Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "How to Save a Life" (The Fray)

Oh!  Hi there!   How are you?   Feeling ok today?   It's Tuesday!  Does that help?   Well, maybe an injection of favorite songs and introspective thoughts will be of benefit!  Maybe all you need is a moment to read today's Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Feeling better already aren't you?  

Welcome to the May 29th, 2018 edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  We hope you took an opportunity to remember those who have given the "final full measure of devotion" as they died in service for our freedom.  So many times, we fly past Memorial Day and forget why this holiday was established.  These patriots truly knew the meaning of laying your life down for another.  In some ways, they gave their lives to demonstrate to the world how to save a life...




The 2nd single from the debut album by The Fray went as high as #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  What is equally impressive is that it ties at 7th for the longest stretch of continuous time on the chart.  At 58 consecutive weeks on Billboard's tally, it ties with Santana's 1999 smash "Smooth".    Since its release in 2006, it has sold over 4.7 million in downloads alone, making it the 4th best selling digital rock song in history.  It was also named as the 58th best song of the decade (2000-2009) on Billboard's Hot 100 of the Decade listing.  

Fans of the song know that it had a little help from some friends...


It also soon became a cast favorite.  So much so that it inspired a segment in the Music Event episode of Grey's Anatomy


Fans of the song may also remember it from another medical television show:




The song was not however inspired by any medical TV show, institution or procedure.  In fact, Isaac Slade, lead singer for The Fray, has explained that the inspiration for the song came from an experience that he and guitarist Joe King had at a camp for troubled teens where Slade served as a mentor for a weekend.  The event served to remind the songwriter of those friends he had lost due to poor choices they had made and his seeming inability to help save them.   

There have been many things written about the benefits of having a mentor and being a mentor.  The incredible organization Big Brothers/Big Sisters have pioneered some of the more positive aspects of being there for those who are younger.  (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America)

While the benefits are many, I wonder if we haven't attempted to strategize/program/organize a process that in reality should be very simple.  In reality, you can not schedule mentoring, regardless of how hard you try.  It is kind of like discpleship.  Churches around the world have attempted to disciple folks through literature and classes.  But doesnt' the best mentoring/discipling happen when you have a strong relationship with someone else?  How do you best invest in those you wish to influence?  It is the recipe for how to save a life...






Step one, you say we need to talk.  Simple as that.  Just talk.  Find out likes/dislikes.  Don't worry if they are smiling politely back at you.  By spending time with folks, both younger and older than yourself, you get the opportunity to invest as well as be invested in by both demographics with an ultimate goal of saving lives.  Mentoring is just a fancy pseudopsychological way of saying spending time with people, getting to know them and allowing them to get to know you.  The better your relationship with them, the easier it should be to talk to them about things that really matter, such as The Gospel of Jesus, the best way to save a life.  

There is such trepidation when it comes to sharing your faith.  Eliminate it by making friends of folks.  There is much fear of rejection if we put ourselves out there by telling others about Jesus.  Spend enough time with folks that even if they reject Jesus, the door isn't closed for you to be able to tell them again at a later time and then pray to God they hear you.

One thing we must remember in our efforts to build relationships and tell folks about Jesus:  We Don't Save Anyone's Life.  Only by Holy Spirit's drawing and their submission can their life be saved.  Here is a much better explanation of what salvation means:


Want to know how to save a life?  Spend time with folks, share with them your love and the love of Jesus, even if there is a season of bitterness, show them your willing to stay up with them all night,  and you may just have shown them how to save a life...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy

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