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