish I could have heard it too!!
^..^