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...

"The Way You Do The Things You Do" the January 23, 1964 single by The Temptations from the album Meet The Temptations

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.

Paul's letter to Philemon New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

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'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.

"Love Is A Battlefield" by Pat Benatar from the October 1983 album Live From Earth

fast forward 41 years...

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Austin City Limits "Love is a Battlefield"

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.

Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians), chapter 6, verses 10-24 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

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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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "One Love" (Bob Marley and The Wailers)

In our world, specifically the United States, there seems to be a constant call for unity.  We want everyone to join together and a-feel alright.  Americans will certainly hear that rallying cry in the next several months as the Presidential Election gets into full swing and each of the candidates will pontificate on how they can be the person to "bring the country together".  That is if the candidates that we have now are still the candidates we will have when the election takes place.  (Keep a close eye on the Vice Presidential candidates...) One never knows what may happen in light of impeachment proceedings and potential indictments that loom over each of the current "leaders" (used loosely) of the 2 main parties.  

But yet, the call for unity will remain prevalent.  This political call and platform is an attempt to play on the innate desire within us to feel commonalities with our neighbors.  There is a sense of belonging when we feel like we are "one" in something, regardless of what that something may be. 

Honestly, I have my doubts about whether any one person can be the great unifier.  But this is nothing new.   Let's face it, there wasn't even unity when the colonies rebelled against King George and England.  Some questioned the opportunities to which the Founding Fathers ascribed.  These "loyalists" wanted the country's allegiance to remain with Great Britain.  As the history of the United States unfolds we quickly see that it is filled with moments of unrest stirred by the drumbeats of conflict.  Despite these differences and the obvious lack of unity, the United States is a unique experiment in what a Constitutional Republic looks like.  We've said it before, our country is not a democracy, yet this word, like many in our culture today, has been hijacked to be defined as something it was never intended to mean.  But I digress.  We'll save the civics lesson for the 4th of July.

The desire for one heart among the people isn't just a feeling reserved for the United States.  Global organizations abound with the focus on uniting.  Tons of resources, monetary and human, have been spent on attempts to get nations to get along.  The results?  We'll let you be the judge of how that's going...

It seems that, at least in the history of the US, there was no better example of surges of common opinion than the movements of the 1960s.  It was a revolutionary time, without a revolution.  Yes, there were wars, but they were not on the magnitude that were seen in World War I and II.  One movement of this decade would go on to define it like no other.  It was a season among the younger population that was defined by freedom, peace, joy, and love.  This time, especially the later part of the decade, would see changes in everything that the United States had ever deemed as "regular" or "normal".  Its rallying cry was one of unification or acceptance through "love".  

"One Love" by The Wailers from the 1965 album The Wailing Wailers 

"One Love" from the 1977 album Exodus by Bob Marley and The Wailers 

The original version from The Wailers came out in 1965 at the height of all of the movements of the 60s including several aimed at unity.  It was one of the "ska" genre's first popular songs and assisted in the popularization of a music style that informed the punk rock movement of the 80s.  "One Love" was rerecorded as a portion of a medley of reggae-influenced songs titled "All In One", featured on the compilation album African Herbsman.   It was later covered by the band, renamed for charismatic leader Bob Marley, on the 1977 album Exodus.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Exodus" (Bob Marley and the Wailers), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Three Little Birds" (Bob Marley and The Wailers)) This version was featured on the Cross and Kin video "Songs With A Slash". Cross & Kin presents - "Songs With A Slash".  "One Love" would not be released as a single until April 16, 1984, as a part of the promotional effort for the Legend album from the same year.  The song has proven so popular since it has been released on a multitude of Bob Marley and the Wailers compilation albums.  The later version is one of those rare occasions where I think the cover is better than its original version, even though the 1965 version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.  

"One Love" has been used constantly in Marley's homeland of Jamaica by the country's tourist bureau and features in the 2008 movie Marley & Me.  (Marley & Me trailer) as well as the title of the Marley biopic from earlier this year.  (One Love trailer) 

"One Love" is one of those songs that resonates with that feeling of unity with which we are all born.  And it is also a recurring theme for one of the early churches to which Paul wrote a letter.

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church, chapter 2 through chapter 6, verse 9 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

We explored Paul's opening to this letter last week.  This week we'll visit the main body of the letter to the church at Ephesus and next week we'll look at the closing topics to one of Paul's most powerful "living the Jesus life" letters.

Remember, Paul's original letter didn't have verse or chapter designations as those were added much later.  Here is an English Standard Version that reads like an actual letter.  Ephesians - English Standard Version (2016) Without chapter and verse divisions

But for our purposes today, we begin in chapter 2 where Paul reflects on how far mankind had transgressed against God.  He then turns the corner with the key phrase, "But God" in 2:4.  This transition sets the stage for the remainder of the letter as Paul describes the nuances of what God has done to redeem mankind and how wonderful a life lived for Jesus can be.  He reminds the Ephesians that as Gentiles they were not a part of the original covenant but because of what Jesus did on the cross they are adopted into the covenant via Jesus' substitutionary death and consequent resurrection.  (which we encourage you to celebrate at the church of your choice this Sunday, yup it is Resurrection Day or Easter as it is known on the calendar! If you would like assistance finding a church, please email me at rawacr@gmail.com)  (If you need more information and proof of Jesus' story, read Lee Strobel's excellent book The Case For Christ or check out the film based on the book, The Case For Christ trailer Goodness today's Notes has a lot of links!!!)

Paul writes about his journey to salvation and what his life has been like afterward as an encouragement to the Ephesian believers that those in their city can be redeemed regardless of what they may have done in their lives.  This is a very personal portion of the letter and adds depth and perhaps a bit of poignancy to Paul's testimony.

Paul settles into the desire in our hearts for unity that we discussed earlier as he imparts the following wisdom to the Ephesians:  "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.  Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  This is a message many believers need to hear today as well.  Let's be followers of Jesus more than we are adherents to man-made denominations.   

"...There is one question I'd really like to ask (one soul)

Is there a place for the hopeless sinner..."

Yes Mr. Marley, according to Paul, there certainly is hope!

Paul redirects the letter to encourage the Ephesians in their walk with Jesus.  He asserts that their lives should reflect the One who gave everything for their restoration to God.  He affirms that since they were adopted children they no longer desire to remain children who are "tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." Ephesians 4:14-16 (NASB)

Paul tells them to not be satisfied with just being believers.  Their goal is to be Jesus.  And by striving for that goal, they become "imitators of God".  That to me is a very tall order, but one I accept...and have to reiterate daily.  The call for unity, especially among believers, is distinct and looms large in our world today.  It is a struggle but if we embrace what Paul writes regarding being of one heart, one faith, and one baptism we soon see the differences we have fade away and the commonalities that we have amplified.  

Or perhaps with a bob of our head and a bit of a Jamaican flair, we just sing...

"One love, one heart
Let's join together and a-feel alright
One love (oh Lord of mercy)
One heart (I tell you)
Let's join together (at this house I pray)
And a-feel alright (and I will feel alright)
Let's join together and a-feel alright..."

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by Loving You

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Twist Of Fate" (Olivia Newton-John)

dictionary.com defines the word "fate" in the following manner:  "something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune; lot".  Many, many folks believe that fate is a real thing.  I find this interesting as most of these same people are ones who feel like they are in control of everything, including the climate...oops did I just say that out loud?  And we're just getting started!!!  

Anyway, welcome to Tuesday.  Were you destined to be here today or did you decide that you would click on the link?  I know, I know, this is a bit of a brain tester early in the week, so well...Welcome to Tuesday!!!  

We all would like to know what our destiny holds.  Some think we have no choice in the matter, but here at The Notes, we choose to believe we get to determine the outcome of our lives.  We wake in the morning, begin making decisions about the minute and the major, and chalk up the good and bad experiences we may have during that day due to those choices.  We have occurrences throughout our lives that assist in providing the input we need to inform said decisions, but ultimately we do get to choose.  Again, here in Notesland, we think there is no "set" life we will live.  There are way too many variables at least in my life to believe that everything is a strange twist of fate...

"Twist Of Fate" the October 21, 1983 single from the soundtrack of the movie Two Of A Kind

In 1983 a very different movie about a thief, a bank teller, and the end of the world was released.  It starred the dynamic duo that brought a comeback to movie musicals and made the 50s look all the rage back in 1978.  In 1983, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta paired again to make what Wikipedia describes as a "romantic fantasy crime comedy-drama film". (Two Of A Kind - Wikipedia article) Ummm what other genre is left...oh yeah horror, which is how some of the critics describe this 2nd outing of the team that brought you the songs "Summer Nights" and "You're The One That I Want".  Two Of A Kind received 5, count'em 5, Razzies (awards honoring the worst in cinema). Read the reviews for yourself in the previous link...if you dare!

Regardless of the reception of the film, the soundtrack was a commercial success.  It was certified Platinum (sales above 1 million units) on the strength of three singles by Olivia Newton-John, "Twist of Fate" (peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100), "Take a Chance" (duet with John Travolta)(peaked at #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart), and "Livin' In Desperate Times" (peaked at #31 on the Hot 100).  The soundtrack also included 80's radio icons, Patti Austin (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "We Are The World" (USA For Africa), "We Are The World 25 for Haiti"), Boz Scaggs, Journey (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Separate Ways (World's Apart)" (Journey), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Signs Of Life" (Journey), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Wheel In The Sky" (Journey)), and Chicago (here's a starting point, Tuesday's Musical Notes archive search - Chicago or when you have a moment, check out the month by month archives to the left to find songs by Chicago) as well as an instrumental by the producer of the decade David Foster (Tuesday's Musical Notes archive search - David Foster).  

"Twist Of Fate" has fast become the song associated with Two Of A Kind.  It was the first single released and the highest charting from the album.  The song was written by Peter Beckett ("Baby Come Back" (Player)) and Steve Kipner ("Physical" (Olivia Newton-John)).  Produced by the aforementioned David Foster,  it would be Newton-John's 15th top-10 single and proved to be her last.  The song was listed at #42 for 1984.

The video that supported the single was nominated for a Best Video, Short Form Grammy but lost to David Bowie's "Jazzin' for Blue Jean" once again showing that the academy has no idea what they are doing.  

Fast forward to 2017 when "Twist Of Fate" was also featured in the second season of Netflix's Stranger Things.  The subsequent soundtrack that resulted from the show was also nominated for a Grammy (Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, 2018)  It lost that year to The Greatest Showman. Well, maybe the Academy doesn't always miss it... (for more on The Greatest Showman soundtrack please see Tuesday's Musical Notes beginning January 9 - March 6, 2018, yup over in the archives.)

Two Of A Kind is one of many films that proves that just because you have great stars and a groovy soundtrack, your film is not predestined to be successful.  Such is life...but is it?

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church, chapter 1 - New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel 

"... And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” - The Gospel of Jesus as recorded by John, a fisherman, chapter 12, verse 32 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

"...Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other."  - Isaiah 45:22 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

"...This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:3-4 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

"...The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

"...For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people," - Titus 2:11 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

"...He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Today's Scripture comes from one of 4 letters Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome.  They are Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. We finished Colossians last week.  For the next several weeks we will park in Ephesians, then go back to Philemon and finish with Philippians. These letters were written between 61 and 63 A.D.  And each addresses specific areas of Christian life in a way that only Paul can.

Today we begin the letter to the Ephesian church.  Paul had visited this church and ministered to the believers there in Acts of the Apostles as recorded by Luke, a physician, chapter 19 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV 

Paul uses his traditional greetings as an opening to this letter.  Grace and peace from God are his well wishes to the church in Ephesus.  He then begins his praise to God who had enabled him to be a part of this church during his journeys as a missionary to the Gentiles.  Paul then launches into a description of the believers in the church.  In recent years the modern church has focused on specific portions of Ephesians causing a great deal of controversy.  "...How did we fall into this circumstance..."  

Just as the enemy used Scripture in his attempts to sway Jesus, The Gospel of Jesus as recorded by Luke, a physician, chapter 4, verses 1-13 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Devil's Dance" (Metallica), he has attempted to use Paul's letter to the Ephesians to distract today's believers from their goal of telling the Gospel and help them to argue about fate.  

The topic is predestination.  The sides are Calvinists and Arminianism.  Calvinists are adherents to the teaching of John Calvin (a theologian around the time of Martin Luther) who suggested that God chooses (predetermined or predestines) those who will be saved.  Arminianism came as a response to Calvin's teaching and suggests that man chooses God and has the free will to do so.   I confess that I have not studied enough to debate the topic. I do however have some very strong feelings that God chose ALL men from the beginning of time and in that light, EVERYONE is predestined to be with Him forever.  Because of the rebellion in the garden, that original relationship and predetermination were severed resulting in God sending Jesus as a sacrifice for sin and thus providing a means of salvation through Him.   Again, these are very general terms, but ones based on the Scriptures above with ALL being emphasized, are the conclusions to which I have come.  Please do your research and determine what you believe.  Here is an interesting article that does a better job of explaining the history and theology behind both interpretations.  What Is the Difference Between Arminianism and Calvinism? christianity.com written by Glory D, July 26, 2021 

These conversations are stimulating, however, the problem is that far too much time is spent debating this issue when folks, regardless of whether they are predestined or not, are not hearing the Gospel due to well-intentioned Jesus followers arguing and not being ministers of the Gospel.  We mention this topic because it weighs heavily in Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus.  "...A higher voice has called the tune..."  "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us." - Ephesians 1:7-8 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  "...The gift of life extension by divine intervention..."

Paul continues his letter by extolling the wonderful salvation that exists for those who believe.  He also goes on to compliment the church on its faithfulness which he celebrates.  Paul does this in a way that I wish more believers would embrace as they encounter brothers and sisters in Christ.  "For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;" Ephesians 1:15-16 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  "...Life doesn't mean a thing without the love you bring..."

Paul continues this letter with the magnificence of Jesus as He is the Lord of all.  "...And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:22-23 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV  You see friend, Jesus is the head of the church.  As a believer, you are a part of that church.  You are His subject and fall under His authority as does all of creation.  Since we fall under his authority as believers, we must remember that Jesus found it important to go to the synagogue as often as he could.  If you aren't currently consistent with a local body of believers, perhaps you should find a local church to partner with in our journey to tell the world about Him. "... This is a new beginning I'm back in the land of the living..."

The opening of Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus can be very encouraging to those believers who do not wish to get caught up in the minutiae of language and a debate that has been going on for centuries AND has not been resolved.  What matters as Paul begins his letter is that Jesus is glorified as Lord, He is recognized as the Savior of the world and is designated as the Leader of all of those who believe in Him as the Head of the church.  Can we just exist in a world where believers wish peace and grace to their brothers and sisters and not leave our interactions up to a strange twist of fate?  We gotta get it right this time...

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by loving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Feeling Good" (Michael Buble, et lots of al)

Here we are in 2024.  The regular season NCAA men's basketball season is over and the individual conference tournaments are beginning.  We'll soon find out who gets invited to the NCAA tournament and March Madness will begin.  The State of the Union address has been given, the political primary season is over for the most part and the general election, at least for President has begun its arduous and sometimes tortuous slog to November.  With neither candidate being a good choice, it should prove to be an interesting summer. The Oscar went to a bunch of films and actors that I confess I haven't seen and I don't know. Hold the presses!  I did see Oppenheimer.  Not sure why it is considered worthy of an Oscar... I'm more concerned with who will be the next James Bond...Daylight Saving Time has begun, perhaps for the last time, perhaps not.  For many a happy student, Spring Break is happening or will very soon.  There is much that has happened in 2024 and we're only 2 1/2 months in. 

2024 still holds much to anticipate.  The next 9 1/2 months will without doubt provide challenges.  Our attitudes toward those challenges and the other events of 2024 will determine everything about how we remember the year.  Our perspectives may very well similarly sway the attitudes of those around us.  Regardless of how we feel about it, our circle of influence can have a potent impact on how 2024 finishes out for ourselves and our friends.  Will the year show us succumbing to the challenges or will we find ourselves in December of 2024...

"Feeling Good" the April 4, 2005 single from the album It's Time by Michael Buble'

There is a pretty large chance that you have never heard of the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell Of the Crowd.  It was written in 1964 by English composers Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Talk to the Animals" (Rex Harrison as Dr. Dolittle)).  It was performed in that same year exclusively in the United Kingdom. It later migrated to the United States where it saw a modicum of success.  There is also a pretty large chance, however, that you have heard of some of the songs introduced by this musical that have since become standards.  Today's featured song is one of those songs that continues to find its way into the musical fabric of time.  When you hear the opening lines, you know that regardless of how you may be feeling, you are about to be "Feeling Good".

Like all good standards "Feeling Good" has had its share of covers.  The first to do it aside from the soundtrack of the musical was Nina Simone on her 1965 album I Put A Spell On You.  Including Mr. Buble's version, "Feeling Good" has been recorded by over 20 artists from a wide range of musical ages and spectrums.  As recently as 2021, John Legend used the song as a part of the Celebrating America portion of President Joe Biden's inaugural.  We don't know Mr. Legend's political leanings, those are his business, Tuesday's Musical Notes does not endorse either of the presumptive candidates for President.  We do encourage you to vote, it is a privilege given to us that we should never ignore.  I am Randy Cross, and I have approved this message.  

Of all of the incredible artists and arrangements, it is only Simone's and Buble's covers that have seen the most success.   Oddly enough Simone's version of the song wasn't released as a single until 1994 after its use in a Volkswagen TV commercial in England.  Because of its use in that and other commercials, "Feeling Good" peaked at #40 on the UK Singles chart in 1994.  Simone's version has also been sampled for new songs by the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Flo Rida, and Mary J. Blige (produced by will.i.am).  The original instrumental track to Simone's version was also used in Avicii's recording of the song which was later translated into a Volvo commercial.  Volvo XC90 - A new beginning - Avicii - Feel good commercial In June of 2021, Nina Simone's version of the song reached YouTube, 56 years after it was originally released.  Nina Simone - Feeling Good

Our focus today, however, is Mr. Buble's cover released as a single on April 4, 2005.  The crooner used the song as the debut single from his It's Time album.  Michael Buble also recorded "Feeling Good" for his live album Caught In The Act from November of the same year.  Buble's cover has been used in ESPN's 2005 World Series of Poker tournament ads as well as the 2010 NBA draft broadcast.  The single peaked in the UK at #162 at the time of its release but like Simone's predecessor, went higher up the charts later because of its use in commercials, peaking at #69 on UK charts in 2010.

My favorite aspect of the song and honestly the reason we chose it over some of the other covers is its music video.  Classic Buble, Michael Buble.  If you've read Tuesday's Musical Notes for very long you may realize that we have a fondness for the Ian Fleming series of Novels and the EON production movies about British Secret Agent, James Bond. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You Know My Name" (Chris Cornell), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Skyfall" (Adele), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "License to Kill" (Gladys Knight)) Michael Buble's video for "Feeling Good" is a throwback to a James Bond opener complete with a skinny tie tux and an Aston Martin as a backdrop.  It's just a fun video and a great way to celebrate this phenomenal song.  Auditions are open for the titular spy as we understand it, Mr. Buble.  Can you pull off a British accent?

Lyrically, the song describes several scenarios that cause the singer to reflect on new beginnings and the way they feel.  These lyrics are not grandiose, but very simple everyday occurrences that cause emotions of well-being.  There is a sense of contentment in the laid-back, bluesy feel of the song that makes you want to embrace each note as if welcoming an old friend into a new feeling.  That is exactly how the Apostle Paul writes the back portion of his letter to the Colossian church.

Colossians 2-4 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  

Remember Paul was writing during his first imprisonment in Rome.  There is a pretty good chance he wasn't feeling good at the time.  

He started the letter solidifying his credibility with the church and the partnership with which he saw them having in the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus.  Paul had never been to the church.  He had heard through Epaphras that the church was being diligent in their pursuit of Jesus and their proclamation to their area of what Jesus had done to restore the broken relationship between God and man.  He reminded them of who they all were and the mission that they were imbued by the Holy Spirit to carry out. 

Paul spent the remainder of his letter (chapters 2-4) highlighting that each day they are to put on the new life they have in Jesus, encouraging them in their walk with Christ, affirming their relationship with Jesus, and providing guidance for their relationship with fellow believers.  He closes the letter by asking the church to be supportive of Epaphras and those who had brought Paul the reports about the church in Colossae.  

Unlike some of the letters we will encounter in the coming days, Paul doesn't seem to take issue with the Colossians.  He encourages them to continue on the pathway and standards they had set in following Jesus.  And even with all that Paul had been through he might have even said,  "Be alive in Christ, you know how I feel, treat your brothers right, you know how I feel, keep seeking the Light, you know how I feel...It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life for me, yeah It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life for me Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo And I'm feeling good".  Well, Paul didn't write it quite that way, but I think that's at least some of his sentiment even in his circumstances.   

Can we express the same feelings...does your relationship with Jesus got you feeling good...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

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