So blessed by the Lord! Coming out of incredibly difficult days, it was as if the Lord laid out special plans just for me! But of course, the world does not revolve around me, so I readily acknowledge that the blessing was in store for many others as well!

The blessing was a weekend retreat to visit dear friends and attend a Joshua Aaron worship event in Prescott AZ. My favorite Messianic worship leader did not disappoint as he led us in the most amazing worship I have experienced in a long time. Of course, sharing it with dear friends makes it all the sweeter.

Each song drew me deeper into worship of our Lord and Savior. As an American Jew now living in Israel, Joshua Aaron has become world renown for the perfect mix of English and Hebrew in worship to Jesus. I’m incredibly blessed to have joined Joshua Aaron in worship many times before, but this felt like finally coming to an oasis after fighting a mighty battle in a dry wilderness. How refreshing!

But something (or should I say someone) else made this event even more special. Joshua was joined by Yaron Cherniak, an incredibly talented musician I had seen live only from afar on one other occasion. Yaron is also a Messianic believer who loves Jesus, plays many instruments in recordings for Joshua Aaron and others, and happens to be spreading the love of Jesus at UCLA while working on a doctorate in musicology! His specialty: ancient Middle Eastern instruments. He is second to none and can make his instruments sing like no other. His passion to “play for Jesus” is rich, and makes a worship service all the more worshipful.

A master of stringed instruments, he broke out a strange-looking ancient Medieval instrument with strings, a circular bow and a keyboard. It’s unique sound and style make worship unlike any we typically experience in America! That’s Yaron on the left, playing the hurdy-gurdy!

(If you are intrigued by Yaron and his unusual instrument, he will tell you more about it and play a tune on it here.)

What a beautiful time, and yes, Joshua Aaron led us into worship in all the songs for which he has become known: Gadol Elohai, Emmanuel, Zion (which he co-produced with Aaron Shust), You are Holy, Hu Yavo, Every Tribe (listen for the warning to terrorists!), and many more. And yes, he closed with Ha Bracha (the Aaronic Blessing)!

When you long to worship, try following this Messianic believer into the awesome presence of the Jewish Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ! You won’t come out the same!