Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (Heather Ripley, Adrian Hall, Dick VanDyke)

At last, it is here, the season deluxe!  'Tis the time we are happy to spend all our bucks!  But there's more, so much more to the occasion you see. Sometimes it's the hard work that fills us with glee.  But it is here, it is here and hearts they all flutter.  'Tis the season of love and cooking with butter! 

Halloween's fun and Thanksgiving a blast.  But at Christmas, we pause to remember our past.  A past filled with wonder, and visions, and secrets.  At times it did leave us a little bit sleepless.  

So join with me now while regaling the shows.  That covered our TVs like grounds with the snows.  "Rudolph" and "Frosty", "Charlie Brown" and his friends were seen 'round the world from its end to its ends.  But the movies and broadcasts that had us up nights, were the ones that included a bit of a fright.  Live-action films with some tension in stages from Nazi betrayal to kid catchers with cages.  Witches and wizards in colors like green.  Were featured alive on our video screens.  Shown at this time filled with wonder and awe, these films fit the bill as we all dropped our jaw.  The Hills were alive and the car went Bang Bang. "I'll get you my pretty, her cackle it rang. Both Garland and Andrews did sing with delight, even Christopher Plummer sang out, what a sight! 

The show that we feature we'll tell you right now, was the one with Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes.  Not specifically Christmas, not like Hallmark you see.  But it always came on when we had up our tree.  Most likely on Sunday, its songs would infect.  From church, we would scurry, the channel select.  And then our minds would race like the car.  We wanted to travel to those lands of afar.  

We'd better get started. We're paragraphs in! The Notes we must start, The Notes we begin!!!  So open your mind and feel wonder anew, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we bring now to you!!!

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" title track from the motion picture musical as sung by Heather Ripley, Adrian Hall, and Dick Van Dyke,

It's ok.  It'll be our secret, but I heard you singing along!!!  Me too!!!  I love a movie that features cars (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Love Bug (Herbie's Theme)")  But there is something really special when a car movie (yes we concede that there are other "goings-on" in the movie, it's not JUST about the car!), comes to us in the form of a musical!

The 1968 movie was loosely based on the 1964 Ian Fleming novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car.  The music for the movie was written by Disney veterans The Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins and just about everything else from that time for Disney).  The music made such an impact that the title song was nominated for a 1969 Best Song Academy Award.  ("Windmills Of Your Mind" from The Thomas Crown Affair written by Michael Legrand was the winner, hmmm...that's the music that sing-a-longs are made of!)  The song, as was the musical score, was also nominated for Golden Globes in their respective categories. (The score from The Shoes of the Fisherman by Alex North won, as did the aforementioned "Windmill" song. Ummm what were they thinking?) 

Wait.  What?  Ian Fleming? The James Bond author?  That's right friend, the Aston Martin wasn't the only car that was a movie fascination in the late 60s.  " The name is Potts, Caractacus Potts".  Nope!  Just not quite the right ring to it.  The connections to the super spy continue as other Bond folks came over for a ride in our fine four-fendered friend.   Richard Maibaum (writer, Dr. No, From Russia With Love, et. al), Roald Dahl (writer, You Only Live Twice), Albert R. Broccoli (producer, Dr. No - Goldeneye), Gert Frobe (actor, as Goldfinger), Ken Adam (set design Goldfinger-Moonraker) who actually designed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as other of the usual production team suspects from the James Bond films, worked on the picture.  

So why are we using a non-Christmas song to introduce the kick-off to Christmas blogs you may ask?  As we eluded to in the opening, several major motion picture musicals of the late 60s became Christmastime staples on television in the early 70s.  The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang became Christmas movies in my eyes and those of my television-watching compatriots.  These movies featured super imaginative storylines reminiscent of the wonder and excitement of the season.  Escapes through the mountains, lollipop kids, flying monkeys, and child catchers all added to the awe and fascination of a certain red-nosed reindeer and a snowman who traipsed through town.  The writer's visions and the interpretations of those visions provided a means of enhancing an already spectacular time of the year for a 6-10 year old child as the actors carried out their colorful roles in their colorful attire.  It seems that these writers were following in the footsteps of those throughout history who saw visions and needed the aid of others to interpret them.  

Daniel 2 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

The Book of Daniel in the Bible could very well be read around Christmas time as a prologue to my nonChristmas, Christmas movies.  It has a fantasmagorical aspect in virtually every chapter and features moments that infuse the story with enough tension to draw the reader to the ending climax.  

Last week we saw Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego find favor in the eyes of the leadership of the Babylonian kingdom.  They flourished during the food challenge so much that their advice was considered ten times better than those of the natural-born Chaldean soothsayers and magicians (or magi, put a pin here, we're coming back in a later Note) in the king's court. Because of this, Daniel proceeds to the "interpreting of dreams" round.  

The narrative today primarily involves Daniel and the king, Nebuchadnezzar.  Reminiscent of Joseph's time with Pharoah, the king has a vision that causes insomnia.  His first consultants were the Chaldeans magicians of his land.  It seems these guys were sycophants that Nebuchadnezzar saw through quickly.  He told them to interpret his dream correctly or else he would have them torn limb from limb and turn their homes into rubble (v. 5).  They stalled and the king challenged them further.  He told them that they had to tell him what the dream was and then interpret it or the same fate would await them.  (v. 8-9)  They replied that no one on the planet could meet Nebuchadnezzar's request.    The king is so angry that he sends out the order for every wise man in the kingdom to be executed.  This includes Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego.  

Daniel makes some inquiries regarding the harshness of the order and then requests an opportunity to visit with the king about the vision and its interpretation.  (v. 14-16)  The request is granted and Daniel has his friends pray fervently that God would provide the dream and its interpretation.  Are we ever this vulnerable with our friends?  Do we confide our troubles to our friends and ask them to partner with us in prayer?

Daniel receives everything he and his friends had prayed for in a vision and immediately has a worship service in honor of God's answer to the prayers. Daniel has his moment with Nebuchadnezzar and not only provides the king with the right answers, but saves all the magicians, soothsayers, and wise men as well.  Needless to say, Daniel turned everybody's head today!!!  It's probably a good thing, we may need some wise men later...again, more on that to come.  

So what were the dream and its interpretation?  Daniel's initial reply must have been a cause for concern amongst the soothsayer union as Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,  but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come..." (V. 27-28)   After his testimony service, Daniel tells the king the dream as well as its interpretation.  It begins with a statue.  This statue represents the world powers of the future beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's rule and going forward to the Roman empire.  

Daniel continues past the rule of the Romans into the Divine Kingdom of God that will last for an eternity and never be destroyed. (v. 44-45) While Daniel couldn't understand the complexities of the Kingdom on his side of Messiah, he describes a kingdom for those who are children of God, adopted by God through the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  This kingdom is for those who have been transformed by Holy Spirit into the likeness of Jesus and are no longer seen as sinners by God.  This is a transformation that is similar but so much better than the one created by Caractacus...

"The Transformation" - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

If the created can perform this kind of transformation, just imagine what the Creator can do...

You see friend, that final Kingdom told about by Daniel is one where you can live, if you believe. 

Commercial media affirms to us that this is the season to believe. Macy's Believe Commercial While this ideology holds regarding many good things, its best interpretation surrounds why we celebrate the season now upon us.  A Savior is born as a child, raised as a man, crucified as a criminal, raised to life as a beloved son, arbiter, and victorious King.  This King will rid the world of EVERY child catcher, bad king, evil military empire, and green witch, to enjoy a kingdom with His brothers and sisters as they worship God the Father throughout eternity future.  "...what a happy time we'll spend!!!..."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM and loving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Daniel" (Elton John)

Happy Tuesday before Thanksgiving!!!  Even before we dive into our turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, the questions already loom..."Will you survive Black Friday? (press "pause", did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is an official Holiday in 22 states?!! "Is Day After Thanksgiving a Public Holiday?" - timeanddate.com, okay, you can push "play" now!)  Will your Cyber Monday bargain shopping be a success?  One wonders why retailers can't offer these prices year-round. Well, you see friend it all starts with the minimum wage...but I digress.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We want to welcome you to what we hope will be the newest of Holiday traditions for you and your family!!!  The "Tuesday Before Thanksgiving" moniker is a little wordy, so we'll just call our celebration of today...Pondering Tuesday!  

That's right!  Welcome to Pondering Tuesday, the day where you consider and possibly reconsider what you will do to yourself (will you eat too much?), your finances (will you spend too much?), and your general mental state (will you stress too much?) over the last 5 days.  While most places don't close for Pondering Tuesday, they very well should as the process of assessment could potentially be very time-consuming. And besides, Christmas decorations went up on Halloween, so why not have another special day in November!!!

Don't get me wrong, many of you will probably do a wonderful job of planning your post Pondering Tuesday and have nothing perhaps to consider.  If that is the case, kick back, put on your Dean Martin Making Spirits Bright record, and savor the smartness that you enjoy. 

If perhaps, your Pondering Tuesday happens to be less than Dean Martinish, well you are in good company.  Thousands around the world are joining you as you now ponder..."What am I about to do?".  So take heart dear friend and celebrate Pondering Tuesday with the encouragement that you are not alone in the feelings you are having right now.  Calm down.  Turkey helps you relax and sleep right?  Resist that temptation to head out tonight on a plane...no need for red tail lights heading for Spain...

"Daniel" by Elton John from the January 26, 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player

"Daniel" was written in 1973.  This year saw many heroic veterans of the Vietnam Conflict returning to the United States.  Some were receiving a welcome unbecoming of our great nation while others were lauded as heroes in their hometowns.  Unlike so many of the protest songs in the lead-up to this time, today we feature the fresh perspective regarding human dignity and kindness that should have been the hallmark of our hearts and thoughts as our boys came home.

"Daniel" was inspired by one of those returning veterans.  He had been wounded in Vietnam.  His story was featured in a news magazine of the time.  He was received warmly by his hometown in Texas but just wanted to get out of the spotlight and get back to the simplicity of his life, putting the war behind him.  Bernie Taupin, Elton John's songwriting partner, was inspired by the story and wanted to put to music an expression of sympathy for those who were returning home from the contentious conflict.  

"Daniel" was well received by the public.  It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, just behind "My Love" by Paul McCartney & Wings (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Silly Love Songs", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Band On The Run", Tuesday's Musical Notes -"Let 'Em In", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Listen To What The Man Said" ) The Adult Contemporary Chart was another matter as "Daniel" fared some better hitting #1 and remaining there for 2 weeks.   

Most notable covers of "Daniel" include the Wilson Phillips 1991 arrangement from the Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Bernie Taupin and Elton John release, and the 2018 inclusion of "Daniel" on the album  Revamp: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin by Sam Smith.

In May of 2018, "Daniel" went Platinum having sold over 2,000,000 copies since its release.  It seems that the song "Daniel" has become elevated significantly in the compendium of Elton John's recordings. 

We happen to know of another Daniel who suffered the pain and anguish of war but overcame to see himself a rising star in the face of the rulers who had taken him and his kinsmen captive.

Daniel New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and Judah, the Southern Kingdom, made up the divided nation of God's people after terrible leadership and rebellion resulted in a split, and eventual discipline doled out by God.  We've covered in some detail the messages of prophets who served in both kingdoms.  Their hope was that the people would turn from their sin and idolatry and turn back to God because of the future they saw. This was not to be the case for either Kingdom and eventually Israel and then Judah fell to the Babylonians.  Check out the Tuesday's Musical Notes archives in the upper left for a complete overview of the prophets we've covered and the visions with which they warned the people. 

In the early moments of the Babylonian overrun of the nation of Judah (circa 605 B.C.), a group of Hebrews was captured as prisoners of war and in their defeat taken to Babylon. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  These were good-looking young men some of which had royal ancestry.  They were chosen by Ashpenaz, chief official to the king, to be educated for service in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. 

We wish to take the next few weeks to explore What happens over the 12 chapters of the prophetical book of Daniel and unpack as much as possible from some of the most well-known stories from the Biblical narrative.

So cue up the flashback music and let's go to a faraway land where names are changed to reflect servanthood and visions are interpreted to a mixture of results...

The Book of Daniel relates one of the only stories from the prophets about life after the fall of Jerusalem.  While the prophecies of captivity described in our previous prophetical books seemed horrendous, Daniel and his compatriots didn't have it too bad.  Due to their rugged good looks and royal associations they were treated well and chosen to be educated in the ways of the royal service of Nebuchadnezzar.

The protagonists of this book endure their identities being stripped and have their names changed to reflect the Chaldean society of which they were now servants.  Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael became Meshach, and Azariah became Abednego.  Yup, those fiery furnace guys by which most folks recognize from the Sunday School and nighttime Bible Story readings.  More on them in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned, same prophet time, same prophet channel!!!    

The first hurdle for our intrepid captives is being given great food.  You read that right!  They were instructed to eat the rich, choice food of the king as well as partake from selections from the King's wine cellar.  Despite the fact that this had to be incredible delicacies of the time, Daniel and the boys attempted to maintain the dietary standards of the law of Moses.  The Bible goes so far as to say they felt they would defile themselves by taking the food from the king.  

In God's providence, the Hebrews found favor with the commander of the officials who was concerned that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not look healthy if they were not eating the prescribed regimen and such lack of ruddiness would cause trouble for him.  Daniel suggested a test.  The Hebrews would eat only vegetables and drink water for 10 days.  After that time, the commander could compare their well-being to that of those who continued to partake of the king's bounty.  

What were the results?  Right!!!  The Hebrew boys were fatter and seemed in better health than the other young men.  It doesn't take much to realize that even in their captivity, the hand of God was on them as they submitted everything in their lives, including their diet, to Him.  While the commander of the guard had no reason to acquiesce to their request, the Hebrew's character was so impressive that he was willing to accommodate the challenge.  

We live in a world that equates one's worth with one's appearance.  But what would happen if we were such people of character that even our enemies were willing to accept compromises or challenges from us?  What if we were so attractive as people that we served as a magnet to draw folks to God?   This is the kind of men Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were.  They weren't willing to compromise their standards and defile themselves even for what possibly was the best food they had ever seen.  Because of their conviction, they fared better than others in the group that were being trained with them.  

A few years back, I had some friends who tried, with mixed results, the Daniel Fast and Daniel Diet that came into some popularity.  It featured, as you would imagine, eating only vegetables and drinking water. However, based on what I saw the recipes included in these plans are significantly different than the raw or boiled-in water options that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego probably ate.  Nope, the Hebrews had no butter or seasonings to "Bam! Kick it up a notch!", just the vegetables and water.   

If you really are looking for a "program" for health you might consider First Place For Health.  Its lifestyle changes not only involve food discipline but include spiritual discipline and encouragement to boot.  It really is a great program that Tuesday's Musical Notes can endorse wholeheartedly. 

Food stories are also found in the New Testament.  Eating certain foods became a sticky issue with some of the folks that Jesus encountered.  Their regard for Mosaic and Rabbinical laws (disguising their real goal of attempting to trap Jesus) caused them to question Jesus about food.   The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Mark, Chapter 7 NASB/AMP/KJV  Notice that Jesus said to them that they were defiled by what came OUT of their mouths, not what they put into their bodies.  

The disciple Peter also had an experience regarding food.  Acts 10 NASB/AMP/KJV  Peter's lesson?  What God has cleansed should no longer be deemed unholy.  While Peter was learning that this pertained to being a fisher of men (Jews versus Gentiles), the overarching principle regarding food here stands as well.  

Is this an inconsistency between the Old Testament law and the New Testament revelation of Jesus?  Absolutely not.  Here is a great article to consider about Christians and the Old Testament law.  It is a compelling explanation of Old Testament law versus the New Testament fulfillment of that law. "Why Don’t We Follow All of the Old Testament Laws?", MARCH 30, 2016 BY J.D. Greear - jdreear.com

But at our point of focus in the Bible today, we are under the Mosaic law, and Daniel and his compadres choose to be obedient.  So what happens to Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego?  Well, in the coming weeks, there are probably some stories you have heard, possibly some that you haven't, and a perspective or two that you may not have considered that we will ponder.  And it's all wrapped up in a Tuesday's Musical Notes package, that is guaranteed not to defile you in any way. What a great way to celebrate Pondering Tuesday!!! 

And now it's time for us to be seen waving goodbye...must be the clouds in our eyes...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy   

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Eve Of Destruction" (Barry McGuire)

In our weekly musings about music, Tuesday's Musical Notes has reflected on how the history we see ourselves making is very reminiscent of the history which we made in the 60s and 70s.  In essence, History does repeat itself!   It seems many of the lessons we should have learned from the facts of those decades have not translated into actions by which we make history today.  If we had learned from that history, surely we would not be making the same mistakes we made at that time.  Yet, here we are back in the 70s, but I digress. 

Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that we wish to eliminate the facts of history and substitute them with theories by which others think we should live.  More on that particular sticky wicket on another Tuesday.  

If we are not careful with the way we handle the history we make, doing these same mistakes over and over again my friend, we surely could find ourselves or our next generations very close to an Eve in which we do not wish to celebrate...

"Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire, the title track to the August 12, 1965 album

Written in 1964 as a war protest song by P.F. Sloan, the Barry McGuire recording of "Eve of Destruction" was released in August of 1965 and quickly made its way up the Billboard Hot 100.  By September, as the album of the same name was peaking at #37 on the Billboard album chart, "Eve of Destruction", the single,  was at #1, the only song for McGuire to chart in the #1 spot.  It replaced The Beatles HELP! (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "HELP!" (The Beatles)) at the #1 spot and would be the last time for McGuire to appear in the top 40 on Billboard.  

Media of the time inadvertently promoted the song by using it as an example of what was wrong with the youth of the day.  Some radio stations refused to play "Eve of Destruction" "claiming that it was an aid to the enemy in Vietnam". (John Gilliland's Pop Chronicles: Revolt of the Fat Angel: American musicians respond to the British invaders. [Part 1]  Date Unknown; University of North Texas Libraries, crediting UNT Music Library)).  Both of these actions caused the demand for the single to increase exponentially, thus accounting for its rocketing up the charts.  

"Eve of Destruction" briefly comments on hot-button items of the times, many of which seem to have not gone away in the 56 years since the song's release.  "Eve of Destruction" also created the roadmap for several other songs to make a comment on current and historical events.  "Life is a Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me), "It's the End of the World As We Know It" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" (R.E.M.)), and "We Didn't Start the Fire" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "We Didn't Start The Fire" (Billy Joel)) all follow in the footsteps of the McGuire classic.  

With this repetition of songs exploring history...it sure seems we haven't learned the lessons from the facts of the past that we should have.  Some of these lessons were ones we should have learned from history way before 1965...

 Zephaniah New American Study Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

For the past several weeks, we have been exploring the lives of Biblical prophets who lived during a time of great tumult, tragedy, and let's face it, their own version of "Eve of Destruction".  The message of the prophets has been consistent regardless of whether they were attempting repentance in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, or the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  That message?  In simple terms, "You have turned your back on the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.  You must turn back to God and you must turn away from the idolatry you have embraced."  

The message from the prophet Zephaniah was no different.  His message was similar to the other prophetical messages of his time (pleas of repentance by Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Joel).  However, Zephaniah himself was different than most of the prophets we have encountered thus far in our exploration of the great stories of the Bible.  

You see, Zephaniah was related to the very royalty and leadership that he was condemning.  That's right!  We open his book by seeing who his ancestors were and we quickly find out that Zephaniah was descended from the good King Hezekiah.  He also was ministering to Judah during the time of the good King Josiah who would have been a distant cousin, making Zephaniah one of the only prophets of the Bible with a "royal" heritage.   Despite the effort at reform by cousin Josiah, the people of the land had succumbed to their selfishness, corruption, and pride.  Josiah's attempts at turning the nation back to God were, unfortunately, falling on deaf ears.  You see friend, the people of Judah were not really that much different from the people of 1965...or 2021.  

God starts out His message through Zephaniah by proclaiming, "I will remove all things from the face of the earth..."  Why is God so ominous in His condemnation of the entirety of the earth?  Based on what we have read in Kings, Chronicles, and the other prophets of the Bible, the Israelites, both Northern and Southern Kingdoms, were unrepentant of their idolatry, which manifested itself in some specific areas of wrongdoing.

In the Bible, idolatry is defined as ANYTHING that has our worship (time, talent, treasure) other than God.  By the time of King Josiah's reign and Zedekiah's ministry, Israel had already been taken captive by the Babylonians (remember they had NO good kings at all), and Judah was on the precipice of being overrun.  How had the nation fallen away from the God who called Abraham and His descendants to be His chosen people?  

The time frame between Abraham and Zephaniah would have been about 2000 years.  That seems like a long period of time for a nation to slide into idolatry and fall away from God, but one must consider the grace and love of God.   He continued to be patient and long-suffering and brought His chosen people back to Him time and again.  He loved mankind so much that He put up with all of the disobedience of His chosen race to provide the ultimate way of restoration in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.   

"...Don't you understand what I'm trying to say?
Can't you feel the fear that I'm feeling today?..."

As you can see by Judah's example, disobedience leads to idolatry and a widening of the relationship gap between us and God, individually and collectively as a nation.  Yup, while it took Judah around 2000 years to get to this state of rebellion, it seems that perhaps it has only taken other nations a little more than 200 years to fall away from God.  But what are the sources causing the disobedience and idolatry of individuals and nations? 

The origins of disobedience and idolatry, like the messages of the prophets, haven't changed since Zephaniah's time.  While there are many, we would like to investigate the 3 we find most egregious from the time of Zephaniah, and the other prophets we have encountered,  and see if there are any similarities to our own culture.

First, the nation of Israel, before the division of the kingdoms, so desired to be like all of the other nations of the world, that they asked God for a king.  This intense desire to be like the "Joneses" got in the way of the love and devotion they were to have for God as the ONLY king they needed.  As would happen when imperfect mankind gets involved, these "leaders" became corrupt and power-hungry.  They do virtually anything to stay in power.  And this power ultimately becomes their God, substituting the most powerful Resource and Ally they could have for an inferior substitute encouraged by the enemy.  This insane lust for power drove these "leaders' both governmental and eventually spiritual (See Pharisees in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, The Gospels, "Pharisees" - biblegateway.com word search) to be blind to the things of God and continue to believe the lie from the enemy "...did God really say?" Genesis 3 NASB/AMP/KJV

Secondly, the perversion of the gift of sex had become rampant to the point that the Israelites/Judahites provided temple prostitutes, both male and female, for the temples of the false Gods they now worshipped instead of the one true God, Yahweh.  The pleasures gifted to mankind in Genesis that were to be exclusively held between 1 man and 1 woman were manipulated into obsessive desires, lusts, and yes an idol that was the pinnacle of an "everything goes" society.  Sex became a business from which to profit or a "do anything, anytime with anything" mantra to be adored rather than the sacred resemblance of the ultimate expression of love and relationship as 2 individuals become 1 to honor and glorify God.  Yes, polygamy was not distinctly criticized at this time, yet, again referring to the Genesis account, it was not the design by which God intended.  Genesis 2:18-24 NASB/AMP/KJV

Finally, wealth and the accumulation of it were the driving force behind many in the society of the day of the prophets.   Remember, resources are a tool to be used for God's glory, but can quickly become the framework for idolatry as one is incited to believe that there is never enough money for one to acquire.  Besides, money can buy you idols #1, and #2.  This blinding desire for the acquisition of resources destroys everything in its path, including any hope of a restored relationship with God. The Gospel of Jesus according to the tax collector Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16-26 NASB/AMP/KJV  The apostle Paul's first letter to Timothy, chapter 6, verses 6-10 NASB/AMP/KJV

As we mentioned, because of these causes of disobedience, God tells Zephaniah that He is about to remove everything from the planet. Zephaniah 1-3:11 NASB/AMP/KJV   After God details His discipline for the idolatries perpetrated by His chosen people, He then provides details of His mercy and grace as He paints the picture of hope for a remnant of His people.  

God defines what the future looks like for this remnant and it seems to be absolutely beautiful.  God describes this remnant as a "humble and lowly people" as they take over the land with joy and celebration as they no longer have to fear being on the eve of destruction.  God even goes so far as to promise to be among them.  God's presence will manifest Himself in ways that the people of Zephaniah's day will rejoice about and be amazed by. 

The lesson from Zephaniah?  Idolatry leads to destruction.  But there is a great reason to hope for the time when God will dwell among His people.  

As a postlude, Barry McGuire become a Christian in 1971 and began using the success of today's feature song in writing and recording Christian music.  In fact, he became one of the pioneers of "Jesus Music" and recorded 21 albums of Contemporary Christian and Children's music.  He continues to tour and speak based on the strength of "Eve of Destruction" and its several incarnations.  

Yes, we have idols.  Yes, those idols separate us from God.  But have hope, because God has paid the price for you to be restored to Him. His sacrifice for our restoration will be something you will want to tell folks over and over and over again, my friend.  

'Til Tuesday,

Loving Him by loving You,

randy

 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All Along The Watchtower" (Bob Dylan/The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Do you consider yourself a patient person?  Most people do not.  They want what they want and they want it now!!! (call JG Wentworth anyone?)  Let's face it.  We live in a world of instant gratification.  It's been that way since the bite was taken out of the apple?  (OH...it's to differentiate the logo from being a cherry!!!  Got it! sorry, different Apple, different byte...)  The intensity by which people want what they want is only magnified by the scarcity of said object. (I've been trying to get a dishwasher since January...but I digress...)

Let's face it, gratification can even come out of trying times ending.  We are relieved that we no longer have to be concerned over the said subject.  But there are times when the stressful times continue and gratification never comes to pass.  In frustration, one might even be heard singing..."There must be some way out of here...There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief...

"All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan from the December 27, 1967 album John Wesley Harding

Performed more than any other song by Bob Dylan at his concerts is the 1967 hit, "All Along the Watchtower".  It was released as a single, from its original album John Wesley Harding, and once as a live track in 1974 from the album Before the Flood.  Since it was released its interpretation has been one of immense speculation.  You may even find gratification in knowing your interpretation is included on this list!  Here are a few thoughts you might find interesting, or at least entertaining:  "Bob Dylan: All Along the Watchtower Meaning" - lyric interpretations.com  

Dylan has included the song on most of his "Greatest Hits" packages and on several of his live albums including Dylan and the Dead, the 1987 recording with the Grateful Dead (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Touch of Grey" (Grateful Dead)) While "All Along The Watchtower" continues to be wildly popular among fans, neither the singles nor the album cuts of the song have charted at Billboard to date.

That cannot be said about the Jimi Hendrix Experience version of "All Along the Watchtower".  

"All Along the Watchtower" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience from the October 16, 1968 album Electric Ladyland

The cover, released in September of 1968 rose up the charts and peaked at #20, the highest chart performance of any song by The Jimi Hedrix Experience at Billboard.  Hendrix encouraged pals Dave Mason (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "We Just Disagree" (Dave Mason)) as well as Brian Jones, who just happened to be a multi-instrumentalist and cofounder of a little band you of which you may have heard...The Rolling Stones ( Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sympathy For The Devil" (The Rolling Stones), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (The Rolling Stones)) to play on the single with Mason supplying guitar/bass and Jones handling the percussion licks.  Jones actually came up with the "thwack" in the introduction on an instrument called a vibraslap.  

The reception to the Hendrix version of the single was very strong in an obviously favorable way by critics, the public, and the song's original writer.  Dylan was so impressed by Hendrix's interpretation of the song that since the death of Hendrix in 1970 at age 27, Bob Dylan has performed the song the way it was recorded and interpreted by Hendrix, instead of the way he originally imagined it on John Wesley Harding.  

Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watchtower" appears at #40 on the most recent incarnation of Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (September 15, 2021) list.  Hendrix's version also made Billboard.com's  "The 22 Most Overplayed Songs in Movies" (February 10, 2015), lineup, by having been used in films like Forrest Gump, Rush, Watchman, and A Bronx Tale.  

It would seem that the time spent "All Along the Watchtower" proved very lucrative for Dylan and Hendrix.  It was also a resounding theme in the Old Testament for one prophet in particular.

 Habakkuk New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

"There must be some way out of here, said the joker to the thief..."

"How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."  Sounds like a conversation I had with God last week!  (Never talked to God? You might try it sometime.  There is a process that we mentioned last week (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Have You Ever Had To Make Up Your Mind?" (The Lovin Spoonful)) that you might find handy when doing so.) This is a conversation the prophet Habbakuk had with God about 2400 years ago.  Seems like it has some elements that have been ripped from today's headlines right?  Let's explore why Habakkuk cried out to God in this manner.

Habbakuk was an Old Testament prophet to the nation-state of Judah or the Southern Kingdom of the split-up nation of Israel. He would have served Judah as a prophet about 630 BC which would have made him a contemporary of Joel, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah. (Yup, you guessed it!  Next week's Note is on Zephaniah...wonder what song we'll use?). One would think with all of these prophets actively condemning the actions of the citizens of Judah that some repentance would have been going down.  Take heart pastors of today!!!  But no.  As we have seen with our other "prophetical" Notes, the nation of Judah would not soften its heart to the words of the Prophets and eventually suffered the same fate as Israel,  being conquered and carried away to captivity in Babylon.    

But the opening to Habakkuk is different than the other prophets we have studied in that his book is not sermons and condemnation of Judah but a plea to God!  We really don't hear very much about Habakkuk's message to Judah but we do get some incredible insight into God's character as He replies conversationally with Habakkuk.  The entirety of the book is the engagement that Habakkuk has with God regarding the impending destruction and captivity and his own frustration with no one seeming to listen to his or any of the other prophet's messages.  Take a minute and read the entire book...it's only 3 chapters and it provides an example of God's grace and mercy which you might be surprised to find out are two very distinct things that get convoluted at times. 

As a quick aside:

Grace can be defined as GETTING something you DO NOT deserve.  Mercy, on the other hand, is NOT GETTING what you DO deserve.  Grammar lesson complete, now back to our show, already in progress.

Did you read Habakkuk?  If not, please consider doing it sometime soon, in fact, stop reading The Notes and do it NOW.  No kidding, click the link it won't take you long and you will really dig it!!!

Did you notice the beginning of chapter 2?  "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." Habakkuk is waiting for God to answer one of his pleas and Habakkuk does so at one of the highest and most important places in the land.  The tower of the watch...that's right.  Habakkuk awaits God's answer...all along the watchtower!  AND he stayed there until God did answer him.  Now go read God's answer...

Sometimes when we pour our hearts out to God, we aren't patient enough nor do we place ourselves in the right posture to hear what He has to say.  Habakkuk was determined to get every word of God's answer so he could better prepare the messages to the nation about the Babylonians who were on their way. 

We wrap up our time with Habakkuk with his prayer in chapter 3 that serves as a testimony to Habakkuk's patience and God's providence.  Habakkuk's waiting is rewarded and he praises God through his prayer.  Go read chapter 3!  Notice that the majority of the prayer is one of praise, not one of penitence or elaborating on a list of desires for God to move.  Each one of these kinds of prayer has its place, yet at times, I don't think we take the time to pray the "praise" prayer as we should.  So in this instance, I guess that "all along the watchtower, prophets kept the view..." and patiently waited and praise prayed..." while all the women came and went, barefoot servants too..."

Read Habakkuk.  Have a conversation with God.  "Praise Pray".  Keep your watch all along the tower...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by serving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" (The Lovin Spoonful)

 

Decisions, decisions.  It seems that every day of our lives we are inundated with having to make up our mind regarding some topic or another.  Add to that a 24-hour news cycle that continually bombards you with "interesting" opinions and you have a recipe for a cornucopia of confusion.  

For some, decision-making is a methodical exercise comprised of obtaining as much information regarding the topic as possible, studying that information, allowing that study to permeate the neurons of your brain, and then poof!  There's the decision.  No turning back.

For others, decision-making is more simplistic.  "I have choice A or B.  Let's go with A."  That's it.  No contemplating, no considerating, no more than "yup, let's go with that one".  No turning back.

And even others make decisions very well on the fly.  Impulsively, they decide for something and against something else.  For example, I went into the record store and saw a used copy of The Lovin' Spoonful's Do You Believe in Magic.  Had to have it then. I decided for the record and against saving the money for something else.  Decision made instantaneously.  No turning back.

Then there are those who are a frustrating lot.  They will not make a decision.  Regardless of the information overload, no impulsiveness, no simplicity.  The just stew and stew and..."What do you think I should do?"  They are ALWAYS turning back...  Makes one want to ask them..."Did you EVER have to make up your mind?"...

"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind" - The Lovin' Spoonful from the November 1965 album Do You Believe in Magic?

This #2 smash was the 2nd release from The Lovin' Spoonful's debut album.  It followed the title track, "Do You Believe In Magic?" which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  

"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" was received well by the music critics of the time with its essence of the folk/pop styles that were growing in popularity in the mid to late 60s. Its easy-going melody accentuates the emotion expressed in a story which many find themselves at times, picking between two potential loves.  "...It's not always easy, it's not always kind..."  

"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" would join "Do You Believe in Magic?" as the beginning of 5 top 10 offerings by the band from the studio albums they recorded between 1965-1969. 

The Lovin' Spoonful has remained so popular that they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.  And even as late as February of 2020, 3 of the original members (John Sebastian, Steve Boone, and Joe Butler) performed a benefit concert for the Autism Think Tank.   The band still performs in concert, only Boon and Butler, however, continue as consistent touring members under the band's moniker.  

After leaving The Lovin' Spoonful, John Sebastion would make a moderate come back in 1976, with "Welcome Back", the theme song to the television show, Welcome Back Kotter.   Go ahead...sing it..."welcome back, welcome back, welcome back..." 

The theme would soar all the way to #1 and renew interest in Sebastian and everything that The Lovin' Spoonful had released previously. One would imagine that John Sebastian made up his mind quickly about the release of the single "Welcome Back".

Joel New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel 

Our story begins today with locusts and not just one kind of locust.  Here comes Joel the prophet, with HIS particular brand of the message of doom for Judah.  Joel was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah and was probably carried off to exile in Babylon with all the rest of the nation. The locusts that start off his 3 short chapters represented the Babylonians as they gnawed, swarmed, crept, and stripped Judah of its homeland and carried them off to be subservient for the next 70 years.  (As we have mentioned before, this is about the amount of time for 1 generation of folks to pass, or some folks to make ANY kind of decision...you know who you are!!!) These were images that the Judahites would have been familiar with as they had battled locusts (of one form or another) on a pretty consistent basis.  It is vivid imagery that immediately attracts the attention of the reader.  Entomologists rejoice!!!

gnawing locust

swarming locust

creeping locust

stripping locust

These images were provided just so you have an idea of what Joel was talking about and what the Israelites experienced.  Oh, and yes, these are the creatures the Bible tells us that John the Baptist (you guessed it, more about him in the future!!!) made a steady diet of while he was preaching in the wilderness...the wild honey had to help the taste, but the texture...crunch, crunch...taste like chicken...

After his illustrative description of Babylon's conquest, Joel continues his prophecy with continued warnings and recommendations for the posture in which the Judahites should take during the coming onslaught.  This involves being hungry because of the drought and wearing sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning and contrition.  So we find the Judahites starving and wearing some of the scratchiest material ever invented by mankind all the while having dirty, dusty, sooty, hair.  

Joel piles on more as he describes in very vivid language how the Babylonians will swoop down.  Images of mighty warriors like lions and the aforementioned locusts are scattered through Joel's discourse.  To make matters worse it seems the Lord Himself is blessing the Babylonians as they secure the demise that Judah had already witnessed with Israel (the Northern Kingdom) some 20 years prior.  

The remainder of chapter 2 relays the message that it is not too late to turn from the ways of the wickedness which they had perpetrated against God for so long.  "Yet even now, declares the Lord..." begins verse 12 as Joel tells them to turn from their ways and see what God's response will be.  Joel 2:14-32 NASB/AMP/KJV detail this response as He shows the nation just who He is and how He operates.  Joel even tells of the coming of Holy Spirit during Jesus' time, providing hope that all will not be lost forever and that their coming Messiah will bring about peace..."my deliverer is coming, my delivered is standing by..." thanks Rich Mullins!!!

But did you catch that decision-making time in verse 32?  "...And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Will be saved;..."  Yes, this is a promise that Joel gave as the response to the sun being turned to darkness and moon to blood when the great day of the Lord comes.  Think about this though friend, you don't have to wait to call on the name of the Lord and be saved.  You can do that before Joel's "great day of the Lord" prophecies come to fruition.  In fact, you could do it right now. 

Joel later describes multitudes found in a place called the valley of decision. "...Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!  For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (3:14)  Perhaps this is a place in which you can relate.  If you find yourself in a valley of decision, you just have to make up your mind and realize that God is waiting for you.

In this valley of decision you have to realize that no one is good enough on their own to restore their broken relationship with God.

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."  The Apostle Paul's letter to the Christian church in Rome, chapter 3, verse 23 NASB/AMP/KJV 

and 

"There is no one righteous, not even one..."  Romans 3:10 NASB/AMP/KJV

In this valley of decision, you must realize that because of this separation, we deserve to die and be separated from God forever...

"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned..."  Romans 5:12 NASB/AMP/KJV

In this valley of decision, you must realize that God in His mercy and grace, provided a way for our separation from Him to end...

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were sinners, Christ died for us..."  Romans 5:8 NASB/AMP/KJV

In this valley of decision, you must realize that God's provision is a gift you can choose...

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord..."  Romans 6:23 NASB/AMP/KJV

In this valley of decision, you must realize that salvation from sin, resolving the broken relationship, and spending eternity in God's presence is a point of great joy, celebration, and proclamation...

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."  Romans 10:9-10 NASB/AMP/KJV

So, friend you see, everyone has to make up their mind about what they will do with the person of Jesus.  Don't wait until the day of the Lord to come out of your valley of decision...

Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one (God) and leave the other (yourself) behind
It's not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by loving You, 

randy

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