Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Black And White" (Three Dog Night)

Welcome to  the place for classic platters, intuitive insight, articles that astound, and all sorts of stuff you might be able to use in some context or another...it's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  (proper sound effect...choose your own, you have a great imagination!)  So glad you chose to join us on this last day of September.  Thank you so much for clicking on over!!!  

We hope you enjoy the diversity of music that is featured here each week as well as the rants, ravings, and remarks that accompany our trip into the ever changing landscape of musicdom.  We don't take lightly the  4000+ hits on the blog and over 70 email recipients each week! We realize that every Tuesday you choose to read The Notes or not...the choice is pretty much black and white...

"Black And White" - Three Dog Night from 1972's Seven Separate Fools

The story goes that aborigines in Austrailia qualify the temperatures in the winter by how many dingoes they sleep with to keep warm at night.  A cold night warrants 1 dog.  An extremely cold night will find them hunting for 2 dogs.  When it gets below freezing, well..that's a Three Dog Night....it is also the story of  how a band from the late 60's and early 70's derived their name.  The original formation of the band consisted of 3 lead singers that were backed up by organ, bass, guitar, and drums.   The band continues to tour in 2014 with 4 of their 7 original members and has an album of all new material planned to release as their touring schedule will allow them recording time.  

Radio stations were ablaze with the music of Three Dog Night in their most successful time period.  From 1968-1972, they had 12 Gold albums and 21 successive singles hit Billboard's top 40 with three of those going all the way to #1.  Each of these three featured a different lead vocalist, making Three Dog Night one of the most vocally diversified bands of that time.

 Vocalists are not the only way that Three Dog Night has defined diversity.  Since their inception in 1968, Three Dog Night has had 15 different band lineups and over 25 members.  Variety also sprang up from the songs that they recorded.  Rarely did any one in the band write their hit songs as they relied on a group of songwriters for their hits.  Today's 1972 #1 hit feature song is a perfect example of this reliance on others, as "Black And White" was written by David I Arkan and Earl Robinson in 1954 as a celebration of the desegregation actions that were being brought down by the Supreme Court.  As controversial as those decisions were, they pale in comparison to the cultural conflict that has been prevalent in our country for many years.

This past week, I read an article from Answers In Genesis that I found fascinating.  It's main premise...there is no such thing as race, other than the human race.  All of the differences we see in people can be explained by genetics and culture.  You can read the entire article here:

"Are There Really Different Races?" - Answers In Genesis

The enemy has consistently used the differences in people to drive wedges, when God obviously wanted the human race to get along.  This strategy is methodically used throughout history in fact to create some of the largest and bloodiest conflicts known to man.  Our modern era has taken perfectly good descriptive words like red and yellow, black and white, and twisted them into the nonsensical Native American, Asian American, African American, and Caucasian American.  Most of my friends, regardless of their genetic or cultural make up, were born in America...  Our enemies will use semantics such as this to divide our people, when our founding documents clearly say "We the people..." and "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."  (as an aside, you might notice that it is not a guarantee of happiness, just the protection of its pursuit...happiness is left up to the individual, not something granted by the government...)  

God has something to say about our differences as well...

The prophet Samuel was told to give the nation of Israel what the wanted...a king.  They desired to be like all the other nations and have a ruler over them.  God granted their wish even as they rejected His authority.  He knew what would be the outcome of having the nation's allegiance reliant upon a man.  The process of selecting the king fell to Samuel.  He was a great prophet and the last judge to lead Israel from the period of the Judges.  As Samuel followed God's leading, he found himself in the town of Bethlehem.  You can read the entire story here:

1 Samuel 16 - The Message

Let's focus on one specific area of this passage.  As Samuel is being introduced to the first of Jesse's sons, he immediately thinks he has found Israel's king based on the appearance of Eliab...but God had other plans...

⁷ But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”

 

Saul was eventually selected to be the first king of Israel.  Not based on his culture or genetics, but by the heart that he had (at least at this point...)  God wasn't interested in the cosmetic look of Saul, He was invested in the character of the man who would rule over His people.  (Oh, that we would be THAT invested in the character of those that rule over us...)

As a challenge today, let us encourage each other to eliminate from our vocabularies words that are divisive...phrases that don't truly describe who we are or try to qualify us by our culture or genetic make up.  There is no such thing as race...other than the one in which we are all a part...the human race.  As a country we have too many other issues to work together to solve without the distractions of some who want to highlight our differences in a negative fashion.  We must look at people's hearts and character and work together to insure our unalienable Rights.  When we do this, the world will see a beautiful sight...a beautiful sight.

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Kids In America" (Kim Wilde)

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It's the 22nd day of September and the first full day of Fall!!!  Tuesday's Musical Notes joins with you in celebrating the cooler weather and the glorious beauty that this season brings!!!   Fall brings with it a more festive feel and it seems folks are a little more lighthearted.  Let's face it, for those of us who hate yard work, even cutting the grass is better this time of the year!  This time of the year always causes a pause for reflection and thanks.  Memories of the beginning of school years, first cars, and occasions of less responsibility and more free time.  Ah...the days of fall and to be a kid in America...

"Kids In America" - Kim Wilde from 1981's Kim Wilde

 

The other day I caught myself saying something I never thought I would say..."When I was your age..."  It was followed by some action that I did as a younger person and a reaction that I was hoping for from the YOUNGER person to which I spoke.  Does this mean I officially have to hand in my teenager card?  No, I don't want anything from AARP in the mail!!!  When did the transition from HEARING this phrase to SAYING it happen?  While I never had to walk to school in the snow both ways, there were things that were significantly different in 1981, a time it really was great to be Kids in America.

Ronald Reagan became President and within minutes the Iranian government signed over the hostages they had held for 444 days.  Space Shuttle Columbia became the first reusable space vehicle.  5 Homosexual men become the first diagnosed cases of what would be come AIDS.  Nintendo released Donkey Kong and the video music channel (that rarely plays music videos anymore) MTV debuts.  The Police release Ghost In The Machine.  The Moral Majority began a trend in politics that lasted through most of the decade.  Yep, that pretty well sums it up for the Kids in America in 1981.  Most of us didn't have it as bad as perhaps we thought we did.  In hindsight, most of us had it pretty good.  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

The early 80's saw a rebirth of the individualism that defined the '60s.  Freedom in hairstyles, colorful clothing, and expression in music.  Country and Christian music both saw revivals as we embraced our favorites and rarely allowed anyone other than our closest circle of friends to influence us.  Yet, it seemed as the decade came to a close, we became a part of a generation that grew further away from the Christian influence of those that preceded us.  Perhaps it was a case of history repeating itself.  The culture of the '60s and the example of the adults around us during that time became the standard for how we lived as burgeoning adults.  If you look through history, there are some real similarities that pop up every 20 years or so.  Could the beliefs, standards, and practices of the 80's be traced all the way back to the Roaring Twenties.  More on that in just a bit...

Recently, a friend posted a plea to see our schools return to God.  You've seen them, "If you think we need God in our schools, click like."...or "If you think we need God in America, click like"...I agree that we need God in these places, however too many times we want a solution that is very far away from our '80s individualism.  We want to vote God back into our politics or see legislation that makes for a more "God friendly" schools.  Again, things that would be good...if they were realistic...and to a certain extant, I'm not sure either are very Biblical, nor do they show the responsibility that each of us have as believers to individually go about making disciples.  

This weekend my pastor used a passage from the Old Testament that speaks to some of the things that I've been pondering this last week.  Let's take a look:

David’s Altar

¹⁸ Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up and set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” ¹⁹ David went up in obedience to Gad’s command, just as the Lord had commanded. ²⁰ Araunah looked down and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, so he went out and bowed to the king with his face to the ground.
²¹ Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?”
David replied, “To buy the threshing floor from you in order to build an altar to the Lord, so the plague on the people may be halted.”
²² Araunah said to David, “My lord the king may take whatever he wants and offer it. Here are the oxen for a burnt offering and the threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. ²³ My king, Araunah gives everything here to the king.” Then he said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.”
²⁴ The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 20 ounces of silver. ²⁵ He built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer on behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel ended.


David's example is very poignant for where we are as a nation and individuals today.  "I will not offer to the Lord that which cost me nothing."  Kinda rings in the ears for a while doesn't it.  It is so easy to pass on the responsibility of the next generation to school teachers or government officials, when God has blessed followers of Jesus to individually first, then collectively, go about making disciples.  


As I look at the history of the United States, I begin to see some indicators of why we no longer have God in our schools or our Government.  It goes way back, to a time my great grandfather would have refered to if he said..."When I was your age...".  This time period was known as the Roaring Twenties.  It followed World War 1 (1914-1918) and preceded the Great Depression (early 1930's - mid 1940s).  It was a time when Presidential candidate platforms would refer to returning things back to "normal" after the tumult of the War.  It was also a time that children saw examples of adulthood that pushed the boundaries of their Judeo Christian ancestors.


  The Kids In America at this time learned and passed their knowledge on to the next generation, which pushed the boundaries even harder. Children learn behavior from the "adult" influences that surround them.  It is a wonder our generation even made it to the '80s based on what some of the adult influences we had in the '60s and 70's were doing.  That brings me to this point.  If we want God back in our schools, our children are going to be the ones who put Him there.  They can only do this if they see God in us...everyday...if we are making sure that we are discipling them.  What are our children learning from us about priorities?  What are our children learning from us about relationships?  What are our children learning from us about conflict resolution?  If we want God back in our schools, we must show our love for Jesus and them by doing things that will make them better disciples.    We must hold them accountable to the words of the Bible and make them, not just encourage them, to do things that allows their gifts and talents to be used for God. 


This must be achieved at home before it can be exemplified anywhere else.  The church is a great partner, but as parents and adults that have influence on the next generation, we must take the responsibility to see that future eras are better discipled than we were.  We must show them that a love commitment is for life.  We must set an example by going to church even when we don't want to and become an active participant ourselves. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we mindlessly sing songs and listen to His Word with our physical presence but not our whole being.  (Thanks Larry Grayson for that nugget) I'm not suggesting that we can be perfect, but Godly outcomes will cost us.  If we want a government that fears God, we must quit voting for the "lesser of two evils" and encourage Godly people to run for office, run for office ourselves, or do research into the candidates to see if their walk matches their talk.  


The students of today are watching how we vote, how we interact with each other, and how we serve God...just like we watched the adults with which we engaged as we were growing up...When we were their age...This will cost us in time and resources.  But the results will be changed families, changed schools and changed countries.  And with adults who are focused on making disciples...changed Kids In America...
everybody live for the music go-round...na, na, na, na, na, na,


'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Star Spangled Banner" (The National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, arranged and directed by John Williams)

Welcome to Tuesday and a very special edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Each week we go on a journey into the land of rhythm and lyric and partner it up with  a unique application from a Biblical perspective.  This week is no exception as we feature a song that resonates within the heart of most Americans.  It celebrated it's bicentennial last Saturday. 

"The Star Spangled Banner" - featuring The National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and the Choral Arts Society of Washington...arranged and directed by John Williams  

"O Say Can You See"...This past week was unique as not one but two very special memorial moments were held.  Our country remembered the lives and heroism of those who perished in the 9/11 attacks of 2001 on Thursday.  We remembered class mates, like Bald Knob High School class of 1982's Malissa White, husbands, wives, and even children as we recalled the horror of that Tuesday morning.  We will never forget.  

The second memorial moment occurred on Saturday as some commemorated the heroism of Ft. McHenry and the song that was inspired by that event.  Here is the story of the event that would inspire a poem that would officially become our national anthem  March 3, 1931, 117 years after it was penned:

History of The Star Spangled Banner - Wallbuilders - narrated by David Barton

 

"...By The Dawns Early Light"...These moments in American history were defining for our country.  Even after the American Revolution, with the successes of George Washington and the founding patriots, the United States continued to battle against England.  Once again in 1814, when the battle looked hopeless, patriots defended Ft. McHenry in Baltimore against a large British fleet.  The flag they raised to signify their victory over the bombardment, hangs now in the Smithsonian Institution.

"...What So Proudly We Hailed"...This year our country celebrates the 200th anniversary of that battle and the song that President Herbert Hoover and the congress of 1931 would recognize as our National Anthem.

"...At The Twilight's Last Gleaming..." Many remember where they were when they heard about the first plane.  The day continued with much uncertainty as a second and third plane would reach their destination and the reality and enormity of what was going on began to sink in.  We were once again being bombarded, but it was no longer an enemy with a face we could define that was attacking us.  As United 93's heroes brought their airplane down at the farm in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the rest of the country was wondering what might be next.  We were fast made aware of an emotion that the founders faced every day for the first 100 years of our country's existence.   

9/11 became another defining moment in our country's history.  Days after the attacks by terrorists, a surge of national pride began to swell.  Many flocked to churches and we were poised to see revival breakout amongst our nation's populace.  But like the Israelites of the Old Testament time period, our fervor for God soon waned.
  

During the recent celebration on PBS of the Bicentennial of The Star Spangled Banner, a "man on the street" clip was shown of those who would attempt to sing our national anthem.  Some new the words, sadly, some did not.  At times it seems patriotism has fallen on the altar of political correctness.  I was reminded of a recent interview where this topic came up:

"The Two Lines Duck Dynasty Patriarch Phil Roberson Is Waiting For An Elected Official To Say" - The Blaze

Even Jesus' Disciples were not immune from the politics and peer pressure of their day:

 

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding of Him a sign from heaven to test Him.  But sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you: No sign will be given to this generation!”  Then He left them, got on board the boat again, and went to the other side.They had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then He commanded them: “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread.  Aware of this, He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened?  Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear? And do you not remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they told Him.
 “When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets full of pieces of bread did you collect?”
“Seven,” they said.
  And He said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?” - Mark 8:11-21 (HCSB)

As we look behind to these crucial moments in our nations history, we must remember, and when appropriate, we must celebrate.  But we must also look around us and see the needs that are to some as equally traumatic as those of 9/11 and 9/13.  We must not only wave the flag that stands for freedom but fan the fires of revival that are restorative to individuals as well as nations.  As followers of Jesus, we must always be on the lookout to show the love of God to other folks.  To do that our eyes must be wide open..."O Say Can You See..."

"Asleep In The Light" - Keith Green
 

'Till Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "9 to 5" (Dolly Parton)

Hello!  Hello, it's Tuesday!!  Hello, it's Tuesday and time for Tuesday's Musical Notes, the place where not only will you find a song that may stick with you all day, but an occasional opinion that might change your perspective...or not, anyway enjoy the music, cause it's coming to you live...well as live as youtube can be...anyway let's get started with today's TUESDAY'S MUSICAL NOTES!!!!  Welcome...

"9 to 5" from 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs - Dolly Parton 1981

A very few times in music history does a song resonate with fans so much that it crosses over genre boundaries.  Dolly Parton's 1981 hit "9 to 5", from her 9 To 5 And Odd Jobs album, is one such song.  It hit #1 on the Country charts in January of that year and then soared to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 the following month.  It garnered an Academy Award nomination and 4 Grammy nominations, winning 2 of the Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female that year.  It's empowering message became a rallying cry for the working (outside of the home) women of the '80s.  It was featured in the hit soundtrack of the movie with the same name (Dolly Pardon's screen debut), as well as a Broadway musical which debuted in 2008 that featured 20 new songs written by Dolly.   "9 to 5" became one of those rare songs that spoke to folks and the struggle they sometimes have while being gainfully employed.  It joined the ranks of many a "workin' man's (..PC persons, see how annoying that is) songs.  Perhaps even a few of these came to mind...
The 20 Greatest Songs About Work - thepessimist.com

Shoe shine boy...chicken catcher...farm labor...natural gas pumping station maintenance...water valve manufacturer...hospital librarian's assistant...retail assistant store manager...retail store manager...Worship Arts/Christian education minister.  The evolution of a working career.  This makes for an interesting exercise, you should try it sometime!  While these jobs were unique in their responsibilities, they hold a couple of things in common.  With each, I received remuneration for completion of expected tasks...I got paid for what I did...and they all had challenges.  From the list, you can perceive the challenges would have been very different.  Some were very hard for me to do and others came more naturally.  Each taught me something.  Some of them taught me that I did NOT want to do that job or have that career for the rest of my life.  The most important thing they taught me was that hard work was always appreciated.  If not, by supervisors or coworkers, then by God. 

Work or at least the payment for work has recently become a very hot topic.  Perhaps you have heard something about this:

Fast-Food Protesters Arrested as Wage Campaign Escalates - bloomberg.com

I find the conversation regarding minimum wage fascinating.  Perhaps the folks who were protesting a $7.50 minimum wage rate should have viewed this chart before their protest:

List of Minimum Wages By Country - wikipedia.org

Yes, people should make a decent wage, but who decides what is "decent"?  Please understand that the following commentary is made with compassion for those who are hurting and are unable to make ends meet.  As a staff member of a church, we interact with folks every week who need assistance of some sort or another.  My heart goes out to those who are in their situation through no cause of their own.  This is what Jesus commissioned THE CHURCH to do...not government.   We are to be about taking care of widows and orphans and those who cannot help themselves.  This is made much easier when God's people give as he commands them.  Imagine a world where every person who says they are a Christ-follower gave as much to their church as they do to good, "charitable"  organizations... but I digress.  

In a Business Law class that I took in college, the instructor put forth this premise...if we believe that America is a free-market society, why shouldn't WAGES be controlled by the market?  This discussion came as we were discussing labor unions and their impact on early industrial revolution America.  At that point and time and maybe in extreme cases now, a union is a good thing.  Our professor went on to pose this question...what if everyone were paid what they were worth and there were no minimum wage?  It boggles the mind...  He followed his thought process up with the theory that overall average wages would increase if there were no minimum wage.  Imagine the demonstrations if any politician had the nerve to do a REAL study on the outcomes of abolishing the minimum wage....now before you go thinking I'm snorting Diet Mtn. Dew instead of drinking it, get past the emotion of the conversation about wage rates and think about the concept just postulated.  What if you were paid based on the performance of your duties?  ...the wisest man ever in the history of the world had some philosophies regarding work...

Proverbs 12:14

A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.

Proverbs 14:23

There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 18:9

The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.

Proverbs 21:25

A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.

Colossians 3:22-25 

Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.  Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.  For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

If the aforementioned protestors put as much time, passion, and energy into their jobs as they do in protesting, perhaps they would not be making minimum wage, but be supervising those that do...In light of the above scripture and based on what wages are in the US as compared to other nations, $7.50 and having a job really seem like a blessing...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Video Killed The Radio Star" (The Buggles)

Hey, it's Tuesday!!!!!!  Welcome to the Notes!!!



On Saturday, August 1, 1981  a revolution of sorts took place in the music world at 12:01 am.  It was a transformation of iconic proportions in many peoples lives.  With the words "Ladies and Gentlemen......Rock and Roll", images of the space shuttle on the launch pad and video of one of the Apollo missions blasting off, MTV began. 


August 1, 1981 - MTV Launch
 
 Here's the very first video:  The Buggles - "Video Killed The Radio Star"

Where were you 33 years ago?  Many things have changed in that time.  You probably don't own the same car.  Some of you may not be in the same home.  Most of us certainly listen to music differently.  (Remember the Walkman?) "O-ah, O"  I suggest that you don't even make decisions the same way that you did 33 years ago.  Hopefully, your walk with Christ is stronger now than then.  It seems, however, just about the time we get used to something (or in our technologically gifted age, finally get it figured out) it is replaced by something new.  "O-ah, O"  Recently, SoundScan released sales information for physical music formats.  At no other time since the first platter rolled off the conveyer belt, has there been this few sales of physical units of music. 

US music sales down in 2013, but streaming more than making up for downloads decline- Music:)ally.com

Sometimes the new is better, sometimes, well...not so much. 

In 1981, the British duo, the Buggles set their course in history as replacement agents.  They were the first band featured on the fledgling MTV.  Yes, the network which today brings us such "quality" entertainment as Ridiculousness once featured something called a music video. With the advent of MTV, many in the music industry thought listening to the radio was about to go the way of the silent movie.   Many from my generation were glued to the new cable TV station.  It featured music videos of some of the most popular radio artists and hits of the day as well as new artists that might never have heard their music played had they not made a great video for the song. The Buggles were one such band.

While "Video Killed The Radio Star"  had been around since 1979, it didn't achieve commercial success until the launch of MTV  propelled it to be the '80s one hit wonder.  It hit #1 in charts all over the world and went as high as #40 on the US Billboard top 100 in 1981 after the music video craze began.  It can still be heard in movie soundtracks, TV shows, and video games.  It is a song that bemoans the loss of innocence when television took over the radio.  Some of you can remember the radio dramas that were prevalent through the '30s, '40s, and '50s.  "The Lone Ranger", Superman, and Roy Rogers were all radio stars before television was ever available.   MTV had the potential to be the final nail in radio's coffin.  But like many things, radio transitioned and still thrives and survives today.  In fact, you can find a radio drama that was begun 2 years after MTV's launch.  It's called Adventures In
Odyssey.  For more information about stations and airings click here:  

Adventures In Odyssey from Focus On The Family

Like many musical groups, the Buggles lasted a short period of time before the band members went on to other efforts.  They were together from 1978-1981.  Band members Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes joined the band Yes after the release of The Buggle's first full album 1980s The Age of Plastic, and were a part of the Yes album Drama and subsequent tour in late 1981.  Horn would later produce the most commercially successful Yes album, 90125, while Downes would become one of the founding members of Asia ("The Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell"(Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Only Time Will Tell")).  The Buggles would reunite to make 1 more album, 1981's Adventures in Modern Recording.  Horn would dissolve the band in 1981 only to see them reunite for the Prince's Trust charity concert in 2004. "Oh-ah-oh-ah-oh"

As I read through the Bible, I see that God is the ultimate replacement agent.  He replaced the darkness of a formless void with light, He replaced the entire world population with one righteous man and his family, He replaced Abram and Sarai's names with their covenant names Abraham and Sarah, He replaced a king who would not serve Him the right way with a shepherd boy who loved music.  He replaces my sins with His Son's righteousness, and one day He will replace my physical dust and ash body with a glorified one that cannot be described with words.  His replacements are always perfect.  In Hebrews 12:1b we are instructed to "....lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us...." (HCSB) in other words we are to replace the things that keep us from being who we are to be in Christ, the things that weigh us down, as well as the sin that keeps us from becoming the people we are to be in Christ, with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.   Each day is an opportunity for us to wake up and replace yesterday with a day filled with those fruits.  The choice as always is ours......" we can't rewind, we've come too far....."

Just in case you wanted to replace that synth-pop version of "Video Killed the Radio Star" with something a little more modern, check out this incredible all acapella video: 

 Pentatonix - "Video Killed The Radio Star" courtesy of The Sing-Off

'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy