Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (Harry Reser and His Orchestra/Fred Astaire/Bruce Springsteen/Pentatonix)

Hi there...hello?  Are you there?  Has the fog lifted from your turkey coma?  Oh!  There you are!!!  Welcome to the Tuesday after food, family, and football!  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  The only blog in the internetosphere to answer the question, is there really pumpkin in pumpkin pie?  (actually, we aren't the only blog to answer that question but our incredible staff of researchers tells us..."no, most canned pumpkin includes very little pumpkin and is actually a variety of winter squashes...butternut, Hubbard, Boston Marrow, and Golden Delicious"...we thought those were apples?)  

Regardless of your favorite entree' or dessert this season, we hope you were surrounded by the deliciousness of that food, the delight of your family, and declarative cheers for your favorite team, even if it was squaring off as a family in the backyard!

This is a funky Tuesday.  We are almost past the belt loosening stage, but not quite to the bell ringing point.  Many folks begin celebrations of Christmas right after Thanksgiving ends.  I confess our tree and lights went up this past weekend.  Too soon?  Don't judge me, I have grandkids to think of after all!  And there is much to be said about having a Christmastime spirit all year long...but without the tree and garland, etc.  

With the anticipation of December and the holiday season it brings, many parents start that age-old tradition...that's right, it's time to start manipulating your children into good behavior with phrases like..."Don't forget, Santa is watching you!' or the classic, "You don't want to get coal in your stocking!".  And if push comes to shove, you won't hesitate to bring out..."You better watch out, You better not cry..."

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - 1st recording from 1934 by Harry Reser and his Orchestra featuring vocals by Tom Stacks 

Written in 1934, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" was first heard on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November of that year.  In a 24 hour period after the radio broadcast over 500,000 copies of the sheet music and 30,000 copies of the record were sold.  Writers John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie must have been very good that year.

"Santa Clause is Comin' to Town has become a perennial favorite.  Over 200 artists have recorded a version of the classic Christmastime hit.  Many of those covers have actually made it to the mainstream charts throughout the years.   The song has inspired many Christmas television specials, the most notable being the 1970 stop-motion classic of the same name which featured Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney.  

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by Fred Astaire from the 1970 Rankin Bass Television Special 

"You better not pout, I'm telling you why..."

Have you ever seen folks who seem to have a constant state of "pout"?  Not very attractive to say the least.  They are not the kind of folks in which you wish to hang out or socialize.  They seem to be so dissatisfied with life because they haven't gotten everything the way they want it. For those who have had a restoration to their relationship with God, this should never be a continual motis operandi.  

Paul recounts how Israel got into the vicious cycle of being redeemed by God and then pouting about how God didn't do it the way they thought He should. He gives a brief history of the rollercoaster in Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthian church, chapter 10, verses 1-13 - Christian Standard Bible, The Message paraphrase of the Bible, King James Version of the Bible parallel.   As you can see, there are many benefits to staying away from that pushed out lower lip look.

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band from 1975 

"He's makin' a list and checkin' it twice..."

I confess that I have been on many people's "list" before.  You too?  How nice to be in good company!  Santa Claus' dreaded "naughty or nice" list pales in comparison to a list for which everyone should have great respect.  How do you get on that list?  Well, it has nothing to do with being good for goodness sake!  The Bible affirms that not any of us are truly good.  Paul tells us in his letter to the Roman Church, Chapter 3, verse 9-20 CSB/The Message/KJV that none of us are righteous (right enough in God's accounting).  So does that mean we are all without hope?  Absolutely not! 

Fortunately, we did not have to rely on a "jolly old elf so lively and quick" to make us righteous in God's eyes.  You see my friend, Jesus did that for us.  He died on the cross for all of mankind's sin.  For those who believe that Jesus crucifixion was the last sacrifice required by God for us to be saved, there is the promise that God no longer views our life in light of who we are, but He sees our life in light of what Jesus has done for us.  Believers wind up in the Lamb's Book of Life.  The Revelation to the Disciple John, chapter 20, verses 11-15 CSB/The Message/KJV This is way better than being on the nice list!!!

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by Pentatonix from the 2014 album That's Christmas to Me

"He sees you when you're sleepin', He knows when you're awake..."

Psalms 139 CSB/The Message/KJV

The idea that someone knows every aspect about us can bring terror or comfort.  It all depends on where your worldview stands. There is terror promised for those who have an eternity future separated from God's presence.  But for those who have accepted Jesus' Lordship over their lives, there is comfort in the fact that He is in control of all things in our lives and the relief that we are not. Followers of Jesus have an eternity future in God's presence and we can live in this life with an abundance that He has promised.   The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple John, Chapter 10, verses 1-12 CSB/The Message/KJV

As we make the entrance to this celebratory season, let's keep in mind a few things:  1) Believers never have a reason to pout.  2) None of us are nice enough.  3) There is a list that you DO want your name on.  and 4) Believers can draw great comfort from believing in and serving an all-knowing God. 

Oh! and one more thing...Santa Claus is comin' to town!  

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Our House" (Madness)

Welcome to Tuesday!  It's time for the Thanksgiving edition of your favorite Tuesday-only blog about music!  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  We're here to be your appetizer for that steady diet of incredible edibles and fantastic fellowship with family and friends that is known as Thanksgiving.  So before you get ready to see the parades and the football, before you dive into the pecan pies and the fudge, take just a few minutes to ponder anew the things in which you are thankful.  We think you might be surprised at what comes to mind.  That's right.  Find a quiet place and ponder.  For what are you thankful?  

Here at The Notes, we are incredibly thankful and humbled by your continued reading and support.  We don't ever take our Tuesday's together for granted.  Thank you for tuning in each week to read our introspections on creativity and Christ!!  We hope you continue to enjoy as we go through the remainder of this year and years to come!!!    

Welcome again!!!  So without further adieu, we bring, for your consideration, musings about music and The Messiah!  Relax, pull up a chair, and dig in... to Thanksgiving at our house...in the middle of the street!

"Our House" by Madness - from the October 1982 album The Rise & Fall

The band Madness began in 1976.  Their biggest success occurred in their native United Kingdom where between 1979 and 2008 they saw 28 singles reach the top 40.  In the United States, however, the band Madness is considered a one-hit wonder with today's feature song peaking at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1983, their only top 10 hit in the US. 

Madness continues touring with 6 of its original members on board and new music, the latest being 2016's Can't Touch Us Now.  

This happens to be the first Thanksgiving that I will experience without both of my parents.  Fond remembrances of Thanksgiving feasts and family have begun.  Our house at the holidays, much like many in our generation, was a time for a bit of a break from the norm.  It was a time when we could all be together doing something...or nothing at all.  This togetherness was an investment that I didn't cherish at the time, but find myself appreciating more.  

It seemed that at these times when we could all be together, our house was filled.  Sometimes our house was filled with other family members but at other times our house was filled with the simplicity of the joy that just the 4 of us being together allowed.  Regardless, it always seemed that during the holidays, our house was much like one that I read about in the Bible.  This house was filled with an intense love that attracted others to want to be a part.  

Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  He was raised in the home of Joseph and Mary in Nazareth.  But as an adult, Jesus made His home in a small town called Capernaum.  Jesus was at Capernaum when He had an "our house" moment.

The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark, a companion of the disciple Peter, chapter 2, verses 1-12 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel tells the familiar story of the paralyzed man who had 4 friends that lowered him through the roof to see Jesus. Because Jesus was in the home, there had amassed such a crowd that no one else could enter.  Not to be deterred, the paralytic man's friends made their own way to Jesus by clawing through the roof and lowering their friend into the crowded house.  When Jesus saw their faith, He healed the man who got up and walked out of the house to the astonishment of all those in attendance.  

Most of the time the focus of this passage is on the friends or the paralyzed man.  In our exhilaration at Jesus' miracle of healing, it is sometimes easy to blow past a very important point.  Jesus was at the house and it was full.  The house was filled to capacity because of Jesus' presence.  This house it had a crowd, something good was happening, and it was getting quite loud.  Mark puts it this way:  "So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the Word to them." (CSB), "A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word." (The Message)  "And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the Word unto them." (KJV)  When Jesus was in the house, it was full of 2 things...people and His love.

Here's the point.  When Jesus is in our house, it is full.  Did you catch the simplicity of that statement? For those who have made Jesus the boss of their lives, for believers, "Our house" is our physical bodies are filled as we display the love and compassion of Jesus to those around us.   Jesus' love and compassion draws others (believers and those who aren't yet) to Himself through us.   How cool is that? 

As a family, "Our house" is the actual dwelling in which you live. This house is so filled with the goodness and the love that you have for your community that it is always filled with folks who are drawn to that love. 

As believers gather to worship in congregations, "Our house" is the faith family that loves each other without condition or judgment and works together to see the Name of Jesus glorified and magnified.  It is so different, so unique, so peculiar, that it draws the attention of our world and it is filled with folks who want to know what is going on.  

There is a commercial that asks "what's in your wallet?"  The thought is that their product is the best thing to be in your wallet if you need funding.  For those gathered in Capernaum, the question became, "what's in your house?"   Crowds gathered as the house was filled with the preaching of the Gospel.  Healing happened as the house was filled by Jesus compassion for the sick.  Redemption and forgiveness were given as the house was filled with the Savior of all mankind Who taught about repentance.  

So friend, the question for us today is, "what is going on in our house in the middle of our street?"  Is there something occurring that draws a crowd and fills our house to capacity?  Does Jesus abide in us individually, in our families and in our churches to the point that folks wanna know..."Who's in the House?" from the 1993 album, The Standard by Carman

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sink the Bismarck" (Johnny Horton)

Welcome to Tuesday and our Veterans Day tribute to those who have so diligently served in the defense of our country!  We salute you today as we reflect on where we are as a nation and where we could have been if not for your devotion and tenacity for our nation's values and principles.  Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!!!  

While we are appreciative of our veteran's efforts and service we have recently seen activities in our nation that in my opinion does a great disservice those same efforts and activities.  The pervasiveness of our most recent midterm elections malign the very tenets of liberty that our service folk have fought to preserve.  In our selfishness and lack of anything close to civility (vote the way I think you should vote or we can't communicate as adults,etc.) we have been callous to the efforts of our heroes.  This blatant disrespect is evident even down to local elections as mudslinging and "digging up dirt" on opponents have peaked in the contests of our politicians.  Trends would dictate that the next general election could very well be worse.  There was a time when political labels stood for specific platforms.  While these platforms were different, the ultimate goal was the unity of our nation and betterment for all Americans.  Unfortunately, this can not be said of recent days.   Perhaps it is time to remember phrases from great patriots and veterans of the past such as "...give me liberty or give me death..", "...remember the Alamo..." or as we partnered with our allies, the British, in World War II, "...we gotta sink the Bismarck..."

"Sink the Bismarck" by Johnny Horton from 1960

Sinking the Bismark was such an important episode in World War II that it inspired a 1960 British War movie. (Sink the Bismarck trailer)  The movie then served to inspire Johnny Horton's telling of the tale to assist in familiarizing American markets of the history behind the ships the Hood, the British Fleet, and the Bismarck.  

"Sink the Bismarck"  became a crossover hit for Johnny Horton and went to #3 on Billboard's Hot 100.    Horton, who also hit  #1 with "The Battle of New Orleans" and #4 with the title theme to the movie "North to Alaska" (North to Alaska trailer), tragically died in a car accident at the height of his career in November of 1960 shortly after North to Alaska debuted in theaters.  He will ever be remembered as the country crooner who could tell a good war story.  

Our great nation has seen its share of battles.  For the most part, we have been blessed to come out on the winning side of most of these actions.  The major conflicts in which our country has participated, for the most part, were a unifying factor.  But ever since the Viet Nam war, it seems we have lost our desire to be on the winning side.  One only need to look at the "Operations" we have seen since September 11, 2001, to see that we seem to not have the stomach for war anymore.  I have an idea that the condition of our national hearts may play into this. It seems we don't fight to win anymore.  Could it be we have lost the ultimate reason to defeat our enemies? 

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying.  The brave men and women who serve EVERY DAY in our armed forces deserve our gratitude and support.  They also deserve our prayers.  They are, to a person, the best fighting force the world has ever seen.  They are engaged in unimaginable situations for the defense of their country.  We owe them a debt of gratitude that we will never understand.

However, our armed forces serve at the behest of a country that seems to be the most disunited as we have been since the Civil War.  We are a country whose political class cannot seem to behave in a civil manner.  A country whose election rhetoric would cause those who bravely served in previous generations to think we were in a civil war.  What is the cause of this unrest?  Do we need another World War to bring us back together and unite us as Americans?  I'm not sure that is the solution to our current disunity.

Don't think for a moment that I wish to go back to the days where the entire world was at war and had chosen sides.  While there was much unity engendered due to the perilous times, there was also heated conversations regarding the United States role in each war.  However, There is only one side I am interested in seeing as victorious at this point and that side has nothing to do with nationality.  (As an aside, we must consistently guard against the temptation to allow nationalism to become an idol)  It is this winning side that has begun to see the greatest characteristic distance developed between it and the characters of our national hearts.

In The Gospel of Jesus according to His disciple Matthew, Chapter 24, verses 1-31 Christian Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel, Jesus promised us that war would be a part of life.  In this passage, Jesus was telling His disciples about when the end of time would come.  The prophet Isaiah described the end of time as one where "He (God) shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."  Isn't that something in which you would like to be a part?  There are ways in which we can usher this time.  

As Jesus Movement musician Keith Green put it, "this generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls..."  Our national heart can only be changed by believers being intentional about the salvation and restoration to God of our generation of souls.  This mentality must permeate every nuance of our beings and assist in the transitioning us to be a nation that is blessed. Psalm 33:10-22 CSB/The Message/KJV

To be a Psalm 33 nation requires believers to demand civil discourse and hold each other accountable to show love.  Jesus laid out 2 commands.  Love God and love others.  Matthew 26:33-40 CSB/The Message/KJV  As we show love to one another it becomes a magnet for all to see.  As we hold fast to the commodity of unity and love, it will be light in which the world will be drawn.  

We've expounded on this theme a lot recently.  That's because I am so firmly convinced that I don't do a good enough job of loving folks.  Do you?  If I can borrow from a message from my pastor ("Who I Am in Him" week 5 - Pastor Tim Noel, November 11, 2018, Trinity Baptist Church, Searcy, Arkansas), the only way believers achieve more love for God and others is to exercise God's filling in us because of whose we are in Christ.  

Want to honor a Veteran?  Love them.  Hold fast to the commodity of unity regardless of political affiliation.  Want to see our nation and the world be at peace?  Love everybody so much that you shine in a world of darkness.  Allow that light to draw others to it.   Want to see more folks at your church when the doors are open?  Be better at loving those who attend.  Why do any of this?  "...'cause the world depends on us."  

As a final tribute to Veterans,  Lt. Cmdr. Dan Crenshaw put it best recently on, believe it or not,  Saturday Night Live:  

“This is Veterans Day weekend. Which means that it’s a good time for every American to connect with a veteran. Maybe say ‘thanks for your service’, but I would actually encourage you to say something else. Tell a veteran, ‘never forget’,” he continued. “When you say ‘never forget’ to a veteran, you are implying that as an American, you are in it with them. Not separated by some imaginary barrier between civilians and veterans, but connected together as grateful fellow Americans, who will never forget the sacrifices made by veterans past and present.”

Or as the Veteran who passed away yesterday (November 12, 2018) might have put it...EXCELSIOR!!!

Stan Lee (World War II Veteran served in the United States Army Signal Corps from 1942-1945) 

"Stan Lee Proud to Be WWII Vet, Thanks Service Members for Serving" - by Shannon Collins - June 28, 2017 - DODlive.com

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "It's Such a Pretty World, Today" (Wynn Stewart)

Good Tuesday to you friend!!!  It's the first Tuesday of November and time for one of the few remaining Tuesday's Musical Notes that have only been available via email til now.  That's right friends, act now and you can receive the most current Tuesday's Musical Notes direct to your inbox each week!  You need only email rawacr@gmail.com the following..."I Want My Tuesday's Musical Notes!" and voila, you receive the email version of the blog every week!  Don't want the email, no problem if you act now and click on Tuesday's Musical Notes you can get the latest musings on music and the Messiah as well as access to the complete catalog of your favorite blog!!!  Don't wait!  Get your Tuesday's Musical Notes in your preferred format today!!!

Welcome to The Notes and the first of the month repeat day!  Today's Notes gives us a taste of our little bit country side as we slip back into the decades of one of Country music's happiest hits.  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes from April 3, 2012.  My how the time has flown...

It has been said that as we live our lives, we have the potential to influence at least 17 people directly and an innumerable amount of folks indirectly.  That is a pretty big responsibility if you contemplate the outcomes of those relationships.  These 17 folks are generally outside of the influence that you have on your immediate family.  If you think about it for very long, you can probably consider at least 17 people who you have affected by how you live your life.  In that same vein, if you ponder long enough, you can probably remember 17 people who made an impression on your life.   

Merle Haggard (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Mama Tried") knew about the impact that a person had on his life.  One of his greatest influences was a man by the name of Wynn Stewart.  You may not have heard of Wynn Stewart, so the Notes submits to you this reminder:

"It's Such a Pretty World, Today" - the title track from the January 1967 album by Wynn Stewart

At the time of this video, Wynn Stewart had hit #1 on the Country charts with "It's Such A Pretty World, Today".  A classic country song from a simpler time.  This video is from Buck Owens show.  The steel guitar player is the son of great hymn writer and Southern Gospel legend Albert Brumley.  It is an encouraging song that challenges each of us to be that person that brings the sunshine to those around us. 

From 1956 to 1985 Wynn Stewart had 31 songs chart in Billboard's Hot 100 Country Singles chart.  While the bulk of his chart success came in the 60's,  Stewart remained on the Country scene until 1985 when his last charting single went to #98.  He is credited with influencing many of the musicians from Southern California, creating a West Coast country music sound that the likes of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and later Dwight Yoakam made even more popular.  Imagine that......Country music created a West Coast sound far before most of the West Coast rappers of today were even born.   

Merle played bass guitar in Wynn Stewart's band for several years and Stewart even wrote Merle's first hit "Sing A Sad Song."  Haggard credits his success to the mentoring that he received under Wynn Stewart's tutelage. 

The Bible is replete with examples of mentoring.  Moses and Joshua, Naomi and Ruth, and Jesus with the Disciples are just a few that come to mind quickly.  In his book, Road Map For Success,  John Maxwell elaborates on the Hebrew model for mentoring that he discovered as he studied the scriptures:

"I do it.  First I learn to do the job.  I have to understand the why as well as the how, and I try to perfect my craft.

I do it-and you watch.  I demonstrate it while you observe, and during the process, I explain what I'm doing and why.

You do it-and I watch.  I give you permission and authority to take over the job, but I stay with you to offer advice, correction, and encouragement.

You do it.  Once you're proficient, I step back and let you work alone.  The learner is drawn up to a higher level, and the teacher is free to move on to higher things."   

Your Road Map For Success by John Maxwell - amazon.com

Chapter 2 of Paul's letter to his disciple Titus has many things to say about the mentoring relationship.  While it never says the word "mentor", the implication all throughout the chapter is that Paul felt that a mentoring relationship was important for the success in the church Titus was leading.  

From the Message paraphrase, Titus 2

A God-Filled Life

Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.

Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters—no back talk, no petty thievery. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.

God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down.

Perhaps you have employed John Maxwell or Paul's strategy with someone.  If you haven't perhaps it is time you did.  From Jesus' mentoring relationship with His disciples, we have the beginnings of the church.  From Paul's mentoring of Barnabas, Titus, Silas, and Timothy as well as others, we have the church for the Gentiles.  What will become of the mentoring relationship you begin with someone?  The lessons learned through that relationship will last an eternity and could cause someone to sing about you one day ...."It's such a pretty world today..... look at the sunshine....... today and every day since I met you."

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy