I was in downtown Portland yesterday with a friend, headed to a store to do some shopping, when, across the street, in a corner, were two guys playing guitars and singing. One of them was without a shirt. It wasn’t a particularly busy time of day, and so few people were walking by. And yet, these two guys were singing their hearts out, sometimes singing at the top of their lungs. I asked myself- “what would possess someone to come out in breezy weather without a shirt and much of an audience to sing in a street corner?”
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about music. Why is music so powerful? I’ve come up with some plausible explanations. First of all, music was created by God so that 1- we could worship Him through it, and 2- we could fellowship and communicate with others. Once we understand why music was created, we can use deductive reasoning to arrive at the answer. Music is powerful because just about EVERYONE can understand it, feel it, and use it to express oneself. If you think about it, we are all musicians, to one degree or another.
Now, having said that, there are some people that have NO business singing or playing an instrument publicly! 🙂 But because everyone has a bit of music in their heart and brain, we can ALL relate to it, understand it, and use it as a way to express ourselves. Obviously, there are some that are more talented than others. MUCH more. Classical composers such as Beethoven, Wagner and Tchaikovsky are some that rush to my mind when I think of über-talented musicians. Geniuses, really! And regardless of how you feel about pop music, artists such as The Beatles, Nat King Cole, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Sting were/are incredibly talented as well. I personally know or have worked with artists such as John Stoddart, David Foster, Nolan Williams, Jr., Sam Ocampo, Naomi Striemer, to name a few, that are amazingly talented.
But we don’t all have to have a high level of music training or knowledge to appreciate and enjoy music! Why is it that a guy like Elton John can have a career spanning 5 decades? There’s something about his musical talents and abilities, that allows many to continue to feel, appreciate and enjoy his music. And while many can do just that, many others have enough talent/desire to go out there, like these two guys in downtown Portland, to go out and sing as if they were singing in a stadium full of people.
Because I understand why music is so powerful (because everyone can relate to it, and is a musician, to some level), I strive to share what’s in my heart when I play the violin and give a concert. My greatest desire, artistically speaking, is to play in such a way that people are moved by and spoken to through music. I love it when people tell me “you played the words to that song”. I find SO MUCH joy in being able to communicate and speak through music, that I know of nothing else I’d rather be doing!
Love the new website, Jaime.
Jamie, very true and good words! Excellent. And God gave you a talen and He is very pleased, you did not waste it! May God continue to bless you as you (through Him) bless others.
Re.- “Now, having said that, there are some people that have NO business singing or playing an instrument publicly!”
I guess the deciding factor here is to Whom you are directing the music, i.e.,
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands” (Psalm 66:1)
“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob” (Psalm 81:1)
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands” (Psalm 100:1)
I guess it is a “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” kind of thing. God loves us so much that we are not “noise”…our voices and music are beautiful to Him, even if not to each other. 🙂
Everything else, yup.
Jamie, very true and good words! Excellent. And God gave you a talen and He is very pleased, you did not waste it! May God continue to bless you as you (through Him) bless others.
Estaría demás el decirte lo mucho que admiro tu talento musical como también la dedicación y deseo de dejar que Dios te use para Su gloria y honra. I think it’s beautiful that not only can that be heard/seen when you play, but that you can express it in words as well. Lovin’ the new page, Jaime! May the LORD continue to bless you richly and abundantly!
See you in October, God willing! (;
Love you music and would like to know where I can buy some of your recordings God bless
Jaime,
I first heard you play in “it is written” program. Fell in love with your music. What a previlige it was to see and hear you play at the GC Atlanta! The violin and it’s sound comes to live with every stroke of your fingers. I believe music, when used to glorify God servers for healing the soul, mind, body and spirit. Thank you for your wonderful, inspiring music.
Monte
Jaime, Thinking of you God Bless You Love the new web site. A Friend in Christ Norma
Jaime, agradesco a Dios Todo Poderoso por hacer que Su gloria recplandesca tambien atraves de ti. Trae esperanza, alibio, simpatia, alegria y alabanza hacia El con gratitud, por todo lo que Es y significamos para El.
El te guardo para todos nosotros, de dentro del rebaño o de fuera. Te llamo ser un llamamiento a la salvacion y no solo por la musica.
Como a los jovenes que vivian en cautividad Babilonica, te llama ser luz en las tiñeblas, reflejando Su gloria atraves de los dones puestos a cambio.
Sigue trabajando, con ese amor deliberado de Cristo, glorificandole a El. Y tu ser se llenara de nuevos armonias, que haran resplandecer El rostro del Señor sobre ti e llenara tu corazon de felicidad eterna. Y asi reflejandose hasia nosotros la devolveremos hacia El Dador, volviendose asi a su lugar de origen. Cumpliendo asi Su deseo amante hacia nosotroa. Amen !!
Jaime, you have the blessing of God. you have the spirit of God. Your brother in faith and Jesuschrist, Alan. Maranatha
Jaime, Parabens pelo novo website! Esta lindo! Muitas bencaos de Deus pra voce e seu ministerio!
Heard you with Greg Buchanan in Lake Wales, Fla. Great,exciting concert. I have 6 of your recordings and your book. What an exciting story! I laughed, cried, wowed. I never read anything like it. I couldn’t put it down til it was finished. Such deep faith you have in our Lord Jesus and is told wonderfully! I have passed it along to two other musician friends they reacted same as I did, WOW! I have purchased a second copy to give to another friend. Would love to know when your next concert is in Central Fla. Love to you and Emily. JZ
Very interesting, thank you for sharing!
I have always believed that training with a partner offers the best form of motivation. When u don’t feel like working, they do and they push u!
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God is the composer and he uses his people to send the message out. How it is accomplished is through expression, expression, and you have to be waiting for it to meet you when the music begins. Jaime is in tune with God as he plays. The words and meaning hits our heart and soul. Don’ t stop the MUSIC!
Hola Jaime, Le escuche por dos semanas en el crucero, y Dios bendiga su ministerio, ahora mismo estoy tratando de compartir con mi familia fb el privilegio de escuchar los himnos en el violin. Bueno, Yo ya lo conosco por mi esposo Ronald Lopez, y practicamente amamos la buena musica y mas lo que es para elevarnos a Dios. saludos y siga hasta el final como lo viene haciendo, se que hay sinsabores pero la paz que imparte lo envuelve a ud. tambien.
Nice topic bro!
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It was nice getting to see you playing in Brazil again. (TV Novo Tempo) May God bless your ministry. Shirley Vitorino
Music is the language of the soul. It is the means by which one soul speaks to another soul.
Lovely! Music is indeed POWERFUL.