Randy
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query eagles. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query eagles. Sort by date Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Seven Bridges Road" (Ricochet/The Eagles)
Randy
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Please Come Home For Christmas" (Eagles)
Why
do you celebrate Christmas? Is your motivation family and friends?
Perhaps a little time off from work? Are you the generous sort and love
to give gifts....or maybe just the opposite and love to get stuff?
There's nothing wrong with any of these things. Christians point back
to a manger. Atheists point to peace and good will. Many more will be
somewhere in the middle. Which are you friend? Why do you celebrate
Christmas? What do you truly believe?
This
Christmas, I really think God has the blues. Choirs are singing Silent
Night, yet lives remain unchanged by the message of the manger.
Christmas carols by candlelight, but the light of the star is not seen
by people all over the world. Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues.
Let me remind you that the purpose of the Notes is not to proselytize you into my religion. The purpose of the Notes is to share the trivial alongside of the important. We never want to debase the important, but want to highlight it by use of the "interesting" things in popular culture and music. Hopefully, you are entertained as well as enlightened...encouraged as well as engaged.
So
again, The Notes poses this question: Why do you celebrate Christmas?
Your motivations for celebrating really come down to 1 of 2 thought
processes or world views. You either believe that The Bible is God's
Word, sent to restore our broken relationship with Him or you don't. If
you are really honest with yourself, you will find there can be no
middle ground on this particular fact. This is a decision you have to
make at some point. Please come home for Christmas... But let's see
what the world view of the average American is... In a 2011 study by
Gallup, they found that 1/3 of Americans believe that every jot and
tittle of the Bible is true.
The
converse of this would be that 2/3 of Americans do not believe
everything in the Bible is true. Oh what a Christmas to have the
blues...
The Washington Post recently printed an article, complete with some really cool maps, that show religions in the US.
The
fastest growing segment of religion is...no religion at all or what is
being called "nones". So won't you tell me, you'll never more roam...
But this is Christmas, Christmas my dear, the time of year to be with the ones you love...and there is the reason God has the blues. According to the above articles, the ones that God loves don't necessarily want to be with Him.
Regardless
of how you personally relate to the above articles, there is a "thread"
that permeates the Bible that you should know. A thread that could
have an eternal impact on this Christmas and every Christmas from now
on:
God
created everything. This includes men and women. He created them so
He could have a relationship with them. Have you ever had a
relationship that went south? Yep, so has God. The relationship
between God and mankind was destroyed because Adam and Eve rebelled
against God. Now this wasn't like they declared war on Him or anything,
but they disobeyed His guidelines. Have you ever seen a child disobey
their parents, or an employee disobey the operating standards of their
employer? What does that do to the relationship between them? Well,
God created everything perfect and when Adam and Even disobeyed, they
became imperfect. They could no longer be in God's Presence. Everyone
was hurt in the destruction of this relationship. I am just like Adam
and Eve. I am not perfect and my relationship with God needed
restoration as well. But God had a plan from before the time He created
everything. He would send someone to earth to restore the
relationship. That restorer was Jesus. Christmas time for many is a
celebration of Jesus coming to earth as a baby. When He was older,
Jesus told about the restoration of the relationship with God and how it
could be achieved. In fact, He gave his life so this message could be
told all around the world. Because of His sacrifice, our relationship
with God can be just like it was for Adam and Eve in the garden. After
he died by hanging on a cross, Jesus was buried, but there is no one in
His tomb today. You see, Jesus was God in human form. He died as a
human and returned to God. He died so the perfect relationship between
God and man could be restored. He lives now, acting as our defense
attorney to God. And He asks you: please come home for Christmas.
That story permeates every line of every verse in the Bible. So friend, what do you believe? There are many good messages out there to give us reason to celebrate, but the best reason is restoration!!! If you've never read any of the Bible, let me encourage you to start with the book of Luke. You can find it here: Biblegateway.com Luke has the telling of the Christmas story that Linus reads in "A Charlie Brown Christmas". (see Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Christmas Time Is Here") There are 3 other perspectives about Jesus life in close proximity to Luke that you should read next: Matthew, Mark, and John. For the people who believe this story of restoration, Jesus is preparing a place where... there'll be no more sorrow, no grief or pain, and I'll be happy, Christmas once again.
Merry Christmas!!!
You do not want to miss next week's Notes!!!
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Desperado" (The Eagles)
In
recent weeks, popular music has seen the death of 2 iconic figures,
David Bowie and Glen Frey. Tuesday's Musical Notes has featured music
by both of these artists: Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Peace On Earth", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Seven Bridges Road" and Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Please Come Home For Christmas".
The lives of David Bowie and Glen Frey are examples of how creative people can not only make a name for themselves in the music industry but carve and solidify entirely new niches of artistry. Bowie created Glam Pop with his Ziggy Stardust persona and Glen Frey as founding member of the Eagles wrote and co-wrote songs with Don Henley that continue to define "folk" rock.
Today
we feature a song written by Glen Frey and Don Henley. It has been
covered by more than 25 artists and is featured on numerous "Greatest
Hits" packages of the band they formed together, the Eagles. Frey and Henley formed the foundation of a band that has seen many incarnations. The original recording of "Desperado" appeared on the album of the same name. It included the Eagles lineup of Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Don Henley, and Glen Frey. Though it was never released as a single, the song's popularity caused Rolling Stone Magazine to list it at #494 on its 2004 list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Western Writers Of America also posted accolades on the song by
naming it one of its Top 100 Western Songs of All Time.
One
of the reasons the song "Desperado" is so endearing to fans is its
ability to relate. At some point or another in our lives, we have been
that person who has been beat by the queen of diamonds or had a hard
time telling the nighttime from the day. It is a song about searching
for our place in the world as well as a longing to have folks to which
we can share that place. In one sense, "Desperado" is about the DNA of
community that is built into us when we are created. We were never
meant to live our lives alone.
For
followers of Jesus, this comfort comes in the form of Holy Spirit. He
is the "friend" and "comforter" persona of God that dwells in the
Christian. He shares equal status with God the Father and Jesus, God
the Son, but His role is different than Creator or Sacrifice. His duty is that of being with us until Jesus either meets us in heaven at our death or He comes at the end of time as we know it.
Until
the time of Jesus' ascension, Holy Spirit had a limited role in the
workings of mankind. There are folks in the Old Testament who were
given Holy Spirit to do the works that God had called them to do. His
activities in those folks lives were for a specific task and time. As
an example, see how Holy Spirit is integral in the making of the
instruments of worship for the Children of Israel to use in the
tabernacle while in the wilderness: Exodus 31 New International Version (NIV) of the Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible parallel. And in Psalm 51 NIV/The Message parallel, David begs God to allow Holy Spirit to remain with him as he repented of his sin.
In the New Testament,
Jesus well understood how His disciples would feel upon His arrest and
crucifixion. He realized that the human heart was meant for community
and companionship. He had 3 years invested in that community and
companionship with them and His death would bring upon a great sense of
loss and anxiety. That's why He promised the disciples that at the
lowest point of their lives, the point where nothing they had done for
the last 3 years made any sense, that He would send The Companion that
would make everything clear. John 14:15-21 NIV/The Message parallel Holy Spirit would also provide for their needs in adversity: Mark 13:10-12 NIV/The Message
This
causes the question, "How can one receive Holy Spirit and get the
strength and comfort that the disciples had?" There is a simple
answer. Respond to the urging of Holy Spirit when He convicts you of
sin and shows you that Jesus is the only way that your sin can be
forgiven. You see, it is God's desire that no one is separated from Him
forever by going to hell. John 3:16-17 NIV/The Message parallel
According to this passage, God was willing to do anything, so that we
could be with Him forever. His plan at creation was to have a
relationship with man forever. God however, provided man with the
ability to choose. Every day, folks make the same decision Adam and Eve
made in the garden of Eden. They either choose God, or they don't.
However, instead of a Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, post
resurrection mankind chooses to surrender to the invitation from Holy
Spirit, BELIEVE that Jesus died for the elimination of their sins
(that's past, present, and future sins), was physically placed in a
sealed tomb for three days, was resurrected and seen in a physical body
by many who interacted with Him, and is waiting for God to send Him back
to earth to receive the folks who believe all of the preceeding
statements, or... they don't. For those who do not accept Holy Spirit's
invitation, Jesus issues a stern warning: Matthew 12:31-33 NIV/The Message
According to this passage from God's Word (the Bible) the only "sin"
that is unforgivable, is to reject the pleading, in fact the begging of
Holy Spirit for you to enter into a relationship with God through the
redeeming work of Jesus. In other words:
Desperado, Why don't you come to your senses
Been out ridin' fences, for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
But I know that you've got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
The
recent deaths of notable folks such as Glen Frey makes many people
sad. Why? Their music continues on, so we won't miss that. We can
still see videos of songs or highlights of their life via YouTube. With
a few exceptions, we've probably never had personal interaction with
them. So why do we have a tug on our heart at the death of an icon?
The Notes contends that our sorrow at the passing of a well known,
accomplished person puts us in touch perhaps, with our own mortality.
It causes us to realize that our current reality will not be lasting
forever. It destroys the illusion that things will always be like they
are right now. It causes us to come face to face with finality, a
finality that has as its destiny, the uknown. We really have a fear of
the unknown and their is no comfort to be found in friends or family for
they have the same anxiety. But their is a solution. Jesus told us
that He would provide a "Comforter". John 14-15 NIV/The Message parallel This Comforter provides a buffer for the fear of the unknown by providing a knowledge of the future in which we can have great conficence.
So dear friend, in the words of the late Glen Frey, "You better let
somebody love you......before it's too....late." (insert piano outtro).
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Doctor My Eyes" (Jackson Browne)
Here we are on another Tuesday! Are you excited? I sure am! Tuesday's are the absolute best day of the week!!! If you'd like to know why, check out one, two, or thirty Tuesday's Musical Notes in the archives. There are over 500 blogs of some of the best music ever imagined from which you can choose. They will certainly give you a taste of why Tuesday is so revered by this blog. 
Welcome! We are supremely glad that you clicked on the link or searched, or maybe just stumbled upon our humble blog filled with music and musings! It's Tuesday's Musical Notes, a part of the Cross & Kin Family Entertainment empire. Well, as long as you consider a blog and a YouTube channel (Cross & Kin YouTube channel) an empire, yup it's an empire! We like it around here and we hope you will too!!! If you don't dig what we're laying down, maybe you need to say...
No need to adjust the fine-tuning on your computer, tablet, phone, or other such device (you can't adjust the fine-tuning on them anyway). What you are witnessing is the progression of time, not any ailment in your ocular senses. Did you notice how the key of our great song today got lower as the years went by? Also, I have to confess, I dig the mop top Jackson Browne as opposed to the Grandpa Jackson Browne hairdo. Yet I digress (even as I look into the mirror with intrigue and introspection...)
There is a definitive sound that emanated from Southern California in the early to mid-70s. I suspect artists like The Eagles (Tuesday's Musical Notes - The Eagles), Linda Ronstadt (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "When Will I Be Loved" (Linda Ronstadt)), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco, and Little Feat paint the picture of the sound that you may very well be humming right now. These were bands that bridged Country, Folk, and Rock into an amalgamation of great music without sacrificing any of the mentioned genre's standards.
The songwriting was rich and sometimes very deep, expressing the desire for freedoms of a generation that had previously been tamped down without the "in your face, protest volume" of the sixties. In some respects, this sound even satisfied the Rock-N-Roll naysayers who said that you could never understand the lyrics of the "new music". While these same folks heard the lyrics they still didn't always resonate with the meaning. Yet, they tolerated the music because the sound was more appealing to a wide variety of folks. And thus Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart was born.
Enter Jackson Browne. He was just 16 in 1967 when one of his songs was recorded by Nico (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sunday Morning" (The Velvet Underground)). Thus began a progression of songwriting that would take Jackson Browne into the orbit of Rock-N-Roll royalty. He co-wrote the 1972, #12 single, "Take It Easy" with The Eagles which was released shortly before his self-titled debut album (sometimes mistakenly referred to as Saturate Before Using). By this point, he was known in the music industry as a gifted songwriter, but as his album got airplay, the world would soon see that his songwriting prowess was not the only skill he possessed.
"Doctor My Eyes" was the very first single released by Browne and soon became a radio staple, soaring up to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, you know, that other chart by Billboard and establishing him as a recording artist. With vocal background assistance from contemporaries Graham Nash and David Crosby (Tuesday's Musical Notes - Crosby, Stills, & Nash (and sometimes Young)), the studio version of the single, features The Section (band) - wikipedia.org)
"Doctor My Eyes" is a song about how the singer has seen and is facing the trials of life and how that sight and determination can skew the perspective and dull the senses for the remainder of his life. The music is ironically circumspect with its upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation against the subdued, melancholic lyrical content to the point of the song having an upbeat pessimism. That's why the song seems to resonate with virtually everyone as seemingly there does come a point in time when you can become numb to the repetitive things in life, and you need to step back and reevaluate. This reexamination can be an eye-opening (or closing) experience... depending on who you might encounter as you process your pondering, going your way, say as you are walking on a road to Damascus...
What...just...happened?!!! Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Christians in Jerusalem, asksthe High Priest of the Jews for a warrant to go to Damascus to begin grabbing up believers there and sending them back in shackles to Jerusalem to be prosecuted. With his entourage in tow, Saul sets out, but as we read in the story, his journey to Damascus becomes a different kind of sightseeing trip.
Tuesday's Musical Notes loves this portion of the Biblical narrative. We've covered it before in Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Blinded By The Light" (Manfred Mann's Earth Band)and while not directly referencing our passage from Acts, we've visited how God communicates in Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (The Moody Blues). Give them a read when you can, they both offer a different perspective on those 2 great songs.
"...'Cause I have wandered through this world and as each moment has unfurled..."
Saul has an encounter with a powerful light all around him and for the first time in his life, he heard The Voice. Saul falls to his knees and listens as The Voice asks him why is he perpetrating this persecution. At this point, Saul cannot see but he has the will and courage to ask The Voice, whom he might be, possibly the Lord, whom he knows as Yahweh. Jesus then confirms that it is indeed Him and continues the interrogation of Saul regarding his motivations to wreak havoc on the church. Saul's entourage could add nothing to the conversation as they too heard The Voice but were speechless at what they were witnessing.
The NASB says that Saul's eyes were open but he could not see. Seems a fitting phrase for many folks around us today perhaps. Saul's assistants helped him along the remainder of the trip to Damascus. Saul was so impacted by this encounter that he neither ate nor drank anything for 3 days. I don't know about you, but I start getting hangry after about 3 hours. But I digress... One would imagine this deprivation would cause Saul's other senses to kick in. It seems that he has a great deal of introspection during these 3 days as well. "...Doctor, my eyes, tell me what you see I hear their cries, just say if it's too late for me..."
Enter Ananais (Nope, this is a different one from chapters 4 and 5. Tuesday's Musical Notes- "Honesty" (Billy Joel)). The Voice spoke to him as well. Yet his response to Jesus was significantly different from Saul's. Much like in Philip's story from last week, Ananais didn't question who it might be telling him to go. Jesus gave Ananias the street address and name of the occupant. He also told him that Saul of Tarsus was there waiting for him. And he was to do what? Lay hands on him and restore Saul's sight? Ananias did however question the mission as he had heard about Saul's perspective on the church, knew that Saul had the documentation necessary to arrest any believer, and was fearful of what Saul might do upon their encounter. God unpacks the rationale for Ananias and instructs him once again to go. As incredible as all of this sounded, Ananias got up and went.
"...Doctor, my eyes cannot see the sky. Is this the price for having learned how not to cry?..."
Ananias' obedience resulted not only in Saul regaining his sight but getting the ability to see for the first time in his life. He had experienced Jesus as only the apostles had. Saul, in direct contrast to who he had been before, believed and was baptized. I find it interesting that in each iteration of the Scripture, Ananias calls Saul, "brother Saul" Was there evidence to Ananias of the life change that had occurred in Saul? " Doctor, my eyes have seen the years And the slow parade of fears without crying. Now I want to understand..."
The Bible goes on to say that Saul revived his body by eating after he had his soul revived by his interaction with Jesus. From there Saul goes, hangs out with, and was ministered to by the very disciples of Jesus he was intent on arresting and dragging away in shackles. These folks had the ultimate opportunity to affirm everything that Saul had experienced. The Lord had assured Ananias to not be afraid and then God gave them a reason for rejoicing!!! "...Doctor, my eyes, tell me what is wrong. Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?..."
With what they potentially faced with Saul as their guest, I guess we really can rest in that whole "Do Not Be Afraid" command found throughout the Bible. There is practically enough for one a day for a year! If we live in that reality, maybe, just maybe, we won't have to cry out to an optometrist!
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Life's Been Good" (Joe Walsh)
Rules Of Civility #1: "Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present."
It's Tuesday, and time for another Tuesday's Musical Notes where Rock-n-Roll meets reflection, lyrics meet life change, and people get to walk to the beat of their own time signature......
He was the son of a classically trained pianist and a Fidler. He was adopted by his step father at age 5 and moved to New York City at the age of 12. While living in the Big Apple, he began a lifelong obsession with amateur "ham" radio. (He currently holds an "Amateur Extra Class" license). He has played 15 different guitars over the course of his career including a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that he gave/sold to Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page in April 1969. He is credited with playing 20 other instruments, most of which are keyboard oriented, and has played on some of the biggest album's in Rock history. Rolling Stone has him listed at #54 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". He put forth unsuccessful bids for President AND Vice President and is brother-in-law to Ringo Starr by marriage. In short, you could say that "life's been good" to him so far.....
"Life's Been Good" Joe Walsh at Darryl's Place
Joe Fidler Walsh, ("Fidler" is his birth father's last name) has led what appears to be a charmed life. His newest solo project, Analog Man, has received positive critical review and is selling well. As a member of notable bands, The James Gang and The Eagles, he has made lots of money and become famous. However, his life has not been bereft of struggles. He didn't have a relationship with his birth father. Walsh and his wife lost their first child at the age of 3 in an automobile accident. His excesses with alcohol and drugs were common knowledge in rock circles. (He has been in recovery since 1995). His personal relationships with his band mates The Eagles during the 70's were notably strained. Did we mention he gave away or sold a '59 Les Paul?
There is a deceptive allure that comes with fame and fortune. It can easily be perceived that our favorite movie stars and musicians lead lives of enchantment and continual happiness. With the advent of the 24 hour news cycle and internet video, this deception is not so easily maintained. We see some famous people in video of compromised positions and mug shots and we pause to wonder if they really have it as good as they think they do. Yet, they are addicted to how "good" they have it, and without significant change, can meander down a very destructive path.
Christians are not so different. Fortune and fame are not prerequisites to having a happy life. It is very easy to get addicted to the "good life" and realize that ultimately this "life" is not our ultimate destiny. Many times we have heard that we are to be "in the world, but not of the world". What does that mean?
First of all, it is not found in the Bible verbatim, yet is a conglomerate of teachings that Jesus relayed to the disciples. The closest composite to this saying would be John 15:19
"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Secondly, while "in the world and not of it" is an easy churchism to roll off the tongue, practical application is significantly more challenging. The temptations of this life are abundant. Let's face it, Adam and Eve couldn't resist the temptation of this world, and they were living in a place where one would think there would be very little by which to be tempted.
Finally, there is an arrogance in this phrase that can be misunderstood by preChristians. In fact, many Christians would be challenged to explain exactly the meaning behind "be in the world, but not of it."
The Notes would have to concur with Joe Walsh. Life HAS been good to us so far. The majority of people that we are associated with can say the same. Perhaps that is the real temptation of this world. The enemy does not put us through a "Job moment" and we have things pretty good. So good in fact, that we may hesitate when it comes to growing as a disciple of Christ. Certainly, the "good life" is a strategy the evil one will use with those who are not redeemed, but what about those of us who are longing for heaven? Is it conceivable that we can be left alone to the trappings of this world so much that it is difficult to imagine our lives ever being better? Our imaginations of heaven can never be as good as the reality of heaven will be, so we become satisfied with the "good life" we have now. For many, this is the hardest temptation to resist. We really do believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, that He died on a cross as a substitute for us, that He physically rose from being dead, and that He is coming to earth again to redeem His church. Sometimes the next faith steps are the hardest to walk as we grow in Christ.
As with many endeavors, discipleship is something that requires work for us to ever maximize the potential we have as a Christ follower. We are not saved by this work, we are saved to get to work. A dedicated quiet time, serving others in our church and community, sacrificing our resources and time, prayer, fasting, and using our gifts to assist the Holy Spirit in the growth of discipleship in others are just some of the work that aids in the process of spiritual growth. All of this work is made easier by the encouragement that we get when we go to the services that the local church provides. Regardless of the tradition for when those services occur, we grow every time we are able to encounter like minded Christ followers. Why would we shun that? Perhaps "life's been good to me so far"?
Please consider making the attendance at the church of your choice "every time the doors are open" a priority for you and your family this week. You may find that life can be even better.
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy
It's Tuesday, and time for another Tuesday's Musical Notes where Rock-n-Roll meets reflection, lyrics meet life change, and people get to walk to the beat of their own time signature......
He was the son of a classically trained pianist and a Fidler. He was adopted by his step father at age 5 and moved to New York City at the age of 12. While living in the Big Apple, he began a lifelong obsession with amateur "ham" radio. (He currently holds an "Amateur Extra Class" license). He has played 15 different guitars over the course of his career including a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that he gave/sold to Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page in April 1969. He is credited with playing 20 other instruments, most of which are keyboard oriented, and has played on some of the biggest album's in Rock history. Rolling Stone has him listed at #54 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". He put forth unsuccessful bids for President AND Vice President and is brother-in-law to Ringo Starr by marriage. In short, you could say that "life's been good" to him so far.....
"Life's Been Good" Joe Walsh at Darryl's Place
Joe Fidler Walsh, ("Fidler" is his birth father's last name) has led what appears to be a charmed life. His newest solo project, Analog Man, has received positive critical review and is selling well. As a member of notable bands, The James Gang and The Eagles, he has made lots of money and become famous. However, his life has not been bereft of struggles. He didn't have a relationship with his birth father. Walsh and his wife lost their first child at the age of 3 in an automobile accident. His excesses with alcohol and drugs were common knowledge in rock circles. (He has been in recovery since 1995). His personal relationships with his band mates The Eagles during the 70's were notably strained. Did we mention he gave away or sold a '59 Les Paul?
There is a deceptive allure that comes with fame and fortune. It can easily be perceived that our favorite movie stars and musicians lead lives of enchantment and continual happiness. With the advent of the 24 hour news cycle and internet video, this deception is not so easily maintained. We see some famous people in video of compromised positions and mug shots and we pause to wonder if they really have it as good as they think they do. Yet, they are addicted to how "good" they have it, and without significant change, can meander down a very destructive path.
Christians are not so different. Fortune and fame are not prerequisites to having a happy life. It is very easy to get addicted to the "good life" and realize that ultimately this "life" is not our ultimate destiny. Many times we have heard that we are to be "in the world, but not of the world". What does that mean?
First of all, it is not found in the Bible verbatim, yet is a conglomerate of teachings that Jesus relayed to the disciples. The closest composite to this saying would be John 15:19
"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Secondly, while "in the world and not of it" is an easy churchism to roll off the tongue, practical application is significantly more challenging. The temptations of this life are abundant. Let's face it, Adam and Eve couldn't resist the temptation of this world, and they were living in a place where one would think there would be very little by which to be tempted.
Finally, there is an arrogance in this phrase that can be misunderstood by preChristians. In fact, many Christians would be challenged to explain exactly the meaning behind "be in the world, but not of it."
The Notes would have to concur with Joe Walsh. Life HAS been good to us so far. The majority of people that we are associated with can say the same. Perhaps that is the real temptation of this world. The enemy does not put us through a "Job moment" and we have things pretty good. So good in fact, that we may hesitate when it comes to growing as a disciple of Christ. Certainly, the "good life" is a strategy the evil one will use with those who are not redeemed, but what about those of us who are longing for heaven? Is it conceivable that we can be left alone to the trappings of this world so much that it is difficult to imagine our lives ever being better? Our imaginations of heaven can never be as good as the reality of heaven will be, so we become satisfied with the "good life" we have now. For many, this is the hardest temptation to resist. We really do believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, that He died on a cross as a substitute for us, that He physically rose from being dead, and that He is coming to earth again to redeem His church. Sometimes the next faith steps are the hardest to walk as we grow in Christ.
As with many endeavors, discipleship is something that requires work for us to ever maximize the potential we have as a Christ follower. We are not saved by this work, we are saved to get to work. A dedicated quiet time, serving others in our church and community, sacrificing our resources and time, prayer, fasting, and using our gifts to assist the Holy Spirit in the growth of discipleship in others are just some of the work that aids in the process of spiritual growth. All of this work is made easier by the encouragement that we get when we go to the services that the local church provides. Regardless of the tradition for when those services occur, we grow every time we are able to encounter like minded Christ followers. Why would we shun that? Perhaps "life's been good to me so far"?
Please consider making the attendance at the church of your choice "every time the doors are open" a priority for you and your family this week. You may find that life can be even better.
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Against The Wind" (Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band)
Welcome
to the Tuesday review at Tuesday's Musical Notes. It's the first of
the month and that means its time for a flashback to a Note that's never
breathed in the blogosphere. Today's Notes is from May of 2011 and
features one of my all time favorite artists, Bob Seger. Partnering
with his Silver Bullet Band, Bob Seger has remained a Rock - N - Roll
icon by continuing to tour at the age of 70. It makes him one of the
world's oldest Rock acts that continues to tour. The most recent tour
in support of his "Ride Out" album saw most of the dates sold out soon
after the tickets went on sale. In April of 2011, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band had a tour stop at Verizon
Arena. (I didn't go because the tickets were $67!! Do you know what
that is in Diet Mountain Dew economics?) I am told that it was a
fantastic concert and it was sure to have featured the #5 title cut from
1980's "Against The Wind". I think this song says much about
standing on your principles with integrity with a little rebellion thrown in for good measure.
"Against The Wind" title track from the 1980 album by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
"Against The Wind" title track from the 1980 album by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
and 31 years later it looks like this:
Throughout
his 50 year musical history, Bob Seger has demonstrated what it takes
to survive and thrive in the music business. He writes most of his
songs, plays guitar and piano, is willing to collaborate on songs with
fellow rockers (most famously Glenn Frey of The Eagles, they cowrote the
#1 Eagles hit "Heartache Tonight"), and is considered to be one of the
hardest working artists in the music business. He was inducted into the
Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and has seen 13 of his albums go
Platinum (album sales in excess of 1,000,000 units, with his Greatest Hits album selling in excess of 9,000,000 units).
At the peak of his success, he released 1980's Against The Wind.
The record business was still huge in the '80s and Bob Seger found
himself with his first and only #1 album with the release of Against The Wind.
The album benefited by being released in a period of time when the
multiple format release (8-track, cassette, and vinyl) was at it's
peak. When released as a single, the title track went as high as #5 on
the charts, making "Against The WInd" the highest charting single from
the album.
"Against
The Wind" is a very reflective song about life. It begins in the
period of youth by facing challenges with a respectful but rebellious
attitude, then segues to the prioritizing stage of life where you are
working to provide resources for shelter and other amenities, and
finally winds up at the stage of life where you've learned to choose
your battles and have what you need when you choose to run against the
tide of poplar belief.
"Seems
like yesterday.....but it was long ago"..... Do you reminisce
about the times that were "long ago?" I sure do. What is it in your
past that frames who you are today? Be careful to remember that the
"nostalgia" of your past is probably different from the "reality" of
your past. Do you remember the guidance and
perhaps discipline that your parents supplied to "train you up in the
way you should go"? Were your parents ones that had you in church
at each opportunity? Did you see the example of people who understood
that salvation doesn't come by how much you work, but working is
a byproduct of your salvation? Perhaps this is not your life
experience, but the one you are trying to provide for your children.
St. Augustine has a great quote regarding prayer and works....
"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."
~ St. Augustine
"Our Turn Now" by Carman and Petra from the 1991 album Addicted To Jesus
Woodlawn - Movie Trailer - a Motion Picture that shows Christians running "Against The Wind"
'TIl Tuesday
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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