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This Saturday many will mark the occasion of 239 years as a Republic by being in parks all over the country...I think it is the 4th of July!!! Can you dig it?
There
are many similarities between 1972 and 2016. It was and is an election
year. There seems to be national division on unpopular wars (1972
VietNam, 2016 Iraq). The Supreme Court plays a part in the national
conversation...(Roe v. Wade (abortion) was argued in 1972, Obergefell v.
Hodges (homosexual marriage) was just decided). And The Band plays on.
Chicago The Band that is...
1972 saw the release of Chicago V.
It spent 9 weeks at #1 on the album charts bolstered by the single
"Saturday In the Park" which spent 2 weeks at #3. The song would go on
to the be the 40th most popular hit of 1972. (Billboard 1000 Top Singles
1955-1992, compiled by Joel Whitburn, Hal Leonard Publishing, 1993).
"Saturday In The Park" would be followed by the top 30 hit "Dialogue
Parts I & II", Making Chicago V one of the top albums for 1972.
"Saturday
In The Park" is a song about enjoying friends, neighbors,
and community at a park during a national holiday. It reflects the
inspiration of Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocalist and founding member) as
he returned from a trip to Central Park in New York City and was amazed
by the artistry of the local performers in the park that day. It seems
"Italian songs" weren't the only creative element in the park that day.
The song speaks to the anticipation of getting out in the open air and
experiencing a sunny day. It alludes to the lost art of people
watching. It announces the celebration of folks coming together to just
enjoy an afternoon away from the consistency of the work week. The
park and its surroundings is all they need to have in common on this day
and it is all they need to help each other change the world...can you
dig it?
No other group has had the longevity and recording prowess of this Rock band with horns. They continue to tour to sold out audiences around the world and just happen to be Tuesday's Musical Notes favorite Rock-N-Roll act. The Notes has shown great restraint in that "Tuesdays Musical Notes - "Alive Again"" is the only Chicago based Tuesday's Musical Note before "Saturday In The Park" The band released their appropriately titled, Chicago XXXVI NOW, on July 4th of 2014.
"Listen children, all is not lost, all is not lost, no, no, no..."
Many
in our country have the misconception that the form of government that
we practice is a democracy. According to Mr. Guerry Moorer and his
civics class from 1980, a democracy in its strictest form is government
by the people, majority rule, or mob rule. Most democracies do not make
it very long before a dictator or faction of the people rise to rule
over all of the others.
The
United States from its inception has always been a republic. (...and
to the Republic for which it stands...) Again from Mr. Moorer's Civics
class; a republic is defined as: the people rule by electing
representatives who make legislative decisions on behalf of the people.
Until 1787, these representatives also elected the President and Vice
President. The founders then developed the plan of the electoral
college for determining Presidential elections. We'll let our friends
at Schoolhouse Rock explain the process:
This
4th of July will be celebrated differently in many of our communities
because we are in a Presidential election season. As of the writing of
today's Notes, there are 13 Republicans (with at least 3 more likely)
and 4 Democrats (with 1 or 2 more expected) seeking the Presidency. It is easy to imagine that many of these candidates will be at 4th of July
celebrations attempting to woo voters for their campaigns. This blog
does not do candidate endorsements, however, we encourage all of
Tuesday's Musical Note readers to listen closely to what each of these
folks are saying as they run for the highest office in the land. Look
at their websites, read every article that you can about them (yes, even in those publications
in which you disagree). Decide what you
believe. What are the core foundational principles in which you chose
not to negotiate. Then, decide which of these men or women come closest
to sharing your principles and belief system. AND THEN VOTE!
One quality that The Notes deems absolutely necessary for a President is leadership. There
is much to be said in the Scriptures about the topic of leadership. We
highly recommend that Scripture reading and prayer be a MAJOR part of
your Presidential candidate selection process. What are some of these
characteristics?
In Luke 22:24-26, Jesus says that the greatest among you should become the least. (Luke 22:24-26 The Message Paraphrase)
In effect, the one wanting to achieve greatness, should become a
servant to all. This is difficult to do in our power driven society.
The temptation to be served is a compelling force. Jesus was the
greatest among all because he served man by giving himself as a ransom
for our sin.
The
book of Proverbs suggest that a leader should be one who attempts to
live righteously (characterized by uprightness or morality): "Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness. Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly." - Proverbs 16: 12-13
Scripture also implies that a leader be one who listens, is willing to learn, and reveres the Lord:
So now, kings, be wise;
receive instruction, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with reverential awe
and rejoice with trembling. Psalms 2:9-11
All
through the Bible there are passages that apply to those who wish to
"serve" their country by leading it. Do yourself a favor and seek out
the above passages in context as well as many others that concern
rulers, kings, and leaders. Explore those passages that speak of the
ultimate freedom that we experience as followers of Jesus. You might
find a few surprises as to what the Word Of God considers to be
leadership. You will certainly find some differences between what the Bible qualifies as a leader and the politicians who
will be joining us in our freedom celebrations as we watch..."people
dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream...people reaching,
people touching A real celebration, waiting for us all, if we want it,
really want it, can you dig it...Yes I can!
'Til Tuesday
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
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