Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)

Hello and welcome to Tuesday!  You've just clicked in on the blog that melds the finest of musical selections with the eternal message of hope.  It's Tuesday and it's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  

Welcome to today's entry into the Halloween editions of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  That's right!  Tuesday's Musical Notes is you your one-stop connection to the best songs for ANY seasonal day, even Halloween.  And just in case you needed a little more reading for the day...it's gonna rain here on Halloween after all...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - Theme from "The Munsters"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This is Halloween"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Monster Mash"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thriller"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Frankenstein"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Ghostbusters"

Have you ever found yourself dodging black cats?  Have you ever not used the 13th step in a staircase?  Ever broken a mirror and wondered if your spilled coffee was the beginning of seven really bad years?  Maybe you've crossed your fingers in anticipation that your wish would come true?  Made a wish on a star?  Searched for a 4-leaf clover? Carried a rabbit's foot?  If you have, consider yourself a part of the human race for we all believe in things we don't understand...  

"Superstition" from the October 28, 1972 album Talking Book by Stevie Wonder

Stevland Hardaway Morris signed with the Tamla label of Motown records when he was 11.  He recorded his first album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, at age 12.  His latest Motown studio offering came in the form of 2005's A Time to Love, making Stevie Wonder one of popular music's longest recording artists and one of Motown's most renown aficionados.  After all Stevie Wonder is a musical genius!!!  He has 25 Grammy Awards to his credit and joins Frank Sinatra as the only 3-time Album of the Year Grammy Award winner.  His music has served as a musical backdrop for decades as this generation has lived out its history.

"Superstition" landed at the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100  the week of January 27, 1973.  It has become a signature song for Wonder and has been covered by the likes of The Jackson Five and Stevie Ray Vaughn.  "Superstition" finds Stevie Wonder collaborating with Jeff Beck on the guitar, who would also later record the song for his trio's 1973 debut album Beck, Bogert, and Appice".  Superstition" found its way to #74 on 2004's Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songs of All Time.

We all have actions that we do that are have been motivated by our belief system.  Included in that belief system are the superstitions, such as the ones listed in the following article, that we have flirted with over the years.   "10 Common Superstitions" - everydayhealth.com  Any of those sound familiar?  Have you ever known anyone who obsessed over these superstitions?      

As we embark on the most superstitious night of the year (Happy Halloween!!!), one wonders where the foundation for all of these seemingly random ideas about rabbit's feet and broken mirrors are derived.  But if you take just a moment and look in a Bible, yes that's right THE Bible, you can see very quickly where ideas regarding supernatural events and things we don't understand can be built into the fabric of humanity.  

Israel's first King was Saul.  He was the man chosen by God after Israel had decided they needed a King like all the other countries in their area.  In this way, they rejected God's leadership and placed their allegiance on a man.  Saul started out as a skilled leader, however, his disobedience to God's command for the destruction of the Amalekites caused God's disfavor with Saul.  Saul's main spiritual advisor was the prophet, Samuel.  You can find 2 books of the Old Testament that bear his name and tell his story. 1st Samuel - Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel, 2nd Samuel - CSB/The Message/KJV

Later on, Saul would be faced in battle by the Philistines.  At this point, Samuel had died and Saul took to seeking God on his own.  Saul was greatly intimidated by the Philistine force and prayed for God to instruct him on the proper course of action.  When God did not immediately reply, Saul took things into his own hands and decided to consult a medium, some Bible translations call this lady a witch.  This is ironic due to the fact that Saul had abolished all forms of witchcraft and spiritism in the nation.  Apparently, some of Saul's servants had kept track of a few of these folks and told Saul about the witch of Endor.  (Sounds like something out of Star Wars right?)  You can read the rest of the "ghost story" here:  1 Samuel 28 CSB/The Message/KJV

That situation didn't work out so well for Saul as his arrogance caused him to be blind to his sin of which he did not repent.   Saul's rebellion was so bad and his heart so far away from God's will that he sought advice from those who God had said to never have an interaction.  Leviticus 19:31 CSB/The Message/KJV, Leviticus 20:6 CSB/The Message/KJV  Saul soon found his kingdom torn from his hand.  He also saw the defeat of his troops, the death of his son Jonathan and ultimately his own demise as a result of his disobedience.

The Old Testament further records another interesting supernatural story that served as the inspiration for one of the opening lines from today's song:  Daniel 5 CSB/The Message/KJV

There is also a scene from the New Testament that tells a much different tale of the "walking dead".  It starts off with one of the most gruesome torture scenes ever to be recorded and then segues into an execution of the likes that causes your blood to run cold.  The earth shakes, the dead are seen walking the streets, and darkness falls across the land, as the apex of history occurs right before unbelieving eyes.  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 27, verses 27-54 CSB/The Message/KJV, "What We Can Learn from the Spookiest Scene in the Bible?" by Brent Rinehart, October 19, 2018 crosswalk.com  

Both in the Old and New Testament, you can read things that are difficult to understand.  They might even be said to be the foundations for the superstitions that so many believe today.  (Sadly, the Bible itself is considered a superstition by some)  However, this book that features so many good Halloweeny type stories is also filled with incredible hope which stirs a supernatural faith.  The Message paraphrase describes faith in this manner:  "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. (emphasis mine)(Paul's letter to the Hebrews, chapter 11 CSB/The Message/KJV)  

You see dear friend, faith in anything other than Jesus is very superstitious.  Faith is the thing that causes our acceptance of those things we don't understand.   For some, this faith is in the person at the center of the torture scene from the Gospels, Jesus.   This faith believes that His power caused the earthquake, the darkness, and the dead to be seen in the city.  This faith assures us that He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.  In Jesus horrendous torture,  His terrifying crucifixion, and  His triumphant resurrection, we have a passageway that rids us of the problem of sin and takes us to restoration with God.  Unlike Saul, we can choose to trust God and follow His leadership as we journey through our lives.  We don't need seances, spiritists, soothsayers, or mediums because we have faith in the Creator of all things seen and unseen.  We can have confidence that we are His as He transforms our lives into His likeness.  Paul's letter to the Roman church, chapter 12, verses 1-2 CSB/The Message/KJV  

Because of our faith in things not seen, or that we don't fully understand, God transforms us to be more like Jesus every day as we ask Him to fill us with Himself through Holy Spirit's power.  This concept isn't easily understood apart from repenting of our disobedience.   We then must believe that Jesus is The Way for restoration with God, The Truth that sets us free and The Life that saves us from death.  And as that great theologian Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that."  

Or as Little Stevie might put it...superstition, nothin' more to say, superstition aint the way...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by Serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You Got It" (Roy Orbison)

Hi there!  Welcome to Tuesday!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes, your weekly adventure, and discovery, of music and the myriad interpretations said music may have! On today's episode, we dig deep into the annals of musical history, all the way back to the long-ago time called the late 80s. 

Hard to imagine that today's featured song will mark its 30th year in January of 2019.  With today's song, we will explore the musicality and range of its singer and see its impact on the overall music industry and the world.  All today, coming up on Tuesday's Musical Notes!  What's that you say?  "Let's get on with it!!!"?  Ok, You Got It!!!

"You Got It" by Roy Orbison from the January 31, 1989 album Mystery Girl

Today's video is from the Diamond Awards Festival in Antwerp, Belgium on November 19, 1988.  It is the only performance that the legendary Roy Orbison gave of "You Got It" before his death on December 6, 1988.  The single, as well as his 22nd studio album, Mystery Girl, was released posthumously in January of the next year.  "You Got It" was co-written by Traveling Wilbury bandmates Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty and featured both veteran musicians on backing vocals and instrumentation.  It went to #9 on Billboard's Hot 100 bringing Roy Orbison back into the top ten for the first time in 25 years.   

His first single was released with the group The Teen Kings in 1956.  From 1960-1966,  Roy Orbison, with his trademark thick-rimmed glasses and incredible vocal range (some say at least 4 octaves!) would see 22 singles break into the Top 40, 5 of which went into the Top 10.  1961s "Running Scared" and 1964's "Oh, Pretty Woman" would go all the way to #1.  The 80s saw a resurgence into the Top 40 for Orbison as there was a renewed interest in his music caused by bands like Van Halen covering hits like "Oh, Pretty Woman.   His comeback was secured on the strength of today's featured song and his collaboration with George Harrison (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Got My Mind Set On You"), Jeff Lynne (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Don't Bring Me Down"),  Bob Dylan (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Times They Are A-Changin'"), and Tom Petty (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Running Down A Dream") in the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys. 

Roy Orbison is the first deceased musician since Elvis Presley to have 2 albums in the top 5 simultaneously. The albums were the Wilbury debut (#4) and his own Mystery Girl (#5) release.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.  He received 6 Grammy awards, including 1998's Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as numerous other musical accolades.  

How does it make you feel when you don't get what you want?  Dissatisfied? Disgruntled? Discombobulated?  It's never a good feeling when we don't have the satisfaction of getting what we want.  Those great theologians, The Rolling Stones, once said, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need."   Hmm...

I don't know about you, but it never really satiated the intense desires of my heart when my folks attempted to console me with "maybe it wasn't meant for you to get it this time" or "God is holding out for something even better!"  While their hearts were in the right place and both of those sayings are usually true, this "comforting" still came off as trite and did not do much to assuage my discontentedness.  

Wouldn't it be nice if every once in a while the folks who love and support us would just say..."Anything you want, you got it!  Anything you need, you got it!  Anything at all, you got it!"  However, reality suggests there is a better way for us.

"Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12 (Christian Standard Bible) (The disciple Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, chapter 6 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel)

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up.  No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (CSB) (1 Corinthians 10 CSB/The Message/KJV)

Apparently, the folks that Jesus' disciple Paul was writing to in the Corinthian body of believers were thinking that since they had become followers of Jesus, they were on the pathway to doing whatever they wanted because of their redemption.  Welcome to easy street!  Ever heard of "The Prosperity Gospel"?  It gets its roots right here.  The disciple Paul uses chapters 6 and 10 in his first letter to this church to reaffirm that while the rabbinical laws were not binding to the New Testament church, they did not have a license for indulging in every whim they may have had.  

In both of these passages, the conversation centers around food, specifically how to go about being mannerly in a pagan world while not "contaminating" yourself with food that had been sacrificed to idols.  One having manners seems to be a lost art in our world today...but that is a topic for another Note.  This was a problem for Christians in the ancient world who were attempting to be that different/peculiar people that Paul and the other disciples encouraged them to be.  Paul is providing the clear instruction that for those who are in Christ, any food is permissible.  This is immediately followed by the guidance that things that they were allowed to eat, were not always the best things for them to eat.

This really applies to us in 2018 as much as it did in the 2nd Century.  Food, however, is not the only thing that we may be allowed to consume that isn't really beneficial for us.  Paul even warns that some of those "allowable" things are waiting to enslave us. (1 Corinthians 6:12 CSB/The Message/KJV)  

Take for example the media we consume.  Now don't get me wrong, I love media.  Part of my life was spent selling as much media to folks as I could.  There are some really good things available to us through media outlets like the internet, TV, radio, books, movies, etc.  It is truly an information superhighway.  But let's face it, there really are some things in the internetosphere, and TV land that are not beneficial for those who follow The Way.  I'm not convinced that these things are beneficial for ANYONE.  Again, a Note for another time.    

Paul wrote also wrote a letter to the Colossian church that addressed our wants and desires, as well as our disappointments when we don't get our way.  His advice:  "Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective." (emphasis mine) (Colossians 3:2-4 The Message) (Colossians 3 CSB/The Message/KJV)  

Getting everything we want isn't good for us.  While we may attempt to "spoil" our friends and family, some of which is good, we must meter our "spoiling" to provide long-term benefits for our loved ones.  Most of the time this requires discipline, patience and a tenacity about living a Jesus-filled life.  

If you happen to not be a believer, one who follows the precepts of Jesus and accepts Him as the redeemer of your life and restorer of your relationship with God, there is no better time than now.  Jesus has released us from those things in this life that would enslave us to their control.    Jesus waits for you to cry out to Him and accept His salvation.  

When we turn away from the bad we are doing and turn towards the good that He offers, He is there ready to say..."You got it!"  When we ask Him for forgiveness, He is there ready to say..."You got it!"  As we do the very best we can to tell others of the freedom we have in Jesus, He is there encouraging us..."Anything you need, you got it!!!"

Do you need that kind of encouragement?  I know I sure do...everyday!

(Tuesday's Musical Notes many times utilizes The Message paraphrase of the Bible for scriptural reference.  It's author, Eugene Peterson, died yesterday.  He was an accomplished author of many theological books as well as his landmark paraphrase of the Bible.  Believers, please pray that the God of all comfort, provides just that for Eugene Peterson's family at this time.) 

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - (Your Love is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson)

Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is the place where we analyze, scrutinize, sanitize and martinize favorite songs of all decades...yes we even do some songs from recent chart history...but not very much...because they aren't as good...but we digress...back to the opening monologue...

Welcome to The Notes!!! If this is your first time at Tuesday's Musical Notes, put on your seat belt, because you're likely to discover something you didn't know about your favorite music, and hopefully have something in your spirit that is stirred.   If you're a frequent flyer, please know that we appreciate you being here each week!

Regardless of how long you've been with us, please know you just being here is an encouragement.  One might even say that your reading Tuesday's Musical Notes... lifts us...well, higher and higher!!!

"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" title track from the November 1967 album by Jackie Wilson

From 1957 to 1971 he had 52 singles to crack Billboard's Hot 100.  Today's feature song peaked at #6.    During that same time, he had 42 singles break into Billboard's  Top 40 R&B chart (counting today's featured song, 6 of these singles went all the way to #1).  He was one of the inspirations for James Brown, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson due to his energetic stage presence which earned him the moniker  "Mr. Excitement".  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and is listed at #69 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (wikipedia.org). 

"You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher"  was originally written at Chess Records and recorded by The Dells but never released.  It was later reworked and introduced to Brunswick Records where it was recorded by Jackie Wilson.  After some initial coaching from producer Carl Davis, Wilson was able to record the vocals in one take.  It would later be covered by The Dells (their original version finally released), Canada Goose, and Audio Adrenaline "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher" by Audio Adrenaline from the August 30th, 2005 Album Until My Heart Caves In  The most notable cover was a mellowed out version by Rita Coolidge which peaked at #2 on the charts.  "(Your Love Has Lifted Me)" Higher and Higher" from the March 1977 album Anytime...Anywhere by Rita Coolidge  The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and can be found at #246 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Times (wikipedia.org)

So, how's your day going?  No really.  How is your day going?  Take just a moment, take a breath, and analyze your day.  Has it been filled with tumult or has it been calm and pleasant?  Have you been the target of negativism, or have you been filled with encouragement by someone today?  Really, stop and think about it.  

All of these questions are targeted towards our well being, our happiness, our contentment on the day.  When was the last time you considered the folks around you?  Maybe if you could hear their thoughts, it might go something like this:  "Now once I was downhearted,  this little loneliness my foes and friend."  

People all around us are going through stuff.  Are we overstepping when we attempt to assist them in dealing with their stuff?  Are we so afraid of getting up in someone's business, that we miss the opportunity to be the reason that loneliness departs for them forevermore? Do we miss an incredible chance to let our love lift them higher and higher?

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul addresses those who have begun questioning when Jesus might return to take believers to heaven as He has promised.  Paul reminds them that "you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night."  Paul then calls believers "children of light and children of the day".  By doing this, Paul is telling the Thessalonian believers, that they have nothing to fear from the return of Jesus because they exist in the "day and light", not in the darkness or night where nonbelievers exist.  They have no reason to fear thieves.  So Jesus return will not be a surprise to them.  Because of this Paul later tells them:  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing."  In other words, allow their love to keep lifting each other up.  As they practice the love of Jesus, they won't have time to worry about when He might return.  The Disciple Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonian church, chapter 5, verses 1-11, Christian Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible, King James Version of the Bible parallel

I confess that lately, I have been on a soapbox about how some "Christians" treat each other.  They seem to be hanging on to their "night" life instead of basking in the sunlight of His love!  Please don't misunderstand me.  I don't wish that we could go back to the good 'ol days of 3 piece vested suits and brush arbor, two-week long revival meetings.  (Though both of those things had their place, the suit was for some a sign of reverence and respect for going to God's house and being with His people, the revival meetings were a time where we got together in a common bond to see the lost get saved)  But what I do desire is to return to the principles from those times and others that we could be using as magnets to attract those who are in the "night".  3 of those principles I'd like to comment on further.

Do you want to be known as the person who caused loneliness to depart and never show his face again for someone?   Then be hospitable!  When was the last time you had someone who wasn't a family member into your home?  When was the last time you invited a friend to lunch (that you bought) just to invest in your friendship?    When was the last time you laid down your life (or your phone) for a friend?  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 15, verses 9-17 CSB/The Message/KJV

Do you want to be known as the person who encouraged another person to stand up and face the world again?  Then be generous.  Be generous with your time by spending it with another person doing what they want to do.  Be generous with your resources by consistently tithing to your church, tipping those who serve you, and buying the aforementioned lunch with a friend.  Don't get me wrong, God expects us to be frugal with His resources, but He also will provide the needed resources if our hearts are right and our generosity is only for the benefit of others.  When is the last time you sacrificed for a friend? Paul's letter to the Roman church, chapter 12, verses 1-2, CSB/The Message/KJV

Do you want to be known as a person who is lifting other folks higher and higher?  Then show love, love, love.  I seem to remember a band that put it this way.  "Love is all you need". (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All You Need is Love") Be about doing the things in the previous two paragraphs.  Be about showing selflessness instead of selfishness.  Open doors.  Enthusiastically say "HELLO!!!" to someone you don't know.  Greet everyone with a smile.    Lovingly hold a friend accountable.  Mentor an employee instead of chastise them.  In an appropriate way, call someone beautiful (after all, God made them, you , and I in His image (Genesis 1:27 CSB/The Message/KJV) and then called us VERY good.  This being true, logic dictates that someone made in God's image would be beautiful!!!  (Genesis 1:31 CSB/The Message/KJV) 

Honestly, I can't put it any better than Paul:  " Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.  Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.  Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.  If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Or in the word of today's featured song:

" Your love is lifting me higher 

Than I ever been lifted before"

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Something to Talk About" (Bonnie Raitt)

Oh yeah!!!  It's Tuesday!  Time for Tuesday's Musical Notes! Where today, we're going to do what our feature song suggests...

"Something to Talk About" by Bonnie Raitt from the June 25th, 1991 album Luck of the Draw

You may not realize it but Singer/Guitarist Bonnie Raitt has been around the music industry since the early 70's.  That's long enough for her to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000), win multiple Grammys (Album of the Year for Nick of Time (1990), Best Female Rock Solo Vocalist (1990 & 1992), Best Female Pop Vocalist (Nick of Time (1990), "Something to Talk About" (1992), Best Traditional Blues Recording ("I'm in the Mood" (with John Lee Hooker)(1990)), Best Rock Group Vocal Performance ("Good Man, Good Woman" with Delbert McClinton)(1992), Best Pop Vocal Album ("Longing in Their Hearts")(1995), Best Rock Instrumental Performance ("SRV Shuffle")(a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn (1997), and Best Americana Album (Slipstream )(2013)) and see many other accolades celebrating her nearly 4 decades in the industry.  Not too bad for a musician who didn't have a hit in her first 20 years in the industry or her first 9 albums.  It is obvious that she continues to give the professionals in the music industry plenty to talk about.

Luck of the Draw is the biggest selling record for Bonnie Raitt. (over 7 million by 2010) It is her 11th album.  It won and was nominated for the aforementioned Grammy categories and was the follow up to her multi-platinum #1 album Nick of Time.  Luck of the Draw featured 6 singles that went top 40 on various charts, including today's featured song that peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Since 1998 "Something to Talk About" has been covered 14 times by various artists and used in multiple media endeavors.  

"Something to Talk About" relates the story of a couple of folks, who according to their friends, appear to be falling in love. Neither had considered their relationship that serious, but upon further consideration, they determine if their friends are going to talk about them, they may as well do something worthy of the conversation and explore a more serious relationship opportunity.   Just goes to show you that your behavior does get noticed and could possibly become a topic of conversation for those around you.  

Galatians 6:7-10

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."      Jesus' disciple Paul's letter to the Galatian church, chapter 6, verses 1-10 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Colossians 3:17

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  Paul's letter to the Colossian church, chapter 3, 1-17 CSB/The Message/KJV

James 1:22-25But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.   Jesus' brother James' letter to Jewish Christians of the First Century, chapter 1, verses 19-27 CSB/The Message/KJV
We interrupt your normally positive blog for the following run down a rabbit trail...in short a rant.  
It sure seems like our nation and world has lost sight of these passages in dramatic fashion over the last few months.  The political anarchy that has been the confirmation process of the newest Supreme Court Justice is something that I don't remember seeing since the protests of the Vietnam War.  People, Democrat, Republican and Independent, who obviously have no knowledge of the process or the person being nominated have espoused a familiarity that does not exist nor could it exist based on the time they have had to understand the process or the person.  But it sure does give people something to talk about...
It is a shame that in our great country, young people and perhaps children have been exposed to the nonsense that was on television over the last month.  What motivation would any of them have for seeking political office or attempting to be a good lawyer who wants to become a judge someday?  
This last month has been endemic of the nature of who we are as a people.  Those who profess Jesus as Lord of their lives have not proven immune to the extremes of both sides.  It just goes to show that even restored and redeemed folks have times where we would much rather take the easy route and listen to gossip or lies than do the hard work of finding out or being faced with the truth.   Our itching ears are showing... (Paul's first letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 1-5 CSB/The Message/KJV)  There are times where we would rather believe what a television analyst/commentator says than researching a topic for ourselves.  
Dear Christian friend, there is always someone who pays attention to your actions, words and probably your web activity.  Why not give them something good and exceptional to talk about?  How about LOVE?  More specifically, how about Jesus' LOVE?  How could we as believers make an impact on our world, perhaps even usher in the next Great Awakening ("Great Awakenings" an article on wikipedia.org updated October 1, 2018) much like the Jesus Movement of the 70's and early 80's if we embraced love instead of sarcasm?  So many times sarcasm is used as a way to make someone laugh when in reality, there is someone else who is demeaned in the process. In its basis, this is cheap laughter making an attempt to replace everlasting joy.  This is not the Way.  What would happen if we started treating fellow believers like the loved ones that Jesus commands them to be to us? “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 13, verses 34-35 CSB/The Message/KJV  
I am convinced that it is the negativity, sarcasm, and hatred that has been on display in the church over the last 20 years that has created a generation of atheists, agnostics, and those who believe in "nothing".  THIS MUST STOP NOW!  We must take the opportunity to LOVE each other in ways that show the world Whose we are.  We must change the way we act towards each other and go into our communities and display the love for fellow believers regardless of denominational affiliation or the fact they may go to a "competing" church.  We must go into our communities and love those who are the least like us!  Do you think that would give them something to talk about?
If believers began showing this kind of love for everyone as we are commanded, we would soon discover that we do not have enough evangelical churches in our communities!  Don't believe me?  Do this simple exercise.  Take the population of your town.  Now divide that by the number of churches in your town.  Are there churches that can realistically handle the folks who would come if everybody went to somebodies church?  Our churches should be known as having so much love that the attraction would be magnetic!  And we do this first by loving each other.  Let's give them something to talk about!!!
How about LOVE...  The next generation of Jesus Movement or Great Awakening is begging for us to be examples of love to each other.  They are awaiting those who claim the name to act like it and embrace them.  They are waiting for a little mystery to figure out and we have the answers.  
People are talkin', talkin' 'bout people...Why aren't they talkin' about us?  When is the last time we laughed just a little too loud or stood just a little too close, or maybe even embraced one another because we are overcome with Christian emotion for our brother or sister?  Now that we know it, how 'bout we show it... Let's give them something to talk about...How about LOVE...  
Rant over, you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming... or maybe you do something worthy of being talked about...how about LOVE?
'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving You,randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "So Far Away" (Dire Straits)

Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of the only blog in Internetland to provide you with groovy tunes and grace-filled truths.  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  

It has been some time since we featured a Musical Note that only saw the digital form of an email to friends and those who requested The Notes in its early days.  (You remember... 2012?) But today you are in for a treat!  From March 27, 2012, here is Tuesday's Musical Notes the email redux!!!  

Great Tuesday to ya friend!  It's time for the Notes!!!

Chances are if you have been listening to music for very long, you have determined favorite songs, or bands or more generally a favorite style that you are drawn to as you tune your radio dial or pay your XM subscription.  Many of the artists who have entertained us over the years have had great success, while others have struggled or never made it past one hit. (Anyone remember Charlie Dore's "Pilot Of The Airwaves"? "Pilot of the Airwaves" by Charlie Dore from the 1979 album Where to Now, (oh yeah, there's a Tuesday's Musical Notes coming for that one!!! stay tuned...)  

For every group that has lasting appeal, there are literally dozens of groups that are one-hit wonders or never made it at all.  In fact, the band that has stayed together the longest, the folk band The Brothers Four, have been touring together since 1957 and have had only 1 chart hit, 1960's "Greenfields" ("Greenfields" by The Brothers Four - 2nd single released as a group).  For 61 years they have been entertaining the folk music crowd and touring together.   I hate to admit it, but I had never even heard of them until I looked them up online.  

The Brothers Four are not alone within the musical fields of longevity.   Many of our favorite featured bands have been touring 50+ years.  For example, the band Chicago  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Old Days")  has been touring together for 51 years.  (and there is my unapologetic Chicago plug, ya had to know it was coming!!!) 

Here is an article that details some of our favorite bands whose inceptions began, well,  about the same time mine did..."The Oldest Rock Bands still Performing Today, Then and Now", April 24, 2013, by TheFran from geekshizzle.com (Make sure you look at the comments for several obvious oversights including Chicago...sigh)  

It is obvious that with this kind of longevity in the music business, strong relationships within these band have formed.  You might even say they were Brothers In Arms.

"So Far Away" by Dire Straits from the May 13, 1985 album Brothers in Arms

These "Sultans Of Swing" wanted their MTV as they got their "Money For Nothing" traveling down the "Walk Of Life" as "Brothers In Arms".   In 1977, the Knopfler brothers, Mark and David, started a band that they called Dire Straits.    Dire Straits zoomed to the top of the charts with 1977's "Sultans Of Swing" from their eponymous debut album.  But it wasn't until 1985 that they had the biggest impact on the music industry with Brothers In Arms. 

 "So Far Away" was the first single released from the album and peaked at #19 on the US charts.  Upon the strength of "So Far Away" and with MTV in its heyday,  "Money For Nothing" was released as the 2nd single from Brothers In Arms.   With heavy rotation for the video as well as a vocal assist from Sting,  "Money For Nothing" catapulted to #1 on the charts guaranteeing the success of the album as well as instant stardom for the band.  3 more songs would be released as singles from Brothers In Arms ("Brothers In Arms" (didn't chart in the US), "Walk of Life" (peaked at #7) (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walk of Life"), and "Your Latest Trick" (didn't chart in the US)) making for a total of 5 of the 9 songs on the album.  Quite the feat considering some of the "heavy hitters" that were around in the mid-80's.  

In case you were wondering...  Here are some other albums that had multi-single success:  Chock Full O' Hits - The Albums That Spawned the Most Top 10 Singles (US) - rateyourmusic.com

Dire Straits would have 1 more studio album, 1991's On Every Street,  and then Mark Knopfler, who was by then the principal writer for the band decided that the constant touring and sometimes overwhelming success of their music was not what he had in mind for his life.  Dire Straits officially disbanded for the 2nd time in 1999.  Based on their success in the late 70s and throughout the 80s, (mostly because of Brothers In Arms impact on the music industry) Dire Straits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.  

Today's featured song, "So Far Away From Me", bemoans the aspects of a long distance relationship and the frustrations that can come with it.  Have you ever been in that situation?  Have you ever been far away from the ones that you love and can do absolutely nothing to remedy the situation?  Perhaps you've heard the phrase "absence makes the heart grow fonder".   I'm not sure I buy that.  Relationships can only be cultivated in the day to day experiences that are shared together.  The same is true of the relationship we have with God.  He so desires a relationship that He was willing to do anything for us to have the opportunity to be close to Him. 

"Here I am again in this mean ol town..."

The Bible is replete with examples of individuals and communities that are far away from God.  One instance is the story of Joshua and Jericho.   After the death of their great leader Moses, his right-hand man, Joshua was leading Israel into the promised land.  Remember the story of Jericho?  At the very least, 600,000 men were marching around the wall and at the end of their march, they yelled in triumph.   For perspective's sake, The University of Michigan's football stadium will hold 107,601.   That means a group that was 5.576 times the size of Michigan stadium stood and yelled at the walls of Jericho.  Yes, the walls came tumbling down. 

The walls coming down and the take over of the city really is the big story here.  But there is a passage of scripture after the walls came down that is equally important regarding the future of the city of Jericho.  

Joshua 6:26a says,  "26 At that time Joshua imposed this curse:

The man who undertakes the rebuilding of this city, Jericho, is cursed before the LORD."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)   Joshua 6 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

That would strategically place the city of Jericho, far away from anything having to do with the children of Israel and more importantly God.    

To this day, Jericho has a bad reputation in Israel.  However, God has a story of redemption even for a city that was cursed by the great leader Joshua.  This city, that has been ostracized by God's people, is one of the cities to which Jesus would travel.  Jericho was not so far away from Jesus' love, that He wouldn't go there.  Nothing or no one is.  

 Perhaps you've heard of a wee little man?  In Luke 19:1-9 not only was Jesus in this city that Joshua cursed, but he was having supper with one of the most corrupt men in the city, Zacchaeus, a tax collector.  Zacchaeus and the city of Jericho became recipients of God's grace and mercy through Jesus as He proclaimed to the crowd,

“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, chapter 19, verse 1-9 CSB/The Message/ESV

"Where are you, when the sun goes down..."

Did you see that?  Jesus was in the worst town in Israel with the worst citizen of the town and He provided the possibility of redemption for both!!!  So what?  2 takeaways if I may be so bold.  1)  You can never be so far away from God that He isn't attempting to reconcile with you.  He will go anywhere to restore you to Himself.  2) Believers who say they are striving to be more like Jesus should be prepared to go to places they wouldn't normally go.  Especially if God is already there working!!! They should also be prepared to visit with folks who have nothing in common with them and show them love.  In essence, believers should be willing to go to the worst part of their town to visit with the worst person in that area and love them.  You see, friend, you don't have to go to the slums and ghettos of a foreign country, sometimes you just need to walk out your back door...

The town that in Joshua's time was so far away from God had officially been given the opportunity for redemption by God's Son.  Jesus still proclaims this very thing today as He claims you to be an adopted son or daughter of His.  God is telling you that no matter what your life history to this point, you can receive redemption.  The same is true for Christians who have strayed from the way.  God can restore.   There is no place you can be in God's eyes where you are.....

 "So Far Away From Me, so far I just can't see.....so far away from me, you're so far away from me."

'Til Tuesday...

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy