Monday, December 24, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Band Aid)

It's Tuesday!!!  Better yet, it's Tuesday and it's Christmas Day!!!  Can there be a better combination?!!  Merry Christmas from Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This Christmas our wish for you is that your needs are met, you are surrounded by friends, family, or both, and that there is a peace that surpasses all understanding that envelopes you on this very special day.

     It all got started with a Boomtown Rat.  One of the biggest acts of charity ever recorded by musicians was the brainchild of Bob Geldof, leader of the Irish New Wave band The Boomtown Rats.  They topped the charts in Ireland and the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1984.  At the height of their popularity, lead vocalist Bob Geldof viewed a BBC report regarding the famine occurring in Africa.  This intense struggle for the necessities of life impacted the people of Africa from 1983-1985.  The report aired in October of 1984 and ignited the desire in Geldof to use his influence to make a difference.  The realization of his vision would be called Band Aid:


"Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band-Aid

     Geldof's partner in this effort and providing the bulk of the musical backdrop was Midge Ure from the British band Ultravox.  Sensing the urgency of the need, Geldof made a plea to fellow British Isles artists to join with him in making a single of which all proceeds would go to assist in the relief efforts in Africa.  Many of the biggest names in British and Irish music at the time came to Trevor Horn's (Buggles, Asia) studio to make the record.  In just 24 hours this talent-laden group had produced the single. The promotional blitz that followed was unprecedented"Do They Know It's Christmas Time" soared to the top of the charts in the UK and stayed there for 4 weeks upon its release on November 25th, 1984.  It was the biggest-selling single in chart history and was only replaced at this position by Elton John's Diana tribute "Candle In The Wind 1997".  Due to the differences in chart configurations, it only peaked at #13 in the United States.  Geldof's original goal was to raise 70,000 British pounds, it surpassed that number by an exponential figure in the first month of release. 

Band Aid would feature many of the top artists of the time as well as artists who would become huge in the music world in later years.  Those artists were:



     Geldof's efforts would eventually spur the Live Aid concert in the summer of 1985 and the United States companion piece, "We Are The World".  These events would continue the fundraising to feed the people of Africa.  Whether they realized it or not, Band Aid would be following one of the commands of Jesus.....

     Perhaps you are familiar with the story of the apostle Peter's denial of Jesus during Jesus' trial and torture.  Peter was a fisherman.  In the social mores of the day, his position was what we would consider upper middle class.  His encounter with Jesus transformed Peter's entire life.  Have you encountered Jesus in this way? 

     Peter was known for being impetuous and perhaps a little ill-tempered.  He shows this time and again in his interactions with Jesus and the other disciples.  However, He would ultimately deny that he even knew who Jesus wasAnd then a rooster crowed.  Peter was not the only apostle to leave Jesus alone that day, yet he was the one who authoritatively pronounced that he would never leave Jesus' side.  How did that work for him? Probably, about as well as it works out for you and me on a daily basis.

     After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to His disciples several times. One such occasion we read about in John 21.  Peter not only gets redemption for his denial, but he also receives the assignment that would completely dominate the remainder of his life....." feed my lambs....shepherd my sheep...feed my sheep...follow me"  Each time Jesus instructs Peter to be the caretaker of Jesus followers.  The impulsive Peter would eventually become the leader of the Church, which was foretold by Jesus when He proclaimed regarding Peter..." on this rock, I will build my church".  Peter would be the leader of those who were delegated the task and inundated by the Holy Spirit to tell the world about the redemption that is through Jesus and ONLY through Jesus.  In this way, Peter would feed and shepherd the sheep, and follow Jesus. 

     We have the same responsibility today.  We live at a time like no other.  Communication is instantaneous and world-wide.  Our opportunities abound to spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the world and never leave our homes.  Jesus calls us to tell the story of the manger, cross, and empty tomb just as He did the disciples of the first church.  He may be calling you to physically go to a country you are unfamiliar with and tell them the story of Jesus.  He certainly tells us to communicate His love with our Facebook friends.  By doing this we accomplish the mission of feeding the sheep. 

     On this very special day, let's raise our voices in praise that Jesus, the Messiah, has come!  Let us lift our heads in the knowledge that He is coming again to take us to that place He has prepared for us.  Let us also lift our hands and feet to go about the responsibility that Jesus  placed before Peter then and places before
us now......"Feed the world.....let them know it's Christmas time...."


'Til Tuesday,


Loving HIM by loving you,

Randy

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" (R.E.M.)

  
Welcome to Tuesday the 18th of December and according to some.....3 days until the end of the world.....
Let's get the perspective straight now....The world is not ending in 3 days.  The Bible says that no one knows, not even the angels that do God's bidding, when the end will come.  The Mayan calendar has been debunked and we can have a calm assurance that Saturday December 22, 2012 will more than likely happen.  If you happen to not be convinced yet, here is an article that can bolster your confidence:

The Mayan Apocolypse Dr. James Emery White

Besides, R.E.M. has been saying it's the end of the world since 1987.  Let's take a look:

R.E.M. "It's The End Of The World As We Know It"

     In 1987, many thought the world would indeed end as the stock market lost over 22% of its value.  Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister of the UK for the third time and gasoline was 89 cents in that same year. (We thought gas was high at that price....can you say economic conditioning....sure you can.....)  In 1987, the Ford Mustang looked like this:



     Finally, in 1987 a band from Athens, Georgia hit the charts with their alternative, apocalyptic tome about.....well, The Notes confesses to not really knowing what this song is about.  Reminiscent of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and a forerunner to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire", R.E.M. took their politically and ecologically edgy lyrics and set them to their standard alt defining sound.  "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" charted at only #69 when it was released in November of '87 and would be listed as one of the songs that Clear Channel would not allowed played in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Its haunting chorus comes to mind any time an apocalypse is predicted or predicated on television or in the movies.  In November of 2011, the end of the world came to R.E.M. as the band permanently disbanded.

     We are one week away from Christmas Day.  Hopefully, you are close to completing the plans for your celebrations.  As your planning may continue through the week, take the time and reflect.  Recent tragedies remind us that our lives are limited.  But there is hope in a manger.  There is a light that shines brighter than all of the darkness that may rule this earth. 

      Christians around the world will unite next Tuesday and celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus.  In the book of Matthew, a carpenter is told that he will be the earthly care giver of the Son of God.  While a familiar story, Joseph's account of Jesus birth is sometimes overshadowed by that of Mary.    We do not know much about Joseph after Jesus is 12, but from this passage of Matthew, we can see that Joseph was obedient. From The Message paraphrase:

 

18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

  Notice the interpreted names of Mary's child, Jesus, "God Saves" and Immanuel "God is with us". The very name of Jesus is meant for us to draw assurance and hope.  Immanuel is the name that provides the strength to endure.  Both are names that connote the intense love that God has for us and the extreme desire for relationship that God wants with us.  They are the names above all names and they are worthy of the adoration and praise that we give as we celebrate Jesus' birth.  They are names that remind us of His ultimate earthly destiny on the cross and His conclusive victory over death as He is now risen indeed!  They are names that also emphasize the promise of His return where the victory over the evil one will be complete and those who have believed on His name will live with Him forever. 

    So, as we gather around Christmas trees with friends and family, as we sing songs about a jolly ol' elf, as we exchange gifts with those around us, let us take many moments to tell the story of the One who was born to those who don't know!  Let us elaborate on the One who is risen indeed!! Let us look forward to the return of the One who has saved us!!!  Let us rejoice that as either He returns or our lives come to a close, we will be able to shout....."It's the end of the world as we know it......and I feel fine"!!!!


'Til Tuesday


Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy


    

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "White Christmas" (Bing Crosby)

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there, You're as welcome as can be......wait, that's another theme....we'll keep working on it, but in the mean time.....Welcome to Tuesday and the Christmas Notes!!!  Do you hear sleigh bells?

    "Over the ground lies a mantle of white, a heaven of diamonds shines down through the night, two hearts are thrillin' in spite of the chill in the weather...."  thus begins the perennial favorite, "Winter Wonderland".  There really is something special that happens when it snows.  The traffic stops and most people see their lives proceed a bit slower than usual
.  For a brief couple of days, priorities shift from getting to work on time, to getting your snow man built before the temperature rises.  Hot chocolate and coffee taste better and you seem to find more to talk about with family and close neighbors.  Christmas is an extra special time to begin with, and if you add the potential of a wintry forecast, the celebration of Jesus' birth can take on a more memorable aura.  Can you remember how many times there has actually been a Christmas where the ground was covered with snow?  If you were curious about your area and what the potential is for a White Christmas, as usual, The Notes has your answer!  Mouse click away, mouse click away, mouse click away!

Will It Be A White Christmas Where I Am?

    In the Guiness Book of World Records, you can find the tallest man, the biggest hamburger, and the smallest island.  You can also find several interesting musical records, including the best selling single of all time which surprisingly isn't by the Beatles or Elvis.  This title of best selling single of all time belongs to......(drum roll here),
Bing Crosby.  (and with the state of the music industry, this record will probably stand forever)  His rendition of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" has been estimated to have sold over 50 million copies.  When including other recordings of the song, "White Christmas" has been estimated to have sold over 100 million copies as a single.  Estimations are due to the fact that the US and UK singles chartst weren't in existence when "White Christmas" was released on a 78 rpm record in 1942 as a part of a 6 piece set of what we would consider the soundtrack to the movie Holiday Inn.  Only Elton John's 1997 remembrance to Princess Diana, "Candle in the Wind 1997" has come close by selling 33 million copies. 

     Cinematically, "White Christmas" was used in the aforementioned Holiday Inn, where it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942, as well as in its namesake 1954's White Christmas, which was the highest grossing movie of that year.  Let's have a better look at "White Christmas" from the first time we hear it in Irving Berlin's hit musical Holiday Inn:

 
"White Christmas" from Holiday Inn

    
The color white is often associated with purity.  In fact, Isaiah 1:18 uses the word white to describe the transformation that comes over someone when their sins are forgiven:  "
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  This passage says that God wants to get together with us so He can reason (induce a change of opinion in us through debate and discussion) with us.  When we become reasonable with God, sins are forgiven and lives become as pure as snow.  When was the last time you accepted God's request to "reason together"?  If we were to be authentic before God and ourselves we might realize that we often times come to meet with God with our requests being the priority that we wish discuss. God, however, wants to have a reasonable conversation regarding His mission for us in the world or that habit that we need eliminate from our lives that is causing us to be "red like crimson".  It is so easy, especially in this season to get caught up in the "I wants", that we tend to forget who's we are and that our priority should in fact be, "His wants".  We should be so in tune with the work of the Holy Spirit that we put on the "mind of Christ" that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 2. 

     Has there ever been a time in your life friend where you realized that you weren't pure in the sight of God?  Looking through the eyes of God and the mind of Jesus, what color would be attributed with your life?  Have you had the opportunity to meet with God and "reason together" with Him?  He is waiting to do just that.  I would love to have the opportunity to visit with you about this further.  Just email me back or comment an email address in which you can be reached. 
As we come into the season where people around the world, recognize and celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, let's take a moment and ponder what color our Christmas hearts will be.  "May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be White!"

'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving you,

Randy

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Christmas Song" (Nat King Cole)

Welcome to December and The Christmas Musical Notes!!!

     Are you ready"Christmas time is here, bringing us good cheer!"  "Love and joy come to you!", "Here we come a caroling!"  Dinners to prepare.  Church to attend.  Malls to shop at.  Family to visit.  Friends to see. Trees to trim.  Equally important.....We get to listen to Christmas music while doing it all!!!!  What is your favorite.  "Grandma, got run over..." is not a real Christmas song.....


     Lauded as the most performed Christmas song by BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated), Mel Torme's ode to the Christmas season was originally an attempt to "stay cool by thinking cool" on a hot summer day with his friend Bob Wells who would get co-writing credits for what would become known as "The Christmas Song".  It would be 8 years before Mel Torme would put a rendition of his classic Christmas melody on an album.  It continues to be covered on Christmas records with each passing generation of artists. 
     The most heral
ded version of this Christmas standard was by Nat King Cole, who would record it on 4 different albums.  With each successive release of "The Christmas Song", Cole would introduce an additional nuance from the originals and see its reception improve with each subsequent release.  The last recording was with full orchestra, directed by Ralph Carmichael, and would be recorded in stereophonic.  This  version from 1961 is the arrangement that most of the general public has come to regard as one of their most beloved Christmas songs.  So grab some egg nog, find your favorite sweater or throw and reminisce about the first time you heard Nat King Cole.....
"Chestnuts roas
ting on an open fire....."

Nat King Cole "The Christmas Song"

     The images detailed in "The Christmas Song" evoke memories of friends and family. It reflects the Christmas story of legend with Santa bringing gifts to good children.  It shows a simpler time when "turkey and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright"It encourages the magic that surrounds a time of year when people tend to be nicer, more giving, and more responsive to remembering the standards that were set for "good" boys and girls.
"The Christmas Song" also ignites a memory of other songs hidden in the recesses of the mind:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

This was a song that a multitude of angels sang as they shared the Christmas story with shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem.  It was one of 2 songs that are told of in the account of the birth of Jesus, our deliverer.  The other is that of Mary, wife to Joseph, mother to Jesus, as she proclaimed her joy while visiting her cousin ElizabethEarly Latin churches simply called it:  Magnificat


46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

"Holy Is His Name "John Michael Talbot


     In both songs we see the very nature of God's deliverance and the incredible gift that was given to mankind.  In a world where peace was rarely seen, peace was promised.  At a time where the mighty were elevated, God was exalting those of low degree.  The liberator promised from the beginning of time was now here for us to worship for the remainder of time and his name is Emmanuel, Jesus, God with us.  As we listen to music this Christmas season, we may hear about "chestnuts roasting", and "Jack Frost nipping", but as God's "peculiar" people, let us allow those songs to point us to the Redeemer who was saving.....

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy



  



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "When You're Strange" (The Doors)

Happy Tuesday after Thanksgiving!!!  .....did you survive your Turkey coma?  We hope that you were able to see those who were dear to you and pause for true Thanksgiving for God's providence in your lives. 
Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!!

As we enter into the peak of the holidays, The Notes would like to offer a strange piece of advice.  EAT DESSERT FIRST!  Especially if you have a sweet tooth! This allows you to have the sumptuous goodies AND enjoy the incredible entrees that the season usually produces.  It also sets you apart as someone who may have just a little bit of a different perspective.  Let's face it, everyone has something that makes them unique....in reality "People Are Strange"

"People Are Strange The Doors"

    While one of the most wildly popular bands of the 70s, The Doors were not considered very mainstream.  They would see the production of 9 albums, 3 of which were produced without their lead singer, Jim Morrison
, who died of a heart attack in 1971 at age 27. Alcohol and drug abuse were considered by many to be contributing factors to his fatal heart attack.  They would experience sold out concerts, some that featured Jim Morrison antagonizing security and the crowd, and 1 concert that would see him arrested while on stage.

     "People Are Strange" was a 1967 single released from the Strange Days album.  It would peak at #12 on the charts and be considered somewhat autobiographical
The Doors entire existence as a band can easily be considered as "strange" at best. 

       It seems the entertainment industry has its share of people who are strange.  Can you think of any other "unique" entertainers.  Here is a look at one:
The Many Faces Of Johnny Depp

    
It is easy to see how the eccentricity of Jim Morrison and Johnny Depp would draw the attention of people.  Is there anything that you do that people would consider out of the ordinary or perhaps peculiar?  There should be.....
1 Peter 2:9
King James Version (KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

     Notice the word "peculiar" in the previous passage from the King James Translation of the Bible.  The King James is the only Bible translation that translates the word "peripoesis" into the word "peculiar".  This word is updated in most other translations of the Bible to mean possession, something highly treasured by God.  Peculiar is only used 7 times (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18, Psalm 135:4, Ecclesiastes 2:8, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9) in the King James and is exclusively an attribute given to Israel in the Old Testament and Christians in the New Testament. This high favoring is worthy of behavior becoming one who is "His own possession".
 

     Usually for something to be a possession, another thing has to be given in exchange. In this transitory time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us not forget what has been exchanged for us to be peculiar......Jesus. As we go about our planning the perfect gift, let us not forget the perfect gift we have in Jesus.  Can others tell by our demeanor that we are a Christian.....why or why not?  Do we reflect the peculiarity of one who is considered a prized possession?  Do we reflect a perspective on this season that causes others to be curious as to why we are different?  Do we attract attention with our peculiarities?  Are we prepared to adequately explain the reason for those idiosyncrasies?  Here is a good article that might shed some light on how to be different as we interact in the world:

How Christians Should Be Different

     In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul reinforces the possession mentality for us.  He reminds us that "we are bought with a price" so we can "glorify God in the body, and in the spirit, which are God's".  In the next 30 days we will likely interact with more people than usual, so let's be challenged by The Word to act like the treasured possessions that God considers us to be.  Let's attract pre-Christians to the life giving message by how we conduct ourselves.  Let's cause people to wonder what is different about us.  It is how people act....."When you're strange..."


'Til Tuesday

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thank God For You" (Sawyer Brown)

Good Tuesday to ya' friend and welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

     The Notes would like to express it's gratitude and thanks first of all to you!!  Since June of this year, over 70 people have subscribed via email and the Tuesday's Musical Notes Blog has had close to 600 hits.  Readers in 10 different countries, including Russia and Iran, have been gracious enough to take the time to read The Notes and we have received positive feedback from several of you.  Keep those cards and letters coming.....  Thanks again!  We look forward to writing these musical perspectives and hope that together we have been exposed to some interesting facts about our favorite musicians, and more importantly, we have learned more about ourselves and about our walk in The Way.

     It seems with each passing year, the push to get the "jump" on Christmas is more prevalent.  Some retailers have begun having the traditional day after Thanksgiving "Black Friday" specials every Friday between Halloween and Christmas.  It is not unheard of to even see some Christmas decor in the stores prior to Halloween.  Where is Charlie Brown when you need him?!!!!   In an attempt to stall the rush of the season and to pause for a moment to give thanks we offer up this ode to the season, with an assist from Sawyer Brown:

"Thank God For You" Sawyer Brown

     With multiple chart hits and 3 #1's, Sawyer Brown would dominate the charts for 2 decades of country music.  Every album Sawyer Brown released from 1980 - 2000 would chart in the top 40.  With lead singer Mark Miller's distinctive vocals and the band's fun concert reputation, Sawyer Brown would become an award winning standard for country music groups.  They won the 80's version of the X-Factor, Star Search, and would continue to produce albums as late as 2010.  

     Sawyer Brown got its start as  a successful road band for Country artist Don King. 
Their name was taken from the street where they rehearsed.  Most recently, Mark Miller has formed his own Christian Record label, Beach Street Records.  Perhaps you have heard of one of the bands he signed to this label.....Casting Crowns.  It would seem on the face of it that Sawyer Brown has many reasons to be thankful.


    
The Notes recently had a conversation with a young adult regarding the seasonal rush to Christmas.  This "wise beyond their years" person was pushing back as hard as she could against the tendency to neglect the Thanksgiving season and move into Christmas.  "What happened to the celebration of Thanksgiving?", she asked.  This is a good question for each of us to ask.  Especially those that claim Christ as their hope of eternal salvationTo understand what may have happened to Thanksgiving, we must first get a good idea of what the season was set aside to celebrate.  Last week The Notes started this conversation with a look at where the proclamations for Thanksgiving began.  In case you missed it here is the link:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "What A Wonderful World"

     While President Lincoln's proclamation set the date tradition for Thanksgiving, we need travel just a bit further back in time, say 200 years, to see when the first observances of Thanksgiving occurred.  While Thanksgiving celebrations had been occurring in the New World as early as 1607 among Spanish explorers, the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation are credited with the traditions we now observe during this season.  Their prospects were bleak for the coming winter as only half of those who arrived in the New World survived the voyage from England and the previous winter.  The spring brought a new relationship with the Indians which enhanced the ability to grow crops that would sustain them through the next winter.  As a result of their gratefulness to God's providence, they celebrated.  The following is an interesting article regarding the life of one of the Pilgrim leaders, William Bradford.
 
                                       
 
William Bradford

The Pilgrim leadership realized that it was by the hand of Almighty God that they survived and eventually thrived in the New World.  Are we as aware of God's providence in our lives?  As Christians, do we observe Thanksgiving in a way that would cause pre-Christians to wonder why we celebrate in the manner we do?  Do we take the time to realize that our survival as well as all of the good things in our lives are by the hand of Almighty God?   The writers of the book of Psalms did:

Psalm 9:1 - "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
Psalm 35:18 - "
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you."
Psalm 69:30 - "
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."
Psalm 95:2 - "
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."
Psalm 100:4 - "
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

17 more times in Psalms and 95 more times in the Bible is the word thanks or thanksgiving used  to express to whom our gratitude should be given.  It is this "attitude of gratitude" that should permeate every aspect of a believer's life.  We really should "give credit where credit is due,"......

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy