Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You've Got To Stand For Something" (Aaron Tippin)

Happy World Penguin Day!!! What? Really?  You don't dig penguins?  Ok, I'll try again.  Happy DNA Day!!! Oh, so you're not into genetics either. Ok, maybe this will grab you!
IT'S TUESDAY!!!  Yeah?  Me Too!!!  Welcome to The Notes!!!

April 25th is an interesting date and a very personal one for me.  Let's get to the historic, then we'll move to the personal, shall we?  

In 404 B.C., the Peloponnesian War came to a close, halting the fighting between the Spartans and the Athenians.  

In 1792, Nicolas Pelletier was the first man ever to be executed by guillotine.  Paris, France was the site of his losing his head.   (sorry, I should have resisted...)

In 1901, the state of New York became the first to require license plates on cars.

In 1947, pins rolled at the White House as President Harry Truman had a two-lane bowling alley installed.  

In 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.  Happy DNA Day!  Oh, wait, we've done that already...

and in 1946, she was born...

I must confess that April 25, 1946, has always been very special to me.  My mom, Peggy, was born on that day.  We always tried to celebrate her special day, even if it was just with a "Happy Birthday" phone call.  Her favorite gift was having us all together, enjoying a meal that she had inevitably cooked.  She wasn't one for too much fanfare, but on her special day, she allowed it.  

Mom's birthday was the last of 3 that we celebrated in April.  My Great-Aunt (we called her "Aunt Bee", her real name was Vera) celebrated her birthday on the 18th, one week ahead of Mom's, and mine was exactly 3 weeks ahead of Mom's on the 4th.  We liked to tease that we partied for the whole month.  Cherry Chip cake on my birthday, fried catfish and all the fixin's on Aunt Bee's, and the strategically planned full-course meal that she rarely accepted any help in preparing on Mom's special day.  Are you jealous of our party month yet?

I had many incredible influences in my life, both male and female, but these two ladies, especially Mom, had things that to this day continue to provide direction and reflection as I come to decisions and the pathway that my life takes.  One of those was her intense love of music, specifically Country and Pop.  And in 1991, a Country song debuted that pretty well summed up the way that she and Dad had raised my brother and me.  Mr. Tippin offers some pretty sage advice in his debut single:


Co-Written with Buddy Brock ("Watermelon Crawl" #4 Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart), "You've Got To Stand For Something" quickly became a Country hit in the Spring of 1991 for singer/songwriter Aaron Tippin.  It peaked at #6, the first top ten single for Tippin and the only single of the three released from his debut to make it into the top 20 on the Billboard Country chart. (#40, "I Wonder How Far It Is Over You", and #54, "She Made A Memory Out Of Me") "You've Got To Stand For Something" would be covered and released as a single by Charlie Pride (a legend in Country music with 30 #1 Country chart songs) in 1992, but despite his longevity and success in Country music, Pride's single failed to chart. 

The song came at the time of the Gulf War and became increasingly popular with the troops who were serving.  It was so popular that it drew the attention of entertainer Bob Hope who after hearing the song invited Aaron Tippin to perform it in his USO shows that were appearing in the region at the time. 

The strong performance of the title track spurred the entire album to a Gold certification as it also became an anthem for blue-collar workers across the US and served as the set up to Tippin's first #1, the wildly popular, "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With The Radio".   

9 studio albums, (6 Gold and 1 Platinum), and 30 singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart (3 of which went #1), all stand on the foundation of that debut single and our feature song of the day.  And quite honestly it states a platitude that more and more folks should embrace.  It certainly was an ideology that my Mom could back pretty quickly!  The good news is that she had gotten it from an example that she had read about years before...


In today's passage, we are introduced to Stephen, one of the men chosen to tend to the physical needs of the growing number of disciples of Jesus.  The apostles were finding this a task that began to distract from their opportunity to preach repentance and salvation and determined that it would be best if they developed a team of men to see to the daily physical needs of the Jesus community.  Many consider this the first selection of the role of Deacon in the church. Specifically, the men were to ensure that there was no one neglected nor any favoritism shown during the dispersal of food to the widows.  Everyone thought this a good idea so seven men were chosen to serve.  The Bible says that the ministry continued to grow, so much so that even some of the priests, who had been some of the most vocal opponents of The Way, became obedient to the faith.  

Stephen served as an enabler to the new Jesus movement in its growth and is described in a couple of ways in Chapter 6.   Verse 5 describes him as a "...man full of faith and the Holy Spirit..." as he is being selected for service.  Verse 8 later describes him as being "...full of grace and power..." as he was performing great wonders and signs among the people.   Sounds like Stephen was an excellent selection for the apostles.  Not everyone, however, saw Stephen in such a lofty status.  

As Stephen was beginning to see the results of his personal ministry to the people, pushback ensues.  The source of the resistance is a synagogue that contains a variety of ethnic backgrounds as its members.  These men challenged Stephen.  They were perplexed to discover that they could not refute what he was saying or how he was saying it as he spoke with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.  Inflamed by their frustration, they set up "witnesses" (all of whom provided false testimony) who spoke of Stephen speaking blasphemy.  These sources noted how Stephen had spoken against Moses and God and in so doing, they stirred the crowd against Stephen.  This crowd now included religious rulers whose lifestyles were already being threatened by the fact that the Jesus community was blossoming at a fast rate.  This "legal" presence realized that if they were to have any curtailment of Stephen's actions it would have to take place with the ruling religious Council's blessing.  

The false accusations continued in the presence of the Council.  As they watched the actions of the accusers unfold, they took notice of Stephen.  "Now Daddy didn't like trouble But if it came along, everyone who knew him knew which side that he'd be on..."  Stephen was showing no sign of fear.  No anxiety etched across his face as the accusations were growing against him.  Verse 15 says that the council stared at him as his face had the appearance of an angel.  

Remember that these rulers had 3-5 years earlier had to deal with Jesus who had been the reason this entire group started.  One would imagine that they were a little hesitant to go down that same pathway.  Here's an interesting article that sheds some light on why they approached Stephen somewhat differently than they did Jesus.  The stoning of Stephen - Why were the Jews allowed to stone Stephen but had to go through Pilate to kill Jesus? - gotquestions.org  Unlike Jesus, who remained silent for the bulk of his trial(s) when asked about the accusations, Stephen began to take these "scholars" on a history lesson they would never forget.  In the next 49 verses, Stephen unpacks the history of Israel.  With each passing moment, Stephen disarms his accusers as he relays the stories of Moses and the Prophets.  Never once does he blaspheme or disparage these patriarchs of the faith.  In so doing, he shows how time and again, Israel failed to follow God's pathway for them.  Stephen put on display their history as a treatise on how they did not stand up when they needed to and they fell for any fad that would come along.  He sums up his defense by leveling similar accusations at the Council. They too were succumbing to the ways of the world and in so doing were "stiff-necked" towards God and the work of His Holy Spirit.  Stephen leans on the example he had from the trial of Peter as he repeats the declaration that the ruling religious Council were the ones who murdered the Jesus whom he follows and in so doing, do not keep the law any better than their forefathers had.  

This causes the entire group to lose their minds.  Stephen however, remains calm and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  When Stephen tells them about this, it is the last straw.  In their minds, Stephen is perpetrating the lie about Jesus being alive from the grave.  They covered their ears and had a "la, la, la, I can't hear you!!!" moment as they began the mob sentencing of Stephen.  The Bible says that they drove him out of town and commenced stoning him.  

Luke takes this moment to introduce Saul, a character that will have a dramatic impact on what we will discover as we proceed through the New Testament.  The mob is stoning Stephen and in the process lay their outer garments at the feet of Saul.  Check out this sneak peek at how we've talked about this moment before Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Blinded By The Light" (Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

As Stephen is being stoned and begins to die, he cries out to the Lord to receive his spirit.  In an act of incredible forgiveness, Stephen begs God to not hold the sin of his murder against those who were perpetrating it.  Stephen never compromised on what he thought was right and with this last act, he displayed his convictions by following the example of Jesus.  

As we see this early example of the persecution of believers in Jesus, the question today is friend, where do you take your stand?  If you are a believer, you will face conflict, perhaps even to the level that Stephen faced.  How will you react?   If you are not a believer, you will face conflict as well.  Do you stand up for what you believe?  Are your convictions strong enough to sustain you through the intensity of what that may entail?  There are many "anythings" waiting for you to fall for as we navigate this life.  The enemy plants them along our pathway to confuse, and dilute our opportunities for salvation and restoration.  It is only with the power of the Holy Spirit that we can face ALL of these challenges.

Mr. Tippin's song makes a valuable point.  It was a statement my mom demonstrated to me as she and Dad led by example.  And it's one that Stephen, the apostles, and other disciples since that time have surrendered everything for.  Is it one you are prepared to sing?  Is your "something" actually the Someone? "You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything"

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy

 

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Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Jailhouse Rock" (Elvis Presley)

Welcome to Tuesday and thank ya, thank ya very much for checking in on the music and musings that is Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is the place where new songs are found, old songs are rediscovered and the iconic is revered and treasured.  Sometimes the song of the day is "new" (new as in it comes from this millennia or we've never heard it before), and sometimes the song of the day is "seasoned" (oh yeah, that means exactly what you think it means, it has nothing to do with spices...).  But all of the time, it is a song worth discovering or replaying.  

Perhaps you have visited The Notes and discovered an artist that hasn't quite reached the heights of "icon" status, but you really like their music.  We hope that is the case as with each passing week, we realize that our favorite back catalog of artists and songs may be music that you have never heard of before.  Our challenge is finding just the right song to bring to you every week.   Sometimes that becomes a treasure hunt all of its own.  Certainly, one we enjoy as we have found out information about new and favorite bands all along the way as we bring you their music.  That information can be very positive, but on some rare occasions, we find our favorite musicians have created their songs as a result of coming right out of the pokey.  Could that be the definition of "Jailhouse Rock?"


and as a Tuesday's Musical Notes extra, another film version of the song...


Some of the greatest songs of all time have been written explicitly for motion pictures ("AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs" article from Wikipedia).  Today's song is a fine example of one of those songs.  (It came in at #21 on the AFI list.) "Jailhouse Rock" was the title track and first single from the five-song motion picture soundtrack EP.  Sung by Elvis Presley (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley)) and written by Grammy Award-winning songwriting duo, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song would go all the way to #1 on 6 Billboard charts, including #1 on the Hot 100.  It became Elvis' eighth #1 single.  The song continues its legacy as it has appeared in several "greatest hits" lists including #67 on the original version (2003) of Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.  It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016.  

"Jailhouse Rock" was the title of Elvis' third feature film. The song solidified a film career that would span 31 features for the Rock and Roll legend.  ("Elvis Presley on film and television" article from Wikipedia) We'll let you be the judge of the quality of said films.  Ok, some are just kind of fun to see how our culture, and filmmaking for that matter has changed.  And you may note, that none were nominated for ANY kind of film award.  They do tend to show up on Turner Classic Movies and American Movie Classics on occasion.  

The characters of the song were provided by actual people and groups.  "Shifty Henry" was a well-known Los Angeles bass player.  "The Purple Gang" was an actual mobster organization.  and "Sad Sack" was a World War II nickname for those down on their luck who served in the military as well as a Comic Strip that debuted in 1942.  This caused the song to have even more appeal as its use of familiar names engaged the listening audience.  This is not the first time, however, that familiar names have been associated with prison life...


Over the last couple of weeks, we have witnessed in the Bible the events that occurred after the first Easter.  The disciples had regrouped, been imbued by Holy Spirit, and began doing what Jesus had instructed them to do; tell the Gospel, encourage folks to repent and be baptized, and make more disciples.  The apostle's actions, specifically Peter and John, roiled the ire of the chief priests and the scribes, the religious rulers also associated with the Pharisees, who had perpetrated the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.  The interactions between the priests and the apostles at the temple became so contentious that the priests had the apostles arrested.  After not finding anything of which to convict them, they chastised the apostles and prohibited them from their preaching.  

This imprisonment and release served to heighten the awareness of Peter and John's preaching.  They had no need for provisions as the community that was developing around them provided for its own by having donations given by the new disciples.  More attention came to the burgeoning Jesus movement as the story of Ananias and Sephira's deceit and immediate death became known.  

Emboldened by these events and the crowds that were coming to salvation,  the apostles' continued preaching the message of Jesus' love and redemption despite the warnings given by the high priest.  Seeing this as insurrection, the high priest had them thrown into a public prison.  What happens next can only be described as a miraculous jailhouse rock...

An angel of the Lord lets the apostles out of prison and tells them to go back to the temple and resume preaching.  I don't know about you, but if someone just let me out of prison without the aid of keys or explosives, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do what they say.  Which the apostles did.  At daybreak, they are back at the temple beginning to preach.

The priests weren't aware of this latest activity.  They called a council meeting of all of the religious rulers and summoned the prisoners to be brought before them.  When the jailers went to the cells, they were astonished.  The doors were locked, and guards were in place, but the prisoners were nowhere to be found.  The captain of the guards and the rulers were "perplexed" as 3 of the 4 above passages read.  While wondering what to do next, the report comes that the prisoners are back at it again at the temple.  Fearing that the people might revolt (the apostles were popular and friendly to the common folk) the guards brought them peaceably back into the council's presence.  "Didn't we tell you to stop it? And what's worse, you are bringing this man's blood on us!" shouted the council members.  The last portion of their statement reveals much.  Perhaps they are far more worried about the perception of the illegal trial and crucifixion of Jesus than they are of the apostle's message of Jesus' love and redemption.  

Peter's reply should serve as a rallying cry for every believer that comes under persecution.  "We must obey God rather than men..."  He then doubles down on the account of their treachery about Jesus and his victory over their efforts to silence Him.  

This incited the council to become as furious with the apostles as they had been with Jesus.  But just before they decided to execute them as well, calmer heads prevailed in the form of Gamaliel, a pharisee who was respected by all people.   Seeing that the apostles had gained favor with the people, Gamaliel's advice is to be patient and wait to see what happens to this movement.  He relays the stories of previous leaders who had attracted folks to themselves and how those groups disintegrated at the leader's demise.  His suggestion was that this circumstance was no different.  Furthermore, in the event it was different, chances were it was from the God they served and they need only read their nation's history to see what happened to those who opposed God.  

This seemed appropriate and wise to the council.  They still flogged the apostles and commanded that they not continue speaking in the name of Jesus.   Yeah, that ought to do it...

The apostles had been thrown in prison, released and commanded to go back to teaching by an angel, called back before the council, sent out during deliberations, called back in, beaten, and told to no longer speak in Jesus' name.  After all this, what did they do?  Everybody in that whole cell block was dancin' to the jailhouse rock...  They rejoiced that they could have suffered shame because they obeyed Jesus' commands to tell the Gospel and speak in His name.  The Bible says that they did this at the "...temple and from house to house..." every day.  

What were the apostles teaching and preaching that so offended the religious rulers?  Luke sums it up beautifully as this chapter comes to a close.  

"And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ." (verse 42)

Jesus as the Christ was the message.  The Jews of that day understood this as Jesus being the long-awaited and prophesied Messiah.  

So friend, how have you responded to Jesus as the Christ?  Have you believed what the entirety of the Bible proclaims about Him?  That message is that Jesus provides the way to freedom from the jailhouse of sin to which we are born.  Jesus provides the sacrifice necessary for the perfect relationship between God and man that was broken in Eden to be restored forever.  Jesus provides you and me individually the opportunity to come to Him and receive forgiveness, parole if you will, as well as an eternity future in the perfect presence of God.  Jesus is the Messiah that the Jews were waiting for and the Gentiles (that's you and me) didn't know they needed.  Through Holy Spirit, Jesus is now calling to you to take up your cross (yup that means you may have to suffer as Jesus did) and follow Him.  Doing this ensures that you will someday be dancin', dancin', dancin' to the jailhouse rock...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><
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Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Honesty" (Billy Joel)

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters, cannot be trusted with important matters." - Albert Einstein

"Honesty is often very hard.  The truth is often painful.  But the freedom it can bring is worth the trying." - Fred Rogers 
"Always tell the truth.  That way you don't have to remember what you said." - Will Rogers


We are hearing much about today's topic in many headlines. Let's face it honesty and the absolute truth are becoming harder and harder to come by.  Everywhere we turn around, we find ourselves hearing tales that we question. Even in the "trusted" media of the nightly news.  It is a rare occasion that you should believe very much of what you read or hear on social media.  Wouldn't it be simpler if everyone were just honest?  

Every conversation seems to have three sides; one each of opposing sides of the given issue, and then somewhere in the deep recesses of the middle lies THE truth.  It is sometimes very difficult to suss out the truth but as Mr. Rogers put it above, "...the freedom it (the truth) can bring is worth the trying."   Let's face it.  In the world of 2023, all I want is someone to believe...


Billy Joel (https://tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com/search?q=Billy+Joel, lots more Billy Joel on Tuesdays at this link; oh yeah that was a "Shameless" archives plug) shows off his songwriting chops with the 1979 hit, "Honesty".  It was the third single from the Billboard Album Chart #1, Grammy-winning album 52nd Street. ("My Life" peaked at #2, and "Big Shot" peaked at #14)  "Honesty" peaked on Billboard's Hot 100 at #23 and solidified Joel as a record-selling force as the arrival of a new decade was rearing up.  It received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year at the 1980 Grammy Awards and proved to be an international hit, going to #1 in France.  It also was certified Gold by the Recording Industry of Japan by having over 100,000 downloads as a ringtone.

In 2008 Beyonce covered the song and it was later included in her third studio album, I Am...Sasha Fierce.  

Lyrically complex, "Honesty", belays a touch of cynicism as it tells the story of the search for a true love that is well...honest and true.  The search goes through the difficulties that all relationships experience, with a focus on the desire to find honest romance.  Resisting the urge to listen to those who tell him what he wants to hear further adds to the convoluted search which ultimately results in the fact that at some point or another, everyone has a proclivity to mislead and hedge on the truth, even in our attempts to be good, we sadly fail often.  

Imagine how our world would change if honesty were the policy that enveloped us together and bonded us in unity. History, however, shows us that even in a unified utopia honesty is such a lonely word...


After Peter and John's arrest and subsequent release, believers in Jerusalem began sharing resources with anyone who had need.  They did this to such an extent that none of those in their community were completely satisfied. This allowed the apostles to preach and encourage others to repent, be baptized, and join with those who followed Jesus.  The addition of more people encouraged even more giving to the group with folks selling land and giving the proceeds to the growing community of believers to ensure that no one had a need of any kind.  

This passage also helps to introduce us to the future apostle and mission companion to Paul, Barnabas.  He is described as a Jew from Cyprus whose name means son of encouragement.  Wow, how would you like to have that moniker your whole life?  That's a pretty big name to live up to!!!  Barnabas is one of those who sold land and donated the proceeds to see the Gospel promoted and make sure that its adherents had no needs.  It seems that Barnabas begins a trend as others followed in a similar practice.  However, as happens so many times, as we proceed in the narrative, we see a kink in the honesty pathway that causes some of the first distress we see in the new movement. 

A man named Ananias decides to get in on the good vibes of giving.  He walks in and places "all" of his proceeds from his sale of land at the feet of the apostles.  "...everyone is so untrue..."  Through Holy Spirit's power, Peter knows what is going on and calls Ananias out on his deceit. "...honesty is hardly ever heard..."  As with all decisions, good or bad, consequences result.  Yes, Ananias had sold a property, and yes he was giving proceeds from that sale to the first Jesus Movement.  But there's more here than meets the eye.  "...But if you look for truthfulness, You might just as well be blind.  It always seems to be so hard to give..."

You see, Ananias and his wife Sapphira conspired together to keep some of the proceeds.  Yet, Ananias, it seems portrayed the gift as a full portion of the proceeds.  Peter rebukes him and says that it wasn't a sin for him to have property, nor was it any matter to the apostles what he did with his property, but to attempt to mislead everyone into thinking that he was doing as Barnabas and others had done was the height of deceit and sinful.  The consequence of Ananias' sin?  He dropped dead after Peter had finished admonishing him.  As one would imagine, this caused great distress among the believers.  Luke tells us that young men collected Ananias' body, carried him out of the presence of the apostles, and buried him.  "...But I don't want some pretty face to tell me pretty lies.  All I want is someone to believe..."

After 3 hours had elapsed, Sapphira came looking for Ananias.  When she approached Peter, he allowed her to come clean about the property proceeds deception.  Not knowing of Ananias' demise, she repeated the conspired tale suggesting that the property had been sold for a specific price.  Peter again calls out the lie and tells Sapphira that she will suffer the same fate as Ananias.  She immediately collapses and those who had carried and buried Ananias repeat the process.  This solidifies a healthy "fear of the Lord" among the early believers which also spilled over into the community as they heard about Ananais' and Sapphira's fate.  "...I can have security until the bitter end.  Anyone can comfort me with promises again..."

What happens next?  The apostles continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus, accompanied by what Luke describes as "signs and wonders".  It seems that the religious rulers wanted no association with the new sect and distanced themselves.  This distancing seemed to have an opposite effect from what was desired as the common folks held the apostles and disciples of Jesus in high esteem.  This admiration poured over into belief as Luke details that increasing numbers were accepting the Gospel of Jesus.  The excitement grew to the point that they were bringing out the sick and suffering for healing, some being healed by falling into Peter's shadow.  Luke says that folks from cities around Jerusalem heard about what was going on and flocked to the city with their sick and afflicted so they might be healed as well.  Luke affirms the fact as he closes this section of today's passage by simply stating that "...they were all being healed."  "...But when I want sincerity tell me where else can I turn.  'Cause you're the one I depend upon..."

So friend, how's your honesty quotient?  Followers of Jesus are not perfect and I confess that throughout my life, my honesty quotient is not the number I would hope it would be.  Don't get me wrong, I think of myself as a pretty honest, straight-up guy.  But, we have to remember to whom we are comparing.  

The Gospel of Jesus is our measuring stick.  Jesus' perfection is our goal.  Sometimes as we read the account of His life, we see Jesus being brutally honest to the benefit of His followers.  Yes, compassion must play a factor in our interactions with others, yet, we must never be so concerned over their feelings, or hurt feelings, that we betray truthfulness and honesty.  This can have consequences as well.  "...Honesty is such a lonely word..." but as the Piano Man describes, "...and mostly what I need from you..."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><
 

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Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Brave" (Sara Bareilles)

Welcome to Tuesday!  

We hope this week's edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes, first of all, finds you and yours safe.   We were dramatically reminded last Friday in the central part of the United States what the entry into Spring can mean for those in Tornado Alley as March roared out like a lion.  All along the Mississippi River corridor, storms ravaged towns small and large, and displaced thousands if not millions.
The Notes encourages you to contribute generously to relief efforts for those affected by the storm's devastation.   Monetary gifts if you can, service gifts if possible, clothing, and other needed resources would certainly be welcomed and appreciated.  Check websites for reputable routing sources and relief centers.  Attempt to do as much locally as you can so you make sure your community gets your gifts.  The Notes is praying without ceasing for those who have been affected.   

Did you know that Tuesday's Musical Notes is produced by Cross & Kin Productions?  While Tuesday's Musical Notes has been around for over a decade (go check out our Top Ten of the Decade countdown here:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Ten Years Gone" (Led Zeppelin)),  we recently launched our second family-friendly endeavor over on YouTube, our channel Cross & Kin.  The newest video is Cross & Kin's Creative Director (who happens to be my daughter) Kristen and me, imagining how we would use modern-day actors to recast the classic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" (Heather Ripley, Adrian Hall, Dick Van Dyke)).  Check it out at Cross & Kin - "Let' Recast It! Episode 3 - "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang"".  While you're there (Cross & Kin YouTube channel) check out all of the other videos we have and watch for a new Cross & Kin every other week!  As Kristen always says, "Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, Comment, and click on the Notification Bell to see when the Next Cross & Kin drops.  

Let's see...mentioned the need for tornado relief...promoted Cross & Kin...seems like I'm forgetting something...Oh Yeah!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!  It is the reason you came here in the first place, isn't it? 

This week a new song discovery from an artist whose music I am beginning to appreciate a little more with each song with which I am exposed.  Her name is Sara Bareilles. Her song that I discovered today..."Brave"


Yup, I have danced like that a couple of times...oh the college years after our first last date, first kiss, when she said "yes"...but I digress.  The music video was directed by actress Rashida Jones (Boston Public, The Office, Parks and Recreation, et.al) I bet she danced too...

"Brave" was written in 2013 by Bareilles and Jack Antonoff (lead singer - Bleachers, drummer, guitarist - Fun).   It was the first single from the fourth of seven studio albums by Sara Bareilles and was produced with the intent of getting a good rotation on popular radio. This it did pretty well as it went up the charts all the way to #23 marking it Bareilles' third single to crack Billboard's Hot 100. (2007's "Love Song" from her first album, Little Voice was the first. Peaking at #4.  "I Choose You" from The Blessed Unrest peaked at #81.)

"Brave" received positive reviews and got the airplay that a #23 ranking on the charts merited.  It also marked somewhat of a departure from Bareilles' normally jazz-influenced, introspective lyric, slower ballad offerings..  "Brave" makes you wanna get up and dance with the folks in the video with its upbeat sound and lyrics...well maybe at least tap your toe some.  

As fun as the song is, it is not devoid of some controversy.  But let's face it, don't most fun or at least engaging songs come shrouded with a bit of controversy?  This one, however, involves Katy Perry and her song "Roar", which was released four months after today's featured song, "Brave".  They are so much alike that fans took to social media in droves to defend their favorite version of the song.  Fans were far more impassioned about the similarities than Bereilles or Perry as they cited their friendship and stayed far above the fray, suggesting that the airplay of one song supported the discovery and airplay of the other.  Kudos to both artists for taking the high road! 

Here's the outcome of the outcry, if you will, the YouTube mashup of both songs:  Roar vs. Brave Mashup  Both songs encourage folks to be the best person they can be while remaining true to themselves in the process.  "Brave," I think is a bit more fun and encompasses a more encouraging message to speak out when you know you are right.  The Notes suggest that before being brave or bold and speaking out, that you make sure you are absolutely positive that you are right, much like some fellows from ancient history that we have visited before...


"...Everybody's been there.  Everybody's been stared down, by the enemy.  Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing..."

The apostles of Jesus were some of the bravest folks ever recorded in history.  They had been witness to events that we can only imagine.  They had followed their teacher/master for three years watching Him heal, and love folks in ways they had never witnessed before.  While they did not completely understand all that was going on and everything Jesus taught, they did stay with Him until His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Fearful for their own lives and in a moment of unquestionable doubt and trepidation, they scattered throughout Jerusalem.  Two of them, Peter and John, likely saw the execution of Jesus on a cross and undoubtedly felt guilty at their inability to do anything about it. These same two apostles were startled by women who saw an empty tomb (which believers celebrate this weekend, He is risen!! He is risen indeed!!!).  Peter and John rushed to the tomb and encountered events that reminded them of what they had been told;  "tear down this temple, and in three days I will rebuild it..."  They gathered the remaining disciples together in secret and waited as they had been instructed to do.  They then watched in awe as the risen Jesus appeared before their eyes promising a Comforter/Helper that would take His place.  They were emboldened by power through Holy Spirit rushing on them like a mighty wind and they were never the same, fearful, doubtful, trepidatious folks ever again.   How do we know this?  History records that all of the apostles persevered through extraordinary persecution, and all but one died, as martyrs.  To me, that speaks of undying bravery.

Today's Scripture has a theme that resonates to encourage us today.  The folks in Jerusalem, especially the ruling class, were astounded by the authority and boldness by which Peter and John spoke.  They were made keenly aware of this as the crippled man from last week's passage stands beside the apostles healed by His belief in the Gospel they were proclaiming.  Inflamed by the acts of the apostles, the priests arrested Peter and John and kept them overnight in prison while they determined what their next course of action would be.  

Peter and John never wavered in their convictions and were seen as bold even by their captors, further confounding the issues the religious leaders had with them.  Peter and John's message however resounded among the people and many lives were changed as people in Jerusalem believed the Gospel about Jesus.  The Bible says the count was 5000 men.  Women and younger men were probably among those being saved but weren't numbered because of the culture of the time thus making for a much larger number than 5000.  

The next day, the high priest and his "council" met to determine what to do with Peter and John and to hear what they had to say for themselves.  "By what authority did you heal this man?"  Door open...Peter walks right on through.  "...Say what you wanna say.  And let the words fall out.  Honestly, I wanna see you be brave"

Oh to be so brave when I'm given such an opportunity.  Peter lets them have the full Gospel of Jesus as he recounts by whose power the man was healed.  In the process, Peter takes the opportunity to remind this priestly council that they were the ones who had ordered the conviction and crucifixion of Jesus.  Peter concludes with the absolute bravest thing he could possibly say, "...And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Then it clicks with the priests...these guys are the ones who were with that Nazarene!  They speak with such boldness and authority we hardly recognized them as the uneducated Gallileans who followed Him.  And then the conundrum.  "What are we gonna do with them?  We can't throw them in jail and prosecute, there is nothing they have done. And 5000 men just came over to their cause.    I know, so this movement doesn't keep spreading, let's sternly warn them to not speak in this name ever again..."  Does this seem as ridiculous to you as it does to me? 

Peter and John had their "brave sockets" hypercharged by Holy Spirit.  There was no way they were going to be backing down from this stern warning.  What is the apostle's reply?  "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment;  for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  The council warned them again and let them go. Scripture says the rulers were intimidated by the surge of folks who were praising God on account of the man who was healed who was more than forty years old and had been crippled since birth.   The crowd saw a reason to rejoice and it emboldened them, even in a season of compromised rulers and Roman oppression, to be brave and celebrate God's miracle.

The apostles go back to their gathering of friends and fellow disciples and tell them everything that happened.  Then they joined their voices and praised God through prayer and Scripture at the events of the day.  God's affirmation of their prayers comes in the form of the place where they were gathered being shaken and Holy Spirit's power being manifested in everyone there.  The Spirit's power was so palatable that they all began preaching and speaking about Jesus with the boldness that Peter and John had exhibited earlier.  Imagine how many other folks got their lives changed because these believers, infused by Holy Spirit, were brave, as they spoke about Jesus and what He had done for mankind, His victory over death, and the restoration to God that He offered.  

So how brave are you friend?  If you are a believer, do you boldly go about letting your life actions, choices, and speech denote one who follows Jesus under any circumstance?  Will you be brave and proclaim Him as Lord and Savior over your life?  Will you allow Holy Spirit's power to infuse your life, enabling you to do things that fear and timidity have held you back from doing?  Will you be brave as persecution begins to rear its head in the United States, not just in countries in the Middle East?

If you are not a believer yet, will you be brave and investigate the claims that Jesus makes?  Will be brave as you explore the Bible, Old Testament, and New and see the lengths that God has gone to have a restored relationship with you?  Will you be brave as your friends and perhaps your family question your motives and actions, while Holy Spirit is drawing you to Himself?  Will you be brave and surrender to that drawing and give your life to Jesus?  

"...Don't run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is..."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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