The New Endangered Species?

I was having a conversation with one of my piano students today that got me to thinking. My student is the pianist for a worship band composed of youth from our church - a good band, I might add. As we were lining up her repertoire of classical as well as church-music pieces she brought up the fact that sometimes she feels a bit irrelevant in the band - that what she contributes isn't really that important. Understand, she wasn't complaining about the band or its leadership, but rather the type of music that is out there for this particular genre. We talked about the fact that today's worship music is largely written for guitar-based bands, as evidenced by the keys many songs are written in which are not pianistic but rather cater to guitarists - what we call "sharp keys." We finally decided that we would go back a few years and pull out some music that was more piano-centered and that contained chord progressions from which she could gain a good foundation for her playing.

So, that said, I wonder if the piano will one day play little or no roll in our church services? My student and I laughed at how we hear a song and, no matter what insrumental arrangement it was originally written for, we instantly shoe-horn it into the piano/organ/bass/drums framework that we've used for years. And seriously, have you ever tried to play some of our new songs on the organ? Give me a break! I feel like I might fall asleep between chords sometimes!

Personally, I think it will take us some time to ever completely move away from our foursome. Actually, I wonder if we EVER will? Or will the piano be relegated to the corner where the previously lowly guitars used to be and the GUITARS will take the place on the platform in the spot where the piano/keyboard once stood? Okay, so I'm an old kermudgeon, but I hope that never happens. (I can already feel the dirty looks)

Rhythms of Life

Here we are at last at long last. Enugu, Nigeria. We are slowly settling in to a routine, a rhythm, if you will, but unlike the rhythm of our previous existence. Rhythm here is quite different than in the U.S. In more ways than one.

  

Prior to April 1, my life proceeded along a very clear meter, four-four time, key of B-flat. The pace was . . . well astounding. We were a part of the frenetic energy of the “two parents working” with our son in a myriad of different daycare “solutions.” Now the solution is us. And we are teaching not only our son, but a cadre of future ministers of the Gospel.

Here in Nigeria, things are very different. Many things. Most things. If you want to go to the bank, or even something as simple as getting a generator repaired, it can take up a good part of your day. Or a good part of a number of days.

Things can proceed as a very slow waltz here. Or a tango, maybe, depending on the situation. There are plenty of cars and three times the number of “machines” (motorbikes, in local parlance). And lots of of folks walking. Walking, walking, walking, everywhere people are walking. I didn't used to walk quite so much at home. At least if I did, it didn't feel like it, compared to walking under the blistering sun at around six or seven degrees north of the equator.

Is your life so hectic that you do not take time to sing a new song unto the Lord? Do you find that the song in your heart has become a mournful dirge? Are you running to and fro seeking that which you must do to get eleven more items crossed off of your never-ending to do list? Or are you at the opposite end of the spectrum, with no less long a list, but without the energy to drive another block or even look for a pen so you can cross off the one item you were able to finish two weeks ago?

Lord, help us to remember to always praise you in song, with our voices, in our hearts, and let our light shine no matter the circumstance.