Tuesday's
Dateline...Tuesday, April 25th. It has been reported that there is a blog circulating the internet that combines the best popular music from all decades with a spiritually infused commentary. Those that read this blog have been known to be exposed to tempting tunes as well as a timeless theology. There is no cause for alarm as our reporters have only turned up benefits to those who consistently read the blog, known only as Tuesday's Musical Notes. It is advised that you read as many of the archived blogs as possible to check for the positive reaction that overwhelmingly has been displayed by avid readers. Those who have read it report going back each Tuesday to see what song might be this week's feature and how it is going to be applied in a spiritual construct. We will keep you updated as future details become available. For now, we turn you back to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress...
or flash forward about 37 years
By reading the archives at Tuesday's Musical Notes, it becomes quickly apparent that one of my favorite bands is the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Chicago.
With the release of Now, or if you like the Roman numeral system, Chicago XXXVI, Chicago has returned with an entry that most die hard fans will enjoy. Utilizing "The Rig" a recording studio on wheels, they have the opportunity to record tracks separately as they tour around the world continually and find it difficult to get to a studio all at the same time.
Formed 50 years ago as The Big Thing, then morphing into Chicago Transit Authority, and finally into Chicago, this rock-n-roll band with horns has outperformed and outlived most of its contemporaries. The band has had 4 gold and 18 platinum records. That means that over half of their album catalogue have sold in excess of 500,000 units. This includes their first 12 albums being certified platinum (in excess of 1,000,000 units, Chicago 17 is the most sold at over 6,000,000).
Chicago has had hit singles in 5 decades and they continue to tour on the strength of those hits. Chicago - tour schedule Those hits have also afforded the accolades of induction to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame for Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals) and James Pankow (trombone) in February of this year.
As you can see, founding members Lamm, Pankow, Lee Loughnane (trumpet, vocals), and Walter Parazaider (woodwinds, vocals), longevity and great music have combined to establish an iconic legacy in the music industry and amongst fans who sell out their shows. Maybe these are the motivations that put a genuineness to lyric of "Make Me Smile"...
What causes you to smile? Lately, in our lives, it has been the growth and development of our twin grandsons, and the maturation of our daughters into the adults we had always prayed they would become. Some of our biggest smiles have come from some of the smallest actions by family and friends around us. These smiles are birthed from the happiness that tender moments and kind acts bring about.
Unfortunately, the emotions that evoke the "grins of a grandpa" are temporary. Happiness is not always a close companion to many. In fact, sometimes it can be very fleeting. Moments pass and so does the motive for that particular toothy beam. I think you would agree that there are in times when a smile or happiness is inappropriate.
In the Bible, the importance of a word can be found by how often it is used. A quick search of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible at biblegateway.com provides a listing of 20 Biblical references for the word "happy" and only 3 for the word :smile". Compare these searches with the search for the word "joy". 242 times the word "joy" is used in differing contexts. This would suggest, by Biblical standards, that "joy" might be a subject of some import.
Dictionary.com has the following as a definition of the word "joy":
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something
exceptionally good or satisf
The Bible also supplies a definition of the word "joy" and its interpretation suggests something more than emotion. It endorses something of more permanence than that of which the dictionary contends.
According to the Bible, for us to have a permanent joy, we must simply love. Such love is demonstrated by Jesus. He is our example of how to have a lasting joy, that far surpasses the happiness we may experience.
Maybe dear friend, the Bible is not the place where you find the definitions for your life. If this is true, I hope you will consider something.
Christian folks are not better than anyone else. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to folks in Rome. In this letter, he told the Christian folks that all have sinned, that included them. The Letter to Roman Christians by the Apostle Paul 3:22-24 NIV/The Message The word sin describes a condition in life that is common to every person who has been born. It conveys the fact that we are separated from God by the bad things we do. Paul was telling those Christians, that because of this sin, nobody is good enough to go to heaven, where God is. The Apostle John writes in his narrative about Jesus, that He loved us enough to suffer the most horrendous form of capital punishment ever invented, so that our relationship with God could be restored. The Gospel of Jesus according to the Apostle John 3:16-21 NIV/The Message Paul provides reason for great joy when he tells the Roman Christians about the hope that is provided in Jesus. The Letter to Roman Christians by the Apostle Paul 10:9-13 NIV/The Message
So you see friend, there is a joy that will do much more than make you smile. This faith provides a joy that is birthed from the facts that Holy Spirit reveals this truth to us and draws us to accept it, Jesus died for us and prepares a place for us as believers, and God awaits those that believe in heaven. This my friend is a joy that will sustain us, even when we aren't happy. This my friend is a joy that will guide us to love others, more than we love ourselves. This my friend is a joy that will make us smile...
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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