Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Big Yellow Taxi" (Joni Mitchell)

Good Tuesday to ya friend!  Welcome to today!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is THE blog on the web that discusses the music you love in a context that perhaps you've never considered.  The Notes comes to you every Tuesday bringing joy, good cheer, and hopefully thought-provoking commentary with themes derived from favorite songs of all genres and decades.  

Why Tuesday?  I'm glad you asked.  Before becoming your intrepid blogger, I was a retail store manager for 14 years.  (Huge thank you to anyone who shopped at any of those 8 locations, 2 companies)   In that environment, I was always intimately involved in the music areas of the stores I managed.   At that time, music and movie releases typically came out on Tuesday.  It was always the highlight of the week as our incredible teams put out the newest releases.  It seemed that something worth getting excited about always arrived on Tuesdays!!  Hence, our love for Tuesdays and the reason Tuesday is the day of the week for The Notes!!! And that was the rest of the story...

Happy belated Earth Day!  That's right, April 22nd was Earth Day.  I confess that we didn't plant a tree or celebrate in any way.  Perhaps we were too busy trying to hail a...

"Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell, from the March 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon 

Joni Mitchell was the darling of the folk music scene of the 70s.  With unique vocals and introspective lyrics, she paved the way for future female musicians.  Today's feature song is a prime example of her particular blend of insightful words put to a fun musical score.  

"Big Yellow Taxi" peaked at #67 upon its initial release in 1970, but a live version from 1974 went as high as #24 on charts in the United States.  Written to bring attention to growing environmental concerns, "Big Yellow Taxi" was written on Mitchell's first trip to the Hawaiin islands.  She saw the beautiful mountains and lush greenery serve as a backdrop for the parking lots and buildings in the foreground and was saddened by it.  It joined the ranks of protest songs by predominantly Folk Music artists as it brought attention to the industrial development of the earth.  "Big Yellow Taxi"'s music always seemed too upbeat to me for it to be a protest song.  Maybe that is one of the ironies Mitchell was attempting to achieve.  

Many times in the Genesis account of creation, the Bible says that God saw the things He was creating as good.  The earth joins this cadre of good things in day three of the beginning of time as we know it.  In verse 1 of Genesis, the Bible states that the earth was formless.  On day 3 we find that God had created the atmosphere for that formless shape to be the planet we know.  God caused the water and land to separate and spoke greenery into its budding existence.  Please remember, however, that the Earth of the creation narrative would later be destroyed by the flood of Noah's time.  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rock the Boat"  Given this fact, it would be safe to assume that the perfection of the Earth at the time of creation only existed until Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command, thus introducing decay and death into creation.

Mankind was given the responsibility to utilize the resources of the earth in the Garden of Eden.  That became a much more difficult job after the flood and seemed to pass by the wayside as industrialization came into the forefront of man's existence.  Warning cries about the misuse of the earth have been going on since that time but were amplified during the protest times of the 60s and 70s.  Today, we continue to hear earth-ending scenarios as well-intentioned folks attempt to undo past mistakes.  The direst of these have come and gone with time.  "Environmentalist “Doom-and-Gloom” Predictions Haven’t Come True" by Ken Ham, April 19, 2019 answersingenesis.org   

Since the time of the environmental protest being born, we have heard a clarion call for responsibility.  We have also seen the politicization that comes with the funding of efforts to fulfill that obligation.   There is, however, the opportunity for the good thing of "earth responsibility" to become the bad thing of idol worship.   

Jesus said in Matthew 22: 37-40 "Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them."  (The Message). 

The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40 New American Standard Bible, The Message paraphrase of the Bible, King James Version of the Bible parallel  

 Notice that loving the earth is not a part of this equation.  We are to love God first, then love everyone else.  The outpouring of our love for God and mankind will result in the earth being taken care of in the manner which God expects.  

There are those who would turn our earth into a god.  The Bible calls this idolatry and commands us to not do it.  The first commandment given is to have no other gods, only the God.  Anything else that gets in the way of our relationship with God, including the good thing of taking care of the earth, is disobedience.   

Please understand that Tuesday's Musical Notes is not being hypocritical of those who want to see the planet in which we live continue to exist in the best way it can.  We do understand, however, that there are those who would accomplish this at the exclusion of the One who created the whole thing, to begin with.  

There is coming a time dear friend in your life where you will have to make a choice and that choice will not be about whether to recycle or not.  It WILL be about whether or not you accept God's leadership on your life and make Him the prime object of everything.  Holy Spirit is calling you right now to facilitate that exchange.  Love God, the Father by accepting the sacrifice that Jesus, the Son made on your behalf.  God will not continue to call you forever.  Don't wait.  You don't know what you could have 'til its gone...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Heaven" (Los Lonely Boys)

Hola! Bienvenidos a las notas musicales del martes!!!  Hi there!  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  It's that time of the week where families gather together around their computer monitor and enjoy a few moments of encouragement, entertainment, and enlightenment as they bond over a song and a sentiment.  Today Tuesday's Musical Notes is proudly sponsored by our friends at Genesis (you pick it, the band, the car (I didn't know that this was Hyundai's luxury car line!) or the old school Sega gaming system).  And now on with our show...

Last week, when we left our hero, he had one burning question on his mind as he laid injured from a letter opener wound from an unknown assailant.  In his delirium, he wondered.  How far is...

"Heaven" - from the 2004 self titled album by Los Lonely Boys

Peaking at #16 on Billboard's Hot 100, and #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart is quite the way to begin a recording career.  "Heaven" is the debut release by the band Los Lonely Boys from San Angelo, Texas.  Henry, Jojo, and Ringo Garza follow in the footsteps of their father, conjunto musician and Falcone's member Ringo Garza Sr. with their unique blend of rock-n-roll, brown-eyed soul, Texas blues, country and Tejano music that they call Texican Rock n' Roll. 

Their eponymous debut album from 2004 catapulted Los Lonely Boys into instant musical stardom as the band saw  2 Grammy nominations (winning 2005's Best Pop Performance by a Duo Group, losing Best New Artist to Maroon 5) and saw today's feature song finish as the 37th best song of 2004.

Los Lonely Boys can be seen in their native San Angelo where they continue to tour and record on the independent label, Playing in Traffic records.  They continue to be popular in the region but have yet to repeat the success they saw when they asked what many folks ponder...how far is heaven?

As you read the story of the beginning of what we perceive as the reality of our world in Genesis 1 of the Bible, one must remember a couple of things to keep it all in context.  Biblical scholars suggest God transcribed Genesis to Moses.  Based on what we read of Moses it isn't too far of an assumption to make that he was educated in a manner ascribed to Egyptian royalty.  He then was educated in a manner ascribed to Midianite shepherds.  This would have allowed Moses the ability to understand a wide variety of concepts as God dictated them to him.  

One of those concepts was everything was created by God in a specific order. Something had to come from something.  What I mean by this is that there had to be material of some sort for God to work with, given this fact, the earth existed. (Genesis 1:2 - "And the earth was without form, and void;"  - King James Version of the Bible)   For that material to be used, God created a chemical process in the form of a stimulant that would repeat every day. (Genesis 1:3 - "

God spoke: “Light! 

And light appeared.  God saw that light was good and separated light from dark.  God named the light Day, He named the dark Night."  It was evening, it was morning—Day One." - The Message paraphrase of the Bible).  

Now that God had a stimulated environment it was time to create an atmosphere capable of sustaining life of all kinds; plants, animals, and humans.  (Genesis 1:6-8 " God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;  separate water from water!”  God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky.  And there it was: He named sky the Heavens;  It was evening, it was morning—Day Two" - The Message)

Did you catch that?  He named sky, the heavens. (Note the plural) So does that mean Heaven is the space between God and the atmosphere we breathe and our birds fly in?  The answer is sure!  Absolutely!  Without a doubt!

Let's put some perspective however, on the "Heaven" in which Los Lonely Boys query.  Without over theologizing, and in the best Randyterpretation we can muster, perhaps there are multiple levels of what we understand, thus the plural form for God creating the heavens.  

The apostle Paul gave us a perspective on this in 2 Corinthians 12 when he tells of a man who he had known 14 years ago with a very unique experience.  2 Corinthians 12:2 NASB/The Message/KJV  In this passage Paul, speaks of "third heaven".  Using first-century logic, Paul is referring to the "Heaven" in which God resides, Jesus sits at His right hand, angels exist glorifying God, and faithful saints who have believed have gone after they died.  That would cause one to at least consider, that the 2nd heaven is perhaps the area we understand to be our solar system and the universe.  The first heaven then would be the atmosphere we breathe and where birds and insects fly.  All of these would have been created when God seperated the expanse.

I confess to you friend, that I hadn't considered this.  I suppose that makes me a simpleton...I can live with that.  But if you are a simpleton too and had never considered the creation of Heavens.  Maybe this makes more sense than it did before.  

As far as the Los Lonely Boys question?  I think it a more important question is:  who goes to heaven?  

This past Sunday many around the world celebrated what we know of as Easter.  Some celebrated with signs of the season that are lots of fun.  Incredible memories are made with colorful clothing, children searching for treasures, and family time.  All of these things are good things.  

But even more important than all of the good things that were experienced on Easter, is the most important, life-altering, question-answering thing.  Does what you believe ensure your entrance into the Heaven where God is? 

To answer this question, a few more inquiries must be made.  Do you believe that there is a tomb that exists in Israel that is empty?  Do you believe that this empty tomb represents a full life guaranteed by Jesus as we live in this earth as well as in Heaven?  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 10, verses 1-10 NASB/The Message/KJV  

Dear friend, how far is heaven for you?  You exist in the heaven in which the birds fly. You have possibly seen images from the Hubble telescope or video of astronauts taking a space walk in the heaven that we know of as outer space.  But for you, how far is the Heaven?  For those who believe Jesus was Who He said He was, did what He said He did, and is preparing Heaven for everyone who believes, Heaven isn't as far as it seems.   Oh can you tell me...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Light That Has Lighted the World" (George Harrison)

Good Tuesday to you friend!  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes, your weekly excursion into a land of melodic contemplation.  As we journey down the lane of musical introspection, we occasionally discover a new expression from an old friend.  During these times, we find buried deep in the recesses of vinyl grooves a gem that has escaped, until now, the ears of your humble blogger.  Discoveries of this magnitude must be highlighted and honored for their pricelessness.  Today we make such an attempt as we remedy the misfortune of not knowing about this song caused by the distractions of living in the material world...

 "The Light That Has Lighted the World" by George Harrison from the May 30, 1973 album Living in the Material World

For many, a musical tragedy occurred on December 31, 1970.  This was the date that Paul McCartney filed a lawsuit seeking the dissolution of The Beatles' contractual partnership.  A musical era came to a close as John, Paul, George, and Ringo attempted to begin a life that existed outside of screaming fans, sold out auditoriums, and Gold records.  Following litigation from all the band members and respective record companies, the partnership would formally be terminated on December 29, 1974, when John Lennon would sign all the documentation needed to complete the breakup.  

The breakup of The Beatles set the foundation for solo careers for the boys from Liverpool.  Each of them, including Ringo, achieved a level of success as solo artists that many performers would only be able to visualize.  Being a "former Beatle" certainly made the way easier for the Fab Four to gain record contracts and have singles played on the radio.

The fame of being a Beatle, however, had its drawbacks.  The Beatle with the most perspective on this was George Harrison.  John Lennon and Paul McCartney were both known as prolific songwriters and had their followers, but both seemed to enjoy the celebrity that came with their craft.   

Harrison (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Got My Mind Set On You"), however, seemed to want to escape the spotlight, enjoy the fruits of his labors and make good music. He had 3 solo projects before the breakup of The Beatles.  His 1970 All Things Must Pass went all the way to #1 on album charts around the world.  Partnered with his Concert for Bangladesh album, Harrison had firmly established his identity apart from his previous band.    

Harrison's  4th studio album enabled him to express some his disdain of the notoriety that came with being a popular musician.  Living in the Material World would also be Harrison's second #1 solo album on the charts.  The third track on side one of this album, "The Light That Has Lighted the World", afforded Harrison the outlet to express himself about his status in the world.  This song would speak to the rise of superstars and how their new lifestyle changed them.  

Lyrically, the song speaks to the fact that everyone changes.  It doesn't take global exposure for folks to change in ways that others do not approve.  The lyric continues to reflect the freedom that is experienced by the ones who embrace the change in themselves even though those around them don't get it.  You know the kind.  They are the folks who would disapprove of light appearing in a world of darkness...

Genesis 1:3-5 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  

"Then God said, "Let there be light" and there was light."  Imagine the perspective that Moses had when he inscribed this passage from the beginning of time.  He had seen a time when there was no light for the Egyptians in their land. (remember plague 9?).  This perspective, as well as his personal encounters with God, afforded Moses the awe of God that not many had experienced.  Though the Bible never records it explicitly, I think Moses understood what the darkness was like before God spoke Light into existence because of the plague of darkness.   Moses also would have an intimate knowledge of the source of The Light that has lighted the world.  

Imagine the change to everything once this light was given.  What was once invisible was now visible.  Some have the misconception that this light was the creation of our sun.  But if we read further, the sun, moon, and stars weren't spoken into reality until verse 14.  Did God need to speak light into existence for Him to create?  Of course, not!  Would this mean that according to the Bible, our sun, moon, and stars have much less to do with the stability of our planet than what some scientists would surmise?    "He's got the whole world, in his hands..."

This light that was spoken into existence on day 1 of creation is a foreshadowing of the Light that would illuminate a different kind of darkness, the darkness of the separation between Creator and the created.    The day 1 light would be the precursor of the Light that will never dim nor go out regardless of the attempt of the enemy 2000 years ago. This light that was spoken into existence was done so by The Light that has lighted the world from the time of Genesis. 

The Light has a name.  It is a name above all names.  It is a name to which every knee will bow.  It is a name that every tongue will confess.  It is the Name proclaimed on an early Sunday morning as disciples, male and female, discovered an empty tomb.  It is the Name to call to when you no longer wish to be separated from your Creator.  It is a Name that will guarantee your eternity future in heaven if you repent, believe and tell others about it. But as you proclaim The Name as the Savior of your life, others will be hateful about your happiness and freedom.  George Harrison put this kind of persecution this way:

"I've heard how some people, have said

That I've changed

That I'm not what I was

How it really is a shame

The thoughts in their heads,

Manifest on their brow

Like bad scars from ill feelings

They themselves arouse

So hateful of anyone that is happy

Or 'free'

They live all their lives,

Without looking to see

The light that has lighted the world"

Jesus, put it this way:  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 10, verses 16-23 - NASB/The Message/KJV

Dear friend, this coming Sunday is Easter, Resurrection Day!!!  It is the celebration of victory over darkness by The Light that has lighted the world.   Have you heard the news?  He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!!!  And though there are those who spend their lives without looking to see...He is The Light that has lighted the world...

Listen to Holy Spirit as He is leading you to The Light, Jesus, today...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving Him by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Beginnings" (Chicago)

Hi there!!!  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!  This is a blog for those who love all kinds of music!!  Each week we dig into a little of the history of our feature song and the band that performs it.  Each week we delve into the nooks and crannies of the lyrics and see if perhaps there is an interpretation that we had not considered.  Each week we dive into an application of said interpretation to bring encouragement, enlightenment, and edification.  

So sit back, relax, you've come to the right place to get your musical fix.  And what better place to start than...

"Beginnings" the 2nd single from 1969's Chicago Transit Authority album  

The above video is emblematic of what has made the band Chicago a fan favorite for over 50 years.  The beginning lineup included: Robert Lamm (keyboards/vocals), Terry Kath (guitar/vocals), Peter Cetera (bass/vocals), Danny Seraphine (drums), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), Walter Parazaider (woodwinds), and James Pankow (trombone).  With the exception of Cetera, this is the group who met on February 15, 1967, to form a band called The Big Thing.  

After a move to Los Angeles, signing with Colombia music and transitioning their name to Chicago Transit Authority,  the debut single, "Questions 67 & 68" was released in July 1969 (charting at #71 on Billboard's Hot 100).   Chicago (name shortened due to the actual CTA in Chicago not liking the affiliation or use of their moniker) then released "Beginnings" which failed to chart in its initial release.  

Not deterred, Chicago would release " "Make Me Smile"  " from their 2nd studio album Chicago, released in 1970.  "Make Me Smile"  peaked at #9 and established Chicago as top 10 hitmaker.

The success of "Make Me Smile" also enabled the rerelease of singles from Chicago Transit Authority.  "Beginnings" saw its second attempt as a single in June of 1971.  Columbia partnered "Beginnings" with "Color My World" and saw the single soar up the charts, peaking at #7.  It finished the year as the #56 song in Billboard's 1970-1972 year-end charts.  

The original single of "Beginnings" was an edit from the 7:54 album cut.  The edited version came in at just under 3 minutes and allowed "Beginnings" to immediately be radio friendly at a time when songs rarely went past 3:30. It also solidified the beginnings of a band that is heralded by fans all over the world.  

Chicago continues to record, the latest release is Now, and to tour with Lamm, Pankow, and Loughnane. (sidenote: I saw them live last May. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!  If you have the opportunity, Chicago is one of those bands that you should see while original members are still touring)

In our finite minds, all things have a beginning.  Logic would dictate, therefore that all things have a time of existence and then they have an end.  Chicago began as The Big Thing.  It has existed since 1967 as Chicago.  There may be a day (gasp!) when Chicago no longer exists as a band. 

Tuesday's Musical Notes began as a newsletter entry.  It exists as an email which has a dual existence as a blog.  While we don't know the near future, Tuesday's Musical Notes will have an end.  

Regardless of whether you advocate for "old earth" (billions of years old) ideology or "young earth" (approximately 6500 years old) ideology, we are told that the earth had a beginning.  The Notes must point out that both of these ideologies require a modicum of faith as scientific evidence has yet to satisfactorily prove the argument in either direction.  

We see all around us the existence of the earth currently.  And there will be a time when the earth will end. 

However, there is one exception to the above logic.  God.  

At the beginning of the Bible, we see this:  Genesis 1:1 New American Standard Version of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  Did you notice that the Bible doesn't begin with God's origin story?  God already existed at the time of earth's beginning.  

The Bible tells us that He has always been and will always be. Psalm 90:2 NASB/The Message/KJV  Our limited minds cannot comprehend what that truly means and God's eternal (past and future) existence must be excepted by faith.  

So the Bible starts with what we know as earth's beginnings.  The only thing we know that existed before that time was God.  He is the One who created all that we know.  He is the One who spoke and the heavens and earth became.  This same Creator knew your beginnings.  Jeremiah 1:5 NASB/The Message/KJV  

This same God is waiting for you to have your relationship with Him restored.  We'll be exploring how it was broken in future Musical Notes, but for now, just know that God is waiting, He provided a way of reclamation through Jesus, and He calls through Holy Spirit to you today.  Today could be a day when you sing..."Only the beginning, of what I want to feel forever, Yes, only the beginning, only just the start..."  Let her rip Mr. Pankow...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" (The Fortunes)

Hi there!  How are you? Thanks for being here!  You've reached Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Is this where you intended to be?  I sure hope so because today we have a hit from 1971 that is sure to cause contemplation.  However, if reflection is not what you seek in a blog, we certainly suggest you check out some of the less meditative entries of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  You can find them in the archives.  There are over 357 songs in stashed away in the Tuesday's Musical Notes annals.  Surely one of them will be THE one to fit your current mental status.  But if you're in the mood to be a little moody, there's hope!  (Is that ironic?)  Tuesday's Musical Notes is ready to introspect and blog away the cloudy skies.  But first, we are wishing you good Fortunes with this upbeat little number about feeling like a rainy day...    

"Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" - title track from the May 1971 album by The Fortunes  

Ok, great so you know that song, but don't recognize the band the Fortunes?  From 1963 to 1977, they released 24 singles, 3 of which broke into the Top 40 on Billboard.  (1965's "You've Got Troubles (#7) and "Here it Comes Again" (#27) as well as today's featured song (#15)) The Fortunes also covered Jacques Brel's 1961 release " Seasons in the Sun  ", a song that would go to #1 for Canadian singer Terry Jacks in 1974.   

Perhaps the reason the sound of The Fortunes is so familiar is that from 1969-1975 they were the jingle performers and writers for Coca Cola:  COCA-COLA - It's the real thing! - THE FORTUNES (complete jingle, 1969)  Commercial adverts - The Fortunes Coca Cola Coke Jingles Their legacy, however, is cemented on those 3 top 40 hits.

None of the original members of The Fortunes are a part of the touring band that continues to perform in 60's theater shows.  The current lineup recorded a live album in 2015 from one of those shows.  The member with the most tenure with the band, Michael Smithman, has been with The Fortunes since 1983.  But he was adequately trained by founding member, Rod Allen, who continued with the band until 2008.  After 56 years, I would imagine Rod had a few memories of Sunday...

Before we begin the nonbiographical, "things that make you wanna go hmmm..." portion of Tuesday's Musical Notes, we must issue this disclaimer.   Please understand that what follows is not a conversation about mental illness.  The Notes realizes that there are medical issues that go way past the scope of our blog and we pray for those who are serving in the fields to assist those who are afflicted with diseases of the mind.  These conditions and disorders are as equally crippling as diseases of any other bodily organ.  These issues go so much further than a rainy day feeling and are far past our expertise.  If you think you are suffering from a form of mental illness, please seek help from a qualified physician in that field.  Now we return you to your regularly scheduled fun, insightful, and entertaining blog.  (can I get a witness?!)

Everyone has those days.  You know the kind I'm talking about.  Nothing seems to go the way it should.  It seems that you run into roadblocks with every step forward you attempt to make and if it isn't gotten under control, the tears could be falling like rain.  Long term exposure to such days can be devastating to one's life and lead to clinical depression, a growing problem in our world.  

The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines Major Depression as: a mood disorder. It occurs when feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration get in the way of your life over a long period of time. It also changes how your body works.   This entity affirms that most everyone will suffer from brief periods of depression over their lifetimes.  

Is this a new thing?  Do we currently exist in a generation of folks who just can't cope?  Can we take steps to guard against depression?  "People seem to know, the loneliness will show..."  With these questions and thought in mind, what are we to do?

As per usual here in the land of metered musings, we turn to The Source of all things.  It is a sure thing that the One who created us, who knows the very number of the hairs on our head, and who made a way for us to be with Him in eternity future has a way out of those days the clouds appear and take away the sunshine.  

The Bible is replete with characters that suffered depression.  The most profound books about depression are Job and Lamentations.  

The entire poetical book of Job was written by one who was suffering under what seemed to be unbearable situations.  "I loathe my own life;  I will give full vent to my complaint;  I will speak in the bitterness of my soul."  Job 10:1  Those kind of thoughts will really set you reeling!  He was a man who had everything.  Then suddenly he was left with nothing but a few well-intentioned friends and his wife who gave him some pretty awful advice.  If you happen to have a rainy day coming up, have a couple of hours,  and your mental state is in a pretty positive place, read the entire book of Job - New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel.  

It seems Job lost everything.  But if you continue to read his story you soon see he had not lost the hope and faith he had in his Redeemer.  He would not admit to a sin that he did not do, nor would he curse God and succumb to the wiles of the enemy.  Because of Job's faithfulness and trust in God, He was eventually restored, after about 40 chapters of bad advice from his wife and friends.

Job wasn't the only Bible character who suffered to the point of depression.  Here is an article that tells the stories of a few more Biblical characters who had that "rainy day feeling":  7 Bible Figures Who Struggled with Depression by Debbie McDaniel - crosswalk.com June 5, 2017

For believers, when you have that rainy day feeling again, remember whose you are.  For those without a restored relationship with God, let me assure you that through Holy Spirit, He cries out, "Your face is always on my mind, I'm hoping soon you're gonna find, your way back to Me..."  

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy