Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All You Need Is Love" (The Beatles)

     

It's Tuesday!!!!!  20 days until school starts!  98 days until the Presidential election!!  147 days until Christmas and 153 days until 2013!!!  But more importantly.....it's the day for Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

^34-36When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing the question they hoped would show him up: "Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?"

 ^37-40Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hang from them." - Matthew 22: 34-40 The Message.

In 1967, The Beatles were at the pinnacle of success.  They were on their way to becoming the best-selling act in music history.  They pioneered many musical styles and assisted in the implementation of new thoughts regarding recording techniques.  In June of that year, they debuted a song on the first-ever global television link.  They were charged with providing Britain's contribution to the Our World broadcast.  Many of the British Invasion's musical talents were part of the audience during the broadcast of "All You Need Is Love", a song that would reach #1 on the charts the week of July 17, 1967.  It is featured on two Beatles' albums, 1967's Magical Mystery Tour and 1969's Yellow Submarine LP.  Written by John Lennon....cue the screaming teenage girls....here is the Our World video of "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-pFAFsTFTI

In recent days there has been much debate over freedom of speech.  Specifically with regards to who and how you can love.  Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A, stated his personal opinion against homosexual unions.  For the record, The Notes agrees with Mr. Cathy's opinion.  The Bible says about homosexuality that it is "detestable" and "shameful" (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:27-29).   However, Tuesday's Musical Notes does not agree with the reaction to his statements. The response has been filled with vitriol from those who advocate for this lifestyle as well as those who oppose it.  The proponents of the lifestyle choice of homosexuality have called for a boycott of Chick-Fil-A.  Mayors of major United States cities, men who have sworn to uphold the national tenet of freedom of speech, have forcefully voiced their opposition to the opening of Chick-Fil-A restaurants in their towns.  On the flip side, The American Family Association and other proFamily organizations have done no less by encouraging boycotts of The Walt Disney Company as well as Home Depot for the choice those companies made to favor the homosexual lifestyle in their business practices. 

    These hateful opinions, again on both sides of the argument, are not how the Bible dictates we should communicate with those with which we disagree.   We question the effectiveness of such boycotts to cause a change in these companies.  However, we do not question the damage that is done to those whom Jesus said we should love more than ourselves.  In a previous employment experience, I was employed as manager of a store that was threatened by a boycott.  When face to face with the leader of the group, I posed these questions:  Would you punish the folks who are on the inside of this organization that are working to change the culture?  Would you inhibit a brother in Christ from being able to make money to provide for his family or jeopardize his ability to tithe?  His response:  What do we do then, when we disagree with the policy/product of a company?  I quickly took him to the sections of the store where we sold merchandise he did support and told him to support those areas with all he could and encourage those who were wanting to boycott to do the same.  Business would dictate that if more of one thing is sold than another, the other would be removed to make room for the better selling product.  As Christian brothers we should support each other as best we can and thereby show our love.  When we are faced with situations/products/policies in which we disagree, our command is to love the person, not the situation/product/policy. 

     In Matthew, Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees. a group of Jewish leaders who followed oral Jewish law as well as the Torah.  They were also proponents of an afterlife.  They were attempting to get Jesus to prioritize one of the ten commandments, thereby causing Him to deny the importance of some which would have been blasphemy to the Jews.   Jesus simplifies the commandments for them instead.  He summarizes that all ten can be based on the foundation of two:  1) Love God, and 2) Love others more than you do yourself.  

     The opening line of Rick Warren's iconic book, The Purpose Driven Life,  states these foundational commands in one sentence....."It's Not About You".  In this statement, Warren affirms what Jesus told us were the commandments of our lives.  If the things of our life do not support both of these commands, we are sinning.  ALL OF US.  Anything that takes us away from loving God and loving others more than we do ourselves is sin.  Time and again, we will be faced with making choices.  The decisions we make during that time indicate who we love.  Jesus was the ultimate example of following the two commandments as He endured the worst torture ever devised by man so we could go to heaven.

     Perhaps you have heard "there is a special place in hell for homosexuals".  What baloney.  The eternal separation from God that is hell is for all who will not repent, turn away, from the sin in their lives.  We can only turn away from that sin that so easily plagues us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Is there something that is keeping you from loving God and loving others?  Turn away from it and embrace Jesus.  Allow the love you have for others to show Jesus' love to them and then be available if they ask why you are different.  You can then show them that there is a different love that is all they need.  "Love is all you need......love is all you need". 

Keith Green No Compromise

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Right Now" (Van Halen)

Good Tuesday to ya.......let's jump in...right now!!!!

     In the late '70s and early '80s, rock-n-roll became edgier, harder, and had ALOT more hair.  It was the absolute opposite of the Barry Manilow, BeeGees, preppy pop of just a few years prior.   One of the bands with the most influence was a band from Pasadena, California.....Van Halen. 

Van Halen has almost had as much drama surrounding them as they have had chart-topping singles.  Who will be the lead singer this week?  David Lee Roth?  Sammy Hagar?  Gary Cherone?  David Lee Roth?  Again?  Whatever the composition of the band, the music always stands out.  As of July 18th, Van Halen's  newest album, with Roth as the lead singer,  "A Different Kind Of Truth", was listed as the 6th best selling album of 2012.  This is the first studio album since 1998 and features the 4th change of lead singers. 

     But it was a song from 1992, with Sammy Hagar at lead vocals, that reignited the Van Halen interest for a new generation of rock-n-rollers.  It was a song about priorities and the urgency with which we should spend every moment of our lives.  It is one of 24 singles by Van Halen to make it to the top 100 charts, peaking at #55.  Let's take a listen from the Toronto, Canada leg of the Balance World Tour..with Alex in a neck brace and Eddie with no hair.....right now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4g1bGITLc

     What do you need to do right now?  Is there anything in your life that is so pressing that it can't wait?  Life is about priorities.  What is really important to us get's done right away.  But what about what is important to God?  Do we make Biblical instruction a priority?  Psalm 25:5 - "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;  I wait for You all day long."  Do we make time to be discipled and disciple others?  Matthew 28:19-20,  "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit teaching them everything I have commanded you, and remember I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  What exactly do both of these things look like?   For generations, the early Christians met together as often as they could, some even met daily, to seek wisdom, study the scriptures, pray, and instruct others (make disciples).  Eventually through cultural transitions and the establishment of a systematic work week, many Christians made the first day of the week, Sunday, as the day they would come together to seek wisdom, study scripture, pray, and make disciples.  This was a priority for them.  Nothing else would ever come into conflict with this time set aside for God.  They took Psalm 27:4 literally, "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after;  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."  The Musical Notes paraphrase of this verse is "It's time to go to church....right now!"

     Fast forward to 2012.  The Church universal is seeing growth, however, the Church in the United States is in a period of decline.  Membership rolls contain names of people that haven't been to the church since they joined.  Sundays have become another day to schedule events.  Why do other things take priority over seeking wisdom, studying scriptures, praying, and disciple-making?  Please do not misunderstand or take offense.  The Notes concedes that some Church absenteeism occurs due to sickness and that EVERYONE needs a vacation.  Also, many employees and associates have very little control over the scheduling of the hours they are to work.  How many good Christian folks are causing the necessity for workers to be scheduled on Sunday by their eating out and shopping?  I think I hear a glass house being shattered......

      As a contrast, Chick-fil-A has determined that the dollar is not more important than its reverence to  setting aside  the first day of the week for its employees to at least have the choice about attending church.  The Notes notices that most of Chick-fil-A restaurants have very little difficulty making up for any revenue loss by being closed on Sunday through the business they attract the remainder of the week. 

     What would happen if we decided that right now, Sundays would be for God.  What would happen if the children of God politely refused to participate in any activity that would be a detriment to their ability to attend church?  Would the groups be able to do the event?  This is a high standard to set, and perhaps we have gone too far to turn back, but we must ponder what example we are setting to our preChristian neighbors and more importantly to our preChristian family members and children if we allow our priorities to shift towards good activities and events that we allow to be scheduled on Sunday and away from the Godly activities and events that occur on Sunday.   We can politely decline or request changes are made to events when they get in the way of Sunday being reserved for the body of Christ.

 "Miss the beat, you lose the rhythm,  And nothing falls into place, no, Only missed by a fraction, Slipped a little off your pace, oh, The more things you get, the more you want, Just trade in one for the other, Workin so hard, to make it easier, whoa, Got to turn, c'mon turn this thing around Right now, there's no tomorrow, right now, it's everything..."

     Right now, a friend needs you to be prepared to tell your conversions story, Right now, your children are wondering what's going on this Sunday.....Right now, the Body of Christ is needing you to do your part, Right now, someone is planning how to budget the finite time of their weekend.....

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Shameless" (Garth Brooks/Billy Joel)

It's Tuesday, July 17th, 2012.  It is the 3rd day of the week, the 199th day of the year, and the day set aside for music, memory, and methodological musings......Is that humming I hear?

 Perhaps you have heard the phrase, "There is nothing new out of Hollywood".  There is a great deal of truth in that statement, however, Hollywood isn't the only place to see or hear great themes repeated.  

 Take for example the music industry. 
Vanilla Ice sampled the opening beat of his 1990 hit "Ice, Ice, Baby", from Queen and David Bowie's song "Under Pressure".  Are you bobbing your head?  Many songs, regardless of musical genre, sample or use chord structures from previous songs.  Some artists, instead of coming up with their own material, will do their version of another' artist's previous hit.  This is called "covering" a song.    "Brown Eyed Girl", from Van Morrison's 1967 Blowin' Your Mind, album has been covered by Adele, Billy Ray Cyrus, Johnny Rivers, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, and many others.  This lack of originality could be considered by some to be......wait for it......Shameless.

     In 1991, the entire world knew who Garth Brooks was.  He had 6 number one hits and saw much of his music crossing over into other charts.  He released his third studio album, Ropin' The Wind,  in 1991.  It was his first full album to debut at #1.  But it was a #1 song from that album that Garth Brooks covered that continued the momentum into 1992 and rest of the decade.  While staying true to the original, which only made it to #40 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart in 1989, Garth Brooks carried on his hit parade with radio listeners as he covered "Shameless" from the album Storm Front by Billy Joel.  Read the lyrics and listen to Billy Joel sing it here:  http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/billy_joel/shameless.html 

Garth Brooks here:  http://www.elyrics.net/read/g/garth-brooks-lyrics/shameless-lyrics.html
 Have you ever been in a situation where you were embarrassed?  Perhaps you were ashamed by a family member or friend by the way they acted or reacted in a public place.    "Insensitive to disgrace" is the definition of the word shameless from dictionary.com.  Often you hear people say, "I really don't care what people think of me". This may be true for the majority of folks in their circle of influence, but in reality there are people whose opinion means much to them. 

     If you ask Church growth professionals what the number one reason why members of their denomination don't do "visitation", "outreach", or are consistent apologists for their faith, their reply is a resounding, "people don't want to get their feelings hurt or be rejected".  The same goes for amassing a volunteer base to do the work of the church.  We don't want to be placed in a situation whereby we might be embarrassed or ashamed.  In short, we have a sensitivity to disgrace.  We are wired with an intense desire to be accepted.  What we sometimes don't realize is that we already ARE accepted by the One who loves us enough to sacrifice everything for us.  Why can't we be shameless for Him?

     In 2 Samuel 6, we see an example of the most powerful person in the world being truly shameless.  He tossed protocol aside and exhibited his extreme joy by dancing.  This was something a King should never do, especially in front of his subjects.  David did it.  His wife mocked.  God approved.  

Read the story here:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%206&version=NIV

In Isaiah 20, God commanded Isaiah to go naked for 3 years to prove His point and set an example before the Israelites of what He was going to do to them because of their evil.  Isaiah did it.  The people mocked. God approved. 

So brother or sister in Christ, what is God asking you to do that you would consider disgraceful.  We have examples in the Bible that prove if God tells us, we should do it.  The people may mock.  God will approve.

     Our ultimate example is Jesus himself.  Even the movie The Passion of the Christ didn't adequately portray the shame Jesus suffered during His torture and crucifixion. 

     How can we say "NO" when we " are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:9-11. 

"I'm shameless, when it comes to lovin' you.  I'll do anything you ask me to, I'll do anything at all.....

'Till Tuesday

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy

Tueday's Musical Notes - "Celebration" (Kool and the Gang)

The Surgeon General recommends Tuesday's Musical Notes as a part of a balanced weekly diet, fulfilling 100% of the requirement of music and rumination.......in short......Welcome to Tuesday!!!!!!.........time for the Notes!

In reality, the Surgeon General doesn't subscribe to Tuesday's Musical Notes, nor its companion blog, tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com, where you can find previous Notes, but hope springs eternal.....

Southern Baptists decline in baptisms, membership, attendance

     This shocking headline is from a Lifeway article from June 9, 2011.  You can read the entire article here: 

http://www.lifeway.com/ArticleView?storeId=10054&catalogIdhttps://lifewayresearch.com/2020/06/04/southern-baptists-face-largest-membership-decline-in-100-years/=10001&langId=-1&article=Southern-baptists-decline-in-baptisms-membership-attendance

If you are from a differing denominational background, similar articles have more than likely been written about your faith system.  It seems that there is a growing dislike of going to church.  This causes one to ponder some of the reasons why.  Maybe it is because the church in the United States has gotten so bogged down about arguing about music and worship formats, Calvinism, and what denomination really has it right, that as brothers and sisters in Christ we have forgotten the joy of our salvation and how Kool it is to just.....Celebrate!!!  

Where can I get some white shoes?  You have to love a band with horns.....Hit it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

     Hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey, the brothers' Bell started a band with 5 friends in 1964.  The Jazziacs were the beginning of a team that would span musical genres and score #1 hits.  While the lineup has changed over the years, Robert (Kool) Bell on bass and Ronald Bell on tenor saxophone, are still the foundation of a band that continues to tour, 43 years after their first record was made.  To date,  Kool and the Gang have recorded 44 albums.  Their signature song, "Celebration" was from their highest charting album to date, Celebrate.  "Celebration" hit #1 in February of 1980 and continues to achieve popularity 32 years after its release as it maintains a spot in radio playlists and is used in commercials and at sporting events.   "Everyone around the world...come on!!"

     Just like the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, the modern Church loses focus from time to time.  God is slow to anger and patient as the church seemingly finds more and more ways to make the love of Jesus into a boring array of business meetings and discussions on the pre, post, or au millennial reigns of Jesus.  (Let's face it......if you are saved, ultimately you get to go to heaven, does that discussion really matter?).  Some worship services are more reflective of the laments of the oppressed in scripture than they are of the rejoicing that arises from the lips of the redeemed that are in heaven.  Reality dictates that it is difficult to maintain a "happy, happy, joy, joy" atmosphere continually in a fallen world.  The enemy will relentlessly battle against anything that causes true joy.  The writer of Psalms 68 notes a difference between the wicked and righteous:

Psalm 68:2-4

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

  As smoke is blown away,
so You blow them away.
As wax melts before the fire,
so the wicked are destroyed before God.
  But the righteous are glad;
they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. 

  Sing to God! Sing praises to His name.
Exalt Him who rides on the clouds —
His name is Yahweh —and rejoice before Him.


    With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can maintain a sense of celebration as we go through our lives.  How does that translate into a service where our preChristians friends are in attendance and they seem to be distracted or bored?  This can be answered in 3 letters.....VBS.
     If you were to ask people in and out of the church their perceptions about Vacation Bible School, chances are you would get a very positive response.  As these notes are being written and read, countless churches are expending enormous amounts of energy and a good amount of resources to the largest outreach effort of the year.  With its high-energy music and motions, its creatively enhanced curriculum and lessons, and its rotation structure, VBS usually doesn't allow time for distraction, or discontent.  There are more salvations recorded in the Evangelical church during this week than at any other time of the year.  This includes church camps, revivals, and local evangelistic crusades.  God's people are usually energized, enthusiastic, and enormously joyful during the time they have Bible School.  Why can't Sunday mornings be more like VBS?  Whether we want to admit it or not, the Church is in competition with pure evil.  An evil that will use anything possible to take us away from "assembling ourselves together" as the Bible says.  This evil will use good things to keep us away from church, and thereby keep us away from being a benefit to organizations and activities in which God has used our life experiences to prepare us to take part.  The joy that is amplified exponentially during the Vacation Bible School season demolishes evil.  Thank you to all who sacrifice time and resources so that Vacation Bible School can be the wonderfully energizing experience that it is.  How can you translate that energy level and excitement to Sunday mornings?   Challenge your church leaders to incorporate the energy and enthusiasm of VBS within the structure and tradition of your church's Sunday morning format.  Find that "sweet spot" where balance is achieved and joy is abounding.  Let your church be described by the world as..... "There's a party goin' on right here.....a celebration to last throughout the years......so bring your good times and your laughter too...we gonna celebrate your party with you.....come on now......."

'Til Tuesday
Loving HIM by loving You,
randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "God Bless The USA" (Lee Greenwood)

It's Independence Day Eve!!!  More importantly, IT'S TUESDAY!!  Time for the Notes!

The celebration of American Independence occurs tomorrow.  How do you plan to celebrate this significant event?  Many folks plan to celebrate with food, family, and fireworks.  (Be careful, there are burn bans in many areas!)  Others will choose to attend a parade or patriotic rally in their town.  Many politicians use Independence Day to reaffirm their love of their country to voters while communicating their particular ideology of what it will take to keep our country free. (Are you registered to vote and do you exercise that privilege as often as you can?) At most of these events, one song will be played that stirs the emotions of most Americans.  It has appeared on the Country music charts 3 different times, a feat that has never been replicated by any song of any genre.  So, with Lee Greenwood, let's proclaim, "There ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless The USA!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Japc8M8RQw

In the music industry, you are deemed a success by the number of records you sell or how well your record "charts" upon its release.  While Lee Greenwood is best known for "God Bless The USA", he has released 19 albums.  This doesn't count the 2 Christmas records, 8 greatest hits records, and his 1 compilation album with Barbara Mandrell.  Out of all of this music, 18 of his albums have charted.  His career has spanned 30 years and he has received multiple awards from the Country Music Association as well as a Grammy in 1985 for Top Male Vocal Performance for the song "I.O.U."    It is worth mentioning again, that "God Bless The USA" is the only single in music history to ever chart 3 different times (1991, 2001, 2003).  Making it even more unique is the fact that a different video was produced for each of these charting years.

This past Memorial Day, Lee Greenwood released a book that poses a question that is important for all of us to ask ourselves.  "Does God Still Bless The USA?" includes a 30-day Patriot prayer calendar and 2 free song downloads.  It also explores the idea of a nation that is turning away from its heritage and foundational principles.  Subtitled "A Plea For A Better America", Lee Greenwood examines where we are as a country and with a patriot's passion, ways that we can turn back to the Founders intent of a country that is based on a Judeo-Christian belief system. 

<sup>The Old Testament tells the story of the formation and existence of the Israelite nation.  Theirs is a history of returning to God when times were bad, then turning away from God when times got good.  In all of their history, one thing remained constant.....God was always there waiting for them to return.  America reflects that same story in many ways. Hard times have brought our nation back to God, good times have seen America lose its focus on Godly things.  The same constant of Israel is there for America.  God is waiting for us to refuse to allow the "trends" of popular culture and political winds to cause us to compromise on our Biblically founded, God-based truth.  Please take a moment to read this article from CBN.com regarding a recent interview with Historian and Evangelical Christian David Barton:

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/ChurchHistory/David_Barton.aspx

(for more from David Barton go to https://wallbuilders.com/)

God has promised that He will not depart from those nations who will remain focused on Him and doing His will.  Our example of the nation of Israel is the proof.  When Israel turned away from God and sought after the gods of the world, God removed His hand and the nation soon divided.  Both Judah and Israel were eventually conquered.  The nation that had been the world's superpower during the reign of David and Solomon no longer existed after the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests.  Israel would not be recognized as an autonomous country again until 1947.

The Bible tells us that if we will turn from our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us from that sin.  This applies to cities and nations as well.    One powerful example was the Assyrian capital of Ninevah.  This city features prominently in the story of Jonah.  So much is made about the miracle of Jonah surviving in the great fish, that sometimes the larger point is missed.  An entire city turned away from its sin and was saved from destruction because of its leaders.  From the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation of Jonah 3:10:</sup>

 Then God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—so God relented from the disaster He had threatened to do to them. And He did not do it.

     This change was instigated by the leaders of Ninevah listening to the prophecy from Jonah and repenting.  Turning to Yahweh and serving Him.  This was enough for God to "relent" from the actions that He had planned.  There is always hope.
    
   On this Independence Day, take a moment and reflect on where we are as a country in our relationship and dependence on God.  Take a moment and reflect on how the position our country has with God is compared to your own position with God.  Revival of a nation is started with individuals taking a stand against sin in their own lives first, then calling out the sin of their nation.  Use this Independence Day to declare your total dependence on God.  Review how the politicians for whom you voted reflect the views that you have.  Research candidates that will be elected in the coming election.  Ask God to guide you in your selection process and when asked about your vote let others know how you voted and why.  Let this be a Dependence Day on God so we can remain independent of the world and when given the opportunity, we will proclaim that we'll.... "proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today.  'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless The USA!!"

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy