Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Alive Again" (Chicago)

It's Tuesday, September 11th.  Welcome to Tuesday' Musical Notes!

     Many will be asked if they remember what they were doing 11 years ago on this date.  As many have said, it was a beautiful Tuesday morning.  Unfortunately, the beauty of the day was shattered by the most horrific occurrence to the United States since Pearl Harbor was attacked in World War II.  Most Americans were impacted by this unthinkable attack on the center of world trade, America's Military headquarters, and the avoided attack by a group of heroes on board United Airlines flight 93.  It was a time of unity.  One of which unfortunately faded all to fast.....

     Regardless of where you live, troubling and sometimes tragic events occur.  While the impact may be felt by a few folks, it is still a horrible time.  In 1978, such a time occurred in the life of the band Chicago.

     They had produced 11 albums since their debut, Chicago Transit Authority, most of which received a number designation as the title and received commercial and critical success.  But with the 12th album Chicago decided to go a different direction.  1978 was a terrible year for Chicago, one in fact the band barely survived.  They had just split with long time producer, James William Guercio.  In that same year, Terry Kath, lead vocalist on the song "Color My World" would die from an accidental gunshot.  Chicago did survive both of these dramatic events and went on to produce their 12th album entitled  Hot Streets.  After having survived all the turmoil of 1978, the band decided to release as the debut single the aptly titled, "Alive Again".  It was dedicated to the memory of Terry Kath.  Here's Chicago with an assist from ice skaters Elena Leonova and Andrei Khvalko:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0-Zy4TEnY

     Many times in the Bible we read stories of strength and courage in the face of adversity.  In fact, Paul's letter to the Hebrews details some of the faith heroes of the Israelite nation.  The Message paraphrase has an interesting take on this Faith Hall of Fame. 


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011&version=MSG

Notice that Paul prefaces each of the stories with the qualifier, "By faith".   These Bible heroes weren't able to do any of their mighty acts on their own.  They had the faith that God would provide everything they needed at the exact time they needed it.  Take a moment and reflect on your life.  Have their been times when you were sure you couldn't accomplish a task and just about the time you were ready to give up, something occurs that enables you to do it?  The world would describe this as fate, or good karma, but as Christians we know that it is God.  He controls everything, even life itself.  Not counting the glorious resurrection of our Savior, Jesus, there were 7 times that the Bible records God intervening in a individual situation where someone had died, both in the Old Testament as well as in the New.  A very good article detailing these resurrections and more can be found here:    

http://stronginfaith.org/article.php?page=114

   In short, these people died and God made them Alive Again. 

     The Bible promises that all peoples will be made alive again.  Where they will spend that time after their earthly death is their choice.  God is the very center of that eternity.  People choose now whether they will be with Him or separated from Him.  One place is heaven, the other is hell.  Friend, honestly consider what choice you have made. 

     On this very special day, we realize that in a moment the choices we make could very well determine the future we have.  As a country we should again be unifying around these peoples and their families sacrifice.  As Christians we should be glorifying the One who can make us......alive again.

We Will Never Forget!

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Spinning Wheel" (Blood, Sweat, and Tears)

Rules of Civility #23 - "When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased, but always shew pity to the suffering offender."

Welcome to Tuesday!!!!  You have been sent, or perhaps you dropped in on, a email and blog about popular music.  If you are interested in rereading or catching up on a Musical Note that you missed, please go to tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com and click on the archives.  Read them all or just your favorite songs!  While you are there you might even catch a painted pony!

What does a Jazz Rock band look like?  An even better question would be, what would a Jazz Rock band look like in 1967?  Would they hail from Chicago?  Would their sound be more elemental and make the best use of earth, wind And fire?  Would they still be on the spinning wheel of touring today? Would they make the musical world so very happy?  While not all of the answers to these questions are yes, there would certainly be a lot of blood, sweat, tears that would go into making such a band.

When you think of bands with horns, you immediately think of Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  Both bands are still touring to sell out crowds.  Tuesday's Musical Notes has chronicled songs by both of these phenomenal bands (blog and email, September 2012 "Alive Again" by Chicago and to email recipients, January 2012 "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire).  These bands are noted for their horn sections, many of which have been the same for several years.  We would be remiss to have a Musical Note that focuses on bands with horn sections, without at least mentioning the bands Ides of March, Lighthouse, and Chase, all from the same time period and featuring similar musical styles of the psychedelic age.

Then there is Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  The group derived its name from Johnny Cash's 1963 album Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  The original inception of the band was considered very counter-cultural for its time.  With its intricate mix of Jazz and harder edged rock-n-roll, Blood, Sweat, and Tears would set a standard for bands with instruments that was different.  They were more jazz oriented than Chicago or the Ides of March, but not as R&B as Earth, Wind, And Fire.  Blood, Sweat, and Tears has recorded for 6 different record labels and over the course of their musical history, has had close to 150 different members tour and record as part of the band.  It seems that there was more of a spinning door with this band than a spinning wheel.  Perhaps that is why they haven't had the chart success of other '60s horn bands.

With the configuration of the group who sold the most singles, here is Blood, Sweat, and Tears, from their eponymous 1968 album, with "Spinning Wheel":

Blood, Sweat, and Tears - "Spinning Wheel"

Christian author John MacArthur wrote a book a few years back that detailed the lives of the disciples of Jesus.  It was called 12 Ordinary Men.  I highly recommend this book and its follow up, 12 Extraordinary Women.  These books chronicle the lives of Biblical characters who while proving their humanity, served as the ultimate examples to us as we live our lives in the 21st century.  As I read 12 Ordinary Men, I found characteristics with each of the disciples that resonated in my life.  But one disciple stood out more than the others...Peter.  I confess that in my daily walk in The Way, that I am more like Peter before he became the great leader of the church of Jerusalem. A very familiar example of his emotional impulsiveness is when he got a little in over his head.  You can read the full story here: 

Matthew 14:22-33 HCSB

Peter wasted no time and certainly did not think his decision through when asking Jesus if he could join him on the water.  So many times when we hear this story it is in the context of Peter's not keeping his eyes on Jesus and allowing the distractions around him to lessen his faith.  What an incredible lesson for us!!!  But there is another lesson here...where were the other disciples?  The were cowering in the boat with extreme fear.  I'm told the storms that gather on the Sea of Galilee can be quite strong.  The disciples would have had great reason to be afraid.  Notice however, when Peter spotted Jesus...he got out of the boat...he left the merry-go-round...he departed the spinning wheel...  At this moment Peter began a journey of faith in Jesus that would cause him to leave his routine and begin the extraordinary. 

It is so easy for Christians to get in the routine of doing church.  We attend, tithe, worship, and pray and when Sunday morning is over we might occasionally do it again Sunday night and Wednesday night.  It becomes what we do regularly.  Sometimes there is little difference between what we do as Christians and what we do at our jobs as employees.  But we are called to so much more.  Jesus also instructs in Matthew:

Matthew 5:15-17

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Jesus is telling us here to be different, to be that peculiar person that draws attention to yourself so you can draw attention to HIM.  It is easy to get on the carousel of our lives and get into the routine of doing the same thing over again....repeat and rinse so to speak. Albert Einstein is attributed with the saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.   Peter is an example of how to grab that brass ring and get off the spinning wheel of life. It takes great steps of faith and courage to do the miraculous.  What miraculous things are waiting to be done through you?  What would happen if "routine" church members would quit telling themselves that they didn't have time to lead a Sunday School group. What would happen if we quit believing the lie from the enemy that you weren't talented enough to assume leadership roles in your church?  What would happen if church folks started engaging in their church instead of just going to their church. What would happen if church "members" stop going through the motions??.....

"Going Through The Motions" - Matthew West
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you, you never learn, Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin' wheel turn....

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Saturday In The Park" (Chicago)

Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes where each week we try to answer thought provoking questions by exploring the ins and outs of yesterday's popular music.  It's the last day of June.  Summer is in full swing and the celebration of the Republic's beginning is upon  us.  This year we celebrate 239 years of being our own nation.  Throughout this histroy there have been highs and lows.  While the Republic has had some interesting shifts of focus recently, Tuesday's Musical Notes maintains that the United States of America is still the greatest experiment the world has ever seen and by far the best place in the world to live.    

This Saturday many will mark the occasion of 239 years as a Republic by being in parks all over the country...I think it is the 4th of July!!!  Can you dig it?

"Saturday In The Park" by Chicago from the 1972 album Chicago V

There are many similarities between 1972 and 2016.  It was and is an election year.  There seems to be national division on unpopular wars (1972 VietNam, 2016 Iraq).  The Supreme Court plays a part in the national conversation...(Roe v. Wade (abortion) was argued in 1972, Obergefell v. Hodges (homosexual marriage) was just decided). And The Band plays on.  Chicago The Band that is...

1972 saw the release of Chicago V.  It spent 9 weeks at #1 on the album charts bolstered by the single "Saturday In the Park" which spent 2 weeks at #3.  The song would go on to the be the 40th most popular hit of 1972. (Billboard 1000 Top Singles 1955-1992, compiled by Joel Whitburn, Hal Leonard Publishing, 1993).   "Saturday In The Park" would be followed by the top 30 hit "Dialogue Parts I & II",  Making Chicago V one of the top albums for 1972.  

"Saturday In The Park" is a song about enjoying friends, neighbors, and community at a park during a national holiday.  It reflects the inspiration of Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocalist and founding member) as he returned from a trip to Central Park in New York City and was amazed by the artistry of the local performers in the park that day.  It seems "Italian songs" weren't the only creative element in the park that day.  The song speaks to the anticipation of getting out in the open air and experiencing a sunny day.  It alludes to the lost art of people watching.  It announces the celebration of folks coming together to just enjoy an afternoon away from the consistency of the work week.  The park and its surroundings is all they need to have in common on this day and it is all they need to help each other change the world...can you dig it? 

No other group has had the longevity and recording prowess of this Rock band with horns.  They continue to tour to sold out audiences around the world and just happen to be Tuesday's Musical Notes favorite Rock-N-Roll act.  The Notes has shown great restraint in that "Tuesdays Musical Notes - "Alive Again"" is the only Chicago based Tuesday's Musical Note before "Saturday In The Park"  The band released their appropriately titled, Chicago XXXVI NOW, on July 4th of 2014.

"Listen children, all is not lost, all is not lost, no, no, no..."

Many in our country have the misconception that the form of government that we practice is a democracy.  According to Mr. Guerry Moorer and his civics class from 1980, a democracy in its strictest form is government by the people, majority rule, or mob rule.  Most democracies do not make it very long before a dictator or faction of the people rise to rule over all of the others. 

The United States from its inception has always been a republic.  (...and to the Republic for which it stands...)  Again from Mr. Moorer's Civics class; a republic is defined  as:   the people rule by electing representatives who make legislative decisions on behalf of the people.  Until 1787, these representatives also elected the President and Vice President.  The founders then developed the plan of the electoral college for determining Presidential elections.  We'll let our friends at Schoolhouse Rock explain the process:

"Gonna Send My Vote To College" - Schoolhouse Rock 2002

This 4th of July will be celebrated differently in many of our communities because we are in a Presidential election season.  As of the writing of today's Notes, there are 13 Republicans (with at least 3 more likely) and 4 Democrats (with 1 or 2 more expected) seeking the Presidency.  It is easy to imagine that many of these candidates will be at 4th of July celebrations attempting to woo voters for their campaigns.  This blog does not do candidate endorsements, however, we encourage all of Tuesday's Musical Note readers to listen closely to what each of these folks are saying as they run for the highest office in the land.  Look at their websites, read every article  that you can about them (yes, even in those publications in which you disagree).  Decide what you believe.  What are the core foundational principles in which you chose not to negotiate.  Then, decide which of these men or women come closest to sharing your principles and belief system.  AND THEN VOTE!

One quality that The Notes deems absolutely necessary for a President is leadership.  There is much to be said in the Scriptures about the topic of leadership.  We highly recommend that Scripture reading and prayer be a MAJOR part of your Presidential candidate selection process.   What are some of these characteristics?

In Luke 22:24-26, Jesus says that the greatest among you should become the least.  (Luke 22:24-26 The Message Paraphrase)  In effect, the one wanting to achieve greatness, should become a servant to all.  This is difficult to do in our power driven society.  The temptation to be served is a compelling force.  Jesus was the greatest among all because he served man by giving himself as a ransom for our sin.

