Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Signs" (Five Man Electrical Band)

Thanks for joining us for another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  As we are writing this, massive devastation is occurring in the southern parts of Texas because of flooding due to hurricane Harvey.  We lift up those who have lost a family member, those who are displaced, and those who await the opportunity to provide assistance to the entire region with help and resources. We praise God for the efforts of first responders and rescue workers as well as the meteorological folks who saw the signs of this impending force of nature and warned all of those in the path of the storm to be prepared.  It seems that many heeded those warnings.

If you would like to a part of the relief efforts you can contact the following organizations that I can highly recommend: Samaritan's Purse or Arkansas Baptist State Convention

And now on with The Notes!!!

As we navigate our lives we oftentimes receive instruction.  This instruction can be given directly by parents, teachers, or mentors.  As we grow the directions that are given by these folks adjust to our needs, and sometimes to how we stretch the boundaries of the rules.  In this way, training and preparation are provided in a fluid manner to assist us in being the best persons that we can be.  

There are static instructions that also keep us safe, and provide instruction.  While there is less of a personal touch as the more fluid versions of learning, this guidance come in the form of signs.  "Do this, don't do that" are the general implications of most signs.  

The era of the 60's and 70's are noted for their rebelliousness and "boundary stretching".  The music of the time reflected this restlessness.  Today's feature song is a perfect example of popular music reflecting culture.  Sign says, it's time to play the video for the feature song...

"Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band from the 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies

The band formerly known as The Staccatos saw small success in their native Canada before changing their band name to describe what they were: a Five Man Electrical Band.  Their biggest hit was "Signs", reaching #3 on Billboards Hot 100.  The gold record would end up at #24 in the year end countdown for 1971.  

Five Man Electrical Band technically was a 2 hit wonder.  The follow up single "Absolutely Right" would peak at #26 and they would see their dream of being an iconic Rock band fade quickly.  They disbanded in 1975 but reformed in 1986 just in time to see "Signs" once again reach Billboard Chart success with the acoustic cover by the band Tesla.  The 1990 live album Five Man Acoustical Jam version of "Signs" would peak at #8 and remind a new generation of music lovers of the song.  The Notes suggests discretion with the live version of "Signs" as it has alternate lyrics that are objectionable.  If you like Tesla and the song, we highly recommend the studio version that is a true cover of the 1971 classic.   I guess they should have put a sign on the live album...Sign says "you shouldn't change the lyrics of a classic, well done song"...

Whether used for instruction or directions, signs actually provide a service to most folks.  We use them to find the right highway, to know when to stop, to understand a type of food that is served at a restaurant, and to know where boundaries are.  Signage is a part of structure that we need as humans to understand where we are going and what may be ahead of us as we go that way.  Too bad there isn't a sign for the direction of our lives...but wait!  There is.

Throughout the history of mankind, there has been a fascination with celestial bodies providing signs of the future.  In fact, a recent clamor has come around the alignment of planets that will occur on September 23, 2017 (What Will Happen on September 23, 2017? from answersingenesis.com by Dr. Danny R. Faulkner on May 1, 2017; last featured August 25, 2017).  Man has attempted to use the planets and stars to determine the outcome of his situation for centuries, yet, most of the time, these predictions fall flat in producing the prophesied results. Too bad there are no prophecies about future events that are accurate...but wait!  There is.

The absolute best source for instruction and direction is the Bible.  It is a sign (stay with the analogy) that indicates where we have been (historical books), how we can best live our lives (poetic/wisdom literature, and Pauline letters), and what lies ahead in the future (Phropetical books).  Most of the books of the Bible contain prophetical passages.  Many of these passages speak of the time of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and then Roman rule over Israel.  The Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations (also written by Jeremiah), Ezekiel, and Daniel all contain signs and warnings about the results because of Israel's falling away from serving God.  The Minor Prophets, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi continue these warnings as more compact books.  These prophets provided a view of Israel's captivity under each of these ruling world powers prior to those events happening.  Unfortunately, Israel failed to observe the signs and continued in their own way.  They could have avoided much strife and turmoil in their lives if they had only listened to the prophets, understood the signs and repented of their sin.  But what does that have to do with 2017 you may ask?

The book of Daniel in the Old Testament, and the book of Revelation, written by Jesus' disciple John, provide insight into what the future holds and signs of Jesus return through metaphor and symbolism.  How do we go about deciphering the symbols and understanding the metaphor?  Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power when Holy Spirit came upon them.  Please understand this.  As believers, we can not understand ANY Biblical concept without Holy Spirit revealing it to us.  

If you are not a believer, please understand that Holy Spirit is drawing you to Himself.  This means that God wants to be able to call you His child, if you will believe what Jesus said about Himself and believe what Jesus did for you.  All of this is recorded in the first 4 books of the New Testament of the Bible.  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are the fulfillment of some of the signs that were scattered throughout the entirety of the Old Testament.   In Matthew 24 Jesus continues providing understanding of future events by gaving us some signs about when the end of earth would occur.  Read about them here:  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 24 New International Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/New King James Version of the Bible parallel

One need only read the headlines on news websites to understand the realization that some of the signs of which Jesus spoke are coming to pass.  The disciples thought that those signs were effectively being carried out before their eyes as they anticipated Jesus return and their reuniting with Him in their own time. 2000 years later, it seems even more urgent for us to make a decision for Jesus as even more of these landmarks are coming to place before our eyes.  The Bible promises us that only God knows when the events of Revelation will come to pass.  It seems funny to me when folks attempt to predict when that will be.  I can promise you when it won't occur.  On any date that man is expecting or has predicted it.  Time is running short.  Don't wait to late.  If I may take a liberty or two...Signs, signs everywhere there's signs, tellin' 'bout a Savior whose come to change lives, here Him, don't waste time, can't you read the signs???....

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" from the 1969 album Upon This Rock by Larry Norman

'Til Tuesday,

  

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - We've Only Just Begun" (The Carpenters)

Welcome to Tuesday!  Today is a very special day here at Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This particular Tuesday can only be eclipsed, (wait, that was yesterday....are we still here?),  by one other thing.  Last year the date fell very close to that one thing and The Notes made reference to it... 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Right Down The Line"

But this year...Tuesday and our anniversary fall on the same day!!! (insert uproarious sound effects here) 

So...here...we...go... 

From this day 31 years ago...

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To this about 20 years ago...

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To this year...

Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate our 31st birthday!  Here's where I always say something that happens to be from today's feature song, so why should today be any different?  31 years and...we've only just begun.

"We've Only Just Begun" from the August 1970 album Close To You by The Carpenters

The most recent incarnation of the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time has The Carpenters #2 smash from 1970 listed at #414.  The song originated was found in a Crocker National Bank commercial.  Crocker National - "We've Only Just Begun"  Roger Nichols and Paul Williams wrote the wedding themed jingle. It was later that year heard by Richard Carpenter.  Williams and Carpenter were both on contract with A&M records at the time.  After further rewriting by Williams, including a bridge and verse not heard in the commercial, Richard Carpenter placed the song on the 1970 album Close To You, the second full length album by The Carpenters.  "We've Only Just Begun" followed the #1 title track as the 2nd single from the album to be released. It peaked at #2 on the charts and helped the brother-sister duo win 2 of 1971's Grammy's for Best New Artist (The Carpenters), and Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus ("Close To You").  

Much has happened in the 47 years since this song was released.  Your humble blogger was just 6 and his beautiful wife was just 3.  We didn't know each other in 1970.  The distance from Bald Knob, Arkansas (yes, that's my hometown) and Hot Springs, Arkansas (her hometown) seemed like light years in the eyes of children of the 70's. 

Fortunately, for us, the world got much smaller as we got older.  The distance between Fayetteville (my collegiate home and eventually hers as well) and Hot Springs was a couple hours longer, yet in 1985 (the year we met) terms, it seemed only a short hop down the mountain to Hot Springs.  So many roads to choose...

Time also got faster as it seems that only yesterday it was 1986 and we were those kids from the first picture.  (Tammy says that she feels every year of it...not sure what she means by that...)  Much has happened in that seemingly short period of time.  We are on the 6th President in "our" lifetime.  The price of everything has at the very least doubled.  My very first "out of college" career paid me $14,562 annually (our current financial situation is much improved).  We had daughters (1990, 1992, and 1996), a son (he came by way of our middle daughter, but he is OUR son) (2014), and now twin grandsons (2015).  Oh yeah, my vinyl collection has exploded since its beginnings in high school.  

31 years (and the rest of our lives for that matter) could not have happened without the examples that we have had.  Family members who have been married 40, 50, and even 60 years have set a precedent to us of the importance of the "forever" portion of our vows.  Our marriage has had "interesting" times, yet because of the examples of and love from our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we have persevered regardless of trials.  

While these family members have inspired us, we must acknowledge that God through Holy Spirit has been the sustaining force for us through times that where we had "conversations" about things and life became more "interesting".  

Thank you to those who have and continue to invest in us.  We hope to pay it forward to the next generation of young couples in which we are blessed to have influence. 

Here's some advice we have gained from that "cloud of witnesses".  Please consider this advice if you are planning a marriage to the love of your life:

1) Find a trusted Christian counselor to spend at least 6 weeks with you as a couple, mentoring you in your new life.

2) Understand that at the point of your wedding, you are no longer you in the individual sense, you are (in the southern vernacular)..."ya'll".

3) Read at least 1 premarital book together...simultaneously.  That's right.  You don't turn the page until your fiance is finished reading THAT page.  Talk about what you read.  Come to conclusions that you can agree on and some that may require compromise from the both of you.  

4) Realize that at the point of your wedding, your relationship with your mother, father, siblings and other relatives is different.  They are no longer the center of your universe.  For your marriage to succeed...your relationship to your spouse must supercede ANY other relationship...past, present, or especially future.  Does this mean you have to spend every waking minute together?  No, I'm not even sure that is healthy.  It does mean that you BOTH have to guard the heart that has been fused together at your wedding.  My personal best advice with regards to family relations after marriage.  Move as far away as you possibly can from ANYONE that you may know.  This forces a reliance on each other for which living close to family and friends will never allow.  

Much is being said about marriage today.  If you have read Tuesday's Musical Notes for very long, you understand that we take a Biblical world view when it comes to marriage.  The Bible defines marriage as between 1 man and 1 woman.  It was created by God in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 2 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/New King James Version of the Bible parallel), ordained by Jesus during His ministry (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew: chapter 19 CSB/The Message/NKJV) and it is aided and sustained by Holy Spirit in this present life ("The Holy Spirit in Marriage" October 19, 2015 blogpost on loveyourspouse.org)  

Marriage is an institution that was never intended to have separation.  However, we realize that we live in a world where over 50% of marriages end in divorce.  Unfortunately, as many "Christians" go through divorces as those who do not profess Jesus as Lord.  This is a staggering statistic that we should work towards reversing.  This trend can be turned around.  Strong marriages can abound in a spirit of love.  

Divorce is not the unforgivable sin either.   Please understand this.  God loves everyone.  We are commanded to love God first and then love others as we do ourselves.  For too many years, Christians have treated the victims of divorce with judgement and scorn, instead of the love that Jesus dictated we should have for ALL folks.   Life is too short to ruin relationships over judgmental attitudes and harsh criticisms.  We are to LOVE.  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John: chapter 13 CSB/The Message/NKJV

For the past 31 years, I have been blessed beyond imagination by a love that is emblematic of that expressed in John 13.  I don't always like her ideas and she doesn't always like mine.  But WE love the fact that we wake up next to each other.  She doesn't like the same songs that I do.  But WE make beautiful music together.  (Yup that noise you just heard was my youngest daughter going...STOP it dad!!!)  31 years ago today, we started out walkin' and learned to run...after 31 years of runnin', we're walking again and the only runnin' we do is after grandkids.  We couldn't have made it to this point with out the love of others.  Thanks again to those of you who love US.  Most importantly, we couldn't have made it this far without Holy Spirit being a part of the "ya'll" that is us. 

So that's it.  A kiss for luck and we're on our way.  And yes, we've just begun...

"Another Day With You"  from the 2004 album Still The Cross by FFH 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Weight" (The Band)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!! 

Have you ever had those times where you were able to unplug?  I'm not talking about going acoustic with your musical choices, while that is kinda cool every once in a while.  That to which I refer is the opportunity to get away from any electronic resource for information.  This kind of experience is getting more difficult with each passing day as digital devices are becoming less expensive to use and more powerful with each incarnation.  But the chance to "get away from it all" is something that I truly think humans need to be able to do to cope with the external stimuli that is all about us.  Let's face it, recent headlines are full of conflict, turmoil, and strife.  These things are not just occurring in third world countries, but in the United States, where it seems each news hour includes a "breaking" news story of something that is inherently bad.  

I know, I know, that is not our normal "happy, happy, joy, joy" intro, but it is important to note that the world around us is in a decay of much greater proportions that any "Inconvenient Truth" might portend.  If we do not take the moment to disconnect, to reduce the aforementioned external stimuli, and just calmly, quietly, serenely, breathe as we were created to do, the weight of all that is happening around us could be crushing. So, The Notes advice?  "Take a load off, Fanny...take a load for free..."

"The Weight" by The Band from the July 1968 album Music from Big Pink

Since 1968, popular music has been influenced by a group simply known as The Band.  Levon Helm (1940-2012), Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko (1943 - 1999), Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel (1946-1986)  formed the musical group whose iconic style and brand of music is still covered by young musicians today.  They had the occasion to play at most of the major venues and music festivals of the '60s and 70's, including Woodstock.  They toured with Bob Dylan, sans Helm for most of the tour, during 1965-1966 as the act, Bob Dylan and the band.  Depending on the member of the group, this touring moniker is where the eventual name of their group came.  

Success was all but guaranteed, by the time they released their debut record, Music from the Big Pink.  The album title came from the "Big Pink" home in which they lived during the time of the album's recording.  Bob Dylan wrote one and co-wrote two other songs from the album, insuring interest from the music buying public.  Today's feature song would be the only single from the album to hit Billboard's Hot 100, peaking at 63.  "The Weight" was also included in the 1969 film Easy Rider, though due to licensing difficulties it was not included in the films soundtrack album.  Add to the exposure from Easy Rider, The Band would perform "The Weight" at Woodstock, which happened 48 years ago this week (August 17, 1969), and our song of the day became an instant classic without achieving top of the chart success.

Levon Helm was among a handful of entertainers from Arkansas (Entertainers associated with the State of Arkansas)  I had the chance to meet Levon Helm in the mid 90's.  He came by the entertainment superstore that I was managing.  My music manager at the time called me out to that area with an interesting request.  Levon Helm was in the midst of a royalty/song writing credit lawsuit with Robbie Robertson.  He came into our store and asked if we would open all of The Band's music so he could check the liner notes for the writing credits.  He was burdened by the fact that so much of The Band's music had been credited to Robertson and felt like the rest of the members weren't getting their due.  Fortunately, all was as it was supposed to be with regard to the writing credits.  We engaged in conversation about the music industry.  Nice guy that reminded me of my dad. Helm was from Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, (yes that is a real place, a suburb of Marvell, in the Helena-West Helena portion of the state) and cited his southern, rural raising as much of the resource for his musical style and song writing.  

So many times we allow external forces, over which we have very little control, to influence our lives.  If we allow this to build up it can become overwhelming and burdensome.  We were not created to carry that weight, nor to shoulder the responsibility for the world's problems.  Yes, we should bear the responsibility for those times we miss the mark and make mistakes (the Bible calls this sin), but we should not allow circumstances in our world like the North Korean threat or the cultural divide that we see in our own country dictate our lives and devour our every waking minute.  

We were created, and much has been sacrificed for us, to live lives of peace, love and joy.  The Gospel (Good News) accounts of the life of Jesus detail this very fact.  The disciple Matthew knew intimately what the release of the weight of sin felt like.  Before following Jesus, he was working as a tax collector.  That's right! One of the men that Jesus called to be His disciples,  was hated and despised because he collected, and in many cases swindled, taxes from the public.  Tax collector's in Jesus' time were disdained even more than the IRS is disliked by those of us in 2017.  (Although the argument could be made that both are equally corrupt...but I digress).  While Matthew was in the course of doing his business, Jesus called him to follow:  biblia.com - "Matthew Is Called"  Matthew immediately left his tax booth and followed Jesus.  Imagine the release of stress that Matthew felt as he took each step further away from the burdensome life he had been living and took each step toward a rabbi whose words included "I will give you rest".   In other words, Jesus was saying, take a load off Matthew, take a load for free.  This is not to say that Matthew's life following Jesus was free from stress, trouble, and turmoil.  in fact, most theologians suggest that Matthew was martyred in the mission field as he told the good news about Jesus to others.  Matthew did however have the reassurance that he was not alone as he faced these times.  Jesus had promised Matthew as He does us:  The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple Matthew chapter 11:25-30 Christian Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible, New King James Version of the Bible parallel

Jesus not only promised that His burden would be light, He demonstrated that He would carry that load.  Matthew continues telling the story of Jesus' ministry from the perspective of one who had been reviled by his own nationality and was considered to be in the pocket of the enemy.  What an incredible story of redemption Matthew lived after he followed Jesus.    His account of Jesus details the  miracles and the lives that were changed forever because of the interaction that folks had with the Savior.  Most importantly, Matthew told of the sacrifice in which we spoke earlier.  

Matthew 27-28 CSB/The Message/NKJV 

As Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary, He carried the weight of every wrong perpetrated by mankind.  From the disobedience of  Eden, to last week's shameful display of hatred, to the wrong  that will happen until He returns (that includes what you and I will do), all of that was on Him at the crucifixion.  He in reality took the load of our sin on his body and soul as He served sacrificially for you and me.  He did this so that we could have a way to be reconciled with our Creator when our lives end.  

Our reconciliation is not automatic.  Jesus died for each of us, but we have to believe that He did this.   At first glance, this statement may seem redundant, but millions of people each day die rejecting that particular piece of knowledge.  They are exposed to the truth, yet they decide to carry the weight of their "world" with them.  When we choose to accept Jesus' sacrifice, we have to lay down those things that weigh us down.  This is a voluntary action, but one that each of us needs to do.  Unfortunately, we sometimes want to pick that junk back up, but Jesus is waiting there, encouraging us to leave it at His feet.  These facts cause one to ponder this question...what do you believe about Jesus?

We started today suggesting that we get unplugged.  We finish up with the suggestion that there is no greater way to explore the life of Jesus that being plugged in.  This incredible tool called the internet that allows us to share with you each week, can be a powerful conduit to share the love of Jesus and see that everyone gets a chance to experience what it feels like to have guilt, shame, and misery lifted off of you by HIS grace, sanctification, and mercy.  Jesus could have easily inspired the lyric...take a load off Fanny, take a load for free, take a load off Fanny, and...and...and... ya put the load right on me...

Curious about who Jesus really was?  There is a theatrical movie that comes out today on DVD that is very insightful.  It is taken from the best selling book by Lee Strobel: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

Here's the trailer:

The Case for Christ available on DVD today at a retailer near you

"He Touched Me" by the Gaither Vocal Band written by Bill Gaither. First recorded by The Imperials on their album The Happy Sounds of Jake Hess and the Imperials

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "If You Could Read My Mind" (Gordon Lightfoot)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is where rediscovering favorite classic music and investigating passages from the Bible combine to help us find out a little bit more about ourselves.  This pathway of discovery is underscored by lyrics and melodies that are intended to revive and invigorate the brain and encourage the heart, all the while transforming the spirit.  Thanks for joining us today!!!  

Mr. Gordon Lightfoot provides the soundtrack to our journey today.  Let's drop the needle on the platter and get started, shall we?  It really doesn't take a mind reader to see where we are going...

"If You Could Read My Mind" by Gordon Lightfoot from the April 1970 album Sit Down Young Stranger

Canadian Folk/Rock artist Gordon Lightfoot, who turns 80 next year, forged a path for melodic poetry through the decade of the 70s.  Like today's song, written about his 1st divorce, many of Lightfoot's story songs were penned through his personal experience.  Songwriters of the time and the "good" artists of today continue to pay homage to this hit maker who personified what it meant to be a folksy pop music star of the 70s.  

His most famous, best-selling songs and albums came about during the time period of 1970-1978.  Lightfoot's 8 full-length records during this time span, all made the US Billboard Hot 100 album chart, including the #1 Sundown from 1974.  Over half of these albums hit #1 in his native Canada where he had been a hitmaker since the late 60s.  

Gordon Lightfoot has a loyal following among fans, but also among songwriters and musicians.  Many of his band members have been touring with him for over 45 years.  He continues to tour but is not writing songs anymore.  In a 2016 interview with the Calgary Herald, He was been quoted as saying that songwriting was a very isolating thing for him and contributed to his inconsistency in relationships.  He has been married 3 times.  

In today's feature song, Lightfoot poses an interesting question.  What if we could read the minds of others?  Ramifications from this extra sense abound.  The eloquence of speaking would be lost.  The only sounds we would hear would be environmental noise.  But most importantly, we might very well find out things that we just don't want to know and others would find out things we don't want them to know.  

While there are those who claim to have the capability to read minds, (we here at the Notes are skeptical) most people, fortunately, do not have that ability.  But there is One who has knowledge of everything.  This is called omniscience and it is one of God's characteristics.  

Consider this:

Jeremiah 1:5 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible parallel

Jeremiah 29:11 CSB/The Message

Psalm 139:1-6 CSB/The Message

Job 28:23-28 CSB/The Message

The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple Matthew 6:8-13 CSB/The Message

Matthew 10:26-31 CSB/The Message

Acts of the Apostles 15:8-9 CSB/The Message

These passages portray a God who knows everything there is about us.  Our past, present, and future are all a part of the things He knows about us.  He even knows the number of hair on our head! (he even keeps track of that number as the hair on our head either turns gray or turns loose...) He who created our minds doesn't have to read them.  He already knows what is in them!

If you have never heard the passages above, please consider the truth that they relay.  Ponder what it is they are saying to you specifically.  How do they resonate in your life? Remember, God knows and loves everything about you!  

God's omniscience could be a scary thought.  God knows even my deepest, darkest secrets?  He knows the things I have buried in the recesses of my mind?  He knows the things that I try so hard to forget?  Yes, He does.  He is waiting to help you with those things.  He is waiting to forgive you for those things.  He is waiting to save you from those things.  All you need do is turn away from doing those things, and turn to Him.  

Upon turning to Jesus as your Savior, God's omniscience becomes a source of comfort, even in uncomfortable times.  The confidence in knowing that God is in control of the seemingly uncontrollable issues of our lives provides peace, contentment, and even at times joy.  We know that, like Paul, we can do all things, even in hard times, through the strength that is in us, because of Holy Spirit's influence and interaction.  Philippians 4:10:14 CSB/The Message

So don't worry about the folks around you who proclaim to be able to read you like a book, or even see into your mind. Our concern or comfort should come from the One who doesn't have to read our mind, He created it and already knows what is there...and oh what tales my thoughts do tell...

"Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation" by Larry Norman from the 1969 album Upon This Rock 

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Show Me The Way" (Styx)

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  The absolute best day of the week!!!  Why, You may ask?  Well let me explain.  Of all the days of the week, Tuesday has the most normalcy.  It is the one day of the week you can count on.  Let's face it.  Most folks don't enjoy Mondays.  There is that "back to work" drudgery that hangs over this day like a little black rain cloud.  The anticipation about Wednesday as "hump day" spoils this day as you are ready to get it over and be on the back side of the week.  Thursday and Friday are toast in the list of days, because they are the precursors to the weekend and many wish them away to get to Saturday.  Ah, Saturday.  The one day of the week several can relax and enjoy life.  They may even be able to catch up on chores or just spend it in the leisure activities they love the most. But alas, and alack, Saturday is limited by its 24 hour time frame.  The only real challenger to Tuesday, is Sunday.  If you are missing the opportunity that is Sunday to join with like minded folks in worship, you really are missing out.  The sense of love and family in some congregations is the thing that gets us through the rest of the week.  The drawback to Sunday?  It too is over in 24 hours.  If Sunday were to never end, well friend, that's heaven, the place where God, the Father, God, the Son (Jesus), God, the Holy Spirit will forever be glorified and worshiped.  So you see, Tuesday really is the best day of the week!!!  Welcome to it!
 
Many musical groups can trace their roots to the '60s.  Some are still making records and touring today.  If you think back to the music of your teenage years, you are sure to remember some of the groups that seemed as if they would continue to make music forever.  We've mentioned a few of them in the musical notes.  Bands like the Rolling Stones (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sympathy for the Devil"), Chicago (most recently Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away") , Earth Wind and Fire (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "September Song") , and Genesis (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding") are still around and touring.  In fact, some of the largest money making rock and roll tours in the past decade have been with bands that have been around longer than some of Tuesday's Musical Notes patrons have been alive.  These groups set a musical standard that continues to be mixed, re-mixed, synced, and sampled by artists that are up and coming today.  By some measure you could say the artists of today look back and ask those great bands to "Show Me The Way".

"Show Me The Way" by Styx. From the October 1990 album Edge of the Century

Perhaps you have never heard of twin boys Chuck and John Panozzo, but if you were a teenager in the late '70s and early '80s I promise you have heard the music they created with their neighbor Dennis DeYoung.  Round out the group with James Young and Tommy Shaw and you have the most successful incarnation of the band, Styx.  The band started in the 1960's but didn't have chart success until 1975's "Lady" went to #6 on the charts. (Tommy Shaw would not join the band until 1976, a year after this first top ten single, nor would he be a part of the band when their last top ten single, today's feature song, charted.  His contribution to Styx however cannot be denied...ever heard of "Renegade"?)  This started a string of chart topping singles that took them all the way to 1991 making Styx one of a few groups or artists to have top ten hits in 3 decades. 
   
The last top ten single for Styx was the #3 hit "Show Me The Way".  It came out in December of 1990 and slowly moved up the charts. After it's release, it was mixed by DJ's with voice tracks of families who had soldiers serving in the 1st Gulf War.  The song was a poignant tribute to the hope of the future for those families as well as our country.  Ironically, it hit #3 after the Gulf War had ended in February of 1991. 

Even 16 years after the Gulf War ended, the war against terrorism and conflicts in the Middle East continue.   Servicemen and women are still serving the high ideals by which America was founded.  

 We continue to pray and salute those who are there today...

"Show Me The Way (Desert Shield)"

The Bible is replete with folks just like you and I asking, begging, or praying to God for to show us the way we should go in our lives.  The Old Testament patriarchs continually prayed for direction.  The Israelites needed God to physically show them the way as they wandered in the wilderness due to their lack of faith.  Each of the prophets asked for guidance from God as their messages fell on deaf ears many times.  The disciples sought the promised Comforter that Jesus said He would send to guide them after his return to the Father.  

The New Testament church relied on the only Word of God they had (the Old Testament) for leadership and guidance.  Far too many Christians lack leadership in their lives due to Biblical illiteracy.  Here is a look at some of the statistics with regard to one of the greatest resources we have to show us the way:  LifeWay Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It - April 25, 2017 - lifewayresearch.com

God's leadership in our lives is requested repeatedly in the Psalms, especially Psalms 119.  If you get a chance read through it sometime this week.  Here's a link:  Psalm 119 - Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase parallel  In this passage and others throughout Psalms, over and over again, David asks God for guidance.  "Show me Thy ways O Lord, teach me Thy paths" (25:4), and Psalm 25:5 says, "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25 CSB/The Message  If David, who was the ruler of one of the greatest kingdoms in history, needed God to show him the right direction for his life, I suspect that is something I need DAILY as well.  Perhaps it is something you need.  The Bible indicates that as we ask for direction, God is faithful to provide it.  Will you take a moment and pray this Psalm with me?  Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness." ......and please "Show Me The Way".

"Revelation" - title track from the 2008 album by Third Day

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy