Tuesday's Musical Notes - "September Song" (Willie Nelson)

Hey there!!  It's Tuesday!!  Time for a melodious and thoughtful trek down paths of pondering.....otherwise known as Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  Welcome!!

     It has been well said that creation, with its change of the seasons, rejoices and praises the Creator as it brilliantly displays the process by which God replenishes the earth.  The transition of the seasons is one of the truly remarkable attributes of God's creative process.  The shortness of the days and the gray of the skies in winter is exchanged for the bursting forth of vibrant and rich colors as the world seems to remember that very first creation in the spring.   The warmth of the sun and the vitality of summer is fast replaced by an incredible palette of colors in autumn.  As you might guess, there is a song about this.  It is written and performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty (also, writers of "In Christ Alone").  Here is "Creation Sings":

     Keith and Kristyn Getty Creation Sings


     On October 19, 1938, a musical would premiere at the Ethel Barrymore theater that would change literally hundreds of musicians lives.  Knickerbocker Holiday would only remain on Broadway for 6 months.   Included in the musical is a song that has been recorded, vocally as well as instrumentally, by some of the biggest names in the music industry. The original singer was theater star Walter Huston.  The most recent recording was by his granddaughter, Angelica Huston, for the television series Smash.  Its highest peak on any chart would be in the late '70s as a recording from Willie Nelson's Stardust album.  And now relax and reminisce as you listen to the lilting strains of Willie Nelson and....
"September Song".

     September Song Willie Nelson


    "September Song" is about one man's reflections of his life and how he will attempt to spend the "precious days" he has left with his loved one.   Reflection is a theme that runs through the Bible as well.  In the book of Jeremiah, God takes the opportunity to reflect on the sins that the nation of Israel had incurred. He has an intense desire to spend "those precious days" with His chosen people, yet He cannot until they repent.   He is detailing to Jeremiah what the discipline for their lack of obedience would be.  Israel had passed the point of no return and they were about to be punished by being taken away from their homeland.  In Jeremiah 8:18, a lament is given up for the lostness of Israel,
¹⁸ My joy has flown away;

grief has settled on me.
My heart is sick.
¹⁹ Listen—the cry of my dear people
from a far away land,
“Is the Lord no longer in Zion,
her King not within her?”
Why have they provoked me to anger
with their carved images,
with their worthless foreign idols?
²⁰ Harvest has passed, summer has ended,
but we have not been saved.
²¹ I am broken by the brokenness
of my dear people.
I mourn; horror has taken hold of me.
²² Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
So why has the healing of my dear people
not come about?

     With the sense of incredible despair, the writer morns the loss of his nation.   Are we any different from the people of Jeremiah's day?  It is so easy to judge ancient Israel from our perspective, however the question must be asked, "Are we in the same situation?"  On an individual level as well as a national level, have we waited too long to repent and seek God's forgiveness?  As we watch the news or read about world events, it is easy to see behavior that is against God's plan.  That is the very definition of sin.  Repentance that leads to God's forgiveness is the balm in Gilead that the writer of this lament seeks.  God's desire is to spend an eternal amount of "precious days" with us. As Jeremiah laments, "Harvest has passed, summer has ended, but we have not been saved".  Friend, please consider your life.  God desires to bless our remaining days on earth and allow us to spend eternity in His presence.  We must however seek his face and turn away from those things that would make us less like Jesus.  Summer has ended.....have you been saved?  "Oh, the days dwindle down....to a precious few....."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sirius/Eye In The Sky" (Alan Parsons Project)

 

Welcome please click here before proceeding

 
And now, combining popular music and eternal perspectives, from Searcy, Arkansas......It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!!!!

(rapturous applause sound effects)

Can it really have been twenty years, since the Chicago Bulls ruled the courts?  With the legendary lineup, of Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley, Ron Harper, and Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls of the 90's remain the standard for professional basketball.  From 1991 - 1998, Da Bulls, were the dominating force for the NBA, winning 6 championships.  While the Lakers and Celtics have both won more championships, (16 and 17 wins respectively), neither has been able to dominate a decade like the Bulls did in the 1990s.  Much of the credit goes to the leader of the team, Michael Jordan.  His wizardry on the court made him a role model for young people around the world, and a marketing boon for Nike.  He even helped Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes win a basketball game.....

Space Jam trailer

NBA teams are made up of 13 players.  It is difficult for any player in the NBA to play every minute of every game.  Each of the 13 team members on the Championship Bulls added to the overall ability of the team to win games and each was awarded the championship ring after their ultimate victory.  Rarely did you hear any one of the starting lineups praise themselves for what they achieved together as a team.  While Michael Jordan was the star, it could be easily said of the 90's Bulls that "There is no "I" in team". 

One of the things that stood out for the Bulls of the 90s was their player introduction production.  Complete with smoke, lasers, and animation, the starting lineup introduction became almost as big a production as the games themselves.  (Go back to the top of the page for instant replay).  Riding beneath the announcement of the team players' names, positions, and colleges they attended is a "Sirius" song.  Pun is totally intended. 

"Sirus" has always been used to introduce.  It was a little-known instrumental in 1982 when it was released on the Alan Parsons Project album Eye In The Sky as the prelude to the title track.  "Eye In The Sky" peaked at #3 on the Billboard chart and gets its inspiration from George Orwell's novel 1984 and a fascination that co-creator Eric Woolfson had with the security camera systems at casinos and retail environments.

At 18, Alan Parsons served as an assistant engineer on The Beatle's Abbey Road album.  He continued at the Abbey Road studios and worked with some of the biggest names in Rock and Roll during the 60s and 70s.  His partnership with producer Eric Woolfson in 1975 would birth the Alan Parsons Project.  Both men had some modicum of success prior to their collaboration, but it would be their teamwork that would take them to the top of the music charts. 

From a live event in 1995,  Here's The Alan Parson's Project:

Sirius/Eye In The Sky

In our world there probably is at least one "Eye In The Sky" but, as stated before, there is no  "I" in team (Yes, it is a stretch, but hang in there....Siriusly.....couldn't resist).  Think about it for just a moment.  How many times a day do you use the noun "I" or one of its derivatives?  To you, my friend confession is made.  This word is a constant in my vocabulary.  I wish it were not so.  (3 times in the last 3 sentences...)  Do you think there is a 12-step program for people with PRIDE?  "Hello, my name is Randy......Hi Randy.......I have a problem with Pride".  Some days it would be nice if everything in the universe revolved around me.  Note, there is nothing said about how beneficial to me that focus would be.  Pride does not provide a healthy or God-honoring way to live life.  God provides people in our lives to serve as a check for the problem with pride....if we allow them to "take us down" a notch or to on occasion. 

Paul has some pretty powerful advice for us about how this selfishness is not the way that Jesus' people should live.  In his letter to the Philippian church, he says about pride:
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.      Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, and became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Philippians 2:2-5 The Message.

Jesus didn't claim special privileges, in fact, he told some of the people who were the beneficiaries of his miracles to tell no one what He had done. The Bible says that followers of Jesus are a part of his body.  So friend, what part of the body are you supposed to be?  How do you go about being the best body part you can be?  Do you seek recognition for functioning as you should?  How many times did you say "I" today?    Siriusly.

If you missed any of Tuesday's Musical Notes, you can find them online at www.tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com or if you know someone who would like to receive the notes, send  an email to rawacr@gmail.com

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy


    

 

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 - "Hold My Hand" (Hootie and the Blowfish)

It's Tuesday!!!  College Football has begun and all is right with the world once more....Welcome to September and this week's edition of
                                    Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

Psalm 73:22-24

The Message (MSG)


 21-24 When I was beleaguered and bitter,
      totally consumed by envy,
   I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox
      in your very presence.
   I'm still in your presence,
      but you've taken my hand.
   You wisely and tenderly lead me,
      and then you bless me.

     Have you ever had a child come up to you and grab your hand?  It is one of the most gratifying experiences one can have.  There is a sense of intense trust from the child that you know exactly what you are doing and know exactly where you are going.  Perhaps you have been the one who has reached out for a hand before.  This too can be an experience that is settling and soothing.  Taking someone by the hand can provide a calm in the midst of a world of storms.  Benefits abound to both people.  It can be an expression of love or of compassion.  The old adage regarding strength in numbers is absolutely true.  There is an exponential factor that applies to people's stamina when they are not alone.  Perhaps that factor could be 16.

     The "Best New Artist" of 1996 never achieved a #1 hit.  In fact, they had 4 top 20 hits with their highest charting single going only as high as #6.  But when those songs are part of the #1 Album, Cracked Rear View, it doesn't matter how high up the charts you go.  In fact, Cracked Rear View, was the best selling album of 1995 and the 18th best selling album of all time in the United States going 16 times platinum.  From 1995 here's Hootie and the Blowfish:

Hold My Hand Hootie And The Blowfish


    Meeting as college freshman, Hootie and the Blowfish would become iconic in the second half of the '90s.  Record stores struggled to keep the #1 Cracked Rear View in stock.  With the release of a new single, the album would return to the #1 position in the album chart.  Their debut single, "Hold My Hand" is a song about taking someone by the hand and helping them out until they can get back to normal.  It is one of those songs that you can easily sing along to the chorus and gain instant inspiration  as did legendary rocker, David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, and Nash) who sang background vocals on "Hold My Hand".  The band has not toured since 2008, nor have they released an album since 2006. (Lead singer Darius Rucker HAS released 3 Country albums with great success) Yet, Hootie and the Blowfish still remain on the radio and they play at 4 charity gigs that they have committed to annually since 1995.  Chances are, if you check your cd collection, Cracked Rear View is in there somewhere. 

     It is virtually impossible to go through life alone.  Your circle of friends may be small, and sometimes to you, perhaps even non existent.  With the explosion of Facebook (as a social network not a stock investment) people have had the ability to reconnect with folks they thought they would never lose sight of in the first place.  Granted there are those who "friend" people in which they have no acquaintance at all, but for the most part it is a network in which people can resume friendships from the past. As fun as the digital environment can be, we must never lose sight of those around us in which we can communicate in a much more personal level.    They need a warm smile, a patient and listening ear, occasionally some requested advice, and certainly a hand to hold in trying times.

     In Ephesians 4:12, Paul talks about the strength that can be gained by Christians holding hands and being bound together.  He uses the analogy of a rope or cord to show the stability and security that is achieved by more strands being tied into the cord:

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹² And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

     Paul's encouragement to the Ephesians is to bind together to obey the commands of Jesus. You can condense Jesus teaching into 3 basic commands:     1) Love God; 2) Love Others more than you do yourself; and 3) Make disciples.  In each of these commands there is an aspect of our hands going out to be held by another:  1) Holding our hands out to God for His strength and guidance; 2) Holding our hands out to others to support and strengthen; and 3) holding our hands out to lead others to Jesus for a transformational encounter with Him.    These commands are not easy, but they are what we should attempt daily.  Jesus said in Luke 9:23; “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  We may very well stumble as we attempt to obey Jesus' commands, however, if we are holding onto someone's hand it is much less likely we will completely fall.  If you are in need of a lift, reach out and find God waiting to hold your hand.  If you are wanting to be more like Jesus, reach out and find someone's hand to hold.  

And ALWAYS:

"Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,

Randy