Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Old Days" (Chicago)

Hi there it's Tuesday!  Welcome to your weekly dose of news, nostalgia, and nurturing. It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  

In May of this year, I had the opportunity for the 2nd time in my life to see in concert what I think is the absolute best band in popular music, Chicago.  They certainly did not disappoint!  The arena was set up in a theater setting and there wasn't a bad seat in the house as we watched the 2018 version of the "Rock Band with Horns" play the entirety of Chicago II.  (The actual title to the band's second album is Chicago.  The band had previously released Chicago Transit Authority as their eponymous debut album but shortened the band name for the 2nd album to avoid any legal action with the entity that already wore that moniker.)  

At the completion of a brief intermission, Chicago then came back out and play a "Greatest Hits" set.  The 3 founding members (Robert Lamm at 73 years old, Lee Loughnane at 71, and James Pankow at 71) were in stride as they played some of the music they had first created together 50 years ago.  Needless to say, at this stage in their lives, they can certainly relate to their "Old Days"...

"Old Days" by Chicago, from the March 25, 1975 album Chicago VIII

Peaking at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart, "Old Days" would be the highest charting single from the album Chicago VIII.  It would be their 17th top 40 hit in the 6 years since the inception of the band.  "Old Days" would also join the ranks of  "Make Me Smile", "25 or 6 to 4", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Beginnings", "Color My World",  "Saturday in the Park", "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", "Just You 'N' Me", "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long", and "Call On Me" in the top ten and solidify Chicago as a force to be reckoned with in the music universe for years to come. The band celebrated their 50th anniversary this year!

"Old Days" is a song about reminiscing.  We've written before about the dangers of the nostalgia of your past always being better than the reality of your past, however, there can be some benefits to remembering the reality of our past.  For most, there are some really good memories that are worth sharing. There are also some practices of the past that really should be brought back. 

Recently, I was going through some of the things of my mom's. She passed away last December and we were attempting to make decisions on which items to keep and which items to otherwise distribute among my children or sell.  We came across her wedding china.  I can only remember eating on these plates a handful of times, but remember many times seeing them in her china cabinet, displayed like the artwork they truly are.  I wondered why we didn't use these dishes more by having family and friends in our home more often.  I finally surmised that in our case at least, they were truly created to be artwork rather than be functional as eating utensils.  As I reviewed the old photographs and continued to ponder the dishes, I remembered the times we did have friends in our home.  The warm smile of those memories was soon replaced by a tinge of sorrow at the reality that I had lost something almost as precious to me as my mom.  Almost.  The gift of surrounding myself with people in a casual environment just listening to music, visiting and giving them a valuable asset, my time.  In short, I have, in my busyness, lost the gifts of hospitality and generosity.

In the real "Old Days" of the Bible hospitality and generosity were taught as staples to having good manners and walking a Godly life.  We see a story in the life of Abraham as an example.  When Abraham encountered three strangers he immediately set to work seeing to their comfort.  Yes, Abraham knew that these were not ordinary guests.  But if you examine Abram, then Abraham's life, you see a life of both hospitality and generosity regardless of who the guests may have been.  These strangers would later tell Abraham and his wife Sarah, that they would give birth in their old age (Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 when the strangers came to deliver this news).  But before they delivered the message, they were treated as royal guests in the home of Abraham and Sarah.  Genesis 18:1-8 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel  Abraham did everything he could to see to their comfort and make sure they had what they desired while they were in his home.  Have you ever had that experience?  Have you ever performed such a service?  I can't say that I go that much out of my way for friends much less for total strangers.  Oh, but that was the Old Testament time, some really, really "Old Days"...

Abraham's hospitality came from his love for God.  Abraham was very practical in the ways he went about being hospitable.  Here are some practical ways that you and I can use to start back on the path to hospitality:  4 Practical Ways to Show Christian Hospitality by Tony Merida, January 1, 2014, lifeway.com 

In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he implores the church to be hospitable.  He challenges them to see to the needs of Christians everywhere.  Paul's letter to the Roman church, chapter 12 NIV/The Message/ESV  Did you notice The Message paraphrase of verse 13?  "Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality." (emphasis mine)  I love that phrase, "be inventive in hospitality"!!!  Challenge accepted!  The key is for us to begin...today!!! Here are some ideas:   10 Creative Ways to Show Hospitality (Even When You’re too Busy) by Michelle Lazurek from ibelieve.com/food-home

Hospitality and generosity were also important to Jesus.  Many of His parables focused on what we do for our fellow man.  One of the most well known is the Parable (or story) of the Good Samaritan.  The Hebrew people of Jesus day were prejudiced towards the people of Samaria.  The Samaritans were thought of as lower class citizens.  In a story that Jesus told to highlight love for your fellow man, He lifted up a Samaritan above a priest and a Levite (religious leader).  

A man was beaten and robbed and left for dead on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho.   A priest passed by and did nothing to aid the man.  A Levite did the same.  Both of these men were Jews and as sons of Abraham should have shown the victim mercy and kindness.  Yet they passed on by.  Finally, a person from Samaria came by and began the process of restoring the man.  He saw to his physical needs in every way possible.  The Samaritan left the man in the care of an innkeeper.  He paid the innkeeper enough to see to the man's continued needs and promised to pay the innkeeper more if need be.  In doing all of this the Samaritan was the one shown as having the most compassion, hospitality (even though it wasn't in his own home), and generosity.  You can read the Scripture basis for this story here:  The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, chapter 10, 25-37 NIV/The Message/ESV  To paraphrase Jesus, we can not show love to or fellow man without showing them hospitality and generosity.

Many good things are cyclical. While we may not see the return of Howdy Doody, one would be hard pressed to deny the impact of comic books and baseball cards on our modern society.  One only look at the music industry, where vinyl record sales are increasing at a higher rate against last years sales,  more than any musical format, including digital downloads.  It seems that some of the "Old Days" things continue to renew themselves every few years.  Isn't it time, that Christian folks showed the world what true hospitality and generosity look like?  Isn't it time that we open our fence gates and front doors to people of all walks of life without bias?  Isn't it time we give of our time and treasure so that others will receive the benefit?  Isn't it time that we return to the practices of hospitality and generosity like in the "Old Days"?

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Think" (Aretha Franklin)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” 

― Albert Einstein

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” 

― Steve Jobs

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it." - Henry Ford

"No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." - Voltaire   

"Think, think, think..." - Winnie the Pooh

"You better think about what you sayin', you better think about the consequences of your actions..." - Mrs. Matt "Guitar" Murphy

(aka Aretha Franklin)

"Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free..."

- Aretha Franklin

"Think" by Aretha Franklin from the May 2, 1968 album Aretha Now, extended version released June 20, 1980 on The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording

Most of the music listening world has heard the voice if not the name of Aretha Franklin.  I confess, being raised on Country/Western and the Southern Gospel style of Christian music, I rarely had the occasion to be exposed to her incredible voice.  I do however remember hearing "Respect" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Respect") and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" on the radio.  

I quickly became a fan of her music when, in the fall of 1982 as a freshmen in college, I was exposed to the wonder that was Aretha Franklin and "Think" was solidified as my favorite Aretha song.   

Freshman Marching Razorback band members were required to be on campus prior to the start of the actual school semester.  During our "off" hours from rehearsal, The Razorback Band service fraternity/sorority, Kappa/Kappa/Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, showed a series of musical films during the twilight hours that enabled us to socialize and bond as a group as well as be recruited by their respective organizations.    This was the time before VHS so I'm not sure how they got the prints, but one of the films was the Belushi/Ackroyd ode to the blues band, The Blues Brothers.  (The Notes can't recommend the movie for a family movie night, due to language issues, but if you love music, this movie is quite entertaining. Music lovers should get the soundtrack on vinyl if it isn't already a part of your collection!!!)

Part of the charm of The Blues Brothers is all of the great guest appearances by R&B icons.  Ray Charles, James Brown, John Lee Hooker all played roles in assisting Jake and Elwood the opportunity to fulfill their mission from God.  But when Aretha hit the screen...  

She was born in Memphis Tennessee, but eventually settled in Detroit as her father was a pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church.  At her father's guidance she began singing at the church and became a part of his circuit preaching throughout the week.  Her father was also a compatriot of Martin Luther King Jr.  Their relationship with Dr. King was so close, that Aretha was asked to sing at Dr. King's funeral.  Her selection:  "Precious Lord" (originally recorded on Songs of Faith, the 1956 debut album by Aretha Franklin)

Aretha never abandoned her gospel roots.  Throughout her career she would return to record the music upon which she was raised.  We've mentioned her first record, 1956' Songs of Faith.  She won the 1973 Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance for her collaboration with James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir simply titled Amazing Grace.  In 1987 and 1999 she would see the releases  One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and Gospel Greats respectively.  This body of work would propel her to being inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012.  For more about Aretha's faith:  Aretha Franklin’s Life Shows She Put God First - August 16, 2019 by Tess Farrand, Staff Writer at movieguide.org

Aretha Franklin was not only a gospel music legend, but because of her R&B prowess, she was given the title Queen of Soul.  In 1987 she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  She continues to reign at the top of Rolling Stones' list of Greatest Singers of All-Time.  Her accolades and honors have continued as with each decade she would record relatable and good music for the radio listening public.  She even sang the opera aria "Nessun Dorma" in place of Luciano Pavarotti at the Grammy Awards in 1998 bringing her additional international acclaim.

For me, however, Aretha Franklin will always be telling Matt "Guitar" Murphy, that he better be thinking about the consequences of his actions.  I may be overthinking this a bit, but for me, Aretha inspired a generation to consider what they were going to do, BEFORE they did it.   For a college kid in the '80s that was sage advice that reminded me of something I had heard in Sunday School once.  

In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's accounts of Jesus' earthly ministry) we hear Jesus continually asking folks what they think about specific things?  (New International Version of the Bible:  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 17, verse 25 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible, English Standard Version of the Bible parallel, Matthew 18:12 NIV/The Message/ESV, Matthew 22:41-42 NIV/The Message/ESV, et al)  As God in human form, Jesus already knew what they thought so why would He ask them?  Jesus wanted them to consider all the applications and implications of what their notions were on the topics in which He was asking.  In essence, He was trying to get them to "think" more deeply than the cursory knowledge they may have already had.  He was transforming His followers into His likeness by engaging them in conversation and allowing their answers to lead Him into a deeper explanation than what their backgrounds would have allowed them to think.  For those who weren't followers Jesus' was attempting to show them the way by gettting through their own sanctimony and self worth.

Perhaps you have found that EVERYONE has an opinion on any given subject.  Sometimes these opinions are well thought out, other times...not so much.  The question becomes, if one were to consider more deeply the question, could they come up with a more informed, non-emotional answer?  I really think this deeper contemplation, pondering, or just plain ol thinking about things is something that our "media" (let's face it they aren't "news" outlets anymore) agencies could find benefit, but I digress...

So friend, do you take the time to think before you answer a query?  I know that I don't! Most of the time to my own dismay.  Isn't it easy with our self consumption to blurt out some diatribe that is not very well thought out, just so we can have our voice rise above the clamor?  

For those who have not yet come to belief in Jesus, there is much to contemplate, much in which to think on, much to ponder.    For those who have not yet come to belief in Jesus, please consider these thing found in the Bible.  God created a perfect world.  He even called it "good".  God created humans (just 1 race, the human race) to interact with him and have relationship.  God as the Creator had some ground rules for humans, which they violated (this is called "sin") thus breaking the relationship between God and humans and as a cost for that violation, humans were cast out of perfection.  God however, had a plan for the relationship between Himself and humans to be restored.  It would take much sacrifice on His part, but He was willing to do it.  To accomplish this, God, the Creator, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son to be the sacrifice into the "not good" world in which humans now existed.   Jesus asked humans to think about their relationship with God.  He proclaimed Himself to be the Son of God which was something that humans in their rebellion to God could not understand.  This disconnect was so palpable that humans took Jesus, who had never done ANYTHING wrong, and killed Him in a manner so heinous that it is no longer used as a form of capital punishment in "civilized" society.  Jesus endure unimaginable pain and anguish so that you and I can be restored to God.  Jesus was then placed in a tomb, physically dead.  3 days later He came back to life, a physical life and was seen by over 500 of His contemporaries.  After coming back to life, He spent some time training His disciples what to do, how to live, and how to think deeper as He would eventually ascend to be with God.  He then sent Holy Spirit to be His presence in all those who believe in Him assisting in the process of becoming more like Jesus as they lived their lives.  Jesus is currently sitting beside God asking for mercy and grace for those who do not believe this.  Believing these things about Jesus is a life and death decision.  One that requires much more than a glancing thought.  

Dear friend, THIS is the most important thing in your life that you will ever think about.  What you decide about Jesus will determine your eternity future.  What you think has consequences!!!  You better think...

For those who have come to belief in Jesus.  What we should think upon is simple and laid out for us in Paul's letter to the Philipian church, chapter 4, verse 8 NIV/The Message/ESV.  True, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, and gracious are the characteristics where our attention is to be focused.  Thinking on the best things not worst, thinking on the beautiful not the ugly, thinking about things to praise, not things to curse. Thinking on these things is not easy, but it is doable through the power of Holy Spirit.  Thinking on these things makes us an attractively peculiar people.  Thinking on these things encourages us to tell our story of redemption and restoration.    Ultimately thinking these things launch us down the pathways to... freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom!!!  (ba dump bump be dump...that's a horn lick...just in case you didn't know!)

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (Moody Blues)

Welcome to Tuesday it's time they did say!  The daylight hours they are drifting away!  It is time for a new thing they're all talking about.  New faces, new friends, and new achievements to flout.  The bands they are marching, the teams they go fast. The teachers are starching their clothes so they'll last.  Books that laid dormant, are now covers open. As students find ways to start the year hopin'.  Hopin' for good grades, great teachers, and much fun.  Hopin' that they can do the work to be done.  Hats off to the folks in clinics of learning.  We know the late hours the candles your burning.  We know that it seems your herding some cats. We just pray that they don't drive you all the way bats.  So here's to you students and teachers we say.  "We're praying for you, we pray for each day".  It's Tuesday in August not quite meter rule, we ask you today..."won't you take me back to school?" 

"The Voice" by the Moody Blues from the May 15, 1981 album Long Distance Voyager

Tuesday's Musical Notes has often explored bands that "fly under the radar".  They may be "one-hit wonders" that utilize one song to make a lifelong career in music (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walking on Sunshine"), or they may be bands that were started in the '60s and over the course of 50 years had 12 top 40 hits.  They are not The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Prince, or other artists who seem to hum a measure and it goes straight to #1.  They are the working man's bands. They have written, played, produced, and sung some incredible music that while recognizable to some, have missed many listener's ears.  They are the band in which you know their music, but you may not know their name.  Today's feature band is such a group...The Moody Blues.

Begun in England in 1964, The Moody Blues have created a legacy by continually recreating themselves.  In '64 they began with blues covers.   As they solidified as a group and added the mellotron as a main instrument, they evolved into being one of the pioneering bands of prog rock.  They reinvented themselves again in the late '70s and early '80s after a reissue of the 1967 single "Nights in White Satin" went to #2 on the charts in 1972.  This international popularity ignited an interest in all of the band's music, propelling them to make their most popular record to date, Long Distance Voyager, which went to #1 on the album charts and featured the top twenty singles "Gemini Dream" and today's feature song, "The Voice".  

The Moody Blues most recent studio album is 2003's December.  Their most recent tour came in 2015.  And after over 50 years of touring, making albums and inspiring millions, they were a part of 2018's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class.  It would seem that their hard work and continuing vision paid off as they continue to have fans say..."whoa won't you tell me again."

"Won't you take me back to school, I need to learn the golden rule..."   I think it would be easy to say that the students are not the only ones who learn things during a school year.  I have seen teachers and those who work at school say with a sense of pride as well as some awe that they never cease to be amazed at what the next generation can teach them. As students and school employees begin their annual voyage to learning,  we must ask ourselves, what things will be guiding them. Certainly, the golden rule to which The Moody Blues refers, but what other factors influence those in our arena of education?

As the school year starts, "each and every heart it seems is guided by a world of dreams..."  What guides those dreams?  

Way before Jiminy Cricket instructed Pinnochio to "Give a Little Whistle", ("Give a Little Whistle" from the 1940 Walt Disney production Pinnochio) folks understood the idea of a conscience.  dictionary.com defines conscience as:  " the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action". (dictionary.com - "conscience")  

As the return to school seems to bring a reset for many of us, I think we must understand that what assists us as we navigate our days is something more than allowing our conscience to be our guide and the impelling to do what's right.  Doing what is right isn't enough.  Let's face it, even on our best days we are flawed, and giving a little whistle doesn't always cut it.  But there is someone who can help.

In many churches, the topic of Holy Spirit is one in which very little discussion is had.  I find this curious because as part of the Trinity, evangelical bodies of believers claim that He is equal to God the Father, and God the Son.  Over the decades His work perhaps has been misunderstood by believers. Perhaps the whole "Ghost" label is intimidating as we don't fully understand Holy Spirit's role in our lives. While Tuesday's Musical Notes is not an authority on Holy Spirit, there are some things about Him that we would like to illustrate that may very well help us navigate the Long Distance Voyage in which we find ourselves as we maneuver through this new season.

First and most importantly we must understand that Holy Spirit is equal to God and Jesus and is a part of the creative process at the beginning.  Genesis 1:1-2 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel  Did you see that?  God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus are all in the first two verses of the Bible.

Also, we must understand that Holy Spirit is NOT our conscience.  Holy Spirit comes into our lives after we make a commitment to repenting of our sins (a daily process) and believing that Jesus was who He said He was and did what He said He did.  Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, verses 1-13 NIV/The Message/ESV  The disciples had spent over 3 years in the presence of Jesus.  They did not need Holy Spirit's guidance until Jesus ascended into Heaven. The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 16, verse 4-7 NIV/The Message/ESV  

Finally, notice what Holy Spirit does in our lives.  Initially, Holy Spirit brings the awareness of the separation that we have from God due to our sins. (John 16:8 NIV/The Message/ESV) Then He calls us to repent of those sins. (Paul's Letter to the Roman Church, chapter 8, verses 22-28 NIV/The Message/ESV) Finally, He transforms us every day to be more like Jesus. (Paul's 2nd Letter to the Corinthian Church, Chapter 3, verse 18 NIV/The Message/ESV)

So you see dear friend, each and every rising sun is greeted by a lonely one, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Out of the ocean of life, my love, there's so many storms we must rise above.  But we don't have to do it alone!  Can you hear the Spirit calling?  Understand the Voice within and feel a change already beginning.  Please answer His calling!!!

The fact is that not answering the Holy Spirit's call is the only sin that cannot be forgiven.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:31-32 -  “There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God’s Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you’re sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives."  The Message  

Holy Spirit is saying, "How many words have I got to say, and how many times will it be this way?"  To paraphrase, there is a time coming when you won't be able to say to Holy Spirit..."Oh won't you tell me again? Oh can you feel it?  Oh won't you tell me again...tonight"  

The one that He's calling is You!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Modern Love" (David Bowie)

Welcome to Tuesday and this week's entry into the annals of musical double entendre'!  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  

It's the first Tuesday of August!!! which usually means transitions are about to begin.  School supplies are dominating store aisles and are relatively inexpensive.  Who knows what the weather will do on any given day.  Families begin the conversion from summer vacations and a relatively flexible schedule to a more rigid regimen that includes a structured school day and a renewal to work goals.  Even though it is more than another month until Autumn official begins, along with pencils, paper, and backpacks, stores are decked out in oranges, browns, and every manner imaginable variation of things pumpkiny.  

"Fact Check: Food   Canned Pumpkin isn't really Pumpkin?" - Snopes.com

I absolutely love this time of the year.  Even though it continues to be really hot here, the beginning of August signals that the end of the heat and humidity are almost over.  College Football practices begin and everyone has high hopes for their favorite team's chances at national attention.  (Woo Pigs Sooie!!!  Go Hogs!!!) PreSeason Games, that mean absolutely nothing but TV time and interviews, begin for the NFL (whatever that's gonna look like this year...please rise for the singing/playing of our national anthem...we'll see) 

I remember this time of the year as always being my favorite.  Marching Band practice (Bald Knob High School, University of Arkansas) would begin usually around the first and as a young person, the heat was made much more tolerable by the fact that you were back with friends who shared a common passion and loved doing what we got to do...and even more tolerable by the occasional donated truckload of ice-cold watermelons that showed up that one time after practice...Tuesday's Musical Notes salutes those students and teachers who are making memories, living your passions and sweating on the marching fields around our country! Gatorade is your friend, water is even better!!! 

It seemed that with the start of the school year, regardless of whether you were in band or if you waited for the actual first day of school, anticipation arose at the prospect of new relationships. As an older student, I pondered if this could be the year "The one" might be revealed and destiny would be set forever. Regardless of the dating scene for the year, anticipation was still there that new friends and potential "dates" were to be met in the coming year.  (Fall 1985 "The one" did come along!!!  We began dating in October 1985.  3 Kids, 2 grandkids, and 32 years of matrimony later we're still dating!!!)

What has happened to the art of dating?  Has the process of finding true love and courting been made too easy by social media and digital meeting places like dating apps?  Does this generation not see the benefit of going to the movie with just one person and showing that person ALL of your attention, not to mention spending your entire paycheck on the evening with them?  It seems that dating as a group is the new thing.  Yes, there is security in numbers, but don't you guys ever want to be alone?... I digress...Could this group mentality, speed and online dating be indicative of today's "modern love"?

 "Modern Love" by David Bowie, from the April 14th, 1983 album Let's Dance

"Modern Love" was the opening track and a top 20 single (#14) from Bowie's fifteenth studio album.  It was the third single released from the album behind the title track, "Let's Dance" (#1) and a new iteration of "China Girl" (#10), a song co-written by Iggy Pop for his 1977 album The Idiot.  On the strength of the three singles, Let's Dance was nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy in 1984.  It happened, however, to be released in the same year as another album by another pop music icon.  You might have heard of the Grammy that year going to a little project known as "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. 

At the time of his death in 2016 at age 69, Let's Dance was David Bowie's best selling record.  It has sold in excess of 10 million copies and continues to prove that those of us raised on 80's music know how to show artists of that time a lot of modern love.  

There has been much discussion on how to define modern love in recent years.  Tuesday's Musical Notes has attempted in kind and loving ways to examine the issue.  Now, before you hit the "x" in your upper right-hand corner (your left-hand corner for Apple users), let me assure you this is not a "hit" piece or an attack on anyone.  I would like to convey some very strong emotions today about a very personal subject.  We mean no offense to any person.  That being said, we hope you will continue reading...

It seems across the world that "love" is an emotion that is difficult to define.  Let me be perfectly clear.  My beliefs command me to love every person to the point of giving my life for theirs. The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 15, verses 9-17 New International Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel Notice, that passage says nothing about whether I agree with them politically or even like them. I must love them enough to lay down my life for them. This is the example given to me by the One who made this statement.  His name was Jesus.  

Imagine a world where everyone you encountered was willing to die for you.  To me this thought is humbling.  It is also a challenge because I fear that I would be the one to ruin that utopia.  I confess that my daily life is fraught with predispositions about people based on looks and behavior.  I confess that I make up my mind about a person based on what position they may take about an issue on Facebook.   I confess that I discriminate based on culture, color, nationality, sexual preference, and all of the other modern-day labels we attach to folks.  

This is NOT how I want to be, and every day of my life my challenge and goal is to become more like the One in whom my hope is found.  Paul's 2nd letter to the Corinthian church, chapter 3 NIV/The Message/ESV  My intense desire is to be like Paul when he says at the end of this passage: "We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him." (The Message)

Becoming like Jesus means that while I love as Jesus loves, I also must love and live in His truth.  Jesus truth regarding physical intimacy was unpopular in His day and is even more unpopular today especially as one attempts to define modern love.  This is the truth we find in the Bible, simply put, ANY physical relationship outside of the constructs of the marriage relationship is sin, missing the mark of God's perfect plan.  The Bible calls this fornication.  That's an old-fashioned word that we rarely hear to describe adultery (extramarital, premarital, "hook-up" sex), homosexuality, pedophilia, bestiality, or any other misuse of what is supposed to be the physical expression of intimacy between 1 man and 1 woman.  Anything else is against God's plan for man.  

Let me be clear.  I am not judging anyone.  I have sin of my own.  I can't trust my best five minutes to get me into heaven.  Fortunately, my entrance into heaven is based on what Jesus has already done and my belief in that fact.  

Because I am a follower of and believer in Jesus, I must love without condition.  This is the truest expression of the most modern love.  Friend, if you have never had anyone tell you that you are loved, please consider this:  I love you and I make this commitment to you that every day I will repent of the bias and inconsistencies in my life that may keep me from loving you.  I love you because you are made in the image of the God I serve.  I love Him because He first loved me!!!  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter3, verses 16-21 NIV/The Message/ESV   To do that effectively, I must love you without any preconceived notions or judgments regarding the sin you may do. 

In fact, my desire is to be able to love the adulterer, love the homosexual, etc.  And I desire to be so much like Jesus that I would love them so much and desire them to be saved that I would lay my life down for them.  Forgive me for not exhibiting this behavior in a consistent manner.

The enemy of God and man says that these manifestations of physical intimacy are true expressions of who people are as defined by modern love. Remember, this is the enemy's distortion of the truth.  Those who have no foundation in Jesus and the Bible will listen to these fabrications and believe them.  Paul's 2nd Letter of mentoring to Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 1-5 NIV/The Message/ESV

Jesus gave up His life for the folks who are caught in these lies and He commands His followers to love them enough to be able to separate the person from their actions.   This is difficult to do.  We can't be satisfied with the cliche' "Hate the sin, love the sinner".  It goes so much further than that...according to Jesus, we should be willing to lay down EVERYTHING...to show EVERYONE how a child of God loves others.  This is a kind of love that in our generation is unfathomable.  This is a kind of love that in our generation is irresistible.  This is a kind of love that needs no confession or religion.  This is a kind of love, when done correctly,  ultimately expresses THE modern and eternal love of which you'll never wave bye-bye... 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy