Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tightrope" (Michelle Williams)

Hey howdy ho!!!  It's time for The Notes...so...here...we...go!!!

Welcome to Tuesday to those far and wide!  You are more than welcome to get on inside!  You've entered a world filled with music and musings.  Don't be alarmed, if you find it confusing.  

So follow the road that leads to The Door.  Your heart He is drawing so please don't ignore!  A change can come into our tight, stress-filled lives.  If we'll answer the call from The One who's inside. A call to a peace that can calm any storm.  You may be surprised, it won't be the norm.  

So sit back and relax.  You're safe to arrive.  Take a step, get your balance, you'll feel all alive! 

We're here right now, the crowd's filled with hope.  They're here to see you walk the tightrope.  You've been here before, the adventure's not new.  And it really does come with a breathtaking view.

"Tightrope" by Michelle Williams from the 2017 Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Greatest Showman

Ever had that moment that went something like this:

Bilbo Baggins feels thin...stretched - from the 2001 Motion Picture The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Or as the Psalmist put it:  Psalms 61 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

Everyone at one time or another has felt this way.  It is one result of living in a broken world (uh, no, that is NOT a comment on climate change, one of the biggest HUMBUGS ever perpetrated on the human race, but I digress...)  For many, it seems that their lives always have some sort of drama being acted out.  Some of the time this out of control feeling is self-induced while other times, those who have an influence on our lives are the manifestation of said stress.  Regardless of the cause, the anxieties of living in this world can at times be more than we can bear.  You might even feel like you are walking a tightrope without the aid of a safety net.  Believe it or not, there are folks who actually DO walk a tightrope without the aid of a net...Ever heard of the Wallendas?

Nik Wallenda Conquers Chicago Skyline - Discovery Channel 2014

Sorry, didn't mean to add an extra layer of apprehension to you.  But Nik Wallenda's walks are a perfect analogy for the lives we lead.  Sometimes we know what the next step holds, other times we feel blindfolded and brace for the impact of the day.  In both situations, it seems that if we were to make a wrong step, everything would be over.  

This kind of momentous uneasiness is not healthy.  In fact, the Mayo Clinic has an internet article that addresses the bodily harm that can come from living in this state of foreboding for a long period of time:

Stress Management - by the Mayo Clinic Staff

For believers, however, in those times of turmoil, we should never feel like we will fall.  We are promised by the One who put all of the planets and stars in just the right place to sustain the perfect balance, that our hand will be in His hand and he'll never let go, regardless of the tightrope in which we find ourselves.  We must remember, that even though most tightropes are of our own making, not His, He knows us by name and won't allow us to slip through His hands...

The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple John, chapter 10 verses 1-8 NIV/The Message/ESV

According to this passage from Jesus, His sheep will never be left unprotected and they can never be taken away from Him.

Jesus also promised peace, even in the midst of a world in turmoil...

John 14 NIV/The Message/ESV

And in the event that the tumult becomes too great and we question our faith, Jesus promises assurance:

John 16 NIV/The Message/ESV

The change your heart desires CAN be attained in your life.  Just like getting out on a tightrope, it's as simple as taking your first step...

"Put One Foot in Front of the Other" from the 1970 Rankin/Bass Christmas Special - "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"(Yes, I know it isn't Christmas time, but you're smiling aren't you?!)

So dear friend, this life will have its share of falls from great heights.  There will be mountains and valleys, deserts and oceans. All of which seem to be in motion, just about the time you feel you have a toehold.  Are you willing to keep going forward?  What are you willing to risk to take that next step?  Jesus was willing to risk it all just to be with you.  Hand in His hand and He promises to never let go, when you're walking you're tightrope.  It's okay to be afraid when you glance at the breathtaking view, but do not be intimidated, you do not have a spirit of timidity (The Apostle Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy chapter 1, verses 1-14 NIV/The Message/ESV), 'cause He's walking the tightrope with you, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You, ooh, ooh, ooh,

Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rewrite the Stars" (Zendaya and Zac Efron)

Welcome patrons young and young at heart!  Welcome those who need a fresh start!  You've ventured into a place like you've never known.  Upon your departure, we hope that you've grown.  Expanding your mind, engaging your spirit, keep on reading, listen close, you can hear it!  Don't take our words for it, cast your gaze to the top of the tents!  See gravity-defying acts that make absolutely no sense!  Welcome to Tuesday!  Don't go too far!  In fact, you may find, you can rewrite the stars...

"Rewrite the Stars" by Zac Efron and Zendaya from 2017's The Greatest Showman motion picture soundtrack

So...you really thought that Zac Efron and Zendaya, both graduates of the Disney Musical School for teenage performers, could appear in a picture and NOT sing together?  In their supporting roles, the House of Mouse alumni completely makes the struggle of young, star-crossed love believable.  Their characters are both instantly likable AND they did their own stunts!

The Greatest Showman "Rewrite the Stars" behind the scenes

What makes the substory of Philip Carlyle and Anne Wheeler in 20th Century Fox's The Greatest Showman so appealing  is the fact that it parallels the main story of PT Barnum's living out dreams that others tell you are impossible (Have we mentioned we LOVE this movie? After 9 weeks it still remains #6  at the weekend box office!)  Carlyle and Wheeler quickly become a part of Barnum's team.  You soon find yourself cheering for their romance as they all have seemingly insurmountable roadblocks in their way to success.  Roadblocks occur both in their relationship as well as their efforts to begin the entertainment industry.  These are characters who accept their reality, yet resist the temptation to allow that reality the opportunity to define who they are.  They challenge themselves to rise above the commentary of the day, to seek a higher height, in so doing, they change their destiny, thus rewriting their individual and collective stars.

Ever wish you could be someone else?  Have you ever had that day where you wish you could be ANYBODY else?  Ever wish you had that day where you could start over and change your destiny?  Perhaps you don't want to change the past, but want to do things now to ensure that your future is what you dream it might be?  Of course, you have, we all have.  And I'm here to tell you, there is a way that you can rewrite your stars. Are you interested?  Read on...

Philippians 2:1-18 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

This is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church.  I confess, that the book of Philippians is my favorite of Paul's writings, his epistles or letters to churches at the dawn of Christianity if you will.  It is written as directions for keeping the faith to the community of believers.  It is a very encouraging letter that I recommend you read in its entirety.  

For 2018's world, today's passage is given to believers/followers of Jesus.  It is a roadmap to behavior that aids in the transition to becoming more Christlike. This is a challenge that we should ascend to on a daily basis.  While the eternal destiny is determined by Jesus' sacrifice, our goal to become more like Him engages us in the opportunity to transition our future.  

If you are not currently a believer, are there attributes in this passage to which you can ascribe?  Is this passage indicative of a life that you would like to attain?  Would you be interested in a life that causes you to shine like the stars of heaven?  

Don't get me wrong.  Followers of Jesus are NOT perfect folks.  Accepting Jesus' guiding relationship in your life does not or will not make you perfect.  Jesus was the only One who was perfect because He was God in human form.  

Right here, right now, He puts the offer out.  Holy Spirit is drawing you to Himself.   All you need do is say yes to the relationship He desires to have with you.  Turn (repent) from the habits that you do that severs the relationship that He desires to have with you and strain toward the goal, as Paul also writes, of the life Jesus has planned for you in this world and the next. He is waiting to change you. He is waiting to rewrite the stars for your eternal life right now...it's not impossible!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This Is Me" (Cast of The Greatest Showman featuring Keala Settle)

Ladies and Gents this is the moment you've waited for!  It's Tuesday and you've come to the blog who can bring you more! You come back each week expecting that there's much you can explore.  Having some fun.  Easing the mind.  And all of the songs that you can find!!!

Welcome to Tuesday!  It 's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Thanks for joining us on the journey!!!

For the first time in Musical Notes history, we are in the midst of featuring ALL of the songs from one particular album, the soundtrack to 20th Century Fox's The Greatest Showman.  In its 8th week of release, the movie continues to perform by staying in the top 5 at the box office.  The critics originally panned the movie, yet word of mouth by moviegoers (who actually purchased tickets rather than getting the "critic" comp)  has continued to spur ticket sales each week.  Have we mentioned that most movie critics and politicians really don't have a clue about how real folks live?  The only Oscar nomination this movie received was for today's feature song.  Really!!???  But I digress...

One of the reasons for the popularity of the movie is the incredible aforementioned soundtrack.  It remains the #1 album download at iTunes in 85 countries and has spent 9 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart.  In my personal opinion, it joins the ranks of must-have albums for any musicologist.  But that's just me...

"This Is Me" from the soundtrack of 2017's The Greatest Showman featuring Keala Settle

It took Hugh Jackman 7 1/2 years to bring this project to the screen.  Part of the process was to get it greenlit by the producers.  The pitch included live performances of the movie's music.  With over 10 million views, here is the pitch for the Golden Globe-winning best song, and the Oscar-nominated, "This Is Me"  (Get your tissue ready...)

"This Is Me" - Keala Settle The Greatest Showman greenlight promotion

This anthem is a declaration for folks to be exactly who they are.  While that may sound redundant we live in an age where expectation and pressure sometimes cause individuals to be less than authentic.  Ever played that game?  I know I have.  You really want to exert yourself, your creativity, your personality, and what you have to contribute, but you allow the fear of what others might think, say, or even do, cause you to hesitate or not put yourself out there at all.  

This really is contrary to the life that God has planned for you.  Yes, we make mistakes that place us in tenuous situations.  This is part of living in a fallen world.  And unfortunately, we will continue to make similar decisions that see us arrive at destinations for which we weren't bound.  Dear friend there is hope.  

In the book of Jeremiah, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, God reassures Jeremiah that the mistakes the nation of Israel have made won't condemn them forever.  They have been taken out of their country into Babylonian captivity.  The conditions in Jerusalem were destitute.  It was an incredible time of destruction for Israel.  Jeremiah and other prophets had been warning of the coming peril, to no effect.  God allowed the captivity and humbled the nation.  He then reassured them:  Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

We have this same assurance today.  For those who believe Jesus was born of a virgin, believe He lived a perfect life, believe He was the physical manifestation of God, believe that He suffered a wrongful death as the penalty for our imperfection, believe He was in a tomb for three days, believe He rose from that tomb and was seen by many, and believe He is alive waiting to take believers to heaven, there is much confidence that can be gained by God's word to Jeremiah.  He knows the plans He has for us, we won't be beaten down to dust, for He is glorious!!!

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me

Really...go see this movie!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Never Enough" (Loren Allred)

Welcome to Tuesday!  It is a very regal and elegant occasion in which we welcome you today!  You may be very aware that in this blog's opinion, Tuesday is the most fantastic day of the week!  We graciously welcome you to it!  You may also be aware that for the past several weeks, Tuesday's Musical Notes has been regaling you with the most splendid music that has ever come from the realms of the cinema.  Today you are in for a treat as we are serenaded by one of the most powerful of these songs, the ballad featuring the voice of Loren Allred, a top 20 performer from season 3 of The Voice.  Allred is the voice of Rebecca Ferguson who fills the role of the "Swedish Nightingale".  Ladies and Gentlemen, without further adieu,  it is our exquisite pleasure to present to you, Miss Jenny Lind.

"Never Enough" by Loren Allred from the 2017 soundtrack to the 20th Century Fox motion picture The Greatest Showman

She was a contemporary of Robert Schuman and Hector Berlioz.  She even scorned the advances of Hans Christian Anderson and was incredibly close to Felix Mendelssohn who wrote musical pieces specifically for her.    Jenny Lind was a certified superstar in Europe by the age of 20, the year she announced her retirement from Opera.  Her career as an entertainer however, was far from over.

Beginning in 1850, she toured the United States under the promotion of The Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum.   Her arrival in the United States was met by a throng of adoring fans and much fanfare as she ascended the walkway from her ship,  as well as at the first venue.   Barnum had pulled out all the stops to insure she was afforded superstar status  even before she set foot on the shores of America.  What followed was a 93 stop excursion into the finest performance sites in the Eastern and Southern portions of the United States, Cuba, and Canada.  The tour was so successful that Barnum allowed tickets to be auctioned to the highest bidder, a practice to which, upon Lind's request,  he would later rescind.   

The pianist, arranger, and conductor for the tour, Julius Benedict, left half way through the endeavor and was replaced by Otto Goldschmitdt who would marry Lind at the end of the tour in Boston.  A known philanthropist, Lind's portions of the profits from her tour with Barnum were given to  charities that she supported in Sweden and some in the United States.  She would return to Europe with Goldschmidt at this time and officially retire from performing, only granting a few selected performances to benefit her beloved charities for the reminder of her lifetime.  It seemed that she had achieved all that she could possibly.

Have you ever had a goal that you didn't achieve?  In retrospect, several agendas in my life have been left incomplete.  It seemed no matter what I did, how hard I tried, or the people I attempted to influence, it was never enough to achieve the objective.  I confess that while this was disappointing, I have no regret about falling short as I learned a great deal about my limits, my ambition, and in some cases who were really my closest friends.  

Many in our world have Heaven as a goal.  They try to be extremely good.  They obey the Ten Commandments.  (Take a glance, have YOU broken any of them...lately at least?  (Exodus 20 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/New International Version of the Bible parallel)  They have the highest of moral standards.  They do all of this in an attempt to achieve going to a literal Heaven as opposed to going to a literal hell.  Yet in Romans 3:8 the Bible says, "there is no one righteous, no not one"... in short, "Towers of gold are still too little  These hands could hold the world but it'll  Never be enough  Never be enough"  So it is with the pathway to Heaven.  

Jesus had something to say about this very thing:  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew 19:16-22 NKJV/The Message/NIV

You see, this young man had done it all.  That was the problem.  HE had attempted to do something for which it was never intended for him to do.  He did all of these things and never experienced a change of heart.  He never allowed the works that he was doing to change who he was.  His motivation for doing all of these thing was not out of love for those who were his beneficiaries, but out of a desire to go to Heaven, or perhaps to escape hell.   The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark 8:34-38 NKJV/The Message/NIV

You see friend, all the work and our greatest efforts, the things we do to make us better, will never be enough, never be enough.  Only through the blood of Jesus, only through His love that frees us, can it ever be enough, ever be enough. 

 Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 NKJV/The Message/NIV

Our downfall and our salvation began in the Garden.  Salvation was manifested all throughout the Old Testament.  Salvation came into a physical existence in the New Testament.  The only thing that can ever be enough for us to go to Heaven and restore the broken relationship with God, the Father is the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.  Jesus.  

Today is the day of salvation.  Repent or turn away from the wrong in your life.  Allow Jesus to become the boss of your life.  Realize that only through Jesus can you be restored to God, only through Jesus can you go to Heaven and escape hell, only through Jesus can you be saved.  You see dear friends even our greatest efforts, even our best actions, even our most moral attributes, will it never be enough, never be enough...

The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple John 14:1-6 NKJV/The Message/NIV

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy