I wrote this as i was sitting in my backyard one day at 6pm listening to the calls to prayers. There are at least four/five mosques within hearing distance of my home.

listening to the
calls to prayer
is like
watching a marathon
at first there are a few
people that pass
then more and more
and more
then it gets less
and less
again.
And you are left there
sitting
in the same spot.
not much has changed
but you know
something profound
just happened
maybe even felt
compelled to join.

I want to take you through a Sunday morning worship service here in jepara.
just before 6am a hymn is sung
the church bells are rung
we sing another hymn
announcements are made
there is a prayer to open the service
we sing 'mulia bagi papa'
another hymn
bible verses maybe read
the offering is taken
the choir sings (that includes me)
the verses for the sermon are read
we sing 'hallelujah'
there is a sermon
we sing a hymn
there is the closing prayer
we sing Praise God 'Kepada Allah'
we file through the back doors and shake hands

i think that is why i feel peace.
here is part of a poem i wrote contrasting hymns and praise'worship music

....hymns
do not give you highs
they do not get you jumping
up and down
for your creator
but they bring you deeper
they hold meaning
you dont
crash
after them

and that is why i am torn
i am pulled towards
praise and worship
by my emotions
but i am pulled towards hymns
by my desire for depth...
....
spirituality
can not rely on feelings
feelings are not reliable
....

to feel peace
is to know you are not complete
not finished
yet rejoice in that
knowing you can grow
expand

the silence in my soul is heaven
not an empty silence
but a content
knowing
silence

until next time......