Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes! It's our favorite day of the week and you've just clicked on the blog that answers the question..." what can I do for the next few minutes?"
You've chosen to visit at just the right time as Tuesday's Musical Notes is in the midst of its first three-parter! Welcome to "Blinded" a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy. Last week in Episode 4 "Blinded - Another Runner in the Night" we explored the early life of a fellow named Saul and how he was blinded by The Light. In case you missed it, here's the link: Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Blinded by the Light".
Today we welcome you to Episode 5 - "A Stranger in the Night"! What awaits Saul as he contemplates his life without sight? What are these strange visions he is seeing in his head? Who is the Voice he keeps hearing? One thing you can be assured of...Saul is definitely telling folks..."I Saw the Light"
"I Saw the Light" - Hank Williams 1948
flash forward a few years...
"I Saw the Light" - Hank Williams Jr. and friends from the DVD In the Hank Williams Tradition
and just a few more years...
"I Saw the Light/I'll Fly Away" - David Crowder Hoedown - 2013 Passion Conference
Yes, I realize this is a bit of a departure from the popular musical fare to which readers of Tuesday's Musical Notes are accustomed as it is the very first time we feature a song that is a Gospel/Christian song instead of our usual fare of pop music's iconic songs and hits. However, one must consider that "I Saw the Light" was one of the first crossover hits ever.
Released in 1948 as the "A" side of a single, (a 78 single not a 45) "I Saw the Light" was the second song that Hank Williams Sr. would record for record label MGM. His wife Audrey recorded a duet version of the song with Williams, but it was never released because according to Hank, Audrey's musical skills were not very good. Recognizing this, Williams wrote a corresponding letter to MGM requesting the song to be held until he could get a solo recording completed. In the interim, RCA released a version of the song with vocalist Clyde Grubbs in 1947 exposing the song to listeners. Williams solo record would be released in September of 1948. Even though neither of the releases was commercially successful for MGM or Williams, the song's popularity with the concert-going public setting, caused Williams to use it as a closing song at most of his live performances.
The song has been recorded by a myriad of artists, used in television shows and performed live as recently as the 2013 Passion Conference. (seen in the last video by Crowder).
Hank Williams life story is one of tragedy and has been chronicled in books as well as movies. In fact, "I Saw the Light' was used as the title of the most recent movie about William's life with stars Tom Hiddleston (Loki from the Avengers/Thor movies by Marvel) and Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch from the Avengers movies).
"I Saw the Light" - Motion Picture Trailer - 2015 - Sony Pictures Classics
While "I Saw the Light" has become iconic in its usage, it is very difficult to avoid its overt messaging or the fact that it was written over 70 years ago and continues to purport musical significance. And...one would imagine that it could easily have been said by a certain Pharisee who was at a crossroads in his life...
When we last left Saul, the Pharisee (religious rulers of the Jewish folks of the time) had just been blinded by The Light. He could see nothing and had to be led to his destination of Damascus by his traveling companions. The believers in Damascus had heard of this persecutor of the church's impending arrival and were afraid and very unsure of what to do. During his 3 days of blindness, however, Saul began having visions about someone who would show him what to do next. Through those 3 days of blindness, his life was changed forever. This poses the question, "If God made Saul blind to change his life, What will He have to do to get our attention and change our lives forever?"
We pick up our story in the book of the Bible called The Acts of the Apostles. This book records the early interactions of Christians as they told the good news about Jesus redemption of mankind. (The Gospel) It focuses on the disciples (Jesus inner circle of students) who were telling everyone they encountered to repent (turn away) from their sin and turn toward Jesus and his salvation. Let's let Dr. Luke, the writer of The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts continue the story...
Acts of the Apostles 9:9-18 New International Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel
So a stranger, named Ananias cautiously came to Saul in his "night". Saul had been listening to The Voice about what would be happening during this "night". Saul humbly accepted his plight and awaited the time when Ananias would arrive. Saul found humbleness and patience was a difficult thing for one who had trained as a Pharisee of Pharisees. Imagine the things that were racing through Saul's mind. Imagine the pride that had to be stripped away for his heart to get to a humble enough condition to accept the help that he needed in his blindness, both physical and spiritual. Imagine the thoughts of his companions as they see the changes taking place in Saul's life right before their eyes. Imagine the anticipation that Saul had for Ananias' arrival.
God had told Saul that his sight would be restored. God told Saul that he would be used to take the Gospel message of Jesus' redemption to the non-Jewish (Gentile) world. In a matter of 3 days, Saul was prepared to do just that. The Bible says that upon Ananias' arrival, consequent laying on hands, and proclamation of Jesus, Saul's sight was restored and he immediately went to be baptized, following the example that Jesus had set. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, Chapter 3, verses 13-17 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 21-22 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, Chapter 1, Verses 29-33 NIV/The Message/ESV) What a miraculous transformation. Saul the persecutor to Saul the proclaimer!!! I can just imagine Saul leaping up out of the water and exclaiming...."Praise the Lord, I saw the Light"... And like every good church service I've ever attended, after they had the baptism, they celebrated with a fellowship meal. "No more in darkness, no more in night!"...
Dear friend. Are you in a darkness that keeps you from seeing? Perhaps you desire to have no more darkness, no more night. Just like Saul, God may be using this season to get your attention and draw you to Him. Just like Saul, your "night" can be stripped away if you humble yourself and wait to see what God has for you to do! Just like Saul, you can praise the Lord, because you saw the Light!!!
What? Are you leaving Saul in Damascus? What happens next? How do the Christians in Damascus treat their former enemy? How does Paul navigate his new life? Does he go to Seminary? For the answers to these and other eye-opening questions, you'll have to come back next week when "Blinded" a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy continues with Episode 6 - "Gone are the Dark Clouds"!!!
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
You've chosen to visit at just the right time as Tuesday's Musical Notes is in the midst of its first three-parter! Welcome to "Blinded" a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy. Last week in Episode 4 "Blinded - Another Runner in the Night" we explored the early life of a fellow named Saul and how he was blinded by The Light. In case you missed it, here's the link: Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Blinded by the Light".
Today we welcome you to Episode 5 - "A Stranger in the Night"! What awaits Saul as he contemplates his life without sight? What are these strange visions he is seeing in his head? Who is the Voice he keeps hearing? One thing you can be assured of...Saul is definitely telling folks..."I Saw the Light"
"I Saw the Light" - Hank Williams 1948
flash forward a few years...
"I Saw the Light" - Hank Williams Jr. and friends from the DVD In the Hank Williams Tradition
and just a few more years...
"I Saw the Light/I'll Fly Away" - David Crowder Hoedown - 2013 Passion Conference
Yes, I realize this is a bit of a departure from the popular musical fare to which readers of Tuesday's Musical Notes are accustomed as it is the very first time we feature a song that is a Gospel/Christian song instead of our usual fare of pop music's iconic songs and hits. However, one must consider that "I Saw the Light" was one of the first crossover hits ever.
Released in 1948 as the "A" side of a single, (a 78 single not a 45) "I Saw the Light" was the second song that Hank Williams Sr. would record for record label MGM. His wife Audrey recorded a duet version of the song with Williams, but it was never released because according to Hank, Audrey's musical skills were not very good. Recognizing this, Williams wrote a corresponding letter to MGM requesting the song to be held until he could get a solo recording completed. In the interim, RCA released a version of the song with vocalist Clyde Grubbs in 1947 exposing the song to listeners. Williams solo record would be released in September of 1948. Even though neither of the releases was commercially successful for MGM or Williams, the song's popularity with the concert-going public setting, caused Williams to use it as a closing song at most of his live performances.
The song has been recorded by a myriad of artists, used in television shows and performed live as recently as the 2013 Passion Conference. (seen in the last video by Crowder).
Hank Williams life story is one of tragedy and has been chronicled in books as well as movies. In fact, "I Saw the Light' was used as the title of the most recent movie about William's life with stars Tom Hiddleston (Loki from the Avengers/Thor movies by Marvel) and Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch from the Avengers movies).
"I Saw the Light" - Motion Picture Trailer - 2015 - Sony Pictures Classics
While "I Saw the Light" has become iconic in its usage, it is very difficult to avoid its overt messaging or the fact that it was written over 70 years ago and continues to purport musical significance. And...one would imagine that it could easily have been said by a certain Pharisee who was at a crossroads in his life...
When we last left Saul, the Pharisee (religious rulers of the Jewish folks of the time) had just been blinded by The Light. He could see nothing and had to be led to his destination of Damascus by his traveling companions. The believers in Damascus had heard of this persecutor of the church's impending arrival and were afraid and very unsure of what to do. During his 3 days of blindness, however, Saul began having visions about someone who would show him what to do next. Through those 3 days of blindness, his life was changed forever. This poses the question, "If God made Saul blind to change his life, What will He have to do to get our attention and change our lives forever?"
We pick up our story in the book of the Bible called The Acts of the Apostles. This book records the early interactions of Christians as they told the good news about Jesus redemption of mankind. (The Gospel) It focuses on the disciples (Jesus inner circle of students) who were telling everyone they encountered to repent (turn away) from their sin and turn toward Jesus and his salvation. Let's let Dr. Luke, the writer of The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts continue the story...
Acts of the Apostles 9:9-18 New International Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel
So a stranger, named Ananias cautiously came to Saul in his "night". Saul had been listening to The Voice about what would be happening during this "night". Saul humbly accepted his plight and awaited the time when Ananias would arrive. Saul found humbleness and patience was a difficult thing for one who had trained as a Pharisee of Pharisees. Imagine the things that were racing through Saul's mind. Imagine the pride that had to be stripped away for his heart to get to a humble enough condition to accept the help that he needed in his blindness, both physical and spiritual. Imagine the thoughts of his companions as they see the changes taking place in Saul's life right before their eyes. Imagine the anticipation that Saul had for Ananias' arrival.
God had told Saul that his sight would be restored. God told Saul that he would be used to take the Gospel message of Jesus' redemption to the non-Jewish (Gentile) world. In a matter of 3 days, Saul was prepared to do just that. The Bible says that upon Ananias' arrival, consequent laying on hands, and proclamation of Jesus, Saul's sight was restored and he immediately went to be baptized, following the example that Jesus had set. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, Chapter 3, verses 13-17 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, Chapter 3, Verses 21-22 NIV/The Message/ESV, The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, Chapter 1, Verses 29-33 NIV/The Message/ESV) What a miraculous transformation. Saul the persecutor to Saul the proclaimer!!! I can just imagine Saul leaping up out of the water and exclaiming...."Praise the Lord, I saw the Light"... And like every good church service I've ever attended, after they had the baptism, they celebrated with a fellowship meal. "No more in darkness, no more in night!"...
Dear friend. Are you in a darkness that keeps you from seeing? Perhaps you desire to have no more darkness, no more night. Just like Saul, God may be using this season to get your attention and draw you to Him. Just like Saul, your "night" can be stripped away if you humble yourself and wait to see what God has for you to do! Just like Saul, you can praise the Lord, because you saw the Light!!!
What? Are you leaving Saul in Damascus? What happens next? How do the Christians in Damascus treat their former enemy? How does Paul navigate his new life? Does he go to Seminary? For the answers to these and other eye-opening questions, you'll have to come back next week when "Blinded" a Tuesday's Musical Notes Trilogy continues with Episode 6 - "Gone are the Dark Clouds"!!!
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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