Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This Is Halloween" (Cast of Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas

Welcome to Tuesday and another SPECIAL edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  If you look around in medialand, you are quick to notice that advertising is beginning to transition to its fourth-quarter stance.  This is the time of the year retailers absolutely adore.  Folks spend money indiscriminately because of the time of the year.  Unfortunately, as we have bemoaned time and again, the season tends to be getting earlier and earlier.  Decorations for Christmas have begun appearing in stores as we entered October and now, we are inundated with the ads, special buys, and "bundles" that populate the airwaves and newsprint.

While celebrated all over the world, the United States has tended to go all out for this time of the year.  It began in the 1700's as a Gaelic festival of passage through seasons and transformed into a Christian celebration of saints gone by. It has now become a season that is confusing in that it maintains some of the traditions of its Celtic origins (bonfires, festivals, etc.) as well as showing some twists on early Christian influences (celebration of saints already passed).  In the last 50 years it has become associated with some very dark symbolism and the perpetuation of fear.  But let's face it, most of all its about the candy!!!  This is Halloween...

"This Is Halloween" from the 1993 motion picture soundtrack The Nightmare Before Christmas

Adapted from a poem written by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a cult (not occult) classic.  From the beginning of October through New Year's day, Jack Skellington and crew find their way into stores, via video and "accessory" items, as well as on television.  While not as popular as It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, The Nightmare Before Christmas has a loyal following.  In the past few years it has run seemingly nonstop on Disney's family of television stations and usually gets promoted well at Disney parks during October.  I confess that I have never seen the movie.  Therefore, we will not pass judgement or provide a critical review.  However, based solely on the plot synopsis and the opening song, we feel sure that this film is not as appropriate for younger viewers as the aforementioned Charles Shultz classic.  

It seems in recent history, there is much in which to be afraid.  Watching the news promulgates the anxiety as we see images, some incredibly graphic, that would never have been shown on television in the 50's or 60's.  In fact, we see so much of it through various media outlets, that there is a desensitization to things that are truly horrific.  Please don't misunderstand, we DO need to understand where we are as the world today.  We DO NOT however, have to be inundated, nor allow the next generation to be exposed to gore of acts of violence, war, crime, or the United States Presidential election.  Scary Stuff!!!  

But the Bible has assurances that we should not be afraid...of anything!  Many times God's Word expresses to us that, in the vernacular of the day, "God's Got This!"  Or as Bob, the tomato, Larry, the cucumber, and Junior, the Asparagus might put it...

"God Is Bigger Than The Boogie Man" from the 1993 VeggieTales adventure Where's God When I'm Scared?

You can thank me later for THAT earworm...Let's face it most of us are kids at heart and sometimes the simplicity of Children's tales speak wisdom to all of us. And besides, who among you doesn't act just a bit juvenile during this season?  What did you say your costume was?

The phrases, "do not be afraid" and "fear not" (or some variation of the theme), are meant as a comfort to the anxieties that we all face.  Ponder this:  If you are a follower of Jesus, (God in the form of Man), who was present with God (God in the form of a Father) when EVERYTHING was created, why should we be fearful (

The Gospel of John 1:1-5 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible parallel)  He knows exactly what He is doing when it comes to you and me.  (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV/The Message)  He has plans for an abundant life, not one of fear and anxiety.   (The Gospel of John 10:10 NKJV/The Message)  He cares an incredible amount for you (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV/The Message)  So much that He sent Jesus to die in our place.  He also sends Holy Spirit (God dwelling with us) to navigate our fears and help us mature in our walk with Christ. (The Gospel of John 14 NKJV/The Message)  Jesus death and resurrection and the guidance of Holy Spirit ensures a permanent relationship with God in heaven when we pass from this life.

(The Gospel of John chapter 3)

Some say that "fear not" or some derivative is found 365 times in the Bible.  I personally haven't been able to find that many with the context that we are suggesting, so I recommend that you do your own search of the Bible and find the passages that provide comfort for you in times of anxiety.  Allow God to speak to you through His Word, the Bible, and soon you will see the darkness of fear fleeing in the Light of His Word.  

Biblegateway.com is a great resource to start your search. 

How about a different approach to this seasonal celebration:   
Church Halloween alternative

"Fear Not" by Chris Tomlin from the 2014 album Love Ran Red

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Gotta Be This Or That" (Benny Goodman and His Orchestra)

Hello!!!  Welcome to Tuesday!  It's a beautiful autumn day, so let's take a stroll down lyrical lanes and artistic avenues!  Join us won't you, as we wander down the Tuesday's Musical Notes pathway to learn more about Music, The Master, and maybe just a little bit about ourselves along the way.  Thanks for being here!  You are a welcome friend!!!  

If this is your first visit to Tuesday's Musical Noteland, we'd like to give you a few pointers to make the most of your time here.  First, check out the archives.  They are a resplendent array of songs from all over the musical spectrum.  There is sure to be one of your favorites that has been given the Tuesday treatment!  Next, be sure to click on all of the links.  You never know what exactly might pop up!  Finally, Stay as long as you like,  come back as often as you can, share this page with other musicologists and enjoy, as we start our journey of discovery.  Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  (Trumpet Fanfare!!!)

Tuesday's Musical Notes takes pride in the myriad of musical styles that are our featured songs.  We confess that the vast majority of our playlist  consist of  songs from the "Classic Rock" era.  But from time to time our hearts yearn for some diversity in the mix.  It is with this thought that we submit to you today, this classic from a different era.  Today's song hails from 1945.  Today's video of the song is 29 years later.  From a 1974 Carnegie Hall performance, here is Benny Goodman:

"Gotta Be This Or That" from 1945 by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

Renowned clarinetist Benny Goodman began his professional career at the age of 12 in Chicago.  For the next 65 years, he would entertain audiences around the world with his trademark "Swing" style of Jazz.  He played and commissioned several "Classical" pieces as well during his career.  He recorded with some of the pioneers of Big Band and Jazz and continued to perform until his death in 1986.  

His orchestra is also attributed with bringing Jazz to the forefront of popularity with their 1938 performance at Carnegie Hall which included guest contributors from Count Basie's and Duke Ellington's bands.  This concert is considered the performance which brought Jazz and Swing to mainstream audience attention.  Recordings were made of the concert, but the recording gear at the time was poor even by standards of the day.  The acetate recordings and aluminum masters that were made were not discovered until 1950.  When brought to Goodman's attention the recordings were consequently released on LP making The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert the best selling Jazz record of all time.  Due to its popularity, this album has never been out of print since its original release and is considered a must have for anyone who has an interest in collecting Jazz.  Artists from ANY genre would be very excited to have this stat about one of their records.  

Benny Goodman was considered a perfectionist which led to strained relationships with the members of his band. His standards were very high for himself and the musicians which surrounded him.  His bandmates really had very little choice in how they were to perform.  It was Benny's way or the highway.  I guess in some ways, it was ironic that he had a song titled "Gotta Be This Or That".

Our lives are filled with choices.  Recently, the term "Gray Area" has been popularized.  (Mostly by those running for political office, but I digress).  It is actually now found as a defined phrase at dictionary.com.  

gray area

noun

an undefined situation or subject that does not seem to conform to known categories or rules; an intermediate area or 

                                       topic that is not clearly defined

Many times folks consider themselves in a "gray area" when they don't have enough information to form an opinion about a topic.  There are however times when people use this as an excuse to not make a decision at all.  

For those with a worldview that is based on the principles found in the Bible, there should rarely, if ever, be a "gray area".  It's "Gotta be this or that" for people who are followers of Jesus.  

The Bible is replete with story after story of those who were given the opportunity to make a decision.  Some chose well some of the time, others chose poorly...a lot.  In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we see where the first "this or that" occured.  Genesis 2 - New King James Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible  God provides Adam with 1 rule.  Don't touch that tree. (this) If you do, you die (that).  Unbelievably, he chose that!!!  Let's face it.  We stare rules in the face every day and for whatever reason, we choose the "that", which is usually the wrong choice.  Adam chose disobedience.  Disobedience has consequences.  Adam's consequences were cataclysmic in nature because they affect every person born.  

Let's look at another Biblical "this or that".  Exodus 7-12 NKJV/The Message parallel  The supreme ruler of ancient Egypt, Pharoah, was faced with a decision.  He could let the Israelite slaves go ("this"), or his kingdom would be crushed ("that").  What seemed like a no-brainer, wound up being the worst "that" in ancient times as Egypt was destroyed economically and domestically, AND they still lost their slaves.

Finally, every person ever born will have their "this or that" moment.  Every person that has ever existed or will exist, will come to a time where they will have an encounter with God, the Holy Spirit.  With this encounter, a question will be posited that requires a response.  "What do you believe about Jesus?"  There is ABSOLUTELY NO "gray area" answer that is sufficient.  There is only, "I believe He was the Son of God, who died a cruel death, as a penalty for my disobedience towards God.  I also believe that He physically came back to life and in so doing restores my relationship with Creator God so I can go to be with Him when my physical body on this earth dies", or "I don't believe in Jesus".  

As we stated before, there are consequences for the decisions we make, which include both of these scenarios.  Belief ensures that you will be in heaven when you die where you will be with God forever.  Unbelief ensures that you will be separated from God for the remainder of eternity in a place the Bible calls "everlasting punishment". ( The Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46 NKJV/The Message parallel)  You see friend, when it comes to your "forever destination" there are no inbetweens.  When it boils down to it, it's gotta be this or that.  Which one will you choose?

"The Sheep and the Goats" from the 1981 album The Keith Green Collection

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Dream On" (Aerosmith)

Welcome to another edition of the blog that features fun with function!  You've found your outlet for tuneful trivia and a touch of the Trinity!!  You have just clicked on the melding of rock-n-roll screams and Holy rollin' Scripture!!!  That's right friend,  you have now entered Tuesday!!!  The best day of the week!  Why is Tuesday the best day of the week, you may be asking?  Allow me to elucidate...

First of all Tuesday is not Monday!  It is the 3rd day of the week, and in numerology the number 3 has a very special place.  Also, for decades in the entertainment industry, specifically music and movies being released for home viewing,  Tuesday was always the release day of new product.  Recently this has been changed to Fridays.  Boo!!!  Friday already had enough props going for it.  But alas, and alak, there is very little this humble blog can do to change the tide of poor ideas in the entertainment industry...So I guess we'll just dream about the olden days...Sing with me...

"Dream On" from the eponymous debut album by Aerosmith from 1973

It is the rare occasion in the history of music that a band will release a single from their debut album that becomes a legendary classic and is still played on rock radio 43 years after its release. Recently a group of musicians covered the song.  "Dream On" is 3 years older than the oldest member of this group...Sing with me

The Judges From the NBC TV show The Voice - "Dream On"

The original release of "Dream On" peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100.   This "shortened for radio" version had become so popular that by the time a 1976 release of the album track hit, the longer single soared up the charts to #6.  It is consistently covered by bands of all styles and is utilized all over the spectrum of media.  AND it gets loads of airplay at classic radio.  Not too bad for a single from a debut album.

While "Dream On" encourages folks to be persistent in making their dreams come true, there is another facet of the song on which I think many a follower of Jesus should focus...SIng with me

"Sing with me, sing for the years

sing for the laughter, sing for the tears,

sing with me, just for today

maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away"

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples. "

"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name"

"Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy."

"Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding."

Do you catch a theme developing here?  No, these are not missing lyrics recently discovered by some musicologist in the Aerosmith archives.  They are passages from the book of Psalms found in the Bible (Psalm 96:1-3, Psalm 30:4, Psalm 33:2-4, Psalm 47:6-7, New King James Version).  Notice the encouragement to sing.  It borderlines being a command.  The psalmist is suggesting that children of God will continually sing to Him because of His attributes.  This begs the question, who are the children of God?

"...Isn't that the way, everybody's got the dues in life to pay..."  For those who believe in Jesus those dues have already been paid.  You see, the Bible tells us that no person is perfect. ( Romans 3: 9-20 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible parallel) In the Gospel of John, we see a way that is made for that to change by God sending Jesus to remedy the gulf between a perfect God and imperfect folks.  (The Gospel of John 3 NKJV/The Message parallel)  Jesus, is the perfect Son of God and the ONLY way our sin, our trespasses, the horrible things we do in this life, can be cleaned away, securing the restored relationship with God that we so desperately need.  Jesus died via the most horrible means of death man has ever created, crucifixion.  (The Gospel of John 19 The Message/NKJV parallel) Jesus, as our Risen Redeemer, makes a way for us to be in heaven with God when we leave what we know of as the reality of this world, and pass into the eternity of the next.(The Gospel of John 14:1-4 NKJV/The Message parallel) This my friends is a reason to sing with me...

As redeemed people, the joy of our salvation should cause us to explode into song.  Unfortunately, many in our churches today refuse to sing.  Perhaps you have heard reasons such as this:  "I can't sing." "I only sing in the shower."  "I don't know any of the new songs."  "The songs are too high or too difficult for an average singer like me."  "I don't want anyone to hear my voice." You many notice that some of these reasons are about the individual while others are about the person who is leading the music.  Regardless of the reason, we have 2 HUGE reasons we should allow our joy to be expressed vocally, especially when we are a part of a congregation on Sunday morning, evening, or whenever your faith body decides to meet.  Let's explore some ancient Jewish history for a moment.  Cue flashback music...

2 Chronicles 20 The Message/NKJV parallel

This is an incredible story of God's deliverance for the children of Judah.  King Jehoshaphat saw an enlarging army of enemies beginning to surround him.  What did he do?  He prayed.  He then followed the instructions God gave to him, consulted with his folks, and they came to the conclusion that the singers should be the ones at the front of the battle lines!!!  " And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever."

What?  The singers were at the front?!!  Not the archers, or those with swords, but the singers?  After the singers did what singers do best, the people looked out into a vast wasteland of what had previously been the enemy.  Jehoshaphat was obedient, and God gave them the victory.

You see friend, we are in just as big a battle today as Jehoshaphat was in our history lesson.  But just like Jehoshaphat, the battle is not ours, but the Lord's to win.  Also, just like in Jehoshaphat's time, the singers of God's army should be at the front of the line lifting their voices to God with a dual purpose.  You see friend, a couple of things happen when you sing.  1) The enemy is intimidated and will flee.  Just like our story today, God set ambushes for Jehoshaphat's national enemies and they turned on themselves because the people were obedient and sang praises to HIM.   When God is praised, the enemy can do nothing more than turn and run.  2) The rest of the army is encouraged.  Imagine, what you would do if you heard thousands of your countrymen singing, "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever!!!"  at the top of their lungs.  Might stir your heart a bit?  Might even encourage you to do something you aren't necessarily comfortable doing in public?  Sing with me...

So the next time you are at your church, even if you don't feel like it, sing.  Those around you will be encouraged as the joy of your salvation spills over.  When you sing, the enemy is defeated and the army is encouraged.  So step up to the front lines and sing with me, sing for the years, sing for the laughter, sing for the tears, sing with me just for today... For followers of Jesus it is guaranteed that the good Lord will some day take you away! 

"Sing Your Praise to the Lord" from the 1982 album Age to Age by Amy Grant

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Daddy Sang Bass" (Johnny Cash)

Hello this Tuesday!!!  I hope today finds you still basking in the warmth of the weekend or if it isn't warm where you are, basking in the delight of someone's company!  Welcome to Tuesday and the first October 2016 edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  We drive into the email archive this week with a past Tuesday's Musical Note email. Today's Notes go way back into Country/Gospel annals of musical history.  Featuring the music legend Johnny Cash, here is Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Daddy Sang Bass".  Enjoy!!!

"There's a bright golden haze on the meadow.....

there's a bright golden haze on the meadow....

the corn is high as an elephant's eye
and it looks like it's climbin' clear up to the sky.....
Oh, what a beautiful mornin', Oh what a beautiful day.  

I got a beautiful feelin' everythin's going my way."

"Oh What A Beautiful Mornin'" from the 1943 Broadway Musical 

Oklahoma    

You might be surprised at who is singing this one.......


Welcome to this beautiful day!!! Welcome to Tuesday!!!!

What groups or organizations do you take pride in being a member?  

Perhaps you are involved in a Civic organization like Rotary.  Maybe you 

are a Christian business man looking to put your influence and your beliefs 

to work by being a Gideon.  Hopefully, you have recently been encouraged 

to consistently attend a local evangelical church and you have seen your 

life change as you have invested in others through that body of believers. 

 You might even be lucky enough to sing in a group...'cause you know 

singin' seems to help a troubled soul...

"Daddy Sang Bass" - from the 1968 album The Holy Land by 

Johnny Cash    

Who is that singing back up?

Thanks to 2005's "I Walk The Line" a new generation of music fans were 

exposed to the songwriting and singing skills of Johnny Cash.  Reese 

Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar that year for her portrayal of 

June Carter Cash.    One of my earliest memories of this great musician 

is his song "Daddy Sang Bass" from the album entitled "The Holy Land".  

It resonated with me as my dad sang bass in our church and with our 

family.  We lived the song as mom sang the lead in our little family 

quartet and Wade and I just joined right in there.  The song went to #1 

on the Country charts in 1968 and stayed there for 6 weeks.  It was 

written by "Blue Suede Shoes" singer/songwriter Carl Perkins and was 

written as a celebration of Perkins finding release from his alcoholism 

through a relationship with Christ.  Johnny Cash was the part of the body

that introduced Carl Perkins to Jesus.  

1 Corinthians 12:12

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts 

form one body, so it is with Christ. 

Please take a minute, find your favorite translation of the Bible and read 

the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12.  No really.....read it.......  If a 

Bible isn't handy, the Notes makes it easy...Open up a new tab and go to 

1 Corinthians 12 - New King James Version of the Bible/The Message 

Paraphrase of the Bible parallel please don't read any further until you 

have......  

As you look closely at 1 Corinthians 12, you quickly realize that we are 

getting an anatomy lesson on the body of Christ.  Not His physical body, 

but the Spiritual body that we as believers are a part of.  In Christ, 

acting as part of one body, we work in tandem for the sole purpose of 

spreading the news that "God is in our land".   The Gospel of Christ is 

the most important message we can be telling for many reasons.  It is 

salvation to the lost and security to the saved.  It is the Good News 

that transforms us into the likeness of One who was perfect.  It enables 

us to be a healthy body part for service to the kingdom of heaven.  

It empowers us to do the good works that God intends for us to do.  

You may be asking yourself......what part am I supposed to be?  The 

answer is, a part that is alive and healthy.   We are to be a part of 

the body that realizes specifically what function we are to play in service 

to the whole body and then actualizes everything we are to make sure 

that service is completed.  We all have a part!! Your part may even be 

to "join right in there" while "Daddy Sang Bass".....

Have you figured out what part you are to play in the body of Christ?  

There are several tools that you can use to determine where your 

giftedness may be.  One of the best is:  Lifeway's Spiritual Gifts Survey

Here you can determine where your strengths can best be used for the 

body of Christ to function at its peak.  After this get with it!  Use your 

giftedness to see folks all around you come to a saving knowledge of 

Jesus. There are many opportunities of service at your local 

Christian/evangelical church and new ministry areas continue to arise.  

Our goal is to serve others in a manner that would be a blessing to them 

and be pleasing to God. Who knows, you may be at the church you attend 

to start a new ministry work in an area to which God has equipped you.  

Our world has changed significantly since 1968, but we still need people 

to sing "bass", others to sing "tenor" and even others to "join right in 

there".  With all the parts covered, the Gospel of Jesus will be told in a 

harmony that will change the world.  What part will you sing?.........

Did you ever figure out who was singing backup for Johnny Cash in our 

video of the day?

Classic Country music fans were sure to recognize the very young Statler 

Brothers and June Carter. 

  

And just in case you couldn't quite put your finger on who was playing 

"Curly" from Oklahoma, it was actor Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Wolverine, 

Australia, etc) who has spent many years on Broadway, mostly in musicals.

Playing the part he is supposed to play as a part of the whole body of 

actors/actresses who make up the shows.

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy