Tuesday's Musical Notes - "L-O-V-E" (Nat King Cole)

Welcome to the end of the month of LOVE at Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  We hope you have enjoyed the weekly dose of "Love" songs and the stories that go with them.  Here at The Notes we would be remiss if we did not dedicate one week to a song that has been heard in a variety of manners through movies and television.  It has been a part of commercials as well as the back drop for "Happy!  Happy! Joy! Joy!" moments in major motion pictures.  So with out further adieu, here is Nat King Cole with "L-O-V-E", the final salute to the month of Love from Tuesday's Musical Notes:

Nat King Cole - "L-O-V-E"

When last we left Mr. Cole in December of 2012 (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Christmas Song"), we found him warming chestnuts on an open fire.  In many circles, his rendition of Mel Torme's  "The Christmas Song" is heralded during that season second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas".  Today we find our crooner belting out a ballad that has its place in another season, Valentine's Day.  While not among many top ten Valentine's musical lists, it is never the less heard on airwaves (regardless of the style of music the station plays) during the middle of February.  It is a song that uses an acronym to describe the depth of feelings the singer has for his dearly beloved one.  It comes from the 1965 album of the same name and would be the last full length album that Nat King Cole would release before his death one month later.  His daughter Natalie Cole would record the song for her Unforgettable...With Love album which would win the Grammy for Best Album award in 1991. 

"L is for the way you look at me..." begins the memorable melodious definition of the word "love".  Since the beginning of time man has had difficulty putting into meaningful words a complete perspective of the deepest emotional connection people can have with one another.  Regardless of world view, the word "love" has some universal characteristics that everyone understands as well as a variety of aspects that no one seems to comprehend.  For some, "love" is just "love".  They don't try to use the meager metrics of man to place a value on something that is invaluable.  They just accept the fact that "love" is.   They hope to experience it for themselves by being a conduit through which it flows and to be the benefactor of it by one day giving and receiving it from one special person. 

"L is for the life you gave for me..." could also be the way this song begins.  In this context, we see the Biblical model of "no greater love does one have, than he lay down his life for another" (Musical Notes paraphrase of John 15:13).  This perspective is equal part mystery and common knowledge.  As we investigate why Jesus would say something like this, we see the overall picture of His coming sacrifice for us.  We understand that sin has its price, yet we wonder why God would provide the payment.  

"O is overwhelming grace I see..."  It then becomes very evident that the Creator of all things possesses the truest definition of the word "love".  He created man as a relational being.  Man's most fulfilling relationship would be the one with the Creator.  In Eden, this relationship was severed and man could do nothing in his own power to get it back.  In walks God's grace.  An idea that is difficult for man to understand.  Regardless of our understanding, God still provides the grace of forgiveness and allows the relationship to be restored through the His Son, Jesus.

"V is victory, He gives it at each bended knee...."  So God provides the grace, what do we have to do?  According to the Bible, everything that could be done to restore our relationship to God has already been done.  In the city of Jerusalem, Jesus suffered a cruel and humiliating death as the payment for our restoration.  Through this sacrifice, God now only sees us through the perspective of Jesus...if we believe and follow.  In our comfy 2014 setting, belief in the torturous death of a Jewish teacher may seem somewhat far fetched.  It would be, if we did not have the entirety of the Bible to provide the prelude and postlude to what His death means.  The Bible provides the prelude in the history of sacrifice that God's people had to provide for redemption of their disobedience.  It provides the postlude in the future that God's people have for believing and living a life of restoration through Jesus.

"E is even more if we will open up that door..."  So what comes next?  Maybe you are a follower of Jesus already.  That's awesome!!!  If you are, then you should be very careful to not allow the "good" distractions of this world to keep you from becoming more like Jesus every day.  This may mean going through some "doors" of our lives that are uncomfortable.  It may mean saying "no" to some of the good and fun things that we usually do so we can go and do the wonderful and best things that God has called us to do.  We will find as we grow to be more like Jesus, the restoration of our life back to God grows.  Again...a mystery this blog can't explain.

If you are not a follower of Jesus, this ultimate expression of love is waiting for you.  If you would like to know more about being restored to God through Jesus, start by reading the book of John.  A parallel (two versions) of this book can be found here:   Book of John - The Message, New International Version Parallel  This story of Jesus (Gospel or Good News about Jesus) was written by a man who knew Jesus earthly ministry better than many. Read the entire Book of John and see what God through His Son Jesus, did for you.   If I can answer any question you have about this true story, please email me at rawacr@gmail.com.  Don't miss this opportunity to experience the greatest expression of love you will ever encounter, because..."Love was made for me and you...."

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let My Love Open The Door" (Pete Townshend)

Welcome to the 7th week of 2014!  Hopefully with each of these weeks you have encountered a little something special about Tuesday...Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  In case you have missed any of the first 6 of 2014, here are the links to catch up...otherwise known as "previously on Tuesday's Musical Notes":

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Love Me Do"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Somebody To Love"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Magic"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Got To Get You Into My Life"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Safety Dance"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sad Songs Say So Much"

It sure seems as we reach the 7th week (7 in Biblical Numerology is the number for completion or perfection) it would be appropriate to have a flashback...say to June of 2011.  That was when the 17th (different Biblical meaning, but it had 7 in it...) Tuesday's Musical Note email was sent to a group of friends and church family who found the perspectives of The Notes to be something they would like to read each week.  This is a modified version of that email that hopefully will encourage you to keep returning to this blog or forwarding the email on to your friends.  If you or someone you know would like Tuesday's Musical Notes delivered directly to your in box, just email me at rawacr@gmail.com and we'll get you added to the list...and now que the flashback music as we travel in reverse gear for nearly 3 years (also a significant Biblical number) for the final "LOVE" edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes...da da daaaa!!!




     There is a song that has been featured in at least 15 movie's or television shows.  It is written by an artist who has been a part of a band since the 60's.  He is also an accomplished solo artist.  "Who?" You may be asking.  You're absolutely right!!!   If you were a product of the '80s, or just like good music, you'll recognize his biggest solo hit right from the start.  Give it a listen.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUaRnGKfkBE

Pete Townshend has been the lead guitarist for the band The Who for 50 years.  1964 saw the formation of the band that continues to influence generations of rock-n-rollers.  His talent is only equaled by his charisma on stage as he obviously enjoys his opportunities to play.  "Let My Love Open The Door" was his biggest solo hit and tied The Who's biggest chart hit, "I Can See For Miles".  Both singles peaked at #9 on the US charts.  

In the liner notes for his 2005 Gold (Remaster) CD, Townshend refers to "Let My Love Open The Door" as "Jesus Sings".  Townshend's particular brand of religion is being a disciple of the Indian Baba Meher of which the song "Baba O'riley" was written in tribute. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Baba O'riley")  "Let My Love Open The Door" is a song similar to so many of the treasured songs of our generation in that it could be used with a duality of meaning.  One meaning that is secular by its nature and one of which is overtly Christian. The overtly christian interpretation of "Let My Love Open The Door" could be used as a soundtrack for a familiar painting as well as passage of scripture.  Jesus' love is a powerful enticement for us to open the door to our hearts.  It is an unconditional love that surpasses anything we have ever experienced on earth.  It is a love that also calls us daily to die to our selfishness, embrace Christ's calling and then be faithful to that calling.

Revelation 3:20

20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (King James Version)

Revelation 3:20

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  (New International Version (NIV))

Revelation 3:20

²⁰ “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.  (The Message (MSG))

Now if you will humor me, ponder this familiar image:

This painting is inspired by "Light Of The World" by William Holman Hunt

There have been many paintings to express this passage of scripture.  Jesus stands at a closed door patiently waiting and knocking.  His eyes are determined, but not frustrated.  His demeanor is calm and not alarmed.  There is a light that can be seen shining through the window, indicating someone is home.  There is no handle on the outside of the door.  Jesus won't force himself in.  The only way this particular door can be opened is if the person occupying the room opens the door.  What a beautiful use of imagery for the calling to redemption.  Jesus wants to be with each and everyone of us, but we have to be the ones to open the door. 

     I'd like to take a "leap" if I may of interpreting this painting in another way.  I think Jesus "knocks" on our hearts door every time he has a calling in our life.  I first felt his "knock" on my door at the age of 12.  I didn't really open the door for that calling until I was 38. What a waste of time.... In Luke 9:23 Jesus calls us to daily take up our cross, our calling if you will, and follow him.  Maybe this painting can be interpreted as Jesus coming to get us for our daily walk with Him.  He knocks to see if we are ready for that day's tasks;  that day's challenges;  that day's victories;  that day's choices.  There are days that I leave Him there knocking.  My heart breaks when I think of those days.  Friend, each day we are met with the choice of opening that door, allowing Christ's plans for our day take precedence over our plans for the day.   So what do you do?  What plan does Christ have for your day if you will just open the door to his will?  Many times I hear Christians comment on the state of our world.  A common thread of the conversation nostalgically reflects, "It just isn't as good as it used to be."  Why is that?  Could it be that Christians today don't want to answer the knock because the calling is something they don't want to do?  Could it be that Christians of today have ultimately chosen really good things as a priority in their lives instead of the absolute best things that God has planned for them? 

     Let me tell you the story of a family.  A typical American family.  A typical "Christian" American Family.  Mom, Dad, and 2 children.  Mom and Dad make sure they are in church on Sunday morning......most of the time.  At least when there isn't an athletic event, homework, or  musical contest that requires participation from one of the kids.  Sunday evenings are for preparing for the week ahead and Wednesday evenings are for an athletic practice or musical rehearsal.  The church they attend has athletic teams that compete occasionally and artistic endeavors in which the entire family could participate, but Mom and Dad decide not to answer the "knock on the door".   20 years pass.  Mom and Dad are now Grandma and Grandpa and getting the grand-kids ready for Sunday morning service.  There is a difficulty in getting the grand-kids up, because they don't go anywhere on Sunday mornings normally,  they sleep late and rest up for the afternoon "fun" activities.......      "It just isn't as good as it used to be."   Knock, Knock, Knock


Jesus' love is a powerful enticement for us to open the door to our hearts.  It is an unconditional love that surpasses anything we have ever experienced on earth.  It is a love that also calls us daily to die to our selfishness and embrace Christ's calling.  Faithfully...embrace Christ's calling.  There is a tension in our lives that has the potential to make us miserable if not given an outlet.  Faithfulness to your particular work or calling as part of the body of Christ can relive that tension.  What does that mean?  Faithfulness to your christian responsibility means you are active in finding the work God has already planned for you and then diligent in continuing to participate in that work. Another word for this is the word "committed".  How sad that Christians all over the United States find it easier to commit to a sports team or other worldly pursuit than to commit to the work that God has called them to do upon their restoration experience.  Someone has well defined commitment as "the willingness to begin, the courage to continue, and the heart to stay".  Don't get me wrong.  The modern church and many of its activities are not perfect, yet they do offer the opportunity to ease the tension that you feel as a christian from doing nothing or from choosing the "good" things of this world instead of the "best" work that you were called to do.  Let me encourage you today by reminding you that it is ok on occasion to say "no" to the "good" things that you can choose to do.  By doing so you take the opportunity to... Release yourself from misery.....there's only one thing gonna set you free.......and that's MY love.....

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Love Me Do" (The Beatles)

Welcome to another Tuesday in the month of L O V E ! ! !  This week's "Love"ly edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes comes to you live (well, as live as an email and blog can get), from our palatial 2nd story office in the heart of the US!!!  Happy Valentine's Day!!!

It's a historic week this week with the Sochi Olympics (click here please "Bugler's Dream" - Olympic Fanfare) and the 50th anniversary of The Beatles arriving in the United States (again...click   "The Beatles Arrive In New York City" - Universal - International News Newsreel).  No doubt you have seen something about both of these events this past week online or on air.  Tuesday's Musical Notes admits to some fascination regarding the Olympics, however, the 50 year anniversary of The Beatles coming to America is a particularly important musical event worthy of further exploration by your weekly voyage into the land of tunes and truth.

For a majority of Americans, John, Paul, George, and Ringo, represent the quintessential musical success.  "Love Me Do" was the first single released by the band.  It would be a simple introduction to what undoubtedly would become the most iconic musical group the world has ever experienced.  From October of 1962, here are The Beatles with this week's Tuesday's Musical Notes feature song:

"Love Me Do" - The Beatles

You may know the story surrounding the fact that Ringo was not the first Beatles drummer.  Pete Best was the original drummer for the band when they originated as The Quarrymen. Best went on to tour with them for 2 years prior to their recording success.  One of his last official acts as the drummer for The Beatles would be to record the first version of "Love Me Do" for an EMI artist test on June of 1962.  His studio work is noted as one of the reasons George, Paul, and John, along with their producer George Martin would let Best go from the band.  The 1st principle recording of "Love Me Do" would feature Ringo as the principal drummer.  There would be a second principle recording of the single with Ringo playing only the tambourine and session drummer Andy White handling the trap set.  All three recordings are available on separate albums by The Beatles (Anthology 1 featuring Pete Best, Rarities and Past Masters featuring Ringo Starr, and Please, Please Me, The Beatles Hits, and 1962-1966 (Red album) featuring Andy White).

 

What does it mean to "love" someone?  Dictionary.com defines it thusly...(is that even a word?)


1.a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2.a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3.sexual passion or desire.

According to another British band, The Bee Gees,  "Love is,higher than a mountain, love is, thicker than water."  The Notes confesses to not really understanding what either of these definitions truly means...(How thick is water after all?).  we do, however, see tangible evidence around us of love demonstrated on a daily basis.  We are the beneficiaries of these demonstrations as we go about our lives.  Repeatedly, Tuesday's Musical Notes has attempted to pontificate that the most meaningful things in our lives are the smallest, sometimes even the unnoticeable, activities that others may do for us.  In fact, a best selling book was written just by detailing random acts of kindness.  How we relate to others, even those in which we have the least commonalities, displays our capacity for love.  Jesus exemplified that time and again in The Bible.

Before His ultimate expression of love on the cross, Jesus took the opportunity of the Passover to teach His disciples about what true love is:

John 13:1-17 The Message 

This poignant display of servant-hood would be a continual reminder to the disciples that their lives should no longer be about themselves but others.  This story should remind us that our lives as followers of Jesus are dedicated to serving others.  We serve Him by serving others..."in as much as you've done it to the very least of my children, you've done it unto me"...  We are instructed to look past our own wants, desires, and yes, even our own needs and ensure that we see to the needs of those around us.  Love is all we need if it is driven by an intense desire to see others elevated...if we have the attitude and the context of service....someone to love...someone like you...regardless of who that "you" might be.  Love is all we need...

"Love Take Me Over" - Stephen Curtis Chapman

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Somebody To Love" (Queen)

Hey Howdy!!!  It's The Notes again neighbor!!!  Tuesday has come again and it is certainly time to get trivial, tuneful and truthful...IT'S TIME FOR TUESDAY'S MUSICAL NOTES...Yay!!!  Can you believe January is gone and we are on the 4th day of February?  In honor of the month of LOVE, we will feature songs with Love in the title each week in February.  You won't want to miss a single week!  But before we begin, we have to mention one programming note:

Tonight at 6pm you will can have the opportunity to see live a debate between Bill Nye, the science guy, and Kenn Hamm, founder of Answers in Genesis.  This is an incredible opportunity to see these gifted and innovative speakers in a debate forum, discussing the differences between evolution and creationism.  Regardless of your world view, you won't want to miss this debate.  It comes to you live from the Creation Museum auditorium and can be seen on The Blaze or streamed live from http://www.answersingenesis.org/.  Don't miss a single minute!!!

Now on with the show:

As we have explored the land of trivia and truth, we have discovered many musical acts.  We've discussed the fact that many of these groups have had a multiplicity of artists come in and out of their organizations.  It is rare to see a rock band, or any musical act, stay with its original lineup throughout its history.  With a few exceptions artists tend to have differing opinions about musical direction or who receives the writing credits.  Sometimes they completely disintegrate as was with the case of The Beatles.  In other circumstances,  you have bands like Styx that fire the disenfranchised musician and hire new folks to replace them.  Rare is the band that from start to finish has the exact same lineup.  

You may not be familiar with the names Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon, and Farrokh Bulsara.  Perhaps you know Farrokh Bulsara better by his stage name, Freddie Mercury.  But if you have listened to radio, watched television, or been to the movies, it is a safe bet you have heard music that was created by the band also known as Queen.    Since 1970, Queen has been creating music and rocking stadiums.  It is one of the few bands that continued to tour with its original lineup until the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991.  That same year John Deacon would perform limited engagements with the band and eventually retire.  May and Taylor continue to tour and have featured guests artists on recordings as well as concert tours.  

Queen is known for the harmonies that are created by layering tracks of Mercury, Taylor, and May singing different parts.  The highest charting  examples of doing this were the recordings of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Somebody to Love". (Reaching #9  and #13 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, respectively)  Somewhat ironic that one of these songs mentions beelzebub and the other is a plea to God.  While both use the layering technique to simulate choirs, the choral affect stylistically is dramatically different from one song to the next.  "Bohemian Rhapsody" from the 1975 album A Night At The Opera attempts to reproduce the sound of an English choir,  while "Somebody To Love" opts for the sound of a Gospel choir due much to the influence of Aretha Franklin on the band.  We'll let you judge as to whether Queen was able to achieve the affect of 100 voices as we spin this week's song.  Here is May, Taylor, Deacon, and Bulsara, better known as Queen with "Somebody To Love"

"Somebody To Love" - Queen

 

It would be very easy for this Musical Note to turn into a thesis on the debate regarding homosexuality.  It is doubtful, however, that a simple blog about the cultural impact of music and its relationship to walking in The Way would go very far in changing the landscape of such a debate.  We do not shy away from the fact that the Bible calls homosexuality a sin.    We also acknowledge that the Bible has much to say regarding heterosexual sin.  We encourage you to search the scriptures for yourself.  If you are immersed in any kind of sexual sin, God's forgiveness awaits.   His love is never ceasing and He sent Jesus to die for those sins as well as the other sins in my life as well as your life.  'Nuff said.

It is difficult to go through a day without the word "love" mentioned in your universe.  Perhaps you hear a song about it on the radio.  Maybe you engage in conversation with someone regarding the topic of "love".   When you attend a church it is easy to hear the word "love" bandied about.  The challenge for us many times is to put into practical application the lessons derived from the Bible regarding love.  By putting the Biblical patterns to use, it is not too difficult for us to find somebody to love.  All we have to do is open our eyes.  This was Jesus' mission on the earth.  He demonstrated love, by serving.  He demonstrated love by finding out the needs of others and then fulfilling those needs.  He demonstrated love by sacrifice.  As we read the Gospel accounts of His life, we see that His purpose was to serve.  He served each of us in the ultimate capacity by bearing our sins dying in our place in the most horrific manner known to man.  He met the needs of those around Him, both the physical and the spiritual.  He then challenged us to do the same.  He actively demonstrated His love for everyone He encountered by serving them.  In a very familiar passage, Jesus effectively communicates the rationale for service by consolidating the ten commandments down into two:

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:36-40  (for context please read all of chapter 22)

Most folks would interpret Queen's song as the search for finding that one true love.  That is the easy way to look at this song.  It is much more difficult when we realize that everyone we meet is somebody we can love.  Difficult because we have to surrender ourselves to their needs...difficult but not impossible...so start the chant now and make the decision to serve...

find me somebody to love...

find me somebody to love...

find me somebody to love...

Here's a song to encourage just that:

"Open Your Eyes" - Keith Green

 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy