Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstood" (Wilco)

 


On the other hand, some songwriters pen a lyric that is difficult for comprehension.  Their intention for the lyric's meaning is one thing, and then someone pipes up a different interpretation, and before you know it an urban legend is born or a viral meme is created.  As always here in Notesland we wish to corroborate our claim and thus we present, for your consideration, the following article.  At the signpost ahead...sorry wrong storyline, but another fine example of iconic entertainment that had many episodes that were misunderstood...


Did you have as many "whoa, aha, or wow!!!" moments with that article as I did?  This confusion on what folks say versus what we think they say happens all the time.  Misconstruing the lyric or thought can happen either through complacent listening, listening for what you want to hear, or a lack of education regarding the context of what is being said or sung.  That being said, I suppose, if fault or blame were to be laid at the feet of anyone for the lack of comprehension, it would have to go to those who are listening.   Because of the above reasons, as well as others.   

Active listening is the best solution for never having a differing opinion on what has been said.  It does, however, involve more than just your ears.   It incorporates asking clarifying questions if you don't completely get it, eye contact, and an educational level similar to the ones who are speaking.   If you don't employ and practice the art of active listening, or attentive reading, you will very quickly find yourself being accused of being...


I confess, my knowledge of the band Wilco comes from the occasional listening of a track or two when I ran an Entertainment Specialty store back in the 90s.  Wilco was formed from the breakup of the band Uncle Tupelo.  This breakup spawned not only Wilco but the band Son Volt.  (debut release Trace in 1995).

The second album from the band was a double album, released with a single album price in the hopes that it would spur sales and recognition to avoid a sophomore slump.  It was a self-produced album coming off the heels of their 1995 debut release A.M. 

The album derived its name from the Melvyn Douglas, Shirley MacLaine, and Peter Sellers award-winning movie of the same name. It features a more introspective lyrical content as Jeff Tweedy, the band's founder, had become a new father.  It was the only Wilco album to feature a steel guitarist and was the last album with multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston.   

The first track from Wilco's second album Being There is pretty impressive, even though "Misunderstood" didn't warrant a single. "Misunderstood"  sets the stage for what will be an investigation into lyrical metaphor and life experience.  It seems that Tweedy decided to take his experience as a music maker and a music listener and put them into a blender to see what would happen.  "Misunderstood" is the result of that smoothie. It meanders about discussing the breakup of Uncle Tupelo and takes shots at Tweedy's former bandmate Jay Farrar as well as the music industry at large all the while claiming that it did not wish to be Misunderstood.  

Musically "Misunderstood" has a pleasing aesthetic in my opinion.  Again, I'm not a fan of the band, but I could quickly find myself getting Being There as an album to add to the Cross & Kin garage.  If you read the liner notes, I guess you have to do that online now, you can quickly see how "Misunderstood" shows up on a list of well...misunderstood songs...and does a good job of setting up this week's introspection into ourselves... 


We've discussed the "misunderstood" before here at The Notes:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding" (Genesis), and Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" (The Animals)  We've also had a couple of conversations about specific parts of our feature Scripture:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Opposites Attract" (Paula Abdul), and  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All-Star" (Smash Mouth)

Today we tie up those conversations in what I hope you will perceive as instruction and advice, not rant and rave.  Please let me know if I wind up being...misunderstood.

One of the arguments I continually hear about reading the Bible is that they find it difficult to understand.  They have a healthy respect for the Bible and they fear that they will misunderstand some portion of it and it will do more harm than good.  Or they discount the Bible as a piece of literature with nothing important to say.  Please refer to the above discourse on why things, in general, are mistaken and apply accordingly to this very topic.  

Yes, the Bible can be misunderstood, misinterpreted, taken out of context, and used to suit one's purposes.  That's why it is so important for it to be read.  It is the foundational literature for believers, yet according to Barna Research's State of the Bible 2021: Five Key Findings - May 19, 2021 barna.com, a full 50% of the US population read the Bible 2 or 3 times...A YEAR.  (emphasis mine)  The study would report that only 11% of respondents read the Bible every day, and a full 29% never read the Bible at all.  That means 60% of the respondents read the Bible from 2-3 times a week to 2-3 times a year.  It is no wonder, we are considered the most Biblically illiterate culture ever AND the ones who so often misinterpret and misunderstand its divine wisdom.  

One of the most egregious malformations of interpretation often occurs in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian church.  We've talked about the first 3 chapters previously and today we investigate chapter 4.

As we've said, the letter to the church at Philippi has a positive-adjacent tone.  Paul attempts to applaud the church for what he hears is the result of their work.  Remember, Paul is writing this while being incarcerated in Rome.  

He opens his last portion of the letter by once again expressing his intense love for them and encourages them to stand firm in their faith so that their stance will also be a witness.  He then digresses into personal matters of encouragement and instruction for Eudoia, Syntche, and Clement.  

Beginning with verse 4, Paul begins a portion of the Bible that is perhaps the most misused, at the least, and heretically taught, at the most, of all Scripture.  "Rejoice in the Lord always." is his initial thought.  Sometimes we skip over this and just get to the part where God gives us what we want if we ask for Christ's strength.  More on that in a moment.  Note the two keywords in this verse:  "rejoice" and "always".  These words set up everything that Paul is about to write and serve as the foundation upon which he can credibly write them.  

Paul talks about gentle spirits and nearness to the Lord.  Paul sets up a big reveal as the church at Philippi gains an understanding of what a well-rounded life of a Child of God, and brother/sister to Christ who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit will look like.  "Don't be anxious".  That sounds like a command to not worry to me, and Paul follows that up with a testimony to let our requests be known to God.  Paul doesn't tell us that God will always respond with a resounding "YES" to our requests.  Please notice that.  As we gain God's calm and peace in our lives, our minds are guarded in Christ who quickly becomes our focus, replacing the cares and concerns of this world.  

In verse 8 Paul repeats a "Fruit Of the Spirit" like theme, encouraging the Philippians to pursue things that are "True, Right, Honorable, Pure, Lovely, and Commendable."  He then posits that our minds should be enveloped with things that are "excellent and worthy of praise" (Maybe mirroring the mind of Christ?) Paul then repeats a familiar phrase, if you have learned anything from me that matches the list above, put them into practice, and show others.

We now get to the portion of the letter that I think is the most "taken out of context" in all of the Bible.  Paul launches into his gratitude for the Philippian's concern for him.  He tells all of the trials and sufferings that he has seen in his life since becoming a believer.  He confesses "contentment" regardless of his circumstances (a practice that our Western culture would do well to learn) He then describes the circumstances to which he has been contented.  "little; prosperity, being filled; going hungry, having abundance; suffering need"  He then makes the declarative statement:  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"  You see friend, before you can make this statement of faith and dependence, you have to have experienced times that tried your faith and caused your dependence.  What I mean by this, is that Paul can make this statement because he is CONTENT.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is not some "name it, claim it" or prosperity gospel theology.  It is the confidence to know that because Jesus died for you, you can live for Him no matter what your circumstances because you are content with Him. He is always enough. And we should rejoice.

So pastors and teachers, please stop using Philippians 4:13 as your encouragement for folks to go out and attempt things that God has not called them to do.  Leaders and elders, stop using Philippians 4:13 as a catch-all for your church's capital campaigns or enrollment goals.   Believing friends, stop using Philippians 4:13 to challenge yourself to be less, or more than God has called you to be.  He has called you to good works, but those are YOUR good works, not mine.  And mine are not yours.  Athletes and actors...well, I'll leave it there...  
Be content with who you are in Christ and He will enable you to do the things He has called you to do.  

Paul had the absolute right to claim that he could do all things through Christ, he survived a litany of troubles and tribulations.  Paul's 2nd Letter to the church at Corinth, chapter 11:23-27 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  Unless you have lived through all the things Paul describes in this letter, I would be careful to attempt anything claiming Christ's strength, unless it is in His will and His plan which you are doing it.

Paul closes his letter to the Philippians with another round of gratitude for being the first church to support him with resources.  Regardless of his past as a persecutor of the church, Paul realized that this church was the supplier of his needs as he traveled preaching the Gospel to other regions.  He asks God to bless the church at Philippi as the church has blessed him.  

Scripture can easily be misunderstood if you don't make a consistent habit of reading it.  Scripture can easily be misunderstood when you don't read it in its complete context.  Philippians 4:13 has been and unfortunately will continue to be misunderstood if we do not read it and experience those things that Paul survived to enable him to make that claim.  Yes, we will have our struggles and if we face them with content and rejoice always as we go through them, we can be assured that the realization that it was Jesus' strength and not our own that brought us through.    

Jesus died for us.  We live for Him.  He has a plan for us to do specific good works.  Our role?  Face those good works, and yes maybe even trials, with contentment and rejoicing, and be careful to not be misunderstood.



Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy



Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" (Mother Abbess from the Cast of The Sound Of Music)


Welcome back to Tuesday and another edition of the blog about music and life, Tuesday's Musical Notes.  We've had a lot of that life happening in Notesland recently and decided to take a small vacation.  We posted every week for over a decade and decided that with some of the changes we had occurring in our part of the world, it was time to take a brief break, recapture The Notes magic and breathe.  


Everyone has those moments in their life where a reset happens. Sometimes those are under our control, others not so much. Regardless of the circumstances the reset occurs and our lives take a dramatic pitch in a different direction than the one in which we were headed.  Has this ever happened to you?  I sure hope that you were able to take a break and navigate the new with an optimistic spirit and an attitude of adventure.  If you are still in the midst of the reset and you're a little bummed, take heart and breathe in, breathe out.  Eat a nice meal.  Certainly take time to reflect on the changes in your life and see how the best outcomes can happen.  If possible, take that break.  We all need them.  Psychoanalysis complete, proceed to the next portion of your favorite blog...

Recently we had the opportunity to speak at the memorial service for a college friend.  She had an indomitable, positive outlook on life even after she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  As a vocation, she was a music teacher. She however, fulfilled many roles as a friend, confidant, mentor, teacher, musician, cheerleader, and all around good gal.  She was one of those kinds of folks that everyone should have in their lives.  She was Marta Holt.

I met her in the fall of 1984 when she joined the Marching Razorback band of which I was a part.  As I was introduced to her, I remember having the thought, did she just sing all of her words?  She adored music and whenever given the opportunity would burst into a melody that she knew.  It was not unusual to have her sing part of the conversation you might be having with her.  She was such a positive person that my roommate, Jeff and I, would purposefully do things to aggravate her to see if she would fuss at us.  Needless to say, while we might have gotten the "Marta look" on several occasions, she never seemed perplexed at our sometimes relentless teasing. 

Marta was a "creative" before the term became cool and hip.  I knew her first as a gifted saxophone player in the band, as I got to know her, I saw that her giftedness extended to vocal music of which she was a major, as well as sewing arts (she stitched a really cool Razorback small wall hanging for me while we were in school).  In recent years, she had taken up the artwork of hand making quilts. For a long time, it had been my intention to get someone to make a quilt of my many college band, college dorm, and college life t-shirts.  When I discovered this talent of Marta's I instantly reached out and commissioned her to make a quilt with those t-shirts.   What came of this commissioning is a priceless treasure and beautiful piece of artwork that encapsulates the "fun" aspects of my collegiate experience.  She was overjoyed at how it came out and I think perhaps maybe even a little jealous that it was mine.  Each patch has a unique story, many of which she took part in.  When it was complete, she cheerfully welcomed us into her beautiful, hilltop home and unveiled this heirloom as she had it displayed for us to see.
  
As a teacher she had decades to influence generations certainly in the areas of music, but also in life.  Marta served as a great example to younger teachers of how to have an impact on the lives of students, not just fill them with knowledge to pass standardized tests.  It seemed that my life was not the only one positively and forever impacted by the "Marta Force" that was this dear friend.  
 
Marta made those around her better.  This is a quality to which we should all aspire.  She never allowed someone to give up on their dreams, even if they had given up on it themselves .  This was proven to me in a very personal way.  I can attest to the fact that Marta is one of the reasons why I have a college degree today.  The Spring semester after I had met her had been unexpectedly rough.  I was ready to give up on my college degree dreams.  Marta would not have it.  She encouraged me, rather forcefully as I recall and certainly with a song and a "Marta Look", to register again for the Fall Semester and get ready to make changes. 
 
I changed majors, found a great collegiate advisor and started all over. Those changes ultimately led me to be at college when I met the love of my life, majored in business and began to succeed in school, and see a future that was hopeful.  Without her encouragement, many things in my life today would be different, probably not for the better. 

Marta's presence, positiveness, and encouragement were integral in my life.  Those characteristics of her life serve as an example of how I want to live my life and her entire persona reminds me of another piece of encouragement from long ago...

While she never wore the habit of a nun, (she probably played one in a musical she performed so she might have after all) she really was that person in my life that could have easily sung this special song to me...


In the movie adaptation of the brilliant Rogers & Hammerstein musical, Peggy Wood portrayed the role of Mother Abbess.  However, due to the range needed by the song Margery MacKay did the voice over for the song.  Peggy Wood was not alone in seeing the song as difficult.  Ladies who would play the role on stage also found its Written into the musical to give an inspirational lift to Maria, the song delivers in its memorable placement in the musical as well as its lyrical content.  On Stage the song was done as the conclusion of the first act.  The movie differs in its placement of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" as the opening of the 2nd act.  The movie version proved so hard to sync lyric with track that they eventually had to film Mother Abbess in silhouette to allow for the song to be perfectly in sync later.  



In today's focal passage we see the Apostle Paul begin an encouraging vein in his letter.  Remember, Paul had already experienced many trials as he went about his missionary journeys and was at this point writing to the church from prison.  Even through his tumult he encourages the church to "rejoice in the Lord".  This instruction to praise leads into a passage of warning about the society in which they live.  Paul then redirects their attention to the One who enables them to rejoice even in the hard times.  He counts all of the gains he has made in his life as things that are worthless when viewed through the lens of Jesus.  He says that the "surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" is worth more to him than anything in which he had succeeded or the experience he had gained by overcoming the trials that he faced.  

He then establishes the fact that while he had this attitude, he did not consider himself as having "arrived".  He realized that he had much to learn and experience before his time was done.  "...Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus..."  (vs. 13-14 NASB)  He realizes that there is much that God has planned for him and that he is to "climb every mountain" to make sure God's plans for him are accomplished.  "...follow every by-way, every path you go..."

The back half of this chapter is filled with the reminder that we are not permanent inhabitants of this world.  Yet, there are those who are deceitful in their walk and don't truly follow Christ.  Paul encourages them to be discerning even in their interactions with believers.  "...For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."  I'm not sure about you, but I'm ready for such power to transform my body and become a citizen of heaven.  My friend Marta has now experienced that power.  But until it is my time to be transformed, I will "Climb every mountain, ford every stream..." and attempt to do it like my dear friend Marta did. 

Thanks Marta (December 14, 1965 - May 31, 2024)

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><


 

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Heigh-Ho" (Roy Atwell, Otis Harlan, Billy Gilbert, Pinto Colvig, Scotty Mattraw, as The Seven Dwarfs)


Welcome to Tuesday and the latest blog from your family at Cross & Kin Entertainment.  If you haven't been to our YouTube channel, Cross & Kin, lately, you might click your Happy self over there and revel in the weekly, that's right I said weekly, offerings of Star Wars Month, currently playing.  This week we've made a few folks Grumpy with our ranking of all the Skywalker Saga feature films.  Want to see which one we pick as our favorite? Don't be Bashful, go on over there now!  We'll be right here waiting when you get back.

Welcome back!!!  Well, what do you think?  Star Wars Month is becoming quite the annual tradition at Cross & Kin and we hope you enjoy the weekly content we're offering right now.  It sure beats going to your Doc because you've been Sneezy with all the allergies that prevail outdoors.

Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes, the aforementioned blog offering that features some of your favorite music from the past and, every once in a while, music that's a bit more current.  We love music around here.  Music that makes you want to jump up and dance and music that even makes you Sleepy.  Music that causes you to contemplate life, and even music that, well sometimes, to put it mildly, is just a bit Dopey.

The Notes takes these featured songs, tells about the principles involved, and unpacks the history, and then, honestly, it's a little hard to explain what we do next.  The best thing to do would be to get started or in other words...it's off to work we go!


The music for "Heigh-Ho" was composed by Frank Churchill with lyrics by Larry Morey. It comes from Walt Disney Pictures first animated feature film, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. "Heigh-Ho" is instantly recognized as a Disney musical classic, and while harkening to the first appearance of The Seven Dwarfs in the film, it falls after the first quarter of the film is over, being placed at #5 on the track listing.  

"Heigh-Ho" was originally released on side 2 of a 3-disc 78 rpm single. It was 1938 after all. (Side 1 - "With A Smile and a Song", side 3 "I'm Wishing/One Song", side 4 "Whistle While You Work", side 5 "Dwarf's Yodel Song, and side 6 "Some Day My Prince Will Come") Of the 6 songs released as singles, "Heigh-Ho, "Whistle While You Work", and  "One Day My Prince Will Come" are the favorites and most memorable songs from the soundtrack with, in my opinion, "Heigh Ho" being the better of the three offerings. 

All three of the 78's were top 10 ten offerings simultaneously in February of 1938 placing the motion picture soundtrack as a staple option for the music-loving public and those who wanted to hear the music of their favorite films somewhere besides the movie theater. The soundtrack for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1938. It was the first commercially released soundtrack from a motion picture ever. In the 86 years that have followed, multiple soundtrack reissues have been made available on all music formats.


While considered a fantasy or a fairy tale by many, it was taken from a German fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm published in 1812, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has important themes that make the movie especially endearing today in a world where some of those themes are being cast aside or ignored.  One of those themes is a good day's work. 


Paul continues his encouragement letter to the Philippians by suggesting to them that if they find anything encouraging in Christ, consoling in love, with a fellowship of the Spirit, if they have any affection or compassion for him, Paul asks them to make his joy complete by having the same affectations for each other.  Because without unity the body will suffer.  He furthers his instruction by telling them to be on the lookout for the needs of others ahead of their own needs, by this you are imitating Paul who is imitating Jesus.  This lesson applies to believers today as the folks you encounter should know Jesus because you are like Him.  There is a good statement that suggests that we may be the only Jesus someone sees...a lot of truth there.  I fear that in many ways the Western church in recent years has let this "imitating Jesus" ideology slip a notch or two. But, I digress. 

Paul continues his "imitation of Jesus" message by writing another quotable from Philippians.  Verse 9-11 has profound truth that our world so desperately needs to hear from the lips of believers lovingly;  "For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  

We started today with a happy "I get to go to work" type of song.  The dwarfs (or is it dwarves, or maybe height-challenged folk?) appear genuinely excited to put in a hard day's work.  Yes, they are tired after their labor. Before Snow White shows up their home sure shows that they don't do much when they get home from work, they must have been really tired, that place is trashed...  

Paul launches into a conversation regarding work in chapter 2, verse 12 of the letter.  He instructs the believers to "work out their salvation in fear and trembling".  Let me be clear about something here.  There is nothing that either you or I can do to obtain salvation.  That "work" has already been done through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  His love for us served as the "work" that needed to be done.  There is no super spectacular feat that you or I can do that will get us to heaven, it is only through the name of Jesus that anyone can be saved.  Otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift.  Paul's letter to the church at Rome (Romans), chapter 6 verse 23 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJVPaul's letter to the church at Ephesus (Ephesians), chapter 2, verses 4-9 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV We need only to believe this.  

The work to which Paul is referring is exactly what he has been writing the Philippians about; becoming more like Jesus.  The "work" is how we imitate Jesus in the world.  In verses 14-16, Paul provides some pointers on how we do this "work". Do all things without complaining or arguing.  How do your church's staff meetings/deacon's meetings/business meetings go?  Do you we prove ourselves "blameless and innocent" in our interaction with other believers?  Are we above reproach among our peers in business practices and daily walk?  Are we light in a dark world?  Do we embrace the precepts of the Bible firmly?  When we are under pressure about our belief in Jesus, what is our reaction?  Do we rejoice amid persecution?  

Paul finishes this chapter with the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, two men he has mentored in the faith and certainly imitators of Jesus.  The Philippians are familiar with these men and their character. Paul reinforces the fact that they are also spokesmen for him as they have ministered to him while he was in prison even when Ephaphroditus was so ill he almost died.  There's something about that whole laying down your life for your friend thing going on there.  The Gospel of Jesus as recorded by John, a fisherman, chapter 15, verses 12-14 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

One final thought before it's off to home we go.  In the movie The Seven Dwarfs were some of the wealthiest folks in the land, yet when it came down to needing to save Snow White, their "diamonds by the score" and "thousand rubies, sometimes more" did absolutely nothing in the face of the Evil Queen's plan.  It took their efforts, their "work", and their selflessness to make sure their friend was saved eventually that day.  Sure, Prince Charming had something to do with it, but he didn't get to sing today's featured song.

For our friends and loved ones to be saved from the plans of the enemy, we have to put in the loving effort by working on our salvation daily through selflessness, love, and a firm hold on to what the Bible has to say about being children of God and believers in Jesus.  Again, this "work" is not to obtain our salvation, but done out of gratitude and love FOR our salvation.  And someday, when every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord...we can sing..."Heigh Ho, heigh ho...it's home from work we go...insert your best whistle here...

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "And When I Die" (Blood, Sweat, & Tears)

It's Tuesday and it's time for The Notes!

What is your legacy?  No, really, for what will you be known when you pass from this existence?  Do you have kids or grandkids to which you have passed sage wisdom?  Or perhaps, you have amassed a nest egg as an inheritance for them to have a better life than you have experienced?  Maybe, your legacy is a nice combination of both of these things. 

Throughout history, this question has been levied on folks as they have lived their lives.  What or how you invest in your legacy does not, however, guarantee a good reputation or fond memories from friends and family.  As I get older, what my kids and grandkids (and even friends and acquaintances) remember about me becomes more and more important.  Was I a good dad, was I a great friend, was I a good boss when given those responsibilities?  Did I love well?  Don't get me wrong, I don't lie awake at night and ponder these things, nor am I plagued by any of the potential answers to those questions.  But every once in a while I do give a brief moment of service to the statement..."And when I die, and when I'm gone..."


Written by Singer/Songwriter Laura Nyro, "And When I Die" was first recorded by the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1966. (Peter, Paul and Mary Sydney Opera House - 'And When I Die') Laura Nyro followed it up with her recording in 1967. (Laura Nyro - "And When I Die"). But in 1968 the world was further introduced to the jazz-rock fusion band Blood, Sweat, & Tears with their take on the song.  Their version soared up the charts peaking at #2.  Blood, Sweat, & Tears, like so many bands of the time, missed going to #1 because the Beatles were topping the charts during the same chart season.  In this instance, The Beatles had the #1 single, "Come Together/Something". 

"And When I Die" is the third single from the eponymous Blood, Sweat, & Tears, the second album from the band. ("You've Made Me So Very Happy" and Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Spinning Wheel" (Blood, Sweat, and Tears) were the other 2 chart-topping singles from the album. Both of which also stalled at #2.)  The album was produced by James William Guercio who was working with another little horn band at the time.  You might have heard of them...Chicago. Tuesday's Musical Notes archive search: Chicago 

When Blood, Sweat, and Tears recorded the Nyro song, they made some subtle adjustments as you can tell from the recordings linked above.  The single version was edited from the album, as most singles were at the time. This was done to make the single more favorable for the "3-minute window" radio favorability playing time.  The album version featured the instrumentalists in one additional bridge, as well as having, some of the "pauses" in between verses be a bit longer.  

The most recent cover of the song was from the Billy Childs', Laura Nyro tribute album: Map To The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro. This cover featured keyboardist Childs with Americana vocalist Alison Kraus.  (https://tuesdaysmusicalnotes.blogspot.com/2018/06/tuesdays-musical-notes-missing-yoTuesday's Musical Notes - "Missing You" (John Waite/Alison Krauss)u.html)  Their combined efforts with the classic song garnered them a Grammy Award For Best American Roots Performance in 2014.  

Despite its title, "And When I Die" lyrically portends hope for the future as the next generation comes along to promote peace and take our place when we are gone.  Overall, I like the song, but there is one passage that I find somewhat troubling.  "...I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell... Why?  Well, I'm glad you asked!


When last we visited, yes, I know it was 2 weeks ago...this retirement life...thankfully I start back to work this week and will have more consistency with The Notes.  But I digress...When last we visited, the Apostle Paul was in prison writing to believers all over the regions he had traveled in his missionary journeys.  (See The Notes beginning in June 2023 referencing chapters 9-28 of Acts of the Apostles as recorded by Dr. Luke.)  

In these letters, Paul addresses situations that he has heard were causing difficulties in the church.  He also writes great words of encouragement to those churches that are facing these challenges as well as to those bodies of believers who are working hard to get the Gospel of Jesus presented to their communities. 

Today we find Paul writing the church in Phillipi. He had spent about 3 months there establishing the Jesus community and encouraging their boldness. Acts of the Apostles as recorded by Dr. Luke, Chapter 16, verses 11-40 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  Historians tell us that the church at Phillipi was the first Christian community of believers in Europe.  By the way, Philippians is my favorite New Testament book for reasons that I hope become evident over the next few weeks.  

Apparently, the Phillipian church was doing well.  So why would Paul need to write to them?  Let's dive in with Chapter 1.  

Customary greetings open this letter as Paul describes the emotion he feels for the church.  He assures them that he has been praying for them and their leaders as they have participated in the Gospel since it was mentioned to them.  Phillippians is a book of the Bible that is oftentimes quoted and we see one of those quotables in verse 6 where Paul tells them; "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus."  I don't know about you but I would love for just about anyone to say this to me, much less someone of the spiritual stature of the Apostle Paul.  Understand also, that the "completed" work is something that is a partnership.  Even though Jesus begins the good work and will complete it in His time, we must do our part in continuing the work that was started UNTIL it is completed in Jesus.  I recently saw a meme that stated, "If it's not good, God's not done,"  The good work that God is doing in us through the Holy Spirit will not be complete until we are gone.

As the letter continues, Paul expresses his love for the church and its members in his encouragement through these verses.  He speaks of "overflowing love" that is based on "real knowledge" and "discernment".  He also states why he desires for their overflowing love to abound because it enables them to discover excellent things and causes them to seek after those things that will reduce their temptations.  In these passages, Paul is careful to give credit where it is due in praising Jesus because of the Phillippians "having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ."

Paul then launches into a portion of the letter where he tells of the consequences of his imprisonment.  Surprisingly, he alludes to the fact that his being in jail has had the positive circumstance of the Gospel being preached more readily.  Grant it, some of the folks are telling the Gospel out of "envy and strife" and others are feeling emboldened because of the positive attitude of Paul's immediate captors towards the Apostle.  Regardless of the reason, Paul celebrates that the Gospel is being preached.  

Paul segues into a discourse about what might happen next.  "And when I die, and when I'm gone..."  In some of the most well-known passages of Scripture in the Bible, Paul begins speaking of the separation of the physical body and the heavenly body.  He makes the bold proclamation in verse 21, "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  

"I'm not scared of dying
And I don't really care
If it's peace you find in dying
Well, then let the time be near..."

Wow.  This is difficult for any generation to understand much less those who were Paul's main audience.  He unpacks this statement in the remainder of the chapter.  What Paul is saying is that part of him, his spirit in a different body will keep going on even after the body we understand in this world is done.  His spirit which is now aligned with Jesus will be in the presence of Jesus at the time of Paul's final breath.  So for him, if he lives, he gets to keep preaching the Gospel and writing encouraging/accountable letters and if his physical body ceases, he gets to be with Jesus.  Paul is conflicted by this dichotomy.  But even in the conflict, he is content that either outcome is a wonderfully acceptable occurrence as he strives to be more like Jesus.  

There is much debate about this passage of Scripture.  I certainly have my own ideas based on what I have read in the Bible, yet I would encourage you to do your own research.  What does it mean to be absent from the body and present with the Lord?  Ask Holy Spirit to guide you as you attempt to understand what Paul is saying here.  Open your heart and mind to the possibilities of an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God.

Paul aids the Phillippians in trying to understand this mindset by encouraging them further. Verses 27-28 say,  "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God."  

Paul is saying, "Act like Jesus" regardless of your circumstances.  Paul further suggests that their faith is an encouragement to him as he faces his prison sentence.  He adds one final bit of motivation to the believers in their battle against those who would oppose them.  He says that their very opposition is a "sign of destruction for them".  But for those who are faithful and firm in one spirit, it is salvation.  I don't know about you but I could use that kind of encouragement daily.  Yet that goes with a bit of a warning in the last 2 verses that for those who believe in Jesus and are bold about their belief, suffering will be the result.  

In all of his letters, Paul considers the folks of the churches that he helped to establish as his children.  In this sense, maybe Laura Nyro also drew some inspiration from Paul's letter to the Phillipian believers as he questions what the remainder of his life might be, "...there'll be one child born in this world to carry on, to carry on..."

Loving Him by Loving You,
randy 
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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Way You Do The Things You Do" (The Temptations)

Have you ever considered your reactions to people?  No really.  How do you react one-on-one or in a group?  What happens if you disagree with someone's discourse?  Do you find yourself shrinking and giving in to their opinion, or find yourself defensive and ready to start a fight?  Perhaps you are between these two extremes and neither find yourself fighting nor flighting. You may be the type of convivial person who gets along with everyone. 

Or perhaps you are drawn to those kinds of positive folks. Every day we navigate relationships with family, coworkers, and even strangers that we encounter.  How you react to them and find a relationship with them can make a difference all proving that it does matter The Way You Do The Things You Do...


This great classic by The Temptations was written by two members of a different band.  The lyrics were provided by The Miracles, Bobby Rogers, and Smokey Robinson.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "We Are The World" (USA for Africa))  It came about as they were coming up with a variety of pickup lines while passing the time on the long bus journey.  When they realized they had the makings of a song, they passed the song on to The Temptations who had struggled to get a hit single.  At that point, the fellow-label group The Temptations, had only one single hit the charts, the 1962, #22 song "Dreams Come True".  The 2 groups were touring together as a part of The Motortown Revue.    

The recording came after founding member Elbridge Bryant and been fired, thus allowing for the classic lineup and sound for The Temptations that are so well known today.  With an assist from realigning lead vocalists, the group that would become known worldwide was developed and their course was set.  It seems when we have a little help from our friends who do the things the way they do, it can serve to be beneficial all the way around.


On occasion, as we have traveled chronologically through the Bible, I find that I missed something in my eagerness to get to a favorite portion.  My apologies have to go out today as I skipped over one of Paul's very important letters, written around the same time as he wrote Colossians, Paul's letter to Philemon.

Paul writes this letter while in prison to one of the leaders of the church in Colossae.  Philemon had come to Jesus as a result of Paul's missionary outing through the region and with the partnership of another new believer Epaphras, quickly helped to establish the church in their town.  

We then read about the story of Onesimus.  He is a servant, perhaps even a slave to Philemon.  Paul doesn't elaborate on the offense, but Onesimus had illegally wronged Philemon and fled the area.  In his fleeing, he encounters Paul and becomes a Christian.  With his newfound faith, he has the desire to make things right with Philemon, and thus the point of the letter we have today.

Paul, as he does many of his letters, opens with a prayer.  A great example to us today as we begin any new endeavor or any endeavor at all.  In his prayer, Paul uses language to elude to the topic of the letter that is about to transpire, praying for the partnership that springs from faith in verse 6.  This springboards into a portion of the prayer that elaborates on the equality we have in Jesus as we work together to see His kingdom fulfilled. 

As Paul concludes his prayer, he makes a point of telling Philemon, that partnership and equality are already things that Philemon does.  He displays in his everyday life the Koinonia, the idea of sharing and mutual participation, that Jesus-followers should display.  He then bridges into the topic of the letter.

Philemon is such a good man and has found ways to propagate the Gospel of Jesus in the way he does the things he does.  Paul, because of his confidence in Philemon's life and the relationship he has built with Onesimus, goes on to request that Philemon not only forgive Onesimus but welcome him back as the brother in Jesus that he is.  Paul leverages (not in a bad way) his relationship with Philemon to the point that he says, "If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). - Philemon 17-19 NASB

This is incredible.  But it is the way that Paul did the things he did.  He was so caught up in doing things as he thought Jesus would do them that he was able to write this letter and have the confidence that Onesimus' acceptance by Philemon would happen even to the point of reimbursing Philemon for whatever it was that Onesimus had done.  

So you see friend, the way you do the things you do matters.  It matters to those close to you and could matter to someone you have just met.  And it certainly matters to those who may have done you wrong. If you are a believer in Jesus' redemption of your soul, you must show this to the world and be an example that the way you do the things you do matters.  And just for kickers....have a smile so bright, you know you could have been a candle...

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Love Is A Battlefield" (Pat Benatar)

 

Welcome to Tuesday, the day after the total eclipse.  No, not Bonnie Tyler's 1983 single but the actual moon movement in front of the sun that occurred yesterday afternoon. (and no, there hasn't been a Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" yet, but I hope you at least checked the archives, you know the ones over at the left, listed by year, month, and then title),  It was quite the folderol around these parts.  Me?  Nope, I didn't get into all the ruckus, I just quietly went into my backyard and looked up at the sky with vision protection.  After all, it isn't recommended that you see ANY eclipse with the naked eye that is if you ever want to be able to see again.  It was quite the phenomenon, but I'm glad it's over.  Don't get me wrong, I find all of it fascinating, but like so many neat things in this world, humans blow things out of proportion and someone somewhere gets a lot of profit from something that is a naturally occurring event.  Perhaps cynicism creeps in as you turn older.

If you wonder, "What in the world have I clicked on?" you're probably in good company.  Let me explain.  This is a blog.  This is a blog about music.  This is a blog about music with a different perspective than most blogs about music.  It has been going on since the end of May 2012.  Except for 1 song, we've never had a featured song get repeated AND except in the past couple of months, we've never missed a week of posting new musical information with an insight that you might find surprising.  (My apologies for the recent inconsistencies, I retired in December and haven't quite got the rhythm of not going into a store or office yet.  But I'm getting there...we'll see what happens)

In its 12-year history, Tuesday's Musical Notes has accumulated over 180,000 views from all over the world. (Hey Hong Kong, are you guys reading or is this an AI trying to figure out how to write The Notes? All-time views you still have a way to catch up with Singapore, but keep trying!!!) Thanks to you if you have been here before and have propagated some of those views by reading.  We love the opportunity to find new things out about our favorite musicians and their songs, but more importantly, you have allowed me to discover a few things about myself that I had never picked up.  Maybe you have as well.  Hopefully, these are things that better prepare us for the battlefield that can be our lives.


fast forward 41 years...


Every so often a musical act will release a live recording of one of their concerts.  This recording usually encapsulates the feel of what it would have been like to have been in attendance at said concert.  These concerts include some of the artist's greatest hits and several tracks from the newest album release that the concert is supporting.  I confess that "live albums" are not my favorites...unless they include a new studio track that isn't available on any other release.  I can only think of a couple that do that. Styx did it with "Music Time" from Caught In The Act ("Music Time" by Styx from the April 1984 album Caught In The Act)  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - Styx archives) and today's featured artist Pat Benatar (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (Pat Benatar)) did it with "Love Is A Battlefield" from Live from Earth.  Can you think of any others?  

"Love Is A Battlefield" was released on September 12, 1983.  It was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman and produced by Benatar's guitarist of 45 years and husband of 42 years, Neil Giraldo.  It became an instant Benatar classic with its female empowerment message and accompanying video offering.  It has sold over a million copies and is listed at #30 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s list.   "Love Is A Battlefield" ties with Benatar's other classic "We Belong" as the highest charting of her catalog peaking at #5 on the Hot 100.  The song, even though it was more electronic and dance-oriented than Pat Benatar's previous singles,  garnered Benatar her fourth consecutive Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1984.  

But let's talk about that music video.  Let's face it, while female performers flourished during the 80s, few spoke up about female empowerment or came off as hard-rockers like Pat Benatar.  "Love Is A Battlefield" became a rallying cry for ladies to take charge of their lives even though things can get pretty tough.  The video for "Love Is A Battlefield" encapsulates this messaging in a poignant but edgy manner and makes Benatar's lead character very imaginable and relatable to women of all professions, not just to the Taxi Dancers.  The choreography for the video was designed by Michael Peters who is in the video for a cameo.  

The video is also unique in that it is the second-only video to feature dialogue in its storytelling.  (Philip Bailey's "I Know" was the first: "I Know" by Philip Bailey from the January 1983 album Continuation)  The "Love Is A Battlefield" video features the then-30-year-old Benatar as a runaway teen who longs for a different life.  We see the battles she goes through as she leaves her home as a rebellious teen and then finds continued challenges as she discovers life on her own, winding up as a Taxi Dancer.  This is a bar where a group of women are employed to dance with those who wish to pay for each dance.  This profession winds up being the worst of her challenges and once again she takes a stand finding herself in a major skirmish for her and her fellow dancer's freedom.  Interspersed is the idea that she might be returning home on the bus we continually see her on.  The video was nominated for the MTV Video Award for Best Female Video.  

The story the video tells is a familiar one.  We may not be a teenager facing the consequences and yes, battles that come with the decisions we make, but all of us do have to face the consequences and battles of our lives, regardless of the age we may be right now.  How we attack or retreat in those battles says much about our character.  Do we stand and face our challenges head-on, or tuck tail and run?  The Apostle Paul is a great example of one who faced many battles in his life.  He has some wisdom for the church at Ephesus that all of us can use as we go one skirmish at a time.


For many, this passage will be familiar.  We love those kinds of portions of the Bible that are well-known regardless of one's belief in Jesus.  This is a Sunday School passage that is easy for children to understand, and memorize, but there are many adult applications that I think we miss out on if we leave our understanding at Sunday School.  Let's look at each part of the Whole Armor of God.

Sometimes we jump right into the armaments that we skip over verse 10.  "Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might."  This is awesome!  We don't have to rely on our own physical or mental prowess to face our enemies.  As long as we are His, we are strong because of who the Lord is and we have His strength to face anything the enemy may put in front of us.  

The next thing that Paul encourages us to do is have the WHOLE armor of God.  If one of these pieces is missing we are vulnerable in a vital area.  So how can we make sure that we have all of our armor in place?  I have a few suggestions that are a running thread through all of Notesland.  

First, make sure you are communicating with God.  There are 2 vitally important ways to accomplish this, reading His word and praying.  We really should be students of the entirety of the Bible, the WHOLE Bible if you will.  Also, we must be constant in prayer.   Not just for those things that are concerns in the battle we face, but prayers of confession and repentance about the ways we will blow it, the skirmishes that we may lose, because we've not followed the battle plan.

Secondly, we need to encourage other saints and be encouraged by other saints.  Part of the problem with Western Christianity is that we don't like being together.  Attending a local church, just like the folks in Ephesus did, is a great way to make sure you have the opportunity to encourage as well as be encouraged.  But do we do this with the enthusiasm that we do other aspects of our lives?  Sure we make Sunday mornings, but when else do we see our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Does your church offer other opportunities such as Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings, Bible Studies, Eclipse Watch parties, and Fellowship times with small groups?  How do you react when seeing someone from your church at Wal*Mart or the ball fields?  Part of the reason Paul wrote all of the letters of the New Testament was to encourage others as he had received encouragement from others.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm bad about this myself and I served on a church staff for over 20 years.  We are all time-deprived, but we must make time with other believers a priority.  Time deprivation is one of the weapons of the enemy that will sap our strength from us and keep us from the blessings that other folks can be AND that we can be to other folks.  

Finally, we must know who are enemy is.   "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."   Verse 12 reminds us that our struggles are not only physical but spiritual.  There is warfare going on that we are completely unaware of for the souls of mankind.  In his fictional book, This Present Darkness, Frank Peretti frames this warfare in a very engaging and thought-provoking manner.  C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters also offers insight into spiritual warfare that we may have never considered. 

And now we are prepared to access the armory.  


Paul begins our equipping with the belt of truth.  This serves as a foundation for our armor as each piece we encounter will build upon this belt.  The apostle John wrote extensively about the Truth.  He recorded Jesus' teaching about the truth freeing us from our shackles and burdens in The Gospel of Jesus as recorded by John, a fisherman, chapter 8, verses 31-32 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  We cannot adequately face any battle if we don't have the freedom to move about and defend ourselves.  Every motion we make in battle involves the muscles of the waist and those must be supported in our spiritual battle by truth, the truth we consume as well as the truthfulness in which we live our lives.  

With truth wrapping our midsection, we move to the chest and the breastplate of righteousness.  This piece of equipment is to guard our heart and other valuable internal organs.  Notice that in Paul's letter to the church in Rome (Romans), chapter 3 verse 10 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV Paul tells us that nobody is righteous, so how can we put this piece of gear on?  After becoming a believer, our goal is to become like Jesus.  Jesus is the only righteous man to have ever walked the planet.  So if we are to put on this armament, we are to put on Jesus.  We are to daily become more transformed into His likeness, His character, His love, and His righteousness.  With Jesus, we become righteous and can have protection for our hearts.  One thing to notice about most representations of the breastplate of righteousness.  It doesn't cover the back.  Personally, I think this is because we are to be on the offense in our skirmishes, and because of living in God's strength, we should never be in a position of retreat.  Why would we need our backs protected in that case?

Next, we are to have our feet wrapped in the preparation for the Gospel of Peace.  Paul will later tell his student Timothy to be available to instantly preach the Gospel of Jesus.  Paul's second letter to his protege Timothy, chapter 4, verses 1-5 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  Our time on earth is limited and we must be prepared on all occasions to be able to tell folks about Jesus.  

We travel with our feet.  In these travels, we can go to places to prepare to be ready when God presents opportunities to tell the Gospel of Jesus. We also go to places where the Gospel needs to be told.   We are supported by Truth, and protected by Righteousness, now we are to go about doing everything we can to be prepared to tell the world about Jesus.  Paul also writes in Romans 10:14-15 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Truth, check!  Righteousness, check!  Prepared to tell the Gospel of Jesus, check! Next is the shield of faith.  We never know what exactly the enemy may use to attack us.  But with faith, we can rely on God's strength to know that "no weapon formed against us will prosper" Isaiah 54:17 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV We can have confidence that we are protected from anything our enemy may through at us as long as we believe in the One who made the shield in the first place.  The writer of Hebrews defines faith this way..."Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:1 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Next is the helmet of salvation.  We are building a suit of armor where each element is dependent on all of the rest.  Donning the helmet of salvation brings us to the physical and mental reality of what Jesus has done in our lives.  We have the breastplate of righteousness protecting our heart knowledge, but the helmet is there to protect our head knowledge of our new condition of following Jesus.  We need both!  Many times folks tell us that folks have a head knowledge of the Gospel but not a heart knowledge.  There is great truth in that.  But I think we need knowledge in both areas to inform a total ideology of the amazing thing that Jesus did for us on the cross and the even more amazing thing He did by coming back to life!!!  One of these facts we can accept with our minds, the other has to be accepted with our hearts.  I confess that I don't completely understand the complexities of the operations between heart and mind, but I am convinced that we need knowledge of Jesus in both places if we are to ever fully be like him.  

You may notice that all of our equipment so far has been for defensive purposes.  We have yet to take up anything that is normally considered a weapon until now.  The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Wow.  That's powerful in how it includes all the members of the Trinity in one declarative.  The Holy Spirit enables us to defend ourselves by giving us an understanding of the Word of God.  All three work in community to make sure we are prepared to defend ourselves with a weapon, the Bible.  We stated at the outset that studying the Bible was necessary for us to communicate with God.  Here's the proof that we can use the Bible as a weapon against the principalites of darkness.  A sword can pierce and cut.  I don't know about you, but it seems to me every time I am diligent in studying the Bible both of those things happen to me.  But they can also be used to pierce and cut the enemy's advances just like Scripture did for Jesus when He was tempted.  The Gospel of Jesus as recorded by Luke, a physician, chapter 4, verses 1-13 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Paul concludes Ephesians with encouragement to pray for others as well as himself.  Utilizing all of the devices he has just given them to communicate with God.  

We read in the Old Testament that David tried to put on King Saul's armor before going out to do battle with Goliath.  What was the result?  The armor did not fit and restricted David's ability to do battle.  David then takes what I think is the armor that Paul writes about here which fits perfectly every time and unimaginably slays Goliath.  1 Samuel 17 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

You see friend, the whole armor of God fits every time.  With it, we are equipped for the challenges we will face every day.  Because if we are becoming more and more like Jesus and love folks the way He does, we will soon find that we will need every piece of His armor as we find that love is a battlefield...woah, woah, woah, woah.  

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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