The Power of Music In Ministry: Uma Casa Portuguesa

I often talk with colleagues about the power of music in ministry.  Music touches us in a way that words alone don't seem to be capable of achieving.  We also seem to be able to remember our musical experiences longer than we remember concepts given to us in words.  Sometimes, people will share what a wonderful experience they had at our Sunday Celebration Service, remarking what a great message I delivered.  And sometimes, it is the case that they cannot easily remember the important points of the message - but they can remember the music.  Oh, they can remember the music.  Over time, with this in mind, I have learned to pay attention to the relationship between the music and the message.

I am blessed to have a Music Director who takes time every week to contemplate the upcoming message and search for music that will complement it.  It has contributed a sense of coherence

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Spaghetti Balinese and Kay-sedillas

Fly all the way to Indonesia and you can enjoy a lovely cup of Starbucks coffee in Kuta, in Ubud, everywhere.  And then stop in at Dunkin' Donuts; or maybe get your donut desert right after your KFC fix!  I don't know; options, options, options.  You can have Italian, Mexican, Japanese -- it's all available.

But not green olives.  No green olives in Bali apparently.

Your dirty martini is going to have a black olive in it and it wont be dirty at all.  And you better

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Traffic In Bali: Who Goes First?

Traffic in Bali seems to be governed by a simple rule: go! Hesitation upsets the orderly ant columns. Motorcycles, bicycles, minivans and trucks weave easily in a nonstop flow around, between and over. Park anywhere it seems. "Wait!" I think at the driver as he edges into a fast moving lane "Those minivans are headed straight for us!". I imagine a similar scene in California would cause angry shouts and angrier hand gestures. Not here, the minivans accommodate, swerve, blend and pass. it's going to be ok.

Who goes first? The biggest vehicle seems to have right of way. A universally understood system of horn blowing helps the movement of traffic. Not the loud boisterous "What do you think you're doing?" blasts in California. No. Horns and bells politely inform the surrounding vehicles of your presence. "I'm behind you.". "I am coming around this corner." "I am right next to you."

One of our drivers backed into another minivan. The two drivers discussed and our driver informed us that it was merely a miscommunication.

How about that?



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