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Dancing with Timbrels

I spent most of my youth in the Methodist Church. Our church prided itself in its music. We had three choirs; an adult, a children’s, and the youth choir, the last of which I was associated with. We sang contemporary Christian music, attempted in being “hip” by not singing in rows, wearing long dresses, not robes and sometimes using a tambourine. We would travel around to different churches and perform. I loved the music, I loved singing. I thought it made going to church bearable.

On one occasion they let me play the tambourine. The song was upbeat and we really got into it. So much so that the director took the tambourine away from me and asked that we not sway to the music. We were “enjoying” it too much. I felt embarrassed and ashamed thinking I had done something wrong. The Methodist Churches I attended did not believe in dancing, we were told it was “not conducive to a Christian’s walk.”

Several weeks ago Doyle asked a group of us women to dance again like we had done in the past. I was eager to do so. I remembered how often I would break through in the spirit while dancing in worship. Miriam danced with the women and timbrels (Exodus 15:20), and David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). This time though, each time I would go to dance I would struggle for breath. There were times when it felt like an iron band was around my chest. I knew I was not out of shape. I exercise and take long walks to pray. I was convinced it was a spirit that opposed my dancing and Doyle confirmed that a week ago as he was speaking. He spoke of how spirits would come against you and you could not breathe. He even related how Terre Brown had encountered the same problem.

This morning, January 14, 2007, was no different. Terre led a group of us women to dance to a faster song and I struggled as before. I did not quit, but stayed as long as the women danced, but it was a great effort. Once I sat down I kept pushing in worship to overcome. We have been taught you overcome in worship. The Father inhabits our praises.

The second time we danced I felt my spirit overcome. There was a burst of the Power of God in my heart and I began to laugh. I saw an immediate change in dancing. I was not out of breath. I was able to keep dancing and was not struggling for breath when I sat down. It did not stop when I sat down. The power continued and Jesus reminded me of the incident in the Methodist Church. He delivered me right there of a witchcraft spirit associated with the music in the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church does not worship according to the word of God. Psalm 103:1 states “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 149:3 reads “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. And Psalm 150:4 reads “Praise him with the timbrel and dance; Praise him with stringed instruments and organs. I overcome in worship, just like the Father intended me to.

You may email Kathie Small at Kathie3@jacksmall.com

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