Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Things We Do For Love" (10CC)

Привіт, друже!  Ця подія поруч з вами, що я хотів, щоб ви знали про.  Група моїх друзів концертує провела низку концертів у вашій країні.  Вони називаються Master'Singers Арканзас.  Якщо вам трапиться бути в регіоні, де вони виконують, я хотів би закликати вас, щоб побачити їх і слухати залучення повідомлення від Майкл Готт.  Спасибі за читання музичні ноти у вівторок!

Hi there!  It's Tuesday and it's time for another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  Thanks for being here!  I am so grateful that you decided to click on The Notes today!  Much appreciation is wafted in your general direction!!!

Perhaps you have heard this sentiment from a previous generation..."My goodness!!!  Time just seems to be going by faster and faster!"  Today is the last Tuesday in April.  Let that sink in...  If you haven't heard the above saying, perhaps you are saying it now.  Yes, 2018 is one third OVER.  It seems like only yesterday we were writing, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This Will Be Our Year".  and ushering in 2018's editions of The Notes.  

In all honesty, it doesn't seem possible that Tuesday's Musical Notes will be turning 6 years old at the end of May.  It started as a blog, exactly like this...  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I'm Alright"  In that 6 years, Tuesday's Musical Notes numbers 308 blog posts that have accrued over 23,000 hits.  Again, this wannabe writer is humbled beyond all imaginings and I appreciate getting to do one of the things I love, joining music with The Message.  While we do love it, let's be forthright, it isn't like walkin' in the rain and the snow when there's nowhere to go...   

  "The Things We Do For Love" - from the 1977 album Deceptive Bends by 10cc  

The year was 1977.  The band, 10cc.  The British quartet had breakthrough success in 1976 with the single, "I'm Not In Love" (yes, that song from The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack)  The original release peaked at #2 on Billboards Hot 100 singles in 1976.  That same year, the band split.  The duo that remained were searching for answers as to what to do next.  

10cc had been in various forms and under an assortment of band names since 1964, but coalesced as a foursome in 1972, with founding members Kevin Godley, Lol Creme (I'm not joking, that is his name), Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart.   

The pressure to replicate the success of "I'm Not in Love" would add to friction that was building amidst the 2 creative teams that formed 10cc and in late 1976 Godley and Creme ("Cry" from the 1985 album The History Mix Volume 1) would break away to form their own creative partnership of songwriting and be a part of the origins of music video creatives that would bring us MTV and Friday Night Videos. (See previous Musical Notes for comments regarding the current status of the once loved and admired Video Networks...sigh) 

While not achieving the success of "I'm Not in Love", Gouldman and Stewart ventured on as 10cc and in 1977 released the album Deceptive Bends.  This album would produce 3 top 100 singles in the form of "Good Morning Judge" (#69), "People in Love" (#40) and today's feature song "The Things We Do For Love" (#5).  Their next album, Bloody Tourists, would not yield a top 40 hit in the US and would be the last time a single from 10cc would chart.  

From 1977 - 1999 the band would do individual projects that were quite successful and get together o for the occasional 10cc tour.  The last album released was 1995's Mirror Mirror.  Graham Gouldman continues a touring incarnation of 10cc with occasional guest visits by his former bandmates. I guess they didn't look for the answers in their eyes.  

It isn't too far of a stretch to ponder, what am I willing to do for love?  I confess, there have been things that I have done for love in the past that today's Randy would question. (Nothing illegal or even immoral...I was THAT kid, but to me they were questionable...)  While reflection on those things can be troubling, I must have done something right.  32 years, 3 children, and 2 grandchildren later, things are only getting better! But I digress...

History is replete with examples of mighty feats done in the name of and for love.  It is also filled with kind gestures that no one ever hears about.  The greatest thing ever done for love, however, was completed by Jesus.  God, the Father, loved us so much that He put Himself, as Jesus, the Son, through the most heinous capital punishment ever invented.  He did this so that our relationship with Him could be restored.  He endured pain, abandonment, and our wrongdoings for love.  He was buried in a tomb, yet did not stay there.  He is currently at God's right hand as an intermediary for us.  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John chapters 18-21 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel  THAT is what He is willing to do for love.  

In a recent meeting, our pastor posited the question, "Why will people do things for money, that they won't do for Jesus?"  In today's Notes context, this question might be "Why will people do things for money, what they won't do for love?"  We ultimately came to the conclusion that selfishness is the reason, including the selfishness of those who were involved in that conversation.  We want, what we want, when we want, in the manner to which we want.   

Money is an easy example of our idolatry.  In reality, you could replace "money" with anything that keeps you from doing what is God's will.  Jesus even declared the potential for our families to become idols if they keep us from doing what God has gifted us and desired for us to do. While this passage is a little lengthy, it is important to have the point of context.  So read it in its entirety with a focus on verses 46-50. The Gospel of Jesus according to Matthew, chapter 12 NIV/The Message/ESV.  In the final verses, Jesus affirms His priorities. He is not being disrespectful to those who were relatives by their DNA, but He was showing the crowd that NOTHING would get in the way of Him living out the plan that God had for Him, thereby displaying His ultimate respect for God and everyone there.   

What are the distractions/idols that keep us from doing things that God wants us to do?  He has gifted us with His blessings of resources, talents, and skills to spread the Gospel of Jesus.  Paul told the Colossian church to do everything as if their boss was God. (Randy paraphrase, here's the actual passage, again in the context of the entire chapter, Paul's letter to the Colossians, chapter 3)  If we have that mindset, if we believe Jesus did what He did and was Who He said He was, NOTHING should get in the way of our utilizing every once of who we are to see His story broadcast throughout the world!  This attitude will easily cause us to demonstrate things we do for love...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Want To Know What Love Is" (Foreigner)

Привіт друзі в Україн!  Початок завтра, 18 квітня, Група моїх друзів буде виконувати серію концертів по всій частини великої нації.  Вони називаються Master'Singers Арканзас.  Вони будуть виконувати цілий ряд десяти концертів у зв'язку з Майклом Готт євангелізаційних міністерств.  Якщо ви перебуваєте в одній з цих галузей, будь ласка запросіть друзів і сім'ї, щоб один з цих життя змінюється події!  Спасибі за читання музичні ноти у вівторок!  Давайте почнемо!

Tuesday is here!  Celebrate!  Celebrate!  Dance to the music!!!  Welcome to Tuesday and your weekly dose of the best music from all over the place!  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is the blog that brings you the top musical hits that make you bob your head, shed a tear, or find yourself reminiscing about special times and combines it with interesting aspects about life that make you scratch your head, dab a tear or find yourself pondering life's questions.  No...really it isn't that deep, but we hope that we challenge you in ways you didn't expect as you travel down this highway of life.  This thoroughfare does not cross a bridge over troubled water, but it may very well get us closer to providing thoughts on the query..."I Want To Know What Love Is"...

"I Want To Know What Love Is" from the 1984 album Agent Provocateur by Foreigner

The 80's were known for several things.  There were many strange, yet interesting things that went on with folks' hair.  Fashion was thrown on its ear.  There were a handful of albums that became ubiquitous for the decade.  Chicago XVI (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away"), Toto IV (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Africa"),  Van Halen's 1984, ZZ Top's Eliminator, Michael Jackson's Thriller  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thriller") and Dire Straits' Brother's In Arms (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walk of Life") were all personal favorites that were in constant play as I traveled back and forth to THE University of Arkansas.  I'm sure you had favorites that you either had on 8-track, cassette, or LP.  In case you were wondering...sure, we have a list.  Here's "Best Albums of the 80's" - Rolling Stone Magazine, November 16, 1989

2 albums that were top ten best sellers were from the band Foreigner.  Foreigner 4 launched the band into the 80's by going to #1 on the album charts and set the stage for Agent Provocateur, which featured the band's only #1 hit, today's featured song, "I Want To Know What Love Is".  Aiding to the song's success was the fact that Lou Gramm's vocals were backed by affiliates of the Gospel Music Workshop of America's, New Jersey Mass Choir, Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson, and the frontman from the Thompson Twins, Tom Bailey who played the keyboard.  All of this was aided by heavy rotation at MTV.  The song continues to be very popular bounces in and out of Billboards Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrents chart. (Who even knew that was a thing?)  It was covered by The New Jersey Mass Choir, Tina Arena, Mariah Carey, Wynonna Judd, as well as others.  

"I always worked late at night, when everybody left and the phone stopped ringing. "I Want To Know What Love Is" came up at three in the morning sometime in 1984. I don’t know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me. I think there was something bigger than me behind it. I’d say it was probably written entirely by a higher force." 

 "We did a few takes, and it was good, but it was still a bit tentative. So then they all got round in a circle, held hands and said The Lord's Prayer. And it seemed to inspire them, because after that they did it in one take. I was in tears, because my mum and dad were in the studio too, and it was so emotional."   "Foreigner's Mick Jones Looks Back on 'I Want to Know What Love Is'". by Jeff Giles Ultimateclassicrock.com. December 27, 2013

Even without the above quotes by Mick Jones, the spiritual overtones to "I Want To Know What Love Is" are unmistakable.  The song immediately regales one's search for life's meaning by exploring love and how to define it.  

Let's face it.  We all want to be loved, feel love, and love someone.  So many times, however, the source and motivation behind love are askew with what the original plan for love was and continues to be.  

For folks all over the world, the ultimate example of love was commemorated as they celebrated Easter.  The recounting of Jesus' life-after-death and in short-term (at least in God's timeline), Jesus' return provides to those who believe an everlasting example of the definition of love.  If you've made it this far,  you may be wondering, "what is he talking about?"  Let's take Mick Jones' advice...

"I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over. I better read between the lines, in case I need it when I'm older."

Please take a little time, and think this over:  The Gospel of Jesus according to John, chapter 15, verses 9-13 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

Consider this as well:  John 3:16-21 NIV/The Message/ESV

In this very familiar last passage, John describes why Jesus demonstrated His love to mankind the way He did.  

But you may again be echoing the lamentation of Mick Jones...

"In my life there's been heartache and pain.  I don't know if I can face it again.  Can't stop now I've traveled so far to change this lonely life..."

As He always does, Jesus has something to say about our struggles...

John 16 NIV/The Message/ESV

Perhaps reality is beginning to set in...

"Gonna take a little time, a little time to look around me.  I've got nowhere left to hide it looks like love's finally found me..."

That Love that has found you, is Holy Spirit drawing you to the truth of God's love.  You see friend, we were created to have a relationship with God.  This relationship was based on a perfect love.  In the Garden of Eden, Adam, through the enemy's deception, allowed that relationship to be broken.  Even though our relationship with God was severed, He desired for it to be restored.  Since the time our relationship with God was fractured, there has been nothing we could do in our power to restore it.  Yet, since the word's "Let there be light" were spoken, there was a plan.  A plan for light that we could not comprehend.  A plan for the reclamation of that holy connection.  A plan that would forever guarantee that we could face anything the enemy might use to knock us down.  A plan that would ultimately lead to an eternity future in God's Presence.  

So, you want to know what love is?  Love is God laying down His life for those He wants to be with forever.  Love is God sacrificing everything to ensure we can defeat the enemy.  Love is Holy Spirit begging you to believe that all of this was done for you.

Love awaits, all you have to do is believe...  

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Follow You, Follow Me" (Genesis)

Welcome to Tuesday!  Have you been searching the blogosphere for a place that has your favorite music, and musicians?  Have you ever had your curiosity senses tingle wondering if there was a place on the internetoscape that has thoughts and reflections about that favorite music and those favorite musicians?  Perhaps you've pondered... "Hmmm...is there a blog that combines my favorite tunes and troubadours with truth deeper than what the original lyric intended?"  Welcome dear friend!!!  You have encountered such a place!  You have found such a blog!!!  It's called (trumpet fanfare, yep there's an app for that!) ...Tuesday's Musical Notes!  At the signpost up ahead...no wait that's the wrong intro....sorry.  Welcome to Tuesday!!!  Let's begin at the beginning...

"Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis from the 1978 album ...And Then There Were Three

"Follow You, Follow Me" - Genesis - Unplugged Version

Peaking at #23 on Billboard's Hot 100, 1978's "Follow You, Follow Me" would be the most successful single for the British band Genesis (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding",  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Reply at All") since the band's inception in 1967.  "Follow You, Follow Me" would launch Genesis into the '80s with a massive appeal for more of the "Pop" sound of today's feature song and less of the "ProgRock" musical reputation that Genesis had built since they released their first single "The Silent Sun" from the 1968 album From Genesis to Revelation, featuring Peter Gabriel (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "In Your Eyes") as the lead vocalist.  

After Gabriel's departure in 1975, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All I Need is a Miracle"), and Phil Collins became the main lineup, as well as becoming the most successful incarnation of Genesis.  Collins would depart in 1996 and in 1997 Calling All Stations would be the last studio effort released by remaining founding members Banks and Rutherford.  Genesis final tour brought back the trio (Collins, Banks, and Rutherford) in 2007 for the Turn It On Again tour, placing them in the top 20 for highest grossing tours in the 2000's.  

With continual airplay at radio and enduring interest in the band,  it is easy to see how the fans of Genesis took today's song to heart and keep the 51-year-old band's music relevant.  Maybe part of the allure of Genesis is the chemistry behind the three who remained.  On the face of it, they seemed to have a bond that many bands only dream of having.  One of the factors for that bond could be all the time they spent together.

Do you have friends?  I am not talking about the casual, "Hello, how are you today?" acquaintances that you have in your environment.   I'm talking about those folks who really know you and yet, still like you.   How did those folks come to be your friends, confidants, and surrogate family members?  You guessed it!  You spend time together!!!  Your relationship is strong because you know each other and enjoy being together as often as you possibly can.  "Stay with me, my love I hope you'll always be, right here by my side if ever I needed you."

It seems that over the years, this band of folks for my wife and I has changed.  Graduation from high school or college, job relocation, and life transitions have all worked against our making lifelong, meaningful relationships with folks who we trust and rely upon.  There was a time that we were moving every 9 months.  In fact, for the first 10 years of our marriage, we moved 9 times!  We made it through that time period, but I don't recommend it.

This vagabond life didn't allow for the seeds of relationships to grow for us.  We certainly didn't have the opportunity to find a faith family that we could invest in and be surrounded by.  In many ways, I really think this unsettled lifestyle is a tool of the enemy to make us less powerful in our faith.  You see we were commanded to make relationships whereby we could have an influence on those around us by telling the Gospel and through that, we can grow to be more like Jesus.  This process is called discipleship.  "In your arms, I feel so safe and so secure, everyday is such a perfect day to spend, alone with you."

Christians all over the world recently celebrated the fact that Jesus is alive.  Even pre-Christians acknowledge the holiday.  This celebration sets Christianity apart from other world religions as those religions can point to where their dead leaders are buried.  Christianity does not have this.   Jesus came back to life and instructed His followers for 40 days after His resurrection.  No other world religion can espouse this kind of belief in and for the leader of their particular religion. 

During this 40 days, Jesus taught His friends some very specific things and gave them the command, a lifestyle if you will, by which to live their lives.   It is known as The Great Commission.  

The Gospel of Jesus according to Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16-20 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel, 

The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark, chapter 16, verses 14-18 NIV/The Message/ESV, 

The Gospel of Jesus according to Luke, chapter 24, verses 44-49 NIV/The Message/ESV, 

The Gospel of Jesus according to John, chapter 20, verses 19-23 NIV/The Message/ESV,  

Acts of the Apostles chapter 1, verses 4-8 NIV/The Message/ESV

How did the disciples/apostles/friends of Jesus get to the point that they could follow this command?  How was their relationship with Jesus so good that they would die to get His story told?  (What Happened to the Twelve Apostles? How Do Their Deaths Prove Easter? by Michael Patton, April 10, 2009, credohouse.org)  The answer is very simple and something we should apply to our lives today.

THEY SPENT A WHOLE LOT OF TIME TOGETHER

Yes, the disciples were given Holy Spirit to empower them in the circumstances in which they encountered, but they had such a meaningful relationship with Jesus as their mentor and friend, that when Holy Spirit came upon them, their understanding of what they were to do partnered with their desire to do what they had been commanded.  The result?  The Gospel of Jesus was proclaimed in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

In the last several years, the Church has placed an incredible amount of focus on discipleship.  Programs have been developed to emphasize the need of it.  Plans have been made to make us better at it. And yet, I think we've overcomplicated something that Jesus meant to be as simple as His Gospel.  

Discipleship happens when two or more are gathered together.  Jesus promised us that He would be in our midst in this situation.  Matthew 18:18-20 NIV/The Message/ESV  When Jesus is there, He is teaching, leading, and counseling us in ways to go and tell the simple story of the Gospel.  If I may employ logic, wouldn't it stand to reason that discipleship occurs anytime two or more believers are gathered?  This means relationships are much more important than any program/book/conference on the newest in discipleship strategem.  The point?  Hang out with your Christian friends and discipleship will happen.  

This begs the question.   Who is discipling you?  Who do you hang out with?  Who are your closest friends? Does Jesus attend your gathering if there are 2 or more of you there?  You are influenced by those in which you interact.  The more you interact and grow closer, the more of an impact you have on their lives and they on yours.  "I will follow you will you follow me, all the days and nights that we know will be.  I will stay with you will you stay with me, just one single tear in each passing year..."

Strategies, books, and conferences can have a part in our growth as believers, but they never will replace sit down, being there conversations, with folks.  This is when discipleship can really flourish...

"I will follow you, will you follow me?" and we don't mean just on facebook...

"A Friend Like U" title track to the 1992 album by Geoff Moore and the Distance 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Who Can It Be Now?" (Men At Work)

Happy April!!!  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes, the part of the week where your smile gets bigger, your brain gets smarter, and the entirety of who you are has the potential to change!  Today we go deep, deep, deep, into the Notes annals and fetch an entry from Musical Note lore.  It was featured in an email on February 28, 2012, to a handful of friends.  Today we take the opportunity to remind those friends and share it with the new friends at the blog that you've come to know and love!!!  Enjoy!  G'day Mates!!!

Hi there!!!  It's Tuesday.....do you hear music?

It is amazing what is possible when you have a #1 hit in Billboard magazine.  Sometimes it gives you the opportunity to reintroduce the world to the culture in which you were raised.  If the song is good enough it can even introduce a national favorite to the international world as it provides the stimulus to promote products based on your homelands natural resources.  Vegemite anyone? 

Kraft Vegemite Commercial - 1982

It can even provide the occasion to inspire the production of a movie based on the wonder that is your country.  

Crocodile Dundee - trailer (1986)

That's what can happen if you catch a few Men At Work.  The debut album, Business as Usual,  from this Australian band not only produced the #1 Hit "Down Under" which celebrated everything Aussie, but it ranks Men At Work as the only Australian band to have a #1 album and #1 song simultaneously.  They did it twice. While Business as Usual was the #1 record, "Who Can It Be Now" and then "Down Under" both went to #1 on the singles charts  

"Who Can It Be Now" was the first single released in the US from Business As Usual in August of 1982 (it had been released a year earlier as a single in Men at Work's native Australia) and helped propel the boys from down under to the Grammy Award in 1983 for Best New Artist.  Unfortunately, due to band member changes and lackluster performance from follow up albums, Cargo and Two Hearts, Men At Work disbanded in 1986.  Occasional reunion tours from 1996 - 2002 reignited interest in their music, thus aiding in the continual airplay at"oldies" radio stations.  Yup, 1982 was 36 years ago...maybe the song isn't the only "oldie" around here...

From 1982 and a land down under, here's the band from the outback...Men at Work!

"Who Can it be Now?" - by Men at Work from the April 1982 album Business as Usual

"It is my privilege to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." I suspect that if you have been witness to a baptism in some Protestant churches, you have heard this phrase recited before the candidate for baptism is taken under water.  Sometimes I wonder if we fully get the impact of what is being said as we do this wonderful ordinance of the church.  Certainly, we recognize the symbolism represented by the "washing away" of the past and the  "rising again" as a new creation.  However, do we take the opportunity to recognize the Trinity in whose Name we are baptizing?  

Many get the "God the Father" part of the Trinity equation.  Our worship services tend to emphasize the "God The Son" part by praising Jesus for His sacrifice.  But what about the "God the Holy Spirit"?  When we feel the comfort that we can't explain during uncomfortable moments.....When we get that sense of direction in times that we feel lost......When we are able to find strength for the next battle that we face.......    If we take a moment to check our heart's door.....we realize there is a knocking and maybe we ponder...."Who Can It Be, Now?"

Most Christians would agree that the Trinity is God in three persons and that each of these personifications has an equality of power and prominence for believers. It is also important to note that the Trinity has an equal role in shaping believers daily to be a reflection of the triune God.    Many times this equality isn't effectively demonstrated in the lives of believers or the church.  The work and person of  Holy Spirit has been seen more as an aspect of the more charismatic denominations or movements than it has been implemented in the daily lives of believers on the whole.  

In fact, some mainline churches have diminished the work of the Holy Spirit based on misconceptions or disagreements with their more demonstrative brothers and sisters in Jesus.   Tuesday's Musical Notes does not claim the authority to be critical or dictate one's praise language, but for a primer on at least "7 Ways to Praise",  here is Professor Carman:

"7 Ways to Praise" from the 1995 album R.I.O.T (Righteous Invasion of Truth) by Carman

Maybe Zoot Suits and big band sounds are a little extreme...but "Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music?" by Geoff Moore and the Distance from the 1995 album Evolution ...but we digress.

In the book Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris (Multnomah 2011), the Trinity is explained in a way that amplifies the equality of  God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

"In perfect unity, the members of the Godhead partner in the great work of salvation. Though equal in power and deity, each plays a unique role.  What the Father planned, the Son purchased by His death, the Holy Spirit activates or applies in our lives."

Many people who believe that God created everything and that Jesus died for their sins, rarely take the opportunity to allow Holy Spirit to activate or apply that belief in their lives.  Given the prompting of  Holy Spirit, we sometimes quote Men At Work, "Who can it be knocking at my door, go away, don't come 'round here no more.".  In doing this, we effectively do the unpardonable sin. 

Matthew 12:31-33  “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."  The Gospel of Jesus According to Matthew, chapter 12, verses 30-32 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

This passage cautions us to revere and listen to Holy Spirit as we go about our lives.  We have the ability to "speak against the Holy Spirit" by our inactivity to his leadership.  Our ability to do the good works that we are called to do is incumbent upon our interaction with Holy Spirit.  He leads us to those works and empowers us to be able to do them.  We certainly need to pray in Jesus Name, but when we don't pray through the power of  Holy Spirit, we limit our opportunity to be effective.  Nothing is impossible with God, the Holy Spirit.  He is one with the Father and the Son.  He should be worshiped the same way we do God and Jesus.  We worship Him by following His leadership.  It is God through the power of  Holy Spirit who leads us to do His work as we live as Christians.  

If you are not currently a believer in Jesus, Holy Spirit is still active in your life.  You see, dear friend, He is a constant reminder that something is missing in your life.  He is there to draw you to God, through the sacrifice of Jesus blood.  He is there to restore the broken relationship with God that you were born with due to Adam's sin.  If you deny His continual drawing, you, in essence, have spoken against Holy Spirit and according to the Bible, you will not be forgiven.  Please, friend, don't do this.  Don't miss the opportunity of Holy Spirit's drawing you to salvation.  It won't last forever:  Paul's letter to the Roman church, chapter 1, verses 18-32, NIV/The Message/ESV

So the next time you sense a drawing to be whole, or as a believer, an opportunity that seemingly comes from nowhere to be of service to someone.....resist the temptation to wonder...

"Who can it be knocking on my door, make no sound, tiptoe across the floor..."

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy