MUSIC IN CHURCH

For a few months now, I have been itching to write and inching in writing about the Church and the influence of culture on her Music.

But what was a gradual writing has been fully completed and this is my experience and submission. I hope everyone reading this post will add their experiences/submissions in the comment session.

There is a world difference even in Christendom. The difference features in the influence of the particular society in which a church is situated particularly in the mode of worship in churches.

This doesn’t have much influence on the doctrine or mode of service of the church as most churches use the same doctrine and order of service worldwide.

CULTURE IN PLAY

I have had the privilege of attending churches in the South-West, South-South, and North, and there are surely songs in the indigenous language inherent in singing particularly in worship and praise.

And to be sincere, I have been greatly amazed at how much influence the culture of each place has on the Music/songs being sung in the church (probably owing mostly to the fact that I was born and grew up in Lagos which has the yorùbá language predominant).

It also shows how indispensable the culture (language-wise) of a place is in Christendom particularly which is also evidenced in reading the Word and in the art/act of prayer.

For every church, there is an iota of identity from the perspective of Music and I have seen a lot of it which is actually very interesting and a great eye opener.

Well, though a refreshing experience every time I come across languages (as a lover of diverse languages), my perception of Music in the Church is a ‘manifestation of the Godhead through his creation/handwork.’

PS:- This post is only written out of experience in churches and is not limited to churches alone. It cuts across the different religions practiced today.

RESPECT

Reciprocality they say,
Is an innate attribute of respect,
Without which the absence of respect,
Will not be wrong in every circumspect.

However, from the time I could understand things,
The right chain of acts presupposes,
That every person older than me is on the topmost level,
Therefore, respect is naturally demanded to be given.

But so far,
This supposed chain of acts,
Has been fought for as a birthright,
Which in reality cannot be termed as such.

Not that I have an issue,
With according elders’ respect due,
All I seek nonetheless,
Is an acknowledgment of my respect as well.

Because the principle of equality presupposes that,
Respect given is respect earned.

• GOD’S FAITHFULNESSMarch 30, 2024
• NLS Journey Succinct JournalMarch 1, 2024

PEOPLE FROM THE PAST

From the very beginning,
Humans lived on this planet Earth like animals,
Doing things in the crudest and most primitive of ways,
And we termed it the prehistoric era,
Which encapsulates the stone, bronze, and iron ages.

Slowly, little development crept into society,
As humans began to find purpose in culture and religion,
And we termed it the historical period,
The inception of western civilization,
Encapsulating the classical, medieval, and modern eras.

These periods have their uniqueness,
Which is seen in their ways of dressing,
Eating, politics, religion, laws, and morals,
And of which if we look closely,
Forms the basis of what goes on in the twenty-first century today.

The twenty-first century termed the computer age,
Has relived the periods that have gone past,
All sectors now show in whole and parts,
The things which were in existence in the past,
Sometimes remodeled to suit science and technology.

The several industries and some of the relived attributes,
Fashion brings back bohemian styles of dressing like boot cuts and so on,
Politics is now riddled with religion and vice versa as it was in the historical period,
Law and morals have become meaningless,
As humans have gone back to the cruelty prevailing during the pre-historical era.

Truly we are still people from the past,
Even while evolving with time.

NOTE: This write-up was submitted for the weekly challenge of the Weavers with Pen writing community and won second place.

• GOD’S FAITHFULNESSMarch 30, 2024
• NLS Journey Succinct JournalMarch 1, 2024
• SEQUEL: A Time Like ThatOctober 8, 2023
• THE BOOK OF St. LUKE CHAPTER 4May 16, 2023
• MUSIC IN CHURCHMay 16, 2023

Eagle-Like

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus

Mark Twain

This is another year and although it can be considered another day, it is wake up call to everyone to re-examine ourselves on;

• What we have engaged in so far,
• The things we achieved,
• The things we did not achieve and why,
• How to re-strategize in order to achieve them,
• Setting feasible new goals, and
• Having more wins this time next year.

It is without doubt that so many people will lose focus and while some will find themselves before the year runs out, others will not.

The difference between the two categories is minutely based on the people surrounding such persons who stand in as checks to them, moreso, wisdom and the will to bounce back in its entirety, are the key to rejuvenating the strength and re-igniting the zeal to press onward even in the face of defeat, failure, and lack of resources to carry out their goals.

You may be wondering, ‘why the topic Eagle-Like?’

• Eagles have vision;
• Eagles are fearless;
• Eagles are tenacious;
• Eagles are high flyers;
• Eagles possess vitality;
• Eagles nurture their young;
• Eagles never eat dead meat;

These characteristics of an eagle are what we need to apply to our journey through life, particularly this year.

It will take much time and space to expatriate on each attribute and relate them to what we humans should do, however, I will drop a link to an article from which I pin-pointed the above attributes, which will help us to further understand these eagle attributes and how they will help us to be focused to become achievers.

• Characteristics of an Eagle

Let these words be our mantra this year,

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus

Mark Twain