Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Saturday In The Park" (Chicago)

Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes where each week we try to answer thought provoking questions by exploring the ins and outs of yesterday's popular music.  It's the last day of June.  Summer is in full swing and the celebration of the Republic's beginning is upon  us.  This year we celebrate 239 years of being our own nation.  Throughout this histroy there have been highs and lows.  While the Republic has had some interesting shifts of focus recently, Tuesday's Musical Notes maintains that the United States of America is still the greatest experiment the world has ever seen and by far the best place in the world to live.    

This Saturday many will mark the occasion of 239 years as a Republic by being in parks all over the country...I think it is the 4th of July!!!  Can you dig it?

"Saturday In The Park" by Chicago from the 1972 album Chicago V

There are many similarities between 1972 and 2016.  It was and is an election year.  There seems to be national division on unpopular wars (1972 VietNam, 2016 Iraq).  The Supreme Court plays a part in the national conversation...(Roe v. Wade (abortion) was argued in 1972, Obergefell v. Hodges (homosexual marriage) was just decided). And The Band plays on.  Chicago The Band that is...

1972 saw the release of Chicago V.  It spent 9 weeks at #1 on the album charts bolstered by the single "Saturday In the Park" which spent 2 weeks at #3.  The song would go on to the be the 40th most popular hit of 1972. (Billboard 1000 Top Singles 1955-1992, compiled by Joel Whitburn, Hal Leonard Publishing, 1993).   "Saturday In The Park" would be followed by the top 30 hit "Dialogue Parts I & II",  Making Chicago V one of the top albums for 1972.  

"Saturday In The Park" is a song about enjoying friends, neighbors, and community at a park during a national holiday.  It reflects the inspiration of Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocalist and founding member) as he returned from a trip to Central Park in New York City and was amazed by the artistry of the local performers in the park that day.  It seems "Italian songs" weren't the only creative element in the park that day.  The song speaks to the anticipation of getting out in the open air and experiencing a sunny day.  It alludes to the lost art of people watching.  It announces the celebration of folks coming together to just enjoy an afternoon away from the consistency of the work week.  The park and its surroundings is all they need to have in common on this day and it is all they need to help each other change the world...can you dig it? 

No other group has had the longevity and recording prowess of this Rock band with horns.  They continue to tour to sold out audiences around the world and just happen to be Tuesday's Musical Notes favorite Rock-N-Roll act.  The Notes has shown great restraint in that "Tuesdays Musical Notes - "Alive Again"" is the only Chicago based Tuesday's Musical Note before "Saturday In The Park"  The band released their appropriately titled, Chicago XXXVI NOW, on July 4th of 2014.

"Listen children, all is not lost, all is not lost, no, no, no..."

Many in our country have the misconception that the form of government that we practice is a democracy.  According to Mr. Guerry Moorer and his civics class from 1980, a democracy in its strictest form is government by the people, majority rule, or mob rule.  Most democracies do not make it very long before a dictator or faction of the people rise to rule over all of the others. 

The United States from its inception has always been a republic.  (...and to the Republic for which it stands...)  Again from Mr. Moorer's Civics class; a republic is defined  as:   the people rule by electing representatives who make legislative decisions on behalf of the people.  Until 1787, these representatives also elected the President and Vice President.  The founders then developed the plan of the electoral college for determining Presidential elections.  We'll let our friends at Schoolhouse Rock explain the process:

"Gonna Send My Vote To College" - Schoolhouse Rock 2002

This 4th of July will be celebrated differently in many of our communities because we are in a Presidential election season.  As of the writing of today's Notes, there are 13 Republicans (with at least 3 more likely) and 4 Democrats (with 1 or 2 more expected) seeking the Presidency.  It is easy to imagine that many of these candidates will be at 4th of July celebrations attempting to woo voters for their campaigns.  This blog does not do candidate endorsements, however, we encourage all of Tuesday's Musical Note readers to listen closely to what each of these folks are saying as they run for the highest office in the land.  Look at their websites, read every article  that you can about them (yes, even in those publications in which you disagree).  Decide what you believe.  What are the core foundational principles in which you chose not to negotiate.  Then, decide which of these men or women come closest to sharing your principles and belief system.  AND THEN VOTE!

One quality that The Notes deems absolutely necessary for a President is leadership.  There is much to be said in the Scriptures about the topic of leadership.  We highly recommend that Scripture reading and prayer be a MAJOR part of your Presidential candidate selection process.   What are some of these characteristics?

In Luke 22:24-26, Jesus says that the greatest among you should become the least.  (Luke 22:24-26 The Message Paraphrase)  In effect, the one wanting to achieve greatness, should become a servant to all.  This is difficult to do in our power driven society.  The temptation to be served is a compelling force.  Jesus was the greatest among all because he served man by giving himself as a ransom for our sin.

The book of Proverbs suggest that a leader should be one who attempts to live righteously (characterized by uprightness or morality):  "Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.  Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly." - Proverbs 16: 12-13

Scripture also implies that a leader be one who listens, is willing to learn, and reveres the Lord:    

So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling.  Psalms 2:9-11

 

All through the Bible there are passages that apply to those who wish to "serve" their country by leading it.  Do yourself a favor and seek out the above passages in context as well as many others that concern rulers, kings, and leaders.  Explore those passages that speak of the ultimate freedom that we experience as followers of Jesus.  You might find a few surprises as to what the Word Of God considers to be leadership.   You will certainly find some differences between what the Bible qualifies as a leader and the politicians who will be joining us in our freedom celebrations as we watch..."people dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream...people reaching, people touching  A real celebration, waiting for us all, if we want it, really want it, can you dig it...Yes I can!

"Freedom Is Here/Shout Unto God" - Hillsong United from 2009's   [a_CROSS // the_EARTH] :: Tear Down The Walls

 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Ebony And Ivory" (Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney)

​Welcome to the first Tuesday of the summer!  Is it going to be hot where you are?  Here in Arkansas the heat indices will be reaching into the 100s!  Not complaining, just wanted you to have a point of reference from which we write on this incredible Tuesday!  It really is a great way to start the summer!  The sun is shining, and even the rain is not totally unpleasant (unless its wrapped in the occasional strong thunderstorm).  Outdoor activities are at their peak and vacation season is rolling on in earnest.  Folks all over the world are traveling.  Some, have a familiar destination and others, are off on a new adventure.

As we get the opportunity to enjoy the embrace of family and friends through our summer time travel, we must turn saddened hearts to those whose lives have been tragically altered.  You've read the headlines.  If you consume any news, or read social media, you have certainly been inundated with the hatred that seems to permeate our society.  Christians, as we have so horribly seen this past week in South Carolina, are not immune to the terror and incredulous evil that can happen while living in this world.

But there is hope...

This past week, the victims of the Charleston shootings displayed for the whole world, the spirit of the living God and emulated the grace that is available through Jesus.  The grief and frustration, while evident, was not at the forefront for what they had to say to the young man who perpetuated the heinous crimes on them.  They forgave.  They begged God for this young man's soul.  Their words were so intense that one self described "non-religious" television pundit was so astonished that he appeared to soften his stance towards religion and those who practice it.  He admired the faith and courage of the congregants of Charleston's Emmanuel AME church in the face of unimaginable pain.  He went so far as to question his belief system because of their example.  

While watching that brief analysis by the commentator, I was struck with a question...why doesn't my life cause the non religious to question their belief systems and explore Christianity?  It's time for a change in me.  It's time for a change in our country.  No, I'm not talking about any kind of legislation.  History is replete with examples of wars and the killing of people that occurred before the time the first gun was manufactured.  What has to change is the mentality that our differences as people have to keep us at odds with one another.  Christians are not immune to this.   But, Christians should be and in some circumstances are at the forefront of the change our country and world so desperately need.  What the media, social and traditional, fails to report are the countless examples of culturally different folks who have answered the question... why don't we? 

"Ebony And Ivory" by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney from McCartney's 1982 album Tug Of War

 

"Ebony And Ivory" spent  seven weeks at #1 in the spring of 1982 and would go on to become the fourth most popular song of the year.  It joins a list of songs peppered throughout musical history that deal with cultural relations and is reminiscent of the 1972 hit by Three Dog Night,  "Black And White". (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Black And White")   While these songs usually chart well and have a temporary impact on the relationship of every day people, no long term effect ever seems to take....or does it?

While we see and hear about the stories of tragedy, it seems we rarely hear about the success stories when it comes to cultures cohabiting. Unfortunately, getting along with our neigbours, regardless of their cultural background, is not deemed newsworthy.  Every day in America there are communities who are not perfect, but get along.  They have learned to live, they have learned to give each other what they need to survive...  They don't have rioting in their streets.  They don't have shootings motivated by a disdain for skin color in their churches.  What they do have are schools, police departments, fire departments, city governments, churches and industry that feature folks from every color imaginable working together and getting along.  When a need arises, there is never a question about whether all the folks in the community will do what they can to assist.  Neighbor helps neighbor, whether it is searching for a missing 2 year old boy, or putting a community back together in the aftermath of flooding or tornadoes.  I've seen it with my own eyes...yep, here in the south!  

Yes, there are differences in our cultures.  However, those differences do not have to be so defining and rigid that we lose our sense of being a part of the human race.  God calls all people to His saving grace.  To a forgiveness that was echoed and exemplified this past week by those involved in South Carolina's shooting.  The Bible tells us about that forgiveness through the ultimate example of interpersonal relations in the life of Jesus.  Jesus came to serve and forgive regardless of one's culture or color, religious or heretical background, health or disease, wealth or poverty.  As Jesus was going to the house of one of the most hated men of the area, Luke 19:10 announces Jesus intention and plan for His life while on the earth ..." For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."  The "lost" that Jesus is speaking of is me...it is also you.  He came for everyone.  We just have to decide if we will be the recipient of such a perfect grace.  A grace that says, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing".  

The Bible details a time when evil will be banished.  The enemy and those who chose to follow him will be locked away to never more create havoc.  It will also be a time when those who have chosen to accept the grace and mercy of Jesus and follow Him will be ushered into an eternity of light and goodness, a place where Ebony and Ivory Jesus followers will be living in perfect harmony...the place where God exists.  At the end of all time, one's destination for all of eternity will be the only thing that will separate us...

 "Diverse City" by Toby Mac from 2004's Welcome To Diverse City

"I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy me from the 2001 album Almost There

 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rock The Boat" (The Hues Corporation)

Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!  It seems that every 7 days, Tuesday comes around!  Thank goodness, because  Thursday's Musical Notes just doesn't have the same ring to it!  New release music typically comes out on Tuesdays.  Even with the advent of our current digital and streaming music delivery systems, Tuesday is still the big day.  That's why this blog appears on Tuesday, to celebrate the day that new music comes to life!!!  So welcome to the place that features old music on new music day!  A bit ironic...dont'cha think?

It's the Tuesday before Father's Day!  Happy Day to you Father's and Father figures out there!  It's that time of year where we celebrate everything about fatherhood.  I was very blessed to have my dad around during the formative years.  He was an outstanding example of what a Christian, husband, and father were.   He faithfully served others as he attended his church.  He provided for his family. (sometimes not so easy as a barber during the long haired period of the '60s) and he was a heroic example.  I know about how Father God loves me due to that heroic example. He is in heaven now as a part of my particular "cloud of witnesses", cheering me on as only a father can do. 

Maybe, that is not your situation today.  Perhaps the person you think of as a father doesn't share your blood line.  This makes them no less a father. I am also blessed to have an outstanding father-in-law and step-father who are great examples of Godly men. So, please join with me and take a minute today, find the person in your life who most closely resembles your father (remember, biology does not a relationship make), and thank them for the role they play in your life.  

   

Just in case I don't see you, Happy Father's Day, Jack and Vernon!!!  

And remember, sometimes even a good father needs to "rock the boat".

"Rock The Boat" - The Hues Corporation from the 1974 album Freedom For The Stallion

 

Ah, 1974.  4th Grade.  Because mom and dad were avid country music fans, it was rare for Wade and I to get exposure to popular music of the Rock-N-Roll variety.  But thanks to uncle Mickey we got exposure to Rock.  Lynryd Skynyrd (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Simple Man") , Black Oak Arkansas, and The Marshall Tucker Band were all favorites around him.  He liked a little bit harder edge to his music.  His was not reflective of the popular music scene. Most of the popular music in the '70s was a little weird. Let me give you an example.  The top 5 songs for 1974 on Billboard's Top 40 were:

5) Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas

4) (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka

3) The Streak - Ray Stevens

2) Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks

1) The Way We Were - Barbara Streisand

(Billboard Top 1000 singles 1955-1992 compiled by Joel Whitburn (C) 1993 Hal Leonard)

What were we thinking???  To add insult to injury, the first Disco single to hit #1 on the pop charts came in this same year.  There is a debate that arises, however as to which band, (I use the term very loosely) was the first to hit #1 on  with a Disco beat.  Some say the song "Love's Theme" - Love Unlimited Orchestra (Barry White) which hit #1 early in 1974.  Others point to the 1974 hit "Rock The Boat" by One Hit Wonder, The Hues Corporation.  (Believe it or not, Disco still lives.  Like so many other fads that last, its name has transitioned to Club or Dance music.)  We'll leave the determination as to which really was first to those who are far more Disco elite than we. 

"Rock The Boat" hit #1 July 6, 1974.  While not an immediate success for The Hues Corporation, a play on The Howard Hughes Corporation and skin color, "Rock The Boat" would gain steam after getting played in the clubs and discos of America's largest cities.  It went on to sell over 2 million copies and solidified itself in music culture.  Shortly after its recording the lead singer, Fleming Williams, would leave The Hues Corporation and not see the acclaim that came with the success of the song.  "Rock The Boat" even inspired its own dance involving folks sitting in a row and acting like they are rowing a boat...things that make you go hmmm.

Boats are a focal point in many of the stories in the Bible.  In The Old Testament we can read about the boat that Jonah boarded to run away from God's calling on his life (Jonah - Holman Christian Standard Bible).  In The New Testament we read about the shipwrecks that the Apostle Paul survived as he had struggles on his mission trips (2 Corithians 11 HCSB).  But the most famous boat in the Bible would have to be the one that was constructed from gopher wood.

It is very difficult to find someone on the earth who has not heard the story of the world wide flood.  In fact, most religions/world regions have legends and folklore surrounding such an event.  Here at The Notes, we maintain that the flood narrative of the Bible is the true, literal occurrence in which all of these legends and myths are based.  The Readers Digest Condensed version goes like this:

After man had disobeyed his one and only rule in the perfect Garden of Eden, he was cast out.  As Adam and Eve's descendents got further away from the perfection of Eden, they grew more and more evil.  So much so, that the God who created them in the first place sought to destroy everything He had created due to the corruption and wickedness in which man unceasingly participated. God planned to carry this destruction out by flooding the entire expanse of the earth in water.  However, Noah found grace in the eyes of God.  He was the lone person that God found that was not completely evil.  Note, Noah was not perfect. He was a man that was seeking after God. Noah's life was enough of a testament to his righteousness that God communicated with him a way of escape from the destruction that was coming.  It was a way that had never been conceived in the culture of its time.  The Bible calls it an ark.  We would call it a big boat.  Noah went sailing on it with a cargo full of love and devotion...

For perspective on the size of Noah's ark:

The rest of the story you can read in Genesis 7 - 9 (Genesis 7-9 HCSB)  

There are many points that can be made by the story of Noah and his family, especially on Father's Day.  First, Noah was a father that sought after God.  Genesis 6:9 says of Noah, "These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God."  Before Noah could lead his family, he had to have his relationship with God in a right place.  Noah built a structure that no one in his culture could imagine would ever be used.   Noah's neighbors probably wondered where he got the notion to build his boat.  He was probably ridiculed and ostracized by the folks that saw him consistently working on the ark.  Yet, he continued to "rock the boat" with his contemporaries to fulfill the command from God. 

  

Secondly, God established his design for marriage and sexual relationships between 1 man and 1 woman a second time with whom He placed on the Ark.  God allowed Noah and his wife (note not wives), Shem and his wife, Ham and his wife, and Japheth and his wife, to board the ark.  God reaffirmed His plan for how the world was to be populated by these 8 individuals.  Male and female were to go out and be fruitful and multiply.  As a single unit.  This was God's plan.  This plan is very contrary to the entertainment industry's standard of a multiplicity of partners by which we seem to be inundated.  

Finally, while Noah walked with God, Noah was not perfect.   Most fathers aren't.  After a while the sin nature of man came out in even Noah.  He planted a vineyard, fermented the grapes and got so drunk that he passed out.  His lack of self control would be a poor example to his sons and their families as we see evil creep back into the post flood world.  Our dads are not perfect either.  There will be times when they blow it.  Hopefully, that is minimized due to the fact that they walk as closely as they can with God through the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit.  

Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.  Even though it was difficult, Noah fulfilled God's calling on his life.  While not perfect, Noah was a good example to his wife and kids of what a father should be.  Noah's life story can also be a good example to us when God calls us to have our "rock the boat" moment.  In that moment, what will you do?  I believe I'd get a notion...

"He'll Take Care Of The Rest" - Keith Green from the album The Ministry Years 1977- 1979

 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Won't Back Down" (Tom Petty)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  Each Tuesday readers from all over the globe, click to find new perspectives on melodies, memories, and morality.  Tuesday's Musical Notes now has over 150 posts  from all genres of music and many perspectives on life.  We hope you find these posts entertaining, thought provoking, and life changing.  Check out the archives,  This way...you're  almost there...patience...closer... a little more to the right...here!

While we attempt to never judge any person, Tuesday's Musical Notes holds to the highest standard possible in an attempt to share the most important message available while assuring your blog reading experience is the best it can be.  In other words, there are many things that we love about music that are certainly left to individual tastes and debate, there are specific truths however, that we cannot debate and hold fast to as unassailable fact...in short there are some topics and thoughts expressed here at Tuesday's Musical Notes that cause us to proclaim proudly...I won't back down...

"I Won't Back Down" from the 1989 album Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty

It would be his first attempt to be sans The Heartbreakers.  "I Won't Back Down" was Tom Petty's first solo single from his first solo album, 1989's Full Moon Fever.  The single soared up the charts to #12 on Billboards Hot 100 after its April release.  It hit #1 on the Album Rock Chart for five weeks and solidified Tom Petty's credentials as a Rock-N-Roll icon.  The songs on Full Moon Fever were co-written by fellow Traveling Wilburys and former ELO front man Jeff Lynne.  The album also featured contributions from other Wilburys, former Beatle George Harrision and Roy Orbison.  You may have noticed that the music video showcased another former Beatle, Ringo Starr, on drums.  Ringo, however, did not play on the album or the single.  

With its "stand up for what you believe" theme, "I Won't Back Down" became a popular anthem for a post 9-11 America.  Since its release it has also been featured in many political campaigns.   One campaign used it to the chagrin of Tom Petty as he submitted a cease and desist letter to the Presidential candidacy of George W. Bush.   It has also been featured as a rallying cry for a variety of sports  from hockey (Ottawa Senators) to UFC (walkout theme for Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman).   More recently "I Won't Back Down"  resulted in Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne receiving 12.5% of the royalties and a co-writing credit on the grammy nominated "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith, due to the extreme similarities between the songs.  

The Notes finds it very interesting that a song about being uncompromising in your beliefs became so popular in an age where the words "tolerance" and "inclusion" are celebrated.  Such words are used as artillery in the peer pressure war to fuel ideologies that may or may not be truth.  Please be clear about one thing.  Truth is never changing.   Tolerance for something does not make it right.  Inclusion of something does not make it acceptable by the standard of truth.  The friction resulting from the collision of truth and lies can cause strong emotions by those holding to their version of the truth.  

Hate is never on the side of truth, however, if you listen to ANY media outlet for a length of time, you will see an example of hatred caused by a disagreement over ideology.  These ideologies are rooted in the debaters vison of what they determine is truth.  These visions are sometimes formed by research and education, and at other times,  by raw emotion and uneducated, under-informed creeds.

It seems that as long as the "majority" believes in a particular thought, it becomes truth for that age.  This rationale is an anathema to those seeking ultimate and real truth.  Truth is not something that can change with a popular vote, or a rally.  Real truth is something that is unchanging regardless of what our opinions of it may be.  Real truth never backs down.  

It seems that Jesus was one that could have easily written today's featured song.   He went about showing His world that you can love others unconditionally without compromising, tolerating, or including their vatiety of the truth into His life.  Jesus went about healing everyone that He could.  It did not matter if they contributed to His ministry, followed Him consistently, or were martyred for their belief in who He was.  He preached a message of forgiveness and righteousness.  He stood firm on the truth that He was the Son of the Creator God, and it cost Him everything.  Now, after close to 2000 years after His crucifixion for telling the truth, millions of people all over the globe believe in Him.  

In the Bible, a man by the name of Paul wrote several letters.  He was a former persecutor/prosecutor of those who believed in Jesus.   He became a believer after an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.  On that road, Paul met Truth in its purest form.  From that time, no matter what happened to him, Paul never backed down from following Jesus.  He wrote of his stance in a letter to the body of believers at the Grecian city of Corinth.  

"Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 The Message Paraphrase

Followers of Jesus must be about telling this world this uncompromising truth.  The difficulty has been when Christians give in to the temptation of sharing Jesus' story in a way that doesn't reflect Jesus.  When we engage in hateful debate, instead of measuring our words with love, we become something Paul describes in another letter to the Corinthian church... "If I speak in the tongue of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."  1 Corinthians 13: 1  Neither of these are something you want to listen to for an extended time.

 

The truths included in the Bible are the ultimate truths for all mankind.  The truth of the creation of the world and how man was formed is found in the book of Genesis.  The truth of man's separation from the perfect creator is also found there.  The remainder of the Old Testament includes the truths of God's constant attempts to bring man back into a good relationship with Him.  The ultimate display of relationship restoration is found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John at the beginning of the New Testament.  These books of the Bible are called the Gospel, or good news.  The truth of Jesus being the way God reconciled man to Himself is found chronicled in these four books.  They tell the truth of Jesus miraculous birth, His ministry, and teachings about how to get to heaven, how He came to be the ultimate sacrifice for our restoration, and how He came back to life after being killed in the most humiliating and torturous way ever created by man.  Finally, the truth of how the world ends is found in the book of Revelation at the end of the Bible.


These are truths that we can stand on for the hope of eternity.    If you would like to find out more about these truths and more, biblegateway.com has a reading plan that is a good place to start and available on your mobile device.  Just click here to get started:  biblegateway.com - Reading plans  Pray that God will open your eyes to His uncompromising truth.  When those truths are revealed TO you and embraced BY you, it will become evident that with a spirit of love...."you can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down.  No I won't back down."  

 Here's a song that might help start you on the pathways of truth...

"We Believe" from the 2013 album Restart by The Newsboys

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "It's Not Unusual" (Tom Jones)

Good Tuesday to ya friend.  It's the first Tuesday of the month, so it's time for a musical revue...or maybe that should be musical review...regardless, Today's post comes from an original Tuesday's Musical Notes email that dates back to April 5th, 2011.  It has been tweaked just a bit for your blog reading enjoyment.  Thanks again for stopping by!!!


Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes where something a little "off" is always on. Today is a unique day!  We get the opportunity to visit for a moment on the best day of the week.  We get to visit about the best stuff of the week...or perhaps the best stuff of 50 years ago...Let's take a short trip back in time.  Que the flashback music.......Here we are in 1965.  What are some of your fond memories of that year?  Lyndon Johnson is President.  The Sound of Music premieres in New York.  Mary Poppins wins 5 Oscars, one for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" as Best Song.  Unfortunately, I don't remember any of that....I was 1!!  These things and many more from '65  are still somewhat popular today.  One of the most popular songs of the year would become the theme song for an iconic figure in popular music.  So without further adieu...we must ask of you....an UNUSUAL sort of question...what's new pussycat?  Whoa...


"It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones from the 1965 album Along Came Jones (It's Not Unusual)

"It's Not Unusual" has been used in television, movies and has been covered by many groups, including a Christian band Five Iron Frenzy.  It is a song about unrequited love, a favorite theme of many songs regardless of generation.  I like the song for the brass section that flows in and out of the lyric just at the right time.  It was the very first hit for Tom Jones, peaking at #10 in the US,  and launched a career that is still very active today.  

I wonder sometimes if Christians are "Unusual" enough?  We have heard many times that we need to be "in" the world but not "of" the world.  What exactly does that mean?  Can we love songs that are in the "Weekly Top 40" and not be considered "worldly"?  Can we really have that "social" drink and maintain our ability to witness to those who struggle with a drinking addiction?  Do we really believe that in the marketplace of ideas that the life of Jesus and choosing to follow Him wins every time?  While some of these questions are difficult to answer, in looking through the Bible we quickly see that we are instructed to be different because we have been delivered...

Exodus 19:5 King James Version of the Bible, Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV, Deuteronomy 26:18 KJV, Titus 2:14 KJV, and 1 Peter 2:9  all speak of those who have been delivered by God, as being "peculiar" people, "unusual" people if you will.  I am very uncomfortable with being singled out as different.   I think most people don't want their "peculiarities" highlighted for everyone to see, so what are we to do as Christians to become that "peculiar", that "unusual" people God has delivered us to be?  I think the key is in placing ourselves in a position for discipleship to occur. 

What does that look like?  It certainly is not completed in a vacuum.  Nor is it accomplished through ritualistic feats of strength or tests.  It comes by putting aside "me" for the second, minute, hour, day, week,month, year, lifetime...and through the power of Holy Spirit, placing God at the forefront of all that we do.  Is it possible to be perfect like Jesus?   Nope.  Not in this world. However, we become more like Jesus by communing with Him through Holy Spirit.  This is the process Jesus' disciples (Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.  After Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and hung himself, Matthais was chosen to take his place) went through as they followed Him during His teaching time on earth.  Imagine how much you could learn from a person by spending every moment for 3 years with them. What characteristics of their life would become characteristics in your life?  This is the discipleship process.   

I recently read a great quote about discipleship from Mike Glenn, Senior Pastor of the multi campus Brentwood Baptist Church in Tennessee.  He said, "The point of discipleship is not to know more about Jesus.  The point of discipleship is to know Jesus.  Knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus are not the same thing."  You see many people know about Jesus.  Muslims know about Jesus. Jewish folks know about Jesus.  Satanic demons know about Jesus and tremble in fear.   But we are "peculiar" by being Christians, because we not only know ABOUT Jesus, but we KNOW Jesus.  We not only know facts, scripture, or history regarding Jesus, but we have His Spirit, part of the Trinity, inside of us, changing us into His likeness, making us different from the world, and yes causing us at times to be unusual in our perspective about the world.  Ask yourself this question..."Do I know more factual information about Jesus than I know how His Spirit is changing me daily?"  It is much easier to know someone by having a conversation with them rather than reading about them.  Are you setting aside a time to get to know Jesus?   If not, start today.  Read His Word.  Communicate with Him.  Be still and know Jesus. Find a church home that you can minister IN and be ministered TO.  Fellowship with His people in a Sunday School Class or small group. Find a Christian friend that can mentor you.  You just might find that it IS unusual...

   

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy