Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Jolene" (Dolly Parton)



 

🎵🎵  Hi dear friend, we welcome you, we bring to you a song that's true.  We'll write a thought or two for you, please read.  Written by a tune's icon, we promise it won't take too long.  We invite you now, relax dear friend, please read.

Please read.  Please read.  Please read, please read.  It's Tuesday and it's time for Notes, please read.  Please read.  Please read.  Please read, please read.   We hope you will enjoy today, please read. ðŸŽµðŸŽµ

 
or the updated version by one of the hottest groups on the planet 


"Jolene" is the second #1 song on Billboard's Country Music Charts for Country music singer/songwriter/actress/anything she wants to be, Dolly Pardon (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "9 to 5" (Dolly Parton)).   Her first was the 1970 title track to her album Joshua.  These songs would start a long string of song hits and launch Pardon into being one of the world's most sought after entertainment entrepreneurs in all of history.  

"Jolene" is ranked 217 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 2004 edition of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.  The song was nominated for 2 Grammy Awards in 1974 (once for the single, and a 2nd time for a live recording) but did not win.  43 years later, however, Dolly partnered with the acapella group Pentatonix on the single, featured above, and won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2016.

Dolly has stated that she wrote "Jolene" on the same day that she wrote "I Will Always Love You", which peaked at #1 on the Country charts on 2 separate occasions in 1974 (Jolene album) and 1982 (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack... well, we are talkin' adultery today...). 

Written as an ode to a rival for her husband's affection, "Jolene" is supposedly based on a bank teller who was flirting with Parton's husband, Carl Dean.  As mentioned in the video, she is reluctant to perform the song often live, due to the nature of its "hitting too close to home" lyrical content.   

It seems that the current culture's attitude toward affairs such as described in "Jolene" has changed somewhat since 1974.  In 1974, there seemed to be a stigma attached to those who desired to have physical relationships outside the boundaries of marriage.  This stigma was not as strong as earlier generations, but it still existed.  The casual "affair" was seen as taboo on many different levels and it was scandalous for those who were caught in the embrace of someone who was not their spouse. (Perhaps this attitude began to change around 1982?)

Why was this such a big deal?  Why isn't it MORE of a big deal today? The answer lies at the base of a mountain, where over 2,000,000 folks are trembling at the sound of THE VOICE.  (No they weren't watching reality tv...they were experiencing reality in a way we probably need to...)


Since The Notes has been navigating around these parts for a few weeks, we'll let you go back and read how we got here from previous Tuesday's Musical Notes,  and yes, that was a plug for the archives...you got it, on the left!

We come to the 7th of the 10 commandments, do not commit adultery.  What does that mean?  Dictionary.com defines adultery as "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse".  Why would God want to intervene in the bedroom lives of two consenting adults?  The answer is simple, God's plan for sex never involved a multiplicity of people.  Sorry, "hook-up" generation.  You are wrong on this one.  

I know, I know...your next question is...  "What?  Didn't Biblical patriarchs and great men of faith have multiple wives?" More on this in a bit, but first let's establish what God's plan was before we get into man's perversion of that plan.


Careful consideration of the Biblical text after the creation of Eve shows that she was Adam's only wife.  There is no Biblical evidence to support the notion that Adam ever had physical relationships with any other woman than Eve.  God's plan, in the beginning, was for 1 man and 1 woman to be sexual partners and companions for life.  

Fast forward in Genesis to the 9th chapter and we find that mankind had gotten so evil that God had chosen to destroy His creation.  How does this happen?  How can man go from being described as "very good" in the creation account to being something so vile at the time of Noah that Creator God seeks his destruction?  The answer is simple...since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden mankind went further and further toward his own plan and further and further away from  God's perfect, holy plan.


The story that continues from this passage of scripture is very familiar. (in fact, every major religion, and the history that supports that religion records a flood narrative) Noah, his wife, their sons, and their wives get in the ark and were saved from the destruction of the world by the global flood.  Notice, 1 man...1 woman for life.  Nowhere in the Biblical narrative do we find that Noah or his sons had more than the wives that they had upon leaving the ark.  Once again, God's perfect, holy plan was put into place...but it did not stay that way.

Through all of the Old Testament, we see great men of faith who are outside of God's plan on this issue.  Abraham decided his plan was better than God's and had a son outside of his marriage to Sarah.  The results? Isaac's and Ishmael's descendants continued to battle throughout the Bible.  This dissension continues in the  Arab/Israeli conflict that is still prevalent today. David, the great King, and the apple of God's eye had Uriah, one of his own mighty men,  killed so he could have an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife.  The result? David's family soon drifts into the definition of dysfunctionality.  David's son, Solomon the "wise" king, had close to 1000 women as wives and concubines with which he had sexual relationships.  The result? Solomon succumbed to the gods of his wives and Israel followed their kingly leadership eventually finding themselves back in captivity.  Good men, bad plans.

So what are we to do?  If these great men of the Bible fell short on this issue, how can we possibly resist?  It seems that the New Testament brings about one more assertion that this intimate physical relationship should be restricted between 1 man and 1 woman.  What does Jesus, the earthly manifestation of God, making Him an authority on the topic,  have to say about adultery?


Just like He did earlier with the topic of murder in the Sermon on the Mount (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "License to Kill" (Gladys Knight)), Jesus takes the commandment on adultery and ramps it up.  Jesus indicates that you have committed adultery with any woman if you look at her beauty beyond compare, her flaming locks of auburn hair, her ivory skin, and eyes of emerald green, and you sense a longing inside yourself for her.  This desire of your heart to have physical relations with her is enough for you to have committed adultery.  This means looking at pornography is adultery.  This means engaging with a prostitute (told ya we'd get here!) is adultery, regardless if it is legal in your state (Hello! Any readers in Nevada?).  This means making love in the green grass behind the stadium with a Brown Eyed Girl is adultery. (Unless of course, she is your wife, then its a decorum issue...)  This means if you are married, over the top flirting (in person or in a chat room) with someone other than your spouse is adultery. (You really should flirt with your spouse as often as you did when you were dating.  You'll gross out your kids, but you'll make your spouse feel very special!)  A glance that lasts longer than it should (you KNOW what I mean) is adultery.  Jesus says that any action that causes you to have even the thought of sex with someone other than your spouse is adultery.  

Ladies, remember the culture of Jesus' time was male-dominated, but Jesus' teaching in this passage doesn't exclude you.  Women are fast becoming the largest consumers of porn in western societies.   The Bible principle against adultery in all its forms is applicable to ALL of those who are redeemed by Jesus.

Finally, we must address this topic...Jesus says; "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery." The Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, chapter 16, verse 18 NASB/AMP/KJV All we have to say to this is that adultery is sin.  Sin can be forgiven.  And forgiveness rests in the One who proclaimed this very statement.

Jesus point?  Everyone is guilty!  But there is a way of escape through Him.  We can not defeat the sin in our lives by ourselves, we have to rely on His strength.  To have His strength, we must work on becoming more like Jesus every day by reading His Word and applying That Word to our lives.  We must join our lives with other believers for encouragement and accountability.  Yes, this means we should be going to a church somewhere and be an active part of that church.  (Find a small group for the ultimate in accountability!) We must shake off the habits and views of this world and take on those of Jesus.  We must not listen to a culture that celebrates "hook-ups" and casual sex as the norm but listen to Holy Spirit as He guides us on the pathways of righteousness and helps us face the temptations in our world.  We should make it a focus to live a life described by Paul as he addresses some of these things in a general way when he writes his letter to the church in Rome.  


So we should be about doing the will of God.  How is that done? We become transformed by our minds being renewed by Him.  We prove what God's will is by doing the good, acceptable, perfect things of His nature.  What is the physical manifestation of God's will?  Love.  Joy.  Peace.  Patience.  Kindness.  Goodness.  Faithfulness.  Gentleness.  Self Control.  These things sound good, acceptable, and perfect to me, how about you?

Though she may never be forgiven by Dolly,  a woman like Jolene can find forgiveness through Jesus, how about you?




'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by Serving You,
randy

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "License to Kill" (Gladys Knight)







Welcome to Tuesday!  We hope this edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes finds your week neither shaken nor stirred!  


Yes, we are unabashed fans of the superspy from Britain. Our particular fascination with Bond, James Bond began on a Saturday afternoon when I first saw Goldfinger (the 70's TV edit).  I recognized the actor who played the title character, Goldfinger as Baron Bomburst from Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, and then became fascinated with anything to do with Albert Broccoli's movies about the man with the number 007.  

Brief aside: Gert Frobe wasn't the only Bond connection to Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.  Ian Fleming wrote the novel from which the movie was based.  Albert Broccoli produced the film and brought along Bond screenplay writer Richard Maibaum for additional dialogue. If you watch closely you'll catch Desmond Llewelyn (who plays Q (short for quartermaster) from 1963's From Russia with Love until 1999's Die Another Day) as the man who sells Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang to Caractucus Potts (Dick Van Dyke). While not an Aston Martin, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang had just as many cool gadgets!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled blog about music already in progress...


Released in 1989, "License to Kill" would be Gladys Knight's last charting single.  It hit the top of the charts all over the world peaking at #6 in the UK but failed to appear on Billboard's Hot 100.   You may recognize some of the brass licks as they were borrowed from the aforementioned Goldfinger soundtrack.  The notes were so recognizable, that royalties had to be paid for the use of the section from the original song.  Goldfinger Motion Picture trailer  Did you hear it?

Coming in at 5:15, "License to Kill" is the longest theme for a James Bond movie.  Gladys Knight was originally hesitant to record the song.  As a Christian, she objected to having to sing the word "kill" so many times. Maybe it's because she had heard a command about killing being a bad thing.  Does anyone have a license to kill?


This commandment is difficult to break down.  What does God mean?  Are we not to kill anything?  Is this an admonition against wars?  Do I break the command when eliminating the accursed mosquito from my life?  Why would God command us to not kill when He had just wiped out the Egyptian army and was about to instruct the Israelites to eliminate those who were inhabiting the promised land?

According to Strong's Hebrew dictionary, the Hebrew word used in this context is "ratsach" which takes the commandment away from indiscriminate killing to the act of premeditated murder. "murder or kill" Hebrew translation biblehub.com  Notice the difference between the two words.  The word "kill" is broad in its interpretation, while "murder" is much more specific.

The conversations surrounding this commandment are endless.  Here is an article that breaks down some of those discussions and makes some really good points: The Sixth Commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill" by Dr. Harold J. Sala, October 2, 2014, guidlines.org

Even better, we have Jesus' commentary on the topic.  In The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 21-26 NASB/AMP/KJV,  Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount. He then breaks down the ten commandments for the religious rulers of His time.  These rabbinical leaders had layered the ten commandments with 613 manmade regulations.  Imagine having to live under the burden of such legislation...anyone try and read a law that our own congress passes lately?  But I digress...

Jesus breaks the ten commandments down to two: 1) Love God.  2) Love everybody else.  This shows that our relationships with our fellow men are intensely important to God.  Jesus tells them that the way we treat the other humans in our lives could be considered murder.  How we interact is indicative of what is in our hearts.  Jesus says that if you are angry with someone, you are guilty.  Have you ever been angry with someone?  I have.  Jesus says that if you speak contemptuously or insult someone you are guilty.  Have you ever "talked down" to someone?  I have.  Jesus says that if you call someone a "fool" you are guilty.  Have you ever treated someone like a fool?  I have.  Jesus says that the way we treat those in which we have relationships equates to whether they live or die in our eyes and hearts.  That is because ALL MANKIND IS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. (One race, the human race, everything else is culture and melanin!) So our belittling of someone, in God's eyes, is belittling Him.  I personally don't want to be known as one who belittles the Creator of everything, including me!!!

So what do we do?  I know we've talked about the fruits of the Spirit (Paul's letter to the Galatian church, Chapter 5, Verses 22-23 NASB/AMP/KJV) a lot lately but with regard to our interpersonal relationships, we must make being full of love toward others, being joyful when encountering others, being at peace with others, being patient in our interaction with others, being kind to others, being faithful to others by doing what we say we will do and being there for them in their time of need, being gentle towards others, and being in control of ourselves, even when challenged by others, a priority in our lives.  

It seems even on our best day, we get our sights on someone with the intent to inflict harm.  It seems even on our best day,  we say words and do actions toward others that are harmful and are coming straight from the heart.  It seems even on our best day, we have the attitude of revenge and that they better know why we want to make them pay.  It seems that 'til our dying day, this is the way we will be.  Jesus says that all of the actions equate to murder.  Your honor we find the defendant, guilty as charged...

These are all contrary to the way Jesus says we are to act.  And He is here to revoke that license to kill anytime you turn away from these actions, announce that He has become the "M" (the boss) in your life, and live every day attempting to be more like Him.  Will you make that change today?  You can right now...Holy Spirit is waiting and ready to go straight for your heart...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy 
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Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Monday, Monday" (The Mamas and the Papas)



Welcome to Monday...um wait, Tuesday!!!  It's time for another dose of the antidote for boredom!  Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  While we can't say that we can cure all ills, we do promise to be somewhat entertaining by featuring some of the greatest songs ever and somewhat thought-provoking by featuring some of the most important words ever put to print.  But wait, there's more!  Click now over to the left and find what we've been doing for the past several years together on Tuesday's!  It's the archives that are just waiting for you to explore!  Finally, if you act now, you'll be invited to tune-in December 29th for the most spectacular year-end countdown you can imagine!  We'll be reviewing the top ten Tuesday's Musical Notes of 2020 and get a head start on 2021 (who isn't ready for that to get cranked up?) with our unique blend of nonprescription strength musical remedies!!!  

But back to today, where we are administering the recipe for what ails ya! Let's start it by singing together, you know the tune...bah da, bah da da da, bah da, bah da da da...


It is the rare occasion that a band from ANY generation records only 5 studio albums and remains viable in the recording industry 50 years later, but such was the popularity of The Mamas and The Papas.  Their debut album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears would go all the way to #1 on the Billboard 200, have a #1 single on Billboard's Hot 100 (today's feature song "Monday, Monday"), and sell enough copies to achieve Platinum status.  Their following 2 records (The Mamas and the Papas and The Mamas and the Papas Deliver) would be certified Gold, thus establishing them in music history as a certifiable legacy act.  

"Monday, Monday" was the first time a multi-gender group had achieved a #1 hit.  It also received the 1967 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.  Since its recording, it has been covered by many contemporaries of The Mamas and the Papas.  More recently the band Wilson Phillips covered the song 3 different times between 2004 and 2012. The Phillips in the band is Chynna Phillips, daughter of Michelle and John Phillips, the Wilson sisters are the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Be True to Your School" (The Beach Boys)Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Get Around" (The Beach Boys)) 

Despite the early success, The Mamas and the Papas had tumultuous off stage associations.  John and Michelle's marriage was rocky from the start, and her continual affairs (once with band member Denny Doherty) would lead to their eventual divorce and be one of the causes of the band's breakup officially in 1971 with the release of their final album, People Like Us.  Of the original band members, only Michelle remains alive.  (Cass died in 1974 of heart failure, John died in 2001 of heart failure, and Denny died in 2007 of an abdominal aortic aneurysm)  If you were to watch or read the biography of the band, it would be much less lyrically aligned with "California Dreamin'" and much more with "Monday, Monday".    It seems The Mamas and the Papas didn't understand a lesson that was given to an ancient society some time ago about how you are to treat...well, Mamas, and Papas.


Before we go any further, let's settle the fact that we are not transitioning this blog to Monday's Musical Notes.  Just doesn't have quite the same zing to it and for most of the known world, Monday isn't revered.  Tuesday continues to be our favorite day and will remain such.  There have been several times we have considered using "Monday, Monday" as a feature song, but have resisted the temptation to keep confusion to a minimum. So how does today's song tie in?

Before we explore the connection between today's song and today's Scripture, let's review.  Israel had left Egypt through God's timing and His mighty hand.  They left Egypt for a land that had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their patriarchs.  Before getting too far into the journey they stop at Mt. Sinai so God can do a little standard-setting because He knew that Monday morning couldn't guarantee that on Monday evening the Israelites would still be there with Him.  These standards are in the form of commandments and were given to the Israelites 3 different times while they were camped at the base of the mountain.  God audibly spoke the ten commandments to them the first time.  We'll discuss later the other occasions in which God communicated the commands to them.  

The first 4 of the commandments compile the regulations that the Israelites would have in regards to their relationship with God.  We've covered them over the last month...you got it, check the archives!  Today's commandment bridges the gap if you will, between the relationship we are to have with God and the relationship we are to have with mankind.  


"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you"

Seems pretty straight forward doesn't it?  In simple terms, take care of the ones who brought you into existence.  

This is more difficult than it may seem.  God is the ONLY perfect Father.  I think it safe to assume that our Mamas and Papas weren't perfect. These imperfections were manifested in differing ways and certain to strain our relationships at times.  It can be sometimes difficult to care for parents who have been abusive in word or deed, or who didn't provide basic necessities out of neglect.  Proximity could also play a role in our abilities to honor and cherish those who were the earthly trustees of our nurturing and development.  These instances do not, however, negate the fact that we are commanded to honor our mamas and papas.

So how do we do achieve obedience to this command?  We place the relationship we have with our parents as the highest priority we have behind our relationship with God and the relationship we have with our spouse.  The fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) should flow more abundantly towards our folks than they do any other person in our circle of relationships.    

Jesus, as He did with each of the commandments, addresses this in the context of the hypocrisy that he saw by the rulers of the law of His time:   The Gospel of Jesus according to Mark, chapter 7, verses 9-13 NASB/AMP/KJV  Jesus reminds them of the manmade restrictions that they had placed on being able to honor their mamas and papas.  He essentially tells them that there is no excuse for treating their parents the way they were.  

Did you know that one of the ways modern middle eastern folks honor their parents is by living with them?  Did I just hear you shutter?   If you travel to Israel or Jordan you will notice rebar sticking out of the corners and support structures of homes.  




This is in preparation for their children to build their homes on top of mom and dad's homestead.  The family unit has such a priority in that culture that they want to live together indefinitely.  As the parents get older, they have their children there to assist in their day to day activities, thus honoring the parent-child relationship.  

Western culture is filled with many jokes and stories about the "in-law" relationship.  Is this honoring?  I don't think so.  Modern man seems to be so focused on providing for his "family" that he has forgotten that his family extends to his past as well as his future.  

Our attitude towards God will directly impact our attitude towards our folks.  This is why this command is transitional, it applies to both our relationship to God and our relationship with mankind.  Before we can attempt to make our relationships with our folks as good as they can be, our relationship with God must be everything it can be.  Yes, there are many who do not have a relationship with God through Jesus, who revere their parents, but how much more precious would their parental bonds be if they had the ultimate relationship as an everlasting example?  

Relationships with anyone takes work from both parties to be successful.  Relationships with our parents can be exponentially complicated and require significantly more effort for us to be obedient to today's commandment.  

Both of my parents are in heaven now.  I confess that while they were alive, there were times I did not honor them in the way that I should and I regret those times.  It seems that I turned around and one day found they were no longer here with me.  But I am still able to honor them.  I do that by honoring my relationship with God.  I do that by honoring my relationship with my children and grandchildren.   I do that by cherishing the memories of working 3 acres of garden, shelling peas, and having conversations in a barbershop over milkshakes.  Most of all I honor Duane and Peggy by making sure that the things they taught me about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and Holy Spirit are the guiding points of my life.  I honor them by surrendering to Him.  

As best you can, in every way you can, make it a priority to honor your mamas and papas...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy  
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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Easy" (Commodores)




Welcome to Tuesday, our favorite day! You've arrived at our blog and we hope you will stay!  There's music galore, some trivia too! And you might find out a few things about YOU!  What is this place, where are we going?  We're traveling down a place of your knowing!  Keep reading the words and hear all the tunes, we promise it's simple, no need to read runes.  Don't dig today's song? That's fine we've got more.  The archives, please search them, we hope they won't bore.  So welcome to Tuesday and The Musical Notes!  It's a wonderful flight from those guys who want votes!  Kick back, relax we know it sounds cheesy.  But the Commodores think, you know, that it's easy... 


The Commodores were formed in 1968 from a group of mostly freshmen attending the Tuskegee Institue (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama. The band has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and received 9 Grammy nominations.  They continue to tour even though their last studio album was 1993's No Tricks.   

Written as well as sung by founding member of the Commodores, Lionel Ritchie, "Easy" would become the ninth single released by the band over the course of 5 albums.  Of those, 5 would be top 40 hits on Billboard's Hot 100, and "Easy" would go all the way to #4, the third top 10 ten hit by the band. (1976's "Sweet Love", #5, and "Just to Be Close to You", #7)  "Easy" would cement the Commodores in the late '70s and early '80s as a top 40 radio standard and pave the way for Lionel Ritchie's solo career in the '80s. 

Founding member William King continues to tour and record with the Commodores, the only band member to do so for the band's history. Surprisingly, the band's only Grammy win came for 1986's "Night Shift" after the departure of Ritchie in 1982.  I wonder if he told them..."I'm leavin' you tomorrow..."?

The phrase, "Easy, like Sunday morning" from today's feature song, came as a result of Lionel Ritchie's reflections of life in and around Tuskegee in the '60s and '70s.  It seems, like many other towns, especially in Southern states, that the town pretty much closed down after about 11:30 on Saturday evenings.  With the repeal of Blue Laws in most states, this practice of having an easy Sunday morning has gone by the wayside. 

In contrast, 2020 sees the practice of a 7 day work week, vacations, and retiring before the age of 70, all of which are western culture creations. These modern practices are also contrary to a certain lesson learned at the base of a mountain long ago.  


Let's get this out of the way...  Did God need to rest after creation?  Certainly not!  Did man need an example of what our 7-day existence should be?  Absolutely!!  

Another couple of things to consider with this passage to get the full context.  The Israelites had been slaves of the Egyptians for 450 years.  They were worked 7 days a week until they died.  There was no backyard barbeque on Saturday or getting to take a nap in a recliner.  In fact, they were punished for not reaching the quota set by their Egyptian taskmasters.  Hearing this commandment must have been quite the reason to celebrate for these tired former slaves.  

Secondly, while God says that the seventh day is to be the Sabbath, He never stipulates the particular day of the week or time.  To the Hebrews, the seventh day was taken to mean Friday at sundown through Saturday (the seventh day) until sundown.  

By the time Jesus came on to the scene, the priests had layered the 10 commandments with 613 man-made interpretations to God's commandments, complicating things so much that no one person could be expected to be obedient to each one all the time.  This became almost as much of a burden to the Children of Israel as their taskmasters were back in Egypt.  There was no easy like Friday night to Saturday night...

Jesus comes along and challenges the rabbinical laws as the shackles that they were.  If you look closely at the Sermon on the Mount (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapters 5-7 NASB/AMP/KJV), you can see Jesus' exposition of the 10 Commandments.  Later in Matthew and the other Gospels, He specifically challenges the rabbinical laws and traditions regarding the Sabbath, freeing everyone from the observance that had become very man initiated and restrictive. (Matthew 12 NASB/AMP/KJVThe Gospel of Jesus according to Mark chapter 2, verses 23-28 NASB/AMP/KJVThe Gospel of Jesus according to Dr. Luke, chapter 6, verses 1-11 NASB/AMP/KJVThe Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 5, verses 1-17 NASB/AMP/KJV) 

From these passages (notice that every Gospel covers this subject) you can quickly see that Jesus, who was God in our form, removed the barriers to worship that man had placed on the day of rest.  He does so with examples that ranged from revered King David to the Israelites lives at the time.  He basically tells them what the commandment says.  Work 6 days, spend the 7th resting and reflecting on who God is and what He has done in your life.  

So how does that apply to us? What does Sabbath rest mean in 2020?  If you didn't know, my vocation is a Worship Leader/Family Ministry Minister to our local church.  This means for me and the rest of our staff, Sunday IS a workday.  In my previous vocation as a retail store manager, we were required to work 1 Sunday a month or we could be reprimanded, lose our position, or lose the job.  Having been raised in the tradition of Blue Laws and "Sunday being a sacred day" this was difficult until I came to realize, that I did AND do get a day away from my vocation.  This day becomes my Sabbath.  It just so happens to currently fall in line with the ancient Hebrew practice of Friday at sundown, till Saturday at sundown. Unless you are working 7 days a week, and many are due to the plague, there is at least 1 day a week you can call your Sabbath.  So, how does that day become...well, easy? 

How do I maximize my sabbath?  I personally make lists of the priorities for my week and then attempt to get that list completed. I roll over things not accomplished and try to alleviate them from my mind.  This allows me the opportunity to do projects that I enjoy and focus on Whose I am and what good works He has already planned for me to do. Organizing a record/cd/single collection would seem tedious and too much like work to some, but I find it relaxing and just tiring enough to help me rest when I do sit down.  While I don't dig yard work (I know, very punny!) there are others in my family who find that a way of relaxing.  There are other times when one of the Hallmark Channels beckons...don't judge...  

The point to our Sabbath?  Find ways that help you reflect on who God is in your life at that moment AND get some rest in ways that allow you to be the best version of yourself over the course of your other 6 days.    

Everybody rests in their own way.  Some garden, some listen to records, others binge-watch a favorite television show.  The main point that Jesus makes is don't get so caught up on the legality of what you do that you take away from the worship you do. 

It's just that easy...like Sunday mornin'...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You Know My Name" (Chris Cornell)


Hi there!  How does today find you?  I hope that all is well in your world and that you are navigating the nuances of the different environments in which you may find yourself!  


Welcome to Tuesday! If you've never been here before...WELCOME!!!  We're glad you're here! You have come to a blog we hope you will find informative and inspirational.  Written every Tuesday, it features music from every genre that we can think of and adds to them a thought or two about life.  We hope you like it and will share it with your friends.  Check out the archives and find some more of the unexpected with music that is the soundtrack of your life.  At this point, you may be wondering what you've gotten yourself into...it's okay, everyone feels that way for a little while...

If you HAVE been here before Welcome as well!!! We're glad you've returned!  You know what to expect!  So let's get started because if you've been here before...You Know the Name...


Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!

For fans of the James Bond franchise (yup, we've read all of the original Ian Fleming penned novels, seen all of the movies, and own many of the soundtracks...on vinyl), 2006's Casino Royale represented a return to the gritty, Sean Connery (who just turned 90) side of James Bond after Pierce Brosnan's departure.  

With Daniel Craig taking his turn as the super spy, Casino Royale represented the Bond of a new era.   Craig has since reprised the role 3 times (Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), and Spectre (2015)). He will be in his fifth, and supposedly his last, Bond film, No Time to Die, whose release has been scheduled for November 20, 2020, in the US.    


The 2006 Casino Royale is not the first attempt to take James Bond's first adventure from Ian Fleming's novel to film.  In 1967, Columbia Pictures released the satirical version of  Ian Fleming's first James Bond, starring David Niven.  It was released 2 months prior to EON Productions You Only Live Twice, the fifth in the official Bond series.  The soundtrack to the 1967 Casino Royale, as is true with many Bond films, became very popular as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass led with the title track and opening theme which peaked at #27 on the Hot 100.



And now back to our previously mentioned song...  

The opening titles theme for the reboot of the James Bond franchiseCasino Royale is, in the humble opinion of this blogger, the best Bond theme for Craig's series of movies.  It really does rate with the other great Bond movie themes like Goldfinger, Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Listen to What the Man Said" (Paul McCartney and Wings)), The Living Daylights (a-Ha), and A View to a Kill (Duran Duran).  Yes, Adele's Skyfall is a close second...

Co-Written by Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog) and Casino Royale's soundtrack writer David Arnold, the song oddly enough is the first Bond theme to not make it to its motion picture's soundtrack.  It was instead reserved for Cornell's second solo album Carry On.  It only went as high as #79 on Billboard's Hot 100, but received a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.  

"You Know My Name" was the perfect title song for the relaunch of the Bond series as even the most casual observer of iconic entertainment would know the name...Bond, James Bond.  

While James Bond is world renown, he is not the most well known or most revered name in the world.  


This isn't the first time Tuesday's Musical Notes has covered this particular passage of Holy Scripture.  (Do ya sense a theme developing...does that mean this is a reboot?)


Unfortunately, using God's Holy Name seems to be on the increase, but not in a good way.  We now have a generation that understands saying or texting OMG as NBD (no big deal).  The Notes believes that this trend of irreverence can be partially traced to the elimination of prayer in schools and the "normalcy" of going to church as a family (even nominally) being in decline.  Reverence for God's Name is simply not being taught.  When I was a kid (here we go...old man story...), we were chastised for even saying "golly gee" or "jeepers creepers" because it was thought to be too closely aligned with the Holy Name of God.  While my folks were well-intentioned, I'm not sure they fully grasped the entirety of the reverence for the most intimate name revealed to mankind about God.

YHWH is the name that is referred to in Exodus 20:7.  In the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, God or Lord or LORD is often mentioned by the ancient patriarchs, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they interacted with God, but never by the name given in Exodus.    Remember that Moses penned those first five books under God's instruction and guidance.  Moses had a personal relationship with God in much the same way as the ancient patriarchs had.  It was a relationship unlike any that the other Israelites, even Aaron, who would become the first High Priest, would be allowed to have.  God needed a name that the Israelites would revere in such a way that they would be afraid of even whispering it for fear of doing so in a disrespectful manner.  They took that whole "...for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."  part of the Exodus 20:7 passage very literally.  Based on the experience they were having at the base of Mt. Sinai, I can't say that I blame them.

So what does taking God's Name in vain mean for us today?  I think  taking God's Name in vain means exactly what we see in every instance of someone using the aforementioned OMG.  I think taking God's Name in vain means exactly what we see when there is a casual attitude for the Bible, God's Holy Word, or any other aspect of the worship of the One True God.  I think taking God's Name in vain means what God experiences every time a person rejects Holy Spirit's drawing for the first time...or again...  I think taking God's Name in vain means the perception that pre-believers have when they see "Christians" have a disregard for this commandment as well as the other commandments given to the Israelites at the base of the mountain.  I think taking God's Name in vain means exactly what we see when human lives, that were created in the image of God, are allowed to be killed before coming through the birth canal.  I believe taking God's Name in vain means exactly what we see when believers do not crave the opportunities they are given to be together to worship God.  I believe we take God's Name in vain every time we see those who espouse to be children of the King arguing like children on Facebook or other social media.  I believe taking God's Name in vain means exactly what we see when believers do not practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as we attempt to be transformed into being more like Jesus.  

So friend, have you taken the Lord's Holy Name in vain by doing any of the above actions?  I confess to you that I have.  But praise to THAT Holy Name, He is just and willing to forgive even that shortcoming.  Are you ready to cry out to God's Holy Name for that kind of forgiveness? No one else can save you... Come on...You Know His Name...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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