It all depends on where your heart is.  If your heart is only into impressing God, then you're not really giving your music to Him. You'd be too focused on what you're doing. But rather, if your heart is focused on pleasing God, then you can totally give your music to Him and then you'd be focused on what God is doing through you.

I don't know; it's kind of hard to explain. For me, I just play to play. I choose songs that I really enjoy and then I play to the best of my ability and just enjoy the music.

In pertaining to your question about secular music, I saw a video once of a preacher doing a musical sermon on love songs and how they can be for God no matter who wrote or sang them. It was really cool. I'll see if I can find the link. It's the same thing with playing an instrument. In my humble opinion anyway.

GennaLea said:

It all depends on where your heart is.  If your heart is only into impressing God, then you're not really giving your music to Him. You'd be too focused on what you're doing. But rather, if your heart is focused on pleasing God, then you can totally give your music to Him and then you'd be focused on what God is doing through you.

I don't know; it's kind of hard to explain. For me, I just play to play. I choose songs that I really enjoy and then I play to the best of my ability and just enjoy the music.

In pertaining to your question about secular music, I saw a video once of a preacher doing a musical sermon on love songs and how they can be for God no matter who wrote or sang them. It was really cool. I'll see if I can find the link. It's the same thing with playing an instrument. In my humble opinion anyway.

I love how you said that, Genna.

When you are playing, like GennaLee said it's what's in your heart that counts. Are you playing for Gods pleasure or yours. As far as playing secular music it's no different than singing. When you sing you are using an instrument that God gave you, your voice, you use it to sing praise songs and also secular songs. There are great song writers out there that have written incredible songs secular and non secular. With the violin you are just doing it with your fingers. There are so many different genres out there that you can play with the violin. Each of these can add to your strength in playing to God. When you play just remember who you are playing for is it for God or is it for you. And sometimes it's ok to play for you too. Just thank God for the gift.

I reckon god has to like twinkle twinkle, everyone likes twinkle twinkle right? Well maybe not the way I play it 

Well I am Jewish, and we play great Music from the Torah and Tanach, the Old Testament" as Christians refer to it.  Playing spiritual music is good, but secular music can be pleasing to G-d as well.  If you play music that is not impure in intent or suggestive or lewd, and you play it to the best of your ability, it is pleasing to G-d.  We must remember to have faith in Him, without all the man made religiousity that does not fool Him, He sees our hearts and our intent.  Secular music is not an affront to G-d, He did give us music and instruments for our enjoyment after all.  Shalom all.  Play on without fear. Thanks Fiddlerman for this forum, it is just great!