The book of Proverbs suggest that a leader should be one who attempts to live righteously (characterized by uprightness or morality):  "Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.  Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly." - Proverbs 16: 12-13

Scripture also implies that a leader be one who listens, is willing to learn, and reveres the Lord:    

So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling.  Psalms 2:9-11

 

All through the Bible there are passages that apply to those who wish to "serve" their country by leading it.  Do yourself a favor and seek out the above passages in context as well as many others that concern rulers, kings, and leaders.  Explore those passages that speak of the ultimate freedom that we experience as followers of Jesus.  You might find a few surprises as to what the Word Of God considers to be leadership.   You will certainly find some differences between what the Bible qualifies as a leader and the politicians who will be joining us in our freedom celebrations as we watch..."people dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream...people reaching, people touching  A real celebration, waiting for us all, if we want it, really want it, can you dig it...Yes I can!

"Freedom Is Here/Shout Unto God" - Hillsong United from 2009's   [a_CROSS // the_EARTH] :: Tear Down The Walls

 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Hard To Say I'm Sorry/ Get Away" (Chicago)

Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  You are invited to a world of music, ministry, melody, and The Messiah (Hallelujah!!!).  Thank you for accepting the invitation to a place that makes every effort to make you smile, encourage your joy, engage your mind, enlivens your taste buds for good songs and enhances your study of Scripture.  I hope you'll join us as we go...'cause when we get there gonna jump in the air...no one'll see us cause there's nobody there...after all we really don't care...hold on...I am gonna take you there...(kick it horn section...)

"Hard To Say I'm Sorry/ Get Away" by Chicago from the 1982 album Chicago 16

If you read Tuesday's Musical Notes for very long, you soon see the affection and love of the music by the band Chicago that your humble blog has:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Color My World"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Make Me Smile"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Saturday In The Park"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Vote For Me"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Alive Again"

No other artist have found their way into Tuesday's Musical Notes land as often as Chicago.  The above blogs detail many of the facts and figures by which this multi decade act has achieved success.  Hall of Fame accolades recently, their 50th anniversary and the release of a new album, Chicago XXXVI: Now (as a band have made Chicago the topic of new musical interest.  Die hard fans continue to pack out shows and made the documentary Now More Than Ever - The History of Chicago one of CNN's top rate shows over the New Year's break.  

So many times we elevate iconic groups to otherworldly status.  The CNN documentary gave a perspective that brings Chicago back to earth a bit.  Terry Kath's death, via accidental gun shot, drug use and partying at Caribou Ranch (Chicago's V, VII, VIII and X were all recorded there), and the departures of founding members Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine,  were all portrayed in a manner that was at times a bit hard to watch for fans, but realistically portrayed the existence that many successful Rock-N-Roll acts experience.  Founding members Robert Lamm (keys and vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet and vocals), James Pankow (trombone and vocals), and Walter Parazaider (woodwinds and vocals) are the only original members of the band that continue to tour.  At the end of the documentary, the four were seen discussing their history and success and it did not appear that they had many regrets.  It seemed very hard for them to say they were sorry for the things in the documentary that were perplexing and relationships that no longer existed.

Recently, my family binged watched the ABC television series Forever.  I highly recommend it even though it was canceled after its first season.  One episode opened with the statistic that average folks say "I'm Sorry" 8 times a day.  This stat comes from the following article:  "The sorry truth is we apologise up to eight times a day.. and 233,000 times in our lives" September 13, 2011 thedailymail.com.  I suspect most reasonable folks fit this average pretty well.  However, it poses the questions.  For what do we have to be sorry?  Why are we apologizing?  Do we apologize enough?  What makes it hard to say "I'm Sorry?"

This last question really goes to the point of today's blog.  Why is it so difficult sometimes to apologize?  An uncredited Facebook post reads:

“Apologizing does not always mean that you’re wrong or the other person is right. It just means that you value the relationship

........more than your ego."

Notice the last portion of that statement.  One's ego tends to determine their compassion level, their acceptance of others and how often they are willing to admit they were wrong about something. 

In the best selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, author and pastor of Saddleback Church, Rick Warren, opens with an astounding statement that many in the world, including me, should contemplate daily..."It's Not About You".   This is a difficult pill to swallow because of the nature to which we have been born.  Ever since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, man has been, to some level, obsessed with his wants being served over anything else.  It seems that at the receiving of these wants, the desire for more gets even worse.  At some point or another a much bigger issue than the lack of being apologetic arises....pride.

Proverbs 16:18 King James Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible parallel

Psalm 10:4 KJV/The Message

Proverbs 8:12-21 KJV/The Message

These passages are a sampling of the over 100 times the Bible speaks about the issue of being proud or having pride (King James Version)  The overwhelming evidence that these verses support is that God does not accept those whose pride exceeds their love for others. 

This is a hard topic for many who consider themselves "creatives".  Pride seems to come with the territory of their creativity.  I confess to you that pride is something I struggle with every day.  But there is a way that the sin of pride can be reduced and eventually eliminated.  There is hope that our relationship with God is restored on a daily basis.  There is another word that Jesus spoke about that is a solution for our pride issues.  Repent.

The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew 4:12-17 KJV/The Message

So what does it mean to repent?  Perhaps you have heard someone say that repentance is telling Jesus that you are sorry for the wrong stuff in your life.  While this is partially true, it tends to raise even more questions like, what is the motivation for your sorrow?  Are you truly sorry for the act or sorry that you got caught in the act?  More on this at a later time as I contend that a truly sorrowful spirit about committing wrong is a first step in being repentant.  For some, saying "I'm sorry" is the easy part.  ( I really want to tell you "I'm sorry") But repentance means that you are turning away from that wrong and, by utilizing every sinew of your being, you make the attempt to never do that particular thing again (After all that we've been through, I will make it up to You, I promise to).  Sorrow to the point of breaking that habit.  Regret that causes a life change.  Surrendering your pride to Jesus' forgiveness.  (And after all that's been said and done, You're just the part of me, I can't let go...)

So many times I think Christians have convoluted in folks minds what should be a simple process.  This summer a recurring theme in many Vacation Bible Schools, regardless of denominational ties,  are the ABC's of becoming a follower of Jesus (apply your favorite ABC song here, this was our's this year: Lifeway VBS 2017 Galactic Starveyors - "Over The Moon" ).  A - Admit to God that you are a sinner by expressing sorrow and changing your life to not perpetrate that sin again (repent).  B -  Believe that Jesus is God's Son (respond to everything that Jesus says about Himself).  C- Confess your faith (more than belief) in Jesus as the Savior of your life to everyone you know.  Admit, Believe, Confess.   It really is that simple.  

All it takes is a swallowing of our pride to realize that it really isn't that hard to say "I'm sorry".  All it takes is embracing humility to Get Away from the sin that so easily besets us.  Doing so ensures that He will never let you go...

"Forgiven" by Crowder from the 2017 album American Prodigal

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday'S Musical Notes - "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" (The Moody Blues)

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It's time for a Note of a Musical variety!  No, not G# or Bb, but some thoughts and meditations on music in general and life in specific!  It's all wrapped up in a blog that we call Tuesdays Musical Notes!!!

As so many good things in life, we just can't get enough of the things we like.  Especially when it comes to our entertainment choices?  (Anyone binging Star Wars, or Marvel?) So,  today we indulge our guilty pleasure as we introduce the first ever Tuesday's Musical Notes sequel!!!  (Technically, I guess they are all sequels of sorts, but let's not get hung up on semantics, shall we?)  Honestly, you can check the archives and see if we've ever done it before.  They are on the left by date, or you can search by topic, artist, or title of your favorite song.  I really can't recall ever having a sequel in Notesland... but you never know, there might be one out there somewhere, somewhere...

"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" from the May 23, 1988 album Sur la Mer by The Moody Blues  

The search for lost love continues...  We were given an introduction to the characters of today's video last week.  That was an actual band that played the younger Moodies, a British band called Mood Six, for the "Your Wildest Dreams" video  They and the female protagonist, Janet Spencer-Turner, return in the sequel song which peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot 100, the last single to chart for The Moody Blues.  The real cool thing is that the songs, "Your Wildest Dreams" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", aren't on the same album.  In fact, they were recorded 2 years apart.  Again, one of the only times that I can think of where a band came out with a sequel song on a different album.  To give you the full picture, and to give you something long enough to have a couple of bites of popcorn with, let's watch both vids...

"Your Wildest Dreams"  

 "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"

The video for "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"  uses the radio edit of the song which is just over 4 minutes long.  The album track, as happens so many times in the life of a musical act's singles, is longer, in this case by over 2 minutes.  While I prefer the original track, the edit isn't egregious, like some radio edits can be,  it cuts an instrumental bridge whose theme is well established throughout the song.

For more Moody Blues info, videos, and Musical Notes treatments, check out last weeks blog:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Your Wildest Dreams" (The Moody Blues)

The mist is lifting slowly I can see the way ahead
And I've left behind the empty streets that once inspired my life  

This could be an accurate way the Hebrew patriarch Joseph was feeling at the stage of his life in which we find him today.  His life experiences would have caused him to have an entire range of emotions, sorrow and sadness to elation and joy.  He had been a slave,  a venerated servant, a prisoner, and now we find Joseph as the second most powerful man in the known world.  His birth relatives had long given him up for dead as his brothers had betrayed him into the hand of slave merchants.  But out there somewhere was a story that none of them could have imagined.  

One would imagine that Joseph was quickly educated in the ways of Egypt. He had been in the country for many years in a variety of societal status'.   His current position now afforded him the opportunity to carry out the interpretation that God had given him of Pharaoh's dream.   He orchestrated the hording (the good kind...let's face it Indiana Jones didn't find any toilet paper at Tanis...) of food stocks during seven years of plenty in preparation for seven years of famine.  But out there somewhere was a family who began to run low on food.  Get the full story here:  

Genesis 42-50 New American Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Jacob and Joseph's stories both reveal historical narratives about redemption.  Each of them were eventually restored to families from which they had been separated.  The reunions with those families explore the depth of reclamation that can take place among family.   They are a perfect example of the power of love and exist to serve as a shadow to the most powerful display of love ever given in history.  With their redemption stories complete we close the book on this chapter of the Old Testament and the creation story as well.  But THE Book is always open when it comes to showing the love that exists throughout eternity.

That display of love is the story of a Creator/Father who waits patiently.  He waits for his created ones/children to desire restoration and reclamation.  He provided a sacrificial payment to insure that a loving reunion can occur for those who ask for it.

Today, friend, what seems to be missing in your life can be found.  Today, friend, that longing for belonging can be filled.  Today, friend, there is a God who looks upon you as His child and He waits singing...

"I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere you can hear my voice..."

Many in the world celebrated the fact that there is a tomb that is empty in Israel this past Sunday.  The person who was placed in that tomb after being tortured and killed was seen 3 days later in a physical body and over the next 40 days by many.  He is alive through the same restorative power that waits for you and me.  He is alive, now, begging God for you.  He came once to be that sacrificial payment.  He is coming again to find those who are His and take them home.  He is also singing... 

"I know I'll find you somehow

Somehow, somehow
I know I'll find you somehow

And somehow I'll return again to you..."

Today, friend...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Connection" (Elastica)

Welcome to the last Tuesday of March, first Tuesday of Spring, and to Tuesday's Musical Notes, where the music ranges from classical to commercial and the message waffles between "hmmm..." and earth shattering!  

Today we journey back in time with the aid of the 1.21 gigawatts infused Notesmobile to a grungy sort of land (did you know that O'Reilly Auto Parts carries this? O'Reilly Auto Parts - part 121g).  As we roll the windows down we quickly hear the cacophony of sounds.  Swing mixes with Ska, ladies singing lead vocals, and in the distance, if you listen closely...what's that sound?  Is that Gregorian Chant? ("Compilation of Chants" from the October 17, 1995 album Chants II by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos ) 

I guess we have arrived in a land where anything can become a hit regardless of its musical sound.  It certainly is an "alternative" to what has come before.  But there is something catchy about this sound.  There is no doubt that a "connection is made"...

"Connection" by Elastica from their March 13, 1995, eponymous debut album

With the release of Marvel Studios - Captain Marvel, there is a fascination with all things 90's.  Especially the music.  Why wouldn't there be? We are on the edge of a new decade that will see the year 1990 as 30 years in its past. Ok, go back and read that one again...30 years.  YIKES!!! That's ancient history to 2019's teenage lot. Yes, that makes today's song officially a "golden oldie".     

Along with a scene that includes the actual last Blockbuster in existence, Captain Marvel did a good job of gathering an iPod full of 90's popular music.  Complete with chart toppers and a few lesser known 90's hits, watching this movie is like opening a video time capsule and quickly recalling what that the decade of the 90s meant in your life.  Well, at least for those of us who were ALIVE during the 90s.

One of the lesser-known songs used to flavor the movie is today's #53 hit from the Britpop band Elastica.  "Connection" was released as a single prior to the full-length album being released.  The single's popularity assisted in the album setting a record for the fastest selling debut since Oasis' Definitely Maybe the previous year. It also aided Elastica to be one of two 90s British Invasion bands (Radiohead being the other) to actually make a mark in the United States.  

"Connection" remained broiled in controversy as portions of it seemed to have been "lifted" from other bands work.  Lawsuits were settled out of court, but the group, after continual touring and membership shakeups, would disband in 2001 with 2 studio album releases and an EP.  It would seem that perhaps a vital connection was not made...

We have written many times in this past year about Holy Spirit.  We have told you about how He is one part of the Trinity that makes up God. (God, the Father, God, the Son (Jesus), and God, the Holy Spirit)  We've discussed how it is His job to draw people to Himself to restore our connection to God through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  

We've even suggested that Holy Spirit isn't a topic that many preachers and disciples of Jesus want to talk about, because His ministry is somewhat more difficult to understand.  After all, while He was present at creation, God, the Father takes center stage during that event.  While He was certainly present during the transformation of the disciples, Jesus physical life as a man took preeminence over what Holy Spirit was doing in the background.  This is how it should be as the tangible and physical should always take dominance over ideologies, beliefs, and even digital manifestations of things (you can't really touch a download...am I right?)

Holy Spirit is also the way that mankind communicates with God.  You see my friend, God is Holy.  We cannot come into direct contact with God because we just couldn't handle it. Psalm 99:1-5 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel 

Jesus is currently with God preparing a place for believers to reside at the beginning of eternity future.  The Gospel of Jesus according to His disciple John, chapter 14, verse 1-15 NASB/The Message/KJV  The next two verses of John 14 is what we really want you to hone into today.  Let's look:  John 14:16-17 NASB/The Message/KJV  Here Jesus tells His disciples and us that He will send Holy Spirit to be our helper.  Jesus' promise is that Holy Spirit will dwell with our spirit as Jesus had dwelt with the disciples during His three years of ministry on earth.  For those who believe Jesus was who He said He was and did what He said He did, Jesus promises that the Helper, who is as powerful as Jesus is, will dwell within the spirit of believers.  That's a kind of connection that cannot be broken, taken away, or destroyed.  

The apostle Paul elaborates even more about Holy Spirit's connection with the spirit of believers:

Paul's letter to the Roman church, chapter 8 NASB/The Message/KJV

Did you catch verses 9-11?  Eugene Peterson's The Message paraphrases the passage this way:  

But if God Himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of Him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome Him, in whom He dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, He’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to Himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and He does, as surely as He did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With His Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!

I don't know about you, but I've never considered Holy Spirit's work quite that way.  That means dear friend, that every day of our lives we can live in joy, boldness, and victory as our spirit connects with Holy Spirit more and more every day.  Transforming us more into the likeness of Jesus.  If only believers would grasp this truth...

I don't begin to understand how this is completed, but somehow the vital connection is made and I trust the One who says it is and will be complete at the day that I see Him.  

Have you made that vital connection?  Are you ready for your heart to make the trade?  Holy Spirit is waiting to ensure your vital connection is made...   

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Color My World" (Chicago)

"Today's Broadcast Brought To You In Living Color"


Howdy!  Hi There!  Welcome!  Good Day To You My Friend!  So Happy To Have You Here!  Greetings And Felicitous Salutations!   In other words, it's Tuesday!  Time for another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes, the place where classic tunes and canonical text meet in a symbiosis of harmony, love, and accountability.  Each week, Tuesday's Musical Notes attempts to paint with a palette of incredible diversity and provide a simple difference to the week as we attempt to color your world...

"Color My World" by Chicago, a movement from "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" from 1970's Chicago (Chicago II)

 

For you purists out there, here is the full length track, a whopping 13 minutes long!!!  You might even recognize a couple of the other "movements"

Chicago - "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" (Live, 1977) from the 1970 album Chicago (Chicago II)  (1977)

Finally, for you modernists out there.  Just goes to show you good music and great musicians never go out of style.

Chicago - "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" (Live - 2014) from the 1970 album Chicago (Chicago II)(2014)

 

Based on the strength of a hand full of singles that receive much radio play,many popular artists have seen debut albums become very successful. The release of their second album, however, tells the tale of how long the act may be around in the music scene.  Typically, a second album is not as well received as the debut.  This is called "the sophomore slump". Music history is littered with the "one hit wonders" whose sophomore effort paled in comparison to their "original" work and they quickly faded into the mass of music history.  This is not the case for the band... Chicago.  

Chicago released in 1970 after the success of 1969's Chicago Transit Authority.  Chicago II, as it is better known, soared up the album charts to #4.  This was incredible, considering it was a double album and it featured 2 songs that were over 10 minutes long. (Both multi disc format and long songs was typical for early Chicago as their first 3 albums were doubles and the 4th release was the 4 disc live project Chicago at Carnegie Hall, each of which includes at least 1 song that is in excess of 10 minutes long.) The classically trained musicians of Chicago utilized the "movement" or "suite" styles of the great composers as they wrote songs.  The "suites" told a lengthy story through music with a variety of styles, all of which were consolidated into one song. 

"Color My World" continues to be one of Chicago's most requested songs, however, it was never a feature single.  It was very unusual radio to play songs that weren't the "A" side singles.  "Color My World" was the exception as it received huge requests at radio and went as high as #7 on the charts while being a "B-side" for 2 singles, 1970's "Make Me Smile", and the 1971 reissue of "Beginnings", respectively.   It is a movement found in the middle of the "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" written by trombone player James Pankow.  It features the most famous major seventh chord in music history and has been known to be the soundtrack for many a slow dance.  It was not a part of Chicago's set list for 4 years after the lead vocalist for the song, Terry Kath, was killed.  Coming back to the concert stage in 1982, "Color My World" has been sung from 1982 - 1991 by Kath's replacement Bill Champlin, 1991- 2009 by founding member and lead keyboardist Robert Lamm, and since 2009 by trumpeter Lee Loughnanne.  

We admit we have a bias when it comes to the band Chicago...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Saturday In The Park"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Vote For Me"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Alive Again"

 

You might even say we allow this band to "color" what we do around here...We all have things in our lives that influence us.  As we go through life, rarely do we see things in black and white. We interact with people from a variety of lifestyles, ethnicities, and backgrounds.  We are also impacted by stimuli that causes adjustments in our lives.  These interactions, the "color" in our lives,  provides a variety that creates changes in how we do things.  It transforms us, if you will. 

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are being transformed into something.  We determine what exactly we transform into.  Many times we are more than meets the eye, but I am not talking about Autobots or Decpticons. I am, however, talking about how we change as we head toward eternity.  I think you would agree that you are not exactly the same person you were a year ago.  In some ways you are not the same as you were a week ago.  Ultimately, there are only 2 ways that you are being "colored".  The way of the "world" or the way of the Lord.  

We've discussed this on several occasions, yet it seems so vitally important in the age in which we live.  Every day we either become more like the world around us, or more like the Jesus who made us.  Much of the "color" that engages us is out of our control.  How we react to it, how we allow it to change us, is totally our decision.  

As time goes on, I realize how important Romans 12:1-2 The Message/NIV parallel is and just what it means to me.  It should be my verse of the day, everyday.  This passage encourages us to give up the selfish desires that we have for the day, and surrender to God's desires.   We allow Holy Spirit to "color" our world when interacting with folks.  We allow the hope of eternity with God to "color" our decisions.  We allow the promise of Jesus' love to directly impact the lives of others through us.  Not only is our world "colored", but we get the opportunity to "color" the world of others.  I have had many friends influence me...if you are one of them, whether you know it or not, I thank you...You truly do "color my world, with hope..."

"Christ In Me" by Jeremy Camp from the 2015 album I Will Follow

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy