Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tuxedo Junction" (Glenn Miller and the Glenn Miller Orchestra)

 

Welcome to Tuesday!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes, where the repartee' is always snappy and the sentiment is usually happy!  Today is the last Tuesday of August and we find ourselves getting ready for what some are predicting will be a cooler than normal fall.  We also find ourselves ready for the return of football season and our favorite shows which should be premiering in September.  Less outdoor activity is available as the weather chills and the time changes (we fall back November 1st this year...why bother?) 

 

The occasional indoor retreat may find you perusing the channels and discovering the classic movies of the 30s-40s.  I confess to this being one of my favorite decades for Hollywood.  The icons of that age defined cool as they were all decked out in tuxedos and formals.  High class dressing was not just relegated to those with money.  The non-millionaires of this decade saved and scrimped so they could have that one outfit that would be suitable should the need arise or for special occasions. 

 

The ballrooms of this decade were the playground of the tuxedo set.  This once classy and elegant place for folks to socialize has virtually disappeared from the landscape.  Even the revival in ballroom dancing (Dancing With The Stars anyone?) has not been enough to return us to the time when men and women all over the country glided across the floor to the tunes of some of popular music's most recognizable melodies.  These melodies were promulgated by mini orchestras that were labeled "big bands". 

 

At the height of the big band age, no one stood taller than Glenn Miller and his orchestra.  His life was chronicled in the 1953 movie, The Glenn Miller Story, starring Jimmy Stewart.  It is an incredible film that shows the struggles that many of the band leaders of the day went through to see their music heard by the masses.  Today's featured song is given prominence in the film, which includes many of Miller's greatest hits. 

 

"Tuxedo Junction" the #1 hit from 1940's RCA Bluebird B-10612-A by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

 

Glenn Miller went missing in action on December 15, 1944.  He held the rank of major in the Army Air Forces when the airplane he was traveling in disappeared over the English Channel.  His service in the military was to modernize the Army band and entertain the troops during World War II.  He was awarded the Bronze star posthumously for his leadership of the Army Air Force band.  The service music that he recorded as well as his success in civilian life, make Glenn Miller one of the most recognizable names in all of music.

 

The Bible is replete with stories of the well adorned (Solomon at the apex of his kingdom: 1 Kings 10 - Holman Christian Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase) as well as those who had nothing (the beggar at the Beautiful Gate: Acts 3:1-10 HCSB/The Message.  In Biblical terms, every man is the same regardless of one's status, wealth, or the number of tuxedo's in the closet.  In Christ's economy, one's eternal destination is far more important that the clothes on their back...or lack thereof. 

 

If you have ever lived or traveled much in the southern United States, you are sure to have heard the expression, "Sunday go-to-meetin' clothes".  This describes the cultural phenomena (not scriptural mandate) in some church circles whereby you put on your very best clothes to go to church.  Our worship times together should be held in reverence.  God is certainly worthy of our best.  However, we border on idolatry when we focus on what we or others may be wearing and don't focus on putting on Jesus.  Romans 13 - New International Version/The Message Paraphrase is an entire chapter on our relationship with our surroundings and how we should "put on" those things that are emblematic of the fruits of the spirit.  As modern Christians, we must continually evaluate how our actions or reactions to others may impact the call from Holy Spirit that is happening in the life of a person without Jesus in their life.  We must never let our "tuxedo" wearing be a stumbling block for those who are coming with only their heart to give. 

 

Consider this from the middle of Jesus' Sermon On the Mount:  Matthew 6 - NIV/The Message

 

As we model the behavior of Jesus, we will find ourselves filled with humility, approaching others with a humble spirit and perhaps helping them find the right direction for their life as they come to the crossroad of eternity and find that it is a place full of folks just like themselves in need of salvation and clutching to the promise of the Savior, not just another Tuxedo Junction...

 

"Come As You Are" from 2014's Neon Steeple by Crowder and 2014's Passion: Take It All

 

'Til Tuesday,

 

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "ABC" (The Jackson 5)

 

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It's that time of year again!  Attention class, today turn on your mobile devices and que up the site tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com.  We will be focusing on musical history and how it can be related to the spiritual heritage we enjoy in the United States and around the world.  Begin reading Now...

Welcome to Tuesday, back to school, and Tuesday's Musical Notes salute to those who make pouring into and mentoring students, regardless of age, one of the passions of their lives.    Our incredible thanks go to the teachers and faculty of schools for being the caretakers of our students education and development during their formative years.  While the importance of teachers is paramount, it does not replace the God given responsibilities that parents have for the raising of their children.  Click here for just a few reminders of the Biblical mandate parents have for THEIR students:  Bible Verses About Parents Responsibilities - Official King James Bible online

For many students this is the time of the year they have been looking forward to as they get to be together with friends on a much more consistent basis than what summer allows.  For others, not so much...yup we can hear the eye rolling through the internet. The beginning of the school year is one that is welcomed with sleepy eyes, increased rush hour traffic, and believe it or not an exhilaration that can only come from what a new year at school holds for students, teachers, administration and support staff alike.  No school year is ever identical.  Lifelong relationships can be formed while spending 6-8 hours a day with the same bunch of folks...at least relationships that you may explore 20 years from now in whatever incarnation Facebook may have taken.  

Each year a new generation of students begins learning as 5 and 6 year olds start the process of cutting the apron strings and forming new relationships with adults other than their parents and with friends who aren't related to them.  It signifies the beginning of a lifelong process of learning. It also involves much more than reading, writing and arithmetic being the branches of the learning tree, but given the right guidance it can all be as easy as ABC...

"ABC" - title track from the 1970 album by The Jackson 5

They were THE musical act at the beginning of a new decade.  They were the first band to see their first four singles go straight to #1.  They had an additional three singles go into the top ten making for seven top ten singles in just two years.  "ABC" would knock off The Beatles "Let It Be" from the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.  For many, the music of the Jackson 5 would reach across cultural boundaries and define what popular music would like look going into the future.  They would release four albums in one year, making Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and of course Michael household names in the early 70's.  Their faces would adorn lunch boxes and magazine covers and their music would have folks dancing all over the world.  After a tumultuous break up with Motown, the Jacksons (Jermaine would remain at Motown as he had married Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel) would see their album sales slowly shrink which would give rise to  Michael coming into his own as a solo act with his debut album, Off The Wall.  By 1982, and with the release of Michael's second solo project, the best selling album of all time, Thriller, the Jacksons as a band were relegated to popular music icons and a dynasty of a bygone era.  Subsequent reunion tours and albums failed to recapture the style and essence of the band in their youth.  They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and continue to see their music and style influence generations. 

 

From the moment we are conceived, learning begins.  By the time we are born, our education concludes that eating and rest are important things, and we have learned some subtle communication skills.  As we get older our brains develop and begin storing information of all kinds. By the time we hit school age, we have a vast amount of information swirling through our minds.   The framework of a formal education provides some arrangement and structure to what we have already learned and a format for "filing" the data stream that we will encounter every day.  Every day something new is processed, acted upon or set aside for the next opportunity for use.  What we learn makes up who we are. Our search for identity causes unsettled patches of our lives as  EVERY person possesses an uneasiness that wonders if "this is all there is?". 

 

Many philosophers, psychologists, and psychiatrists will relate that this search for the meaning of our existence is something that can only be attained by our sense of self worth.  While there is a modicum of truth to this ideology, further research suggests that one can satisfy the fulfillment of their lives by learning the A,B,Cs...

 

The beginning of the school year typically marks the end of the Vacation Bible School season.  VBS, as its commonly referred to, is usually a series of 3-5 day events similar to a day camp provided by many churches during the summer.  Many students look forward to seeing what this year's theme will be and wonder what kind of craft they may be encouraged to make.  But the thrust of VBS is much more than learning how to glue sticks together to make an airplane or even learning the motions to the VBS songs.  It is an opportunity for the A,B,Cs to be reinforced. 

 

You may be wondering what the alphabet has to do with a Christian day camp.  When children come to a VBS, many of them are exposed to what is known as the A,B,Cs of becoming a Christian:

 

A- Admit to God you are a sinner

B-Believe that Jesus is God's son

C-Confess your faith that Jesus is your Savior and Lord

 

Here's one fun way to look at it:

"A awiki" from  Lifeway Christian Resources VBS - Outrigger Island 

 

or maybe this puts it in a better perspective for your learning style:
  

"Tumbleweed" from Lifeway Christian Resources VBS - Saddle Ridge Ranch 

 

These videos are definitely geared towards the younger learners among us, however, they provide the very important lesson of redemption through becoming a follower of Jesus that EVERYONE should know.  Our relationship with God is broken because of the sin in our life (A- Admit).  Separation From God - openbible.info  Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, came to restore that relationship through sacrificing Himself in the most horrific form of death ever created by man.  John 3:1-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase parallel, He died and was seen alive by many people after being in a sealed tomb for three days John 18-20 - HCSB/The Message parallel  (B - Believe).  Because we believe that Jesus did all of this to restore our relationship, we need to tell the world about the saving love of God and what He has done in our lives because we admitted and believed  Romans 10 - HCSB/The Message parallel (C-Confess). 

 

The songs of Vacation Bible School are just one of the tools used to describe and explain what Jesus has done for us.  You may be familiar with mini booklet gospel tracts, the Share Your Faith smart phone app, or a puzzle block called the Evangecube.  Each of these provide variety for learning about Jesus to a world that is filled with a variety of learning styles.  People learn in different ways, but most will learn a concept if it is put in its simplest form.  Salvation is a gift to us.  A gift that has a tremendous cost.  We don't have to do anything to get this gift.  The price has already been paid. Believing that Jesus paid the price to restore a relationship with you is a complex ideology that is provided by a simple process. A process that is as easy as learning your A,B,Cs...

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G from Lifeway Christian Resources VBS - Amazing Wonders Aviation 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Vacation" (The Go Go's)

Hey, Howdy, Ho!!!  It's time for a Tuesday twofer!   Once again this week The Notes re-imagines a Tuesday's Musical Notes only seen by about 50 folks in 2011 via email.  It is quite appropriate for the season and we wanted to get it in before the weather breaks...(that's a colloquialism for the change from summer to fall like weather)...So find a glass of iced tea, a lawn chair and device that will let you have access to The Notes, and get ready for an extended break..in fact, one might even call it a ...Vacation.

 In case the temperatures have left any doubt.....Summertime is here!!  With it comes vacations and camps whose only limits are your imagination and perhaps your pocketbook.  Weeks like these can invigorate you, reignite the passion that you have for life, and reenergize your batteries for the vocation that provides your livelihood.  They can sometimes be stressful, but most of the time vacations allow a relaxation time that you don't normally get when at home. 

Gina Schock.....ever heard of her?  How about Kathy Valentine?  Doesn't ring any bells?  Perhaps Charlotte Caffey?
Jane Wiedlin?....wait a flash of recognition......Belinda Carlisle.....wasn't she on Dancing With The Stars?  You might know them better as a group.  The 80's all girl, new wave band.............. the Go Go's. 

"Vacation" - title track from the 1982 album by The Go Go's

In a 20 year span, they would only release 5 studio albums.  Those 5 records have produced an astounding 7 million copies sold. Given those stats, it is easy to see why The Go Go's remain one of the top selling all girl bands in history.  The Go Go's were to the '80s what the Shirelles were to the '60s. They were one of the leaders of "New Wave" in the '80's and continue to be the most recognizable of girl bands. Their second album would see only it's title track hit the top 40, but oh, what a track.  Bolstered by its "tutu as a waterskiing fashion statement" music video, "Vacation" would peak at #8 at Billboard and would establish The Go Go's as force throughout the remainder of the '80s.  Vacation, the album, would receive praise and a gold certification but would not achieve the status that The Go Go's debut album, Our Lips Are Sealed, would attain.  They continue to tour in reunion concerts world wide, but are not currently working on any new material, maybe they needed a vacation?

Breaks away from the "normal" routine are Biblical.  Throughout the Bible you see times when men and women who were chosen by God to be leaders, took breaks.  While they weren't in the vein of our modern day vacations, they were certainly a time of refreshing and refocusing on the plan that God had for their lives.  Jesus even went away from the disciples at times to be with the Father without distraction.  Luke 5:15-16 - Holman Christian Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase parallel

What we do with these times is very important.  Our vacations enable us to have a time to reconnect with God and with each other, if we make the effort.  Many of you know what lives with teenagers and young adults are like.  As our children grow older, they begin to live their own life.  A family of 5 can go 10 different directions in a matter of minutes.  It takes more effort for the lines of communication and connection to be strong.  A vacation can hit a reset button for that connectivity.    Especially if you happen to be lost in downtown Orlando looking for a record store...during rush hour.  I promise you there is a lot of communication going on then.....but, I digress 

     As you take your breaks during the remainder of the Summer, be in prayer about how God can use you.  Take that vacation and spend some time with the Father without distraction.  Ask Him how you may fit into the kingdom work He has prepared for you to do.  Ephesians 2:10 - HCSB/The Message parallel

'Traveling Light" by Joel Hanson with Sara Groves, the title track from the 2002 album

   

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Lost In Love" (Air Supply)

  

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It's the first Tuesday of August and time for a Tuesday Musical Notes rewind!  We've reached back to April of 2011 in our Tuesday's Musical Notes, the email, to bring you today's edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes, the blog.  Let's dive into the 80's with this sorta sappy, kinda corny, but beautiful ballad that will have you making sure to check your Air Supply...

Ahh, it seems like only yesterday.  Whether they would admit it or not, even the tough guys on campus were listening, maybe in secretly but they were listening, to the band Air Supply.  Many a romance was kindled by this Australian band's music.  When they released the single "Lost In Love", many Americans thought they were listening to a brand new band when in fact, 1980's Lost In Love, the album, was the fifth studio release by the band and the title cut had originally been released in 1979.  Air Supply's prior releases had been hugely popular in their adopted country of Australia, but had failed to connect worldwide. In fact, the original release of "Lost In Love" from 1979's Life Support, went as high as #13 on the Kent Record report, Australia's version of Billboard, but never charted anywhere else until the 1980 release.  Here from 1979 AND 1980 is Air Supply with "Lost In Love"

"Lost In Love" - Air Supply from the 1980 album Lost In Love

The band's success in Australia was enough to draw the attention of hit maker Clive Davis and his label, Arista Records.  With its signature single in place, Air Supply would compile additional music for the release of Lost In Love.   Due to the steady sales of the title track, Air Supply would solidify its pop music status by releasing "All Out Of Love", and "Every Woman In The World"  as singles from the album.  Both would go into Billboard's top ten and garner Air Supply recognition through the 1980s award circuit, as well as causing Lost In Love to go as high as #22 on the album chart. 

I am not ashamed to admit it.....I loved Air Supply!!  When I was in high school, I could sing as high as Air Supply's lead singer Russell Hitchcock and constantly belted out their songs while driving a 1980 Camaro...is that the definition of a conundrum?  The girls seemed to like it.  But I digress...

We mentioned in last week's blog, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I'm A Believer", the fact that the 10 Commandments were written with the focus on relationships.  The first 4 regard our relationship with God, the last 6 bring in our relationship with our fellow man.  If you look really hard at the 10 Commandments it is easy to see that the relational values associated are based on love.  How much do we love God?  Are we willing to put everything else aside to do what He has asked us to do?  How much do we love our fellow man?  Are we willing to lay down our lives for a brother?  Jesus thought we should be able to answer a resonunding "YES!!!" to these questions.

 As followers of Jesus, Christians should be putting on the mind of Christ every day.  That includes loving God and others more and more every day.  Jesus' love was demonstrated by how He treated the folks He encountered.  The Gospels, Matthew - Holman Christian Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase parallel,  Mark - HCSB/The Message parallel, Luke - HCSB/The Message parralel, and especially John - HCSB/The Message parallel, all record the life of Jesus as one  who went about exhibiting love without condition.  By the power of Holy Spirit, we have the ability to love just like Jesus loved, without condition, or regard for our own safety.  This is a cause for pause as we must evaluate our relationship with Jesus to determine our followship of Jesus. 

 

Friend, how much do you love Jesus?  Ponder that for just a moment....  How much do you love Jesus?  Would you describe your relationship as being "Lost In Love"?  Would your closest friends affirm that you love Jesus if you asked them?  How could they tell?  Do your periphery friends know that you love Jesus?  If so, how? The Bible speaks many times about the "Fruits of the Spirit".  Those are the attitudes and attributes that are produced in you as an outward reflection of the gift of Holy Spirit that you received upon your repentant redemption experience, or your salvation.  Galatians 5:22-23 HCSB/The Message parallel.  According to Paul, if we are indwelt by Holy Spirit our lives should exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control.  Time for a check up on this check list.  How do we measure up?

Take a few minutes and read the book of James from the Bible.  It is only 5 chapters long and won't take much time to read.  Here's a link: James - HCSB/The Message parallel.

You may have noticed  a lot of talk about faith and works.   Let me state this plainly, works alone will not deliver you from the enemy.  However, I believe the Gospel is not carried out in your life just because you have made a profession of faith in Christ.  I am not saying that you are not delivered, but the Gospel is not carried out in your life until there are outward signs of the inward condition.  The Gospel is carried out in you and through you by your works. 

So, for whom do you work?  Now please don't misunderstand me, I am not asking about the boss at your vocation, but I'm inquiring as to what inward condition is displayed based on your outward signs?  Are you so Lost In Love with Jesus that you can't wait to see what He is calling you to do for His kingdom?  Could someone who doesn't know you, know for whom you work?  You may have seen this video, but I think it is worth a second, or third glance.  What inward condition is on display?

"Rise Up" from Second Baptist Church - Houston's 2011 Dance Your Shoes Off

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

So for whom do we work?  What are our priorities?  How is it that we are too tired to go to church on Sunday evening and Wednesday, but not to the baseball or soccer fields?  Are we more willing for our students to use gifts, talents, and abilities in school programs rather than in kingdom work?  Do our children see us work as hard at church as they see us work in "secular" endeavors?   What inward condition are you displaying?   Do we show how lost we are in His love?

Mark 8:35 (King James Version)
 ³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Hillsongs United - "Perfect Love" from 2007's In A Valley By The Sea

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy