Tuesday's Musical Notes - "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (Rod Stewart and Ella Fitzgerald)

Greetings and felicitous salutations!!!  Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It just so happens to be the last Tuesday of 2014!  Happy New Year!!!  Welcome to the final blog post of 2014 for The Notes.  We've had a special year together as we have explored some music trivia, some meaningful theology, and morally astute thoughts.  As we approach the denouement  of the year, we thought it fitting to revisit the top blogs of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  We hope to offer this edition as an answer, at least partially, to a question that has been asked of folks since 1947...

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Rod Stewart and Ella Fitzgerald

Written for no particular purpose other than for folks to record, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" has become a perennial favorite during the holidays.  It has been covered by iconic greats as well as the  "current" popular artists throughout the years.  Surfacing on 3 of Billboard's lesser known charts, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" continues to remain one of the most played seasonal songs regardless of vocalist or arrangement.  

"Maybe I'm crazy to suppose

We'd be the one you chose

Out of a thousand invitations You received"

This line from today's featured song is the perfect way to begin our annual look at the most popular postings on Tuesday's Musical Notes - The Blog.  We realize that you have any number of "countdowns" that you will visit as 2014 winds down and 2015 gets cranked up.  We thank you for checking in on ours.  

As we start out this year's countdown of the best of Tuesday's Musical Notes, we would like to pay tribute to Casey Kasem, the host of American Top 40 and its subsidiary shows, who passed away in 2014.   The American Top 40 with Casey Kasem has often served as a model for selected Tuesday's Musical Notes and for me, an entry point into a love of Rock and Roll music.  Casey Kasem has had such an effect on popular culture that ABC News featured him as their person of the week...10 years ago...

 ABC News "Person Of The Week" - Casey Kasem from 2004

And now, on with the countdown...

Today's countdown features top read blog posts at Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Rankings are tabulated by blogspot.com based on your readership of specific posts throughout the year.  What will be the carry overs be from last year and what will be the new posts that are entering the countdown for the first time this year?  What will be #1?  All questions we'll answer as we get things started with a review of last years top ten.  With the featured song by Europe, here is "The Final Countdown", our review of 2013's top ten postings at Tuesday's Musical Notes:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Final Countdown"

We've got a long way to go to get to #1, so let's get started!  Our countdown today begins with the classic "Life's Been Good".  It explores the common theme of being involved in the world without being worldly that is featured in many of The Notes. From January 15, 2013, here's Joe Walsh at #10...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Life's Been Good"

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."  Romans 12:1-2 The Message

Number 9...

At number 9, is 1 of 2 songs in the countdown by veteran rocker Bob Seger.  The song has become synonymous with a underwear clad Tom Cruise lip sync from the movie Risky Business...needless to say, there is very little "risky" about this post from September 9, 2013.  At number 9 is the Bob Seger classic, "Old Time Rock-N-Roll"...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Old Time Rock-N-Roll"

"No os conforméis a este siglo, sino transformaos por medio de la renovación de vuestro entendimiento, para que comprobéis cuál sea la buena voluntad de Dios, agradable y perfecta. "  Romanos 12:2 Reina-Valera 1960

 

Two down and eight more to go as we count down the most read postings from  Tuesday's Musical Notes - The  Blog.  

Before we take a look at #7, we want to pause for a Notes flashback.  We want to take you back in time just a few years for our next featured post.   If you are new to The Notes, you may not know that the consequential comments that  you serendipitously read each week, had its origins as the monthly contribution to a newsletter.  It wasn't that long ago, that Tuesday's Musical Notes were the Worship Arts portion of our church's newsletter.  As that newsletter ceased publication, we received some encouragement from a few friends to continue writing. Tuesday's Musical Notes became a weekly email to specific folks who requested it.  (You can still receive The Notes in your "in" box each week...just email "I Want My Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!" to rawacr@gmail.com and we'll get you added.)  With even further encouragement and some exploration into all things online and digital, The Notes became what over 4600 folks just like you from all over the world, (yep, even 1 in Iran) have graciously embraced in its short history as a blog.    Thank You!!!

That being said, our featured flashback is the very first newsletter submission and in essence, the impetuous for beginning our meanderings down the musical thoroughfare that is Tuesday's Musical Notes.  The rewrite of the newsletter article appeared September 10, 2013 and features the hit song from The Bangles, "Walk Like An Egyptian"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walk Like An Egyptian"

 
And the countdown rolls on...

Number 8 in our year end countdown is the featured song by U2, "Mysterious Ways".  It is the first of the new blogs that hit our top ten from 2014.  Without any adieu at all, from November 4, 2014...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Mysterious Ways"

Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.    Romans 12:2  Common English Bible

Many of the contributions at Tuesday's Musical Notes highlight artists with a great deal of seniority.  These artists have achieved iconic status due to their intense love of writing lyrics and music that people love to hear.  Number 7's featured song is from an artist who in May of this coming year will turn 70.  He continues to tour and just released his 17th studio album, Ride Out.  With our #7 featured song and his second in the countdown ( the only artist to have more than one song in this year's end of the year results), here is Bob Seger with January 1st, 2013's blog entry,  "Turn The Page":

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Turn The Page"

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2 New American Standard Bible

We're not gonna stop till we're all the way to the top!

At number 6 on the countdown is the celebration of taking a break, siesta, recess, sabbatical, vacation, or holiday.  It appeared May 28, 2013 and highlights the hit by Madonna, "Holiday".

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Holiday"

"Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."  Romans 12:2  Holman Christian Standard Bible

Number 5 in the countdown features a favorite from the College Football world, at least if your world centers on the Arkansas Razorbacks...Go Hogs!!!  Wooo Pig Sooie!!!  It was originally composed as a portion of a movie soundtrack but now is beloved by Hog fans all over the world as a rallying cry for their sports teams...ANY of their sports teams.  Number 5 in the countdown is one of the oldest dating all the way back to  August 28, 2012.  Number 5 is Razorback Fan favorite, "The Swing March"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Swing March"

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2 English Standard Version

We're half way there!!!  

The fourth most read entry at Tuesday's Musical Notes comes from not one but two classic films.  In fact, it was the title track of the Fred Astaire/Judy Garland film Easter Parade from 1948.  It was written by Irving Berlin and had previously been introduced in the 1942 seasonal classic, Holiday Inn.  If you have ever wondered what life is or can be all about, take a glance at this March 26, 2013 entry:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Easter Parade"

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."   Romans 12:2 New King James Version

The highest ranking, new entry to our countdown comes from February 18, 2014.  It was a reprint of one Tuesday's Musical Notes - The Email.  Soaring up to number 3 of this year's ranking is Peter Townshend with "Let My Love Open The Door"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let My Love Open The Door"

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."   Romans 12:2  New Living Translation

You've read 'em, now we're countin' 'em down...

Moving up a notch in this year's annual listing, comes the world wide, 1982 hit from the band Asia.  They are another band that continues to tour and produce albums.  Will they continue chart topping success or even better yet, get another spotlighted song on Tuesday's Musical Notes?..."Only Time Will Tell"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Only Time Will Tell"

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."   Romans 12:2 King James Version

Before we move on to #1, let's recap this year's review of the most read posts at Tuesday's Musical Notes.

#10) from January 15, 2013 - Joe Walsh -  "Life's Been Good"

#9) from September 3, 2013 - Bob Seger - "Old Time Rock-N-Roll"

#8) from November 4, 2014 - U2 - "Mysterious Ways"

#7) from January 1, 2013 - Bob Seger - "Turn The Page"

#6) from May 28, 2013 - Madonna - "Holiday"

#5) from August 28, 2012 - Henry Mancini - "The Swing March"

#4) from March 26, 2013 - Bing Crosby - "Easter Parade"

#3) from February 18, 2014 - Pete Townshend - "Let My Love Open The Door"

#2) from August 6, 2013 - Asia - "Only Time Will Tell"

You may have also noticed several different versions of Romans 12:2 as we've gone through the countdown.  This powerful verse, which is an encouragement from the Apostle Paul regarding a topic that tends to be a catch phrase in our society,  has been listed throughout today's Musical Notes in each of the best selling Bible translations from 2012 as compiled by the Christian Booksellers Association.  The top selling Bible versions by dollar figure were:

10) The Message - paraphrase

9)   Reina Velera 1960 - Spanish translation

8)   Common English Bible

7)   New American Standard Bible

6)   Holman Christian Standard Bible

5)   English Standard Version

4)   New King James Version

3)   New Living Translation

2)   King James Version

And now #1

For a second consecutive year, the #1, most read Tuesday's Musical Notes is...The Beatles - "All You Need Is Love" from July 31, 2012.

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All You Need Is Love"

 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Romans 12:2 New International Version

 

There you have it.  The top 10 selling Bibles (as of 2012) and the top ten read Tuesday's Musical Notes (as of 2014).  We hope this countdown has given you an opportunity to pause and realize you may have conformed to the world in some of the standards you have for your life.  We pray that as you embark on 2015, you will daily renew your mind and determine what His good, pleasing, and perfect will is for you.  Most of all we pray that each day of 2015, you will become more like Jesus if you are a follower, and come to know Jesus if you are not.  Thanks for being here and reading The Notes each week.  Don't forget to tell your friends about Tuesday's Musical Notes.  So long from 2014, 2015 is upon us...we'll look forward to meeting you there!!!

The late Casey Kasem was a very consistent person.  Each week for over 40 years he would sign off with his trademark, "Keep Your Feet On The Ground, And Keep Reaching For The Stars".  For American Top 40 and Tuesday's Musical Notes, here's Casey Kasem...

Casey Kasem final broadcast 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (Thurl Ravenscroft)

Welcome to Tuesday to those young and old...it's time to be happy, it's time to be bold...

Today's notes are different, but don't give a thought...their suitable for each mom, dad, and tot...

Christmas is this week, are you fully prepared?...Make sure that GOOD NEWS is the biggest present that's shared...

It's time to get started with a holiday theme, we hope you've enjoyed our attempt at a meme...

Merry Christmas!!!  Welcome to the final installment of our trilogy of tunes from TV Christmas specials!  (appropriate noisemaker sounds here...).  To recap, we've looked at Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Linus And Lucy" and Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer so far.  Today we finish with a whirl and gizzap...our salute to the Grinch will begin in a snap...gather 'round the folks including mam and pap...it's time for the video, no more of a gap...sorry, I don't know what comes over me...

"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" from the 1966 soundtrack to How The Grinch Stole Christmas! sung by Thurl Ravenscroft

Alex, I'd like Christmas TV Theme Songs for $1000 please...the answer is horror movie royalty, children's author royalty and Tony The Tiger...Question is...What is "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!"?...

You read that correctly!  For the animated adaptation of Dr. Suess' (children's author royalty), How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, Boris Karloff (horror movie royalty) was chosen to narrate.  Not credited in the original special is the vocalist who performed the iconic song, Thurl Ravenscroft (Tony the Tiger's voice for over 5 decades).  "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, written by Theodore Giesel (Dr. Suess) and Albert Hague, was included as a part of the soundtrack released in conjunction with the television Christmas special originally aired in December of 1966.  Covers of the song abound by a myriad of artists from Mannheim Steamroller to Darius Rucker.  You are bound to hear one of these covers or see the animated classic beginning just after Thanksgiving.  One of the most recent covers comes from another television show, NBC's The Sing Off. Here is acapella group Urban Method with their rendition of the Grinchiest of all holiday songs...

 The Sing Off - Holiday Special 2011

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is another example of Christmas animated stories that resonate with people of all ages.  We can see ourselves having a similar attitudes as the Grinch.  Our disdain may not be for Christmas, but if we are completely honest, there is something in our lives in which we are equally "grinchy" about.  Or maybe, when the Grinch's heart grows 3 sizes, we see the innate need in our own hearts to put away the foul and repulsive and embrace what love for others can be like.  

The story of the Grinch is reflective of the lives of everyone prior to their encounter with Jesus.  Regardless of the life that is being lived, it is never good enough when placed in the light of a perfect God. That is why Jesus was sent to earth.  That is why we celebrate His birth.  When we encounter Jesus as a savior our redemption is secured.   At that moment of redemption a change occurs...the darkness is turned away with a bright shining light.  The book of Isaiah puts it this way,

 "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."  Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Let's be very clear.  Christmas for millennia has been the celebration of God coming to us in a form we could understand.  Jesus came as a baby, through birth by a virgin.  I confess I don't understand the nuances of how this happened, but I believe this narrative just as I believe that God through the Holy Spirit breathed life into clay and it became Adam. 

Jesus lived a sinless life.  He experienced what we experience, yet never sinned.  Again, another thing that I don't understand, yet believe.  He received the worst form of capital punishment known to mankind because He was who He said He was...and just as she swaddled Him as a baby, Mary swaddled Jesus at the foot of the cross in what would become the clothes that He would shed at His resurrection.  The story begins with Christmas, and unfortunately, far too many people leave the story there.  There hearts never grow 3 sizes any day because of their unbelief. 

The story continues with Jesus perfect life and ultimately His resurrection from a physical death.  But that is not the end of the story...the Christmas manger is empty, the Good Friday cross is empty, the Easter tomb is empty, but one day a Rapture sky will be filled...at that moment every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is who He said He was.  How can we be best prepared for that day?  The apostle Paul had some advice for a young man that he was mentoring. 

 "Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands." 
2 Timothy 2:22-26 The Message

So, if you look in the mirror and the reflection you see, includes green fur, yellow eyes, lumpy knees, or if you examine your heart and it seems 2 sizes too small, grab Max and The Word, don't wait, please don't stall.  Read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  When you are done with those, continue read on.  You'll find very soon an encounter you crave, with Jesus the Savior, your soul He will save...then Christmas this year full of meaning for you, will become a bright light all shiny and new...

"Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand"

"White As Snow" - Jon Foreman from 2008's Winter EP

 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" (Gene Autry)

Good Tuesday to ya friend!!!  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes...the Christmastime editions!  This week, part 2 of our 3 part salute to Children's Christmas specials (let's face it, you love to watch them too..).  Some of our favorite Christmas specials from TV were based on songs that had been around for quite some time.  As a product of the 60's and 70's, I can fondly remember the stop motion classics that dominated the holidays.  We would follow TV Guide or wait for a commercial to announce the air date and then count the days down.  Ahh...the days when we only had 4 channels (on a clear day and if the wind hadn't moved the antenna).  It was a time when the Christmas classics of our childhood aired only 1 time during the Christmas season and in the event you missed it, you began the count down until next year as there was no recording devices until the advent of VCRs in the 80's.  Fortunately, today we have the opportunity to reminisce and share with the next generation these pre-CG Christmas specials at the push of a button or the purchase of a dvd.  You probably have favorites that you are thinking of right now, however if you think stop motion animation, you have to know..."Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Biltzen..."

Gene Autry - "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer"

"Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" was one of the first television specials based on a popular Christmas song.  In reality, the song had come from a popular Christmas time story written in 1939 by ad man Robert L. May.  That's right Rudolph is celebrating 75 years of existence this year as a story.  Rudolph was written as a cost saving measure.  Many retailers would feature Christmas themed children's books by the major publishing houses.  Some retailers discovered that it was cheaper to publish your own children's book than to purchase from the regular sources. This "in house" publishing turned out to be an incredible success, especially for retailer Montgomery Ward, as they would go on to sell 2 million copies of Rudolph at stores all across the country.  You can read the original "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" book as well as the story behind its conception here:

 

Writing 'Rudolph': The Original Red-Nosed Manuscript - NPR December 25, 2013

"Rudolph", the TV special is also celebrating a milestone this year.  It has become the longest annually run Christmas television special in history.  Its debut was on December 6, 1964 on NBC, again...the time of only 4 channels at one time...

Robert L. May's brother-in-law was Johnny Marks, the gifted songwriter behind many Christmas classics (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas") and would pen the lyrics to "Rudolph" in 1949.  Singing cowboy Gene Autry's recording would reach #1 for 1 week (week ending January 7, 1950) and then fall completely off the charts, the only chart topping hit single to do so.  Gene Autry's "Rudolph" has sold over 14 million copies as a single, making it the #15 best selling single of all time.  Including cover versions, "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" has sold over 150 million copies, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas".  

Part of the allure of "Rudolph" is that fact that so many of us can relate to his "underdog" status.   The ridicule he endured as a result of his peculiarity generates immediate sympathy.  His usefulness to Santa later on and his ultimate "hero" status is a story that each of us would like to have. While we may not have a genetic "enhancement" in the form of a red nose that causes us to save Christmas, each of us have the opportunity for a spiritual "enhancement" that allows us to be used as a tool for the salvation of many.

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 marvellous light;  1 Peter 2:9  KJV

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19 KJV

Now I’m returning to you.
I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.  John 17:13-19 The Message

The above passages from the Bible indicate that as followers of Jesus, we are supposed to be different.  The spiritual "enhancements" we receive from God, when we believe in Jesus, equip us to be the "heroes" of our world.  In fact, Jesus said that we would be overcomers of this world if we rely on His strength to accomplish the "good works" that have been set before us.


"Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” - John 16:33 The Message.
   

Those "good works" may require sacrifice of time and resources and could be the source of ridicule from the "evil one's" domain in this world.  They may challenge you in ways that you have never given thought.  There is risk involved in doing things for Jesus.  I pray that the risk for your life is ONLY ridicule from people who may be around you.  

 
"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." - Romans 8: 31-39 The Message


Imagine a world where followers of Jesus live up to the calling in their life without fear or hesitation.  Imagine a church that throws off the worldliness it has allowed to creep into its pews and embrace the servant calling to their communities without timidity or fear.  Imagine a "peculiar" people, using the "spiritual enhancements" they have be blessed with to communicate THE powerful message of Jesus without doubt or reservation. When this occurs, you will see Christmas truly saved and not by a reindeer with a bright red nose, but by the people of The Messiah with the Gospel shining brightly in their lives.  It might even happen that they shout it out with glee...


"More Than Conquerors" - The Rend Collective Experiment from the 2014 album The Art Of Celebration
 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Linus And Lucy" (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  We are one week closer to Christmas!  Are you ready for this time of year?  I don't mean are all of your gifts purchased or do you have all the food stuffs to make the family meals, I am referring to the relationship status' that exist around you.  Are you ready to interact with the variety of folks you will encounter as you prepare for the other events this time of the year brings about?  During the month of December, it is likely that you will come into contact with more people than at any other time of the year.  What comes from this exposure?  Some of these interchanges have the potential to impact the lives of those you meet as well as perhaps even change you.  Relationships and how they can transform is what we hope to explore in today's Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Let's get started!

If you have a sibling, you realize your relationship with them is unlike any other.  Like it or not, you are bound to them by genetics, DNA, and blood.  Chances are, your relationships with brothers/sisters have had ups and downs.   Perhaps, your sibling bond is similar to that of the comic book brother and sister named Van Pelt.  Known better around the world as "Linus and Lucy"

"Linus And Lucy" from the 1964 release Impressions Of A Boy Named Charlie Brown by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

You may know the song better as the theme to Charlie Brown or Peanuts.  While not being composed as a Christmas classic, "Linus And Lucy" finds its way onto radio stations and homes during the Christmas season more than any other time.  It serves as an introduction to Jazz trios to millions of people each year as it is one of the principle themes for the soundtrack of 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas (hear the full album: A Charlie Brown Christmas full album).  Chances are, at the opening piano lick of "Linus And Lucy", you are transported to a simpler time in your life.  A time where cartoons bordered on being reality and disbelief was suspended.  You may have visions of a sickly Christmas tree and a blanket carrying young man saying..."Lights Please.."

Linus VanPelt's monologue from A Charlie Brown Christmas

For a more in depth look at the history of A Charlie Brown Christmas and the impact of Linus' monologue check out the December 10, 2013 Tuesday's Musical Notes.  It features another of the songs from A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Christmas Time Is Here" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Christmas Time Is Here")

One of the appeals of the Peanuts comic strip has been the constancy of its relationships.  You know that Lucy will inevitably pull the football away from Charlie Brown.  You know that the Red Baron is going to shoot Snoopy out of the sky.  You know that Linus will have his blanket close by and that Pigpen will be...well...dirty.  It seems the characters and the way they interact with each other rarely changes.  The associations are familiar as we watch how the characters in the comic interact and we know without a doubt what will happen next because it has been happening for over 50 years.  There is something reassuring about characters acting in manner that is expected.  

Reality however, is not as reassuring.  Rarely do people act the way we expect.  Even our closest comrades have a tendency to surprise us on occasion.  History is replete with leaders who when faced with an obvious choice, did something completely out of character for them.  The results from such decisions are mixed.  Sometimes it works out good, others...not so much. 

There is one relationship that we can have in our lives that we never have to worry about going against character.  It is a relationship that once is entered into, will never change.  It is constant.  It is promised as part of the prophecy about the reason for the season...

Malachi 2:17-3:7The Message (MSG)

 You make God tired with all your talk.
“How do we tire him out?” you ask.
By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying, “Judgment? God’s too nice to judge.”

“Look! I’m sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!” A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

 

 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?

He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.

 “Yes, I’m on my way to visit you with Judgment. I’ll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor me.” A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

 “I am God—yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

From this passage that tells of the coming "...Leader you've been looking for...", we get an incredible piece of encouragement.  "I am God-yes, I Am.  I haven't changed."  Malachi was a prophet who served during the time of Persian rule over Israel.  The Israelites had been through much as a nation at this point.  They needed the reminder not only of the coming "Messiah", but that God Himself was still a part of the plan for their nation just as He always had been.  This comforting statement of consistency would propel Israel into the time where Biblical history has a large gap.  

As we enter this season of peace, hope, joy and love, let us take a moment of pause and reflect on the relationships to which we engage.  Let's take that a bit deeper...we need to take as much time as it takes to begin, reignite, or reaffirm our relationship with God.  The promise that was made in Malachi comes from the creator of the universe.  Maybe, this Christmas, the gift you need and in fact is your heart's truest desire, is a relationship with someone who has never changed. It would be the best gift you could ever give yourself and be the gift that keeps on giving...

And just in case you wanted to begin thinking about next Christmas...well maybe you didn't get enough Charlie Brown yet...

Peanuts Movie trailer

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" (Andy Williams)

Welcome to the 1st Tuesday of December!  It's time for the Nostalgia Notes!  The time of the month where we revisit/rework a Tuesday's Musical Note that came out as an email to friends and family, but has never breathed the blogosphere.  I hope you are enjoying the redo...or is it redeux?  Anyway, welcome to Tuesday...Here's the Notes!!

All over the country we have seen record setting snowfall.    In fact, some professional football teams with outside venues have had to relocate due to the amount of snowfall on their home field.  (Let's leave the global warming/climate change debate for another time shall we?)  This time of the year is met with a plethora of differing emotions.   I confess, seeing the first snow of the year is always a source of excitement around our house.   As I have gotten "wiser" (code word for older), my excitement level at seeing snow floating to the ground has not changed, however the motivations for that excitement certainly have.  Now, as the snowy season approaches, I get excited to see the beauty and the way snow makes everything look clean and new.  When I was in school however, my motivations for snow excitement centered around one thing.  Perhaps yours did as well?   Many mornings I would wait in uneasy anticipation for some of the best words in radio....."The following schools are closed due to the weather....."  Certainly you have experienced the emotional extremes of exhilaration or disappointment while you awaited your school day fate.  In Arkansas, we handle snow and ice significantly different than our friends in the West or Northeast.  There seems to be a sense of panic to get food in the house, and make sure that you have enough candles in case you lose power.  It seems everyone gets ready at the mere mention of the possibility of falling temperatures and moisture.  Schools seem to be the last ones to panic.  The administrators who make the "call" on a snow day have a daunting task.  Cancel and go longer in the summer or modify the school day to be able to make the best of it while maintaining the safety of all involved.  We applaud these brave souls who have to make these decisions and respect and admire the job they do. 
 
As we noted there are a variety of options for school administrators who have to make the call on wintery weather days.  Sometimes schools let out early because the weather moves in faster than forecast.  

I'll never forget trying to get from Bald Knob (school) to Denmark (home) one snowy afternoon.  We made it through lunch so school would count for the day and then got the news we would be letting out early.  Mom was the Food Service Director for the school district and so my brother, Wade,  and I headed to the cafeteria to ride home with her.  What a trip!!  Highway 167 between Bald Knob and Denmark is some of the prettiest country you would ever want to drive...unless there is frozen precipitation on the road.  It then becomes a Winter Olympic event...the 12 mile car slide.    On this particular day Mom was doing a great job but it was somewhat treacherous, as snow was beginning to accumulate and 167 was becoming more inclined for sleds that for a 1976 Olds '98 Regency.
 
Even in this tank of a car, the going was slow.  Just about the time we came out of the curve going into Glaze hill, Paul Simon's "Slip, Slidin' Away" came on the radio.  To make matters worse, Wade and I thought that was the best song ever for a snow day and began to sing along...at the top of our lungs!  Mom, who was usually very encouraging when we sang,  didn't appreciate our vocal talents for some reason that day. Even after she turned the radio off, we continued singing because while the snow was causing a longer than normal trip home, it always helped to usher in "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

     Written and recorded in 1963, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" is unlike many of the songs that celebrate the Christmas season in that it became popular by the person who first recorded it, Andy Williams.  Williams never charted with what has become his trademark seasonal hit as Columbia records didn't release it as a single when the album was produced.  With any seasonal record, the label usually opts to release only 1 single as opposed to 3-5 with any non seasonal recording.  Columbia opted for the cover of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" to be released as the single for The Andy Williams Christmas Album.  But eventually, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" caught on and became a Christmas time favorite.  Garth Brooks was the first to have chart success with the song, but Harry Connick Jr. took it the highest on the charts.  Connick would see his cover go to #9 on Billboards Hot Adult Contemporary Chart, the highest of any of the myriad of recordings thus far.  For many of us, it has become the signature song for advertising the city of Branson, Missouri during Christmastime.  It is a song that details the relationships that the Christmas season seems to reinforce.  Friendships, relatives, and children all have a place in this musical painting of the celebrations that occur to commemorate Christ's birth.  With a "Moon River" intro, here is Andy Williams......

"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" - Andy Williams from the 1963's The Andy Williams Christmas Album

As we come into the time of the year where Christians celebrate the miracle birth of our Savior, it is easy to get distracted by Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the economy, who's going to run for President, and what seems to be a commercial trapping of our time and resources.  In fact, I was reading about the television coverage of last year's Christmas in the most recent American Family Association Journal.  The article was detailing how advertising at many media and print outlets had decided to skip the reason for Christmas.  It bemoaned the political correctness of news articles and how some school districts were even turning the season into a meaningless time of treats for school children.  But what I found the most startling was television news coverage of Christmas.  The article detailed the number of  "mentions" of the Christian tradition as the reason for Christmas.  Less than 2% of the "Christmas" stories had anything to do with the birth of Jesus.  In fact, only 312 words were used to talk about Jesus as opposed to 320 words being used to detail the debate regarding whether table tennis would be included as an Olympic Sport. (American Family Association Journal, December 2011, Volume 35 #11)  However in the 1st chapter of the Gospel of John we find 277 words that can change our perspective about Christmas:

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 The same was in the beginning with God.

  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was    made.

  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through  him might believe.

  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

"And The World Knew Him Not."  The reality of this is sad.  Not only for the time in which it was written but for our time as well.  For you see...our world knows Him not...too. As we go through the beginnings of the Christmas season, let's use this passage as our challenge.  This time of the world's history is our responsibility to evangelize.  As Keith Green so aptly put it, "This generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls".  We are Christ's ambassadors to the world at this time. There should be an urgency to our message.   Let's represent, so others can know why it's "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!" 

One of the most amazing groups I have ever witnessed in concert is the Vocal only band Pentatonix.  They have 2 Christmas albums available:  2012's PTXmas and this year's That's Christmas To Me.  Here is a sampling of their newest release and a cover of our featured song...enjoy!

"White Winter Hymnal" by Pentatonix from the 2014 album That's Christmas To Me

"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" by Pentatonix from 2014 That's Christmas To Me

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy