Music Mondays

Back when this Music Monday series idea popped in my head, it was this week's song that inspired it all. In the weeks since then, it hasn't continued to run in a loop like it had briefly back in June and for that I am thankful. 

Or am I? It is actually one of my favorite songs from "back in the day". Third Day released their second studio album Conspiracy No. 5 in 1997 which included the song below. The album itself feels like an intentional mirroring of Pearl Jam. It is a natural comparison some made after their first album mostly due to lead singer Mac Powell's vocals. In this album, the music itself seems to copy the popular 90's grunge band's style. 

As I remember it, this album was not as well received by the CCM world but that was not an opinion I or my buddies shared. I could still jam to this song if I still had the cassette and still owned a cassette player (yes I am old). 

Anyway, "Gomer's Theme" is still a jam and I don't mind all that much when it does get stuck in my head.

Music Mondays

I took a break for a week, but just a reminder - Music Mondays has been highlighting some songs I find really easy to get stuck in my head. Specifically, songs that I have even found playing on repeat in my head as I wake up in the morning.

This week's feature song isn't so much a radio hit as a radio commercial jingle. I have listened to 670 The Score sports radio out of Chicago for maybe close to a decade now. One of their longtime sponsors his Kars For Kids. 

It's a charity that takes your used vehicles and resells/disposes of them and puts the money towards youth educational programs. I actually donated my lemon-of-a-car VW Cabrio a couple years ago. It was a pretty simple and straightforward process. 

All of that is just besides the point. Listen to this little ditty and tell me it doesn't get seared into your brain upon the first listen.

It is such a unique jingle that my 2.5 year old son recognizes it when it's on the radio. Tbh, that's probably a sign that I listen to the station too much.

Music Mondays

So with this week's "Song that easily gets stuck in my head", I must blame my sister. She and my niece were visiting a week or so ago and they sung this little jingle to one another as part of a little conversation they were having between themselves.

Maybe you're like me and have forgotten that late last decade the group Train had a cultural moment. This song was all over the radio in 2009, reaching #3 on the Billboard charts. It's ubiquitous presence on the radio plus it's catchy melodies and unique vocal delivery all add up to a song that can run on repeat in your brain fairly easily.

Sorry not sorry if I'm downloading some annoying music into your brain.

Music Mondays

So I took a sabbatical from my regular Music Monday features during this coronavirus pandemic. No real significant moral reason, just had other priorities really. 

It did give me time to think about what to feature when I brought it back. And this whole quarantine did give me an idea. If your experience was anything like mine, it has been a long 3 months or so stuck at home quite often. Lots of repetition and being forced to find creative ways to entertain oneself. One thing I've noticed is waking up more with songs stuck in my head. I don't know that this is directly related to this pandemic, but it seems fitting. 

So moving forward, Music Mondays will be highlighting some songs I find really easy to get stuck in my head. Specifically, songs that I have even found playing on repeat in my head as I wake up in the morning.

The first one hasn't been one that has actually been imprinted into my mind's morning soundtrack. However the movie context fits this so well it is a perfect kickoff to this little mini-series.

"I Got You Babe" - Sonny and Cher

Life may have felt super monotonous and repetitive the past couple months, but I think we can all be thankful that we aren't actually stuck in this situation. It's actually kind of a nightmare when you think about it.

Home Worship 5/17/20

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. How does Paul describe his calling in 15:15-16 - what is his goal?
2. Read this article as it relates to Paul's mention of "Illyricum". What are the options for what he's saying? When would he have ministered there?
3. How does Paul taking the collection to Jerusalem picture the Gospel in his estimation - 15:25-27?
4. What warning does he give as he wraps things up in 16:17-18?
5. Who does Paul want to be the focus as he ends his letter - 16:25-27?

Worship Songs

Devotional Guide

Let's take a look at other endings Paul writes in his letters to other churches.

Monday - 1 Corinthians 16:10-24

Tuesday - Galatians 6:11-18

Wednesday - Colossians 4:7-18

Thursday - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Friday - 2 Timothy 4:6-22

Saturday - Titus 3:9-15

Home Worship 5/10/20

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. What specifically can the "strong" in faith do that the "weak" cannot - 14:2-3, 5-6?
2. What are Paul's specific commands to each side of the issue - 14:1-4,13; 15:1,7?
3. What are non-essential issues of our day that Christians often get hung up on?
   
4. What kinds of sacrifices does Paul ask the strong to make in 14:19-23?
   
5. Who is the example to follow - 15:3-6?

Worship Songs

Devotional Guide

Monday - Romans 14:1-12

Tuesday - Romans 14:13-23

Wednesday - Romans 15:1-13

Thursday - 1 Corinthians 8

Friday - 1 Corinthians 9

Saturday - 1 Corinthians 10

Home Worship - 5/3/20

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. Who are some examples, from the Bible and elsewhere, of people who blessed their persecutors (12:14)?
2. Who are some examples of people of "low position" whom you can reach out to (12:16)?
3. Why does Paul tell us not to get even in 12:19?
4. Why should we submit to our government (13:1-2)?
5. What example does he give of how we can do this (13:6-7)? What are other ways you can think of?

I'd highly recommend reading this post by Pastor Jordan Muck with summarizes well the biblical foundation for how we ought to interact with our governing powers.

I would also encourage you to become familiar with the life stories of Paul Schneider, Franz Jagerstatter, and Dietrich Bonhoffer. 

Highly recommended viewing - A Hidden Life which tells the story of Mr. Jagerstatter.

Worship Songs

Devotional Guide

Monday - Romans 12:14-13:7

Tuesday - Daniel 6

Wednesday - Acts 4

Thursday - Matthew 5:38-42

Friday - Matthew 17:24-27

Saturday - 1 Peter 2:11-25