Posted on 06/23/2024 6:12:45 AM PDT by Ezekiel
On this day, June 22, 2024, we celebrate the extraordinary life and multifaceted career of Kris Kristofferson, a true legend whose influence has woven itself into the very fabric of American music and cinema. Born in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson’s journey from Rhodes Scholar to country music outlaw and Hollywood star is a saga of artistic rebellion, heartfelt storytelling, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity.
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The Songs that Define a Legend
To distill Kris Kristofferson’s musical contributions to just ten songs is no small feat, but here we go, each one a masterpiece in its own right:
•"Me and Bobby McGee" - A tale of love, loss, and the open road, this song captures the bittersweet essence of freedom.
•"Help Me Make It Through the Night" - A candid plea for companionship, this song’s simplicity is its strength.
•"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" - Kristofferson’s vivid portrayal of a hungover Sunday morning resonates with raw honesty.
•"For the Good Times" - A melancholy reflection on a fading relationship, rich with emotional depth.
•"Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)" - A poetic tribute to a love so profound, it remains unparalleled.
•"The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" - An ode to the dreamers and wanderers, this song is a nod to those who live life on their own terms.
•"Why Me" - A deeply personal gospel number that reveals Kristofferson’s spiritual side.
•"To Beat the Devil" - A story of struggle and resilience, it’s an anthem for the downtrodden and the defiant.
•"Jody and the Kid" - A tender narrative of a father-daughter relationship that’s both heartwarming and poignant.
•"Silver Tongued Devil and I" - A self-reflective piece that explores the duality of human nature with poetic grace.
(Excerpt) Read more at gratefulweb.com ...
The story painted in the mind’s eye is the journey of good country music. Every story Kris ever sung was punctuated with brush stokes of a fine painter. This song was a down and out and something one might have experienced given his experiences with bars, and music, til four a.m.
This ain’t Kristofferson, but has a vintage semblance of his brilliancy:
It’s parables like the ‘sower’ that show judgment. I didn’t write it.
It shows people that respond positively to the word of God, but don’t let go of the worldly life completely.
Kinda like the rich young ruler that was seeking to follow Jesus, to couldn’t give up everthing and follow him.
‘But’, not, ‘to’
The sex seen with Sarah went too far for his wife.
Kris appeared to be All In during filming.
Any man lucky enough to marry Rita Coolidge is O.k. in my book.
Funny, just today I was discussing and playing the song “One Day at a Time” for a young man from Generation Z, telling him about the old gospel country song and Kris Kristofferson.
Matthew Verse 26
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
I would never discount anyones claim to salvation in Jesus.
Especially when they are breathing and still in the spiritual battle.
I can draw assumptions but it seems like one would be discounting Gods power over the heart and the ability to know it fully.
I cannot see what is truly in a persons heart, I can see outward signs, I guess that is what you meant…good fruit etc.
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[c] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first
If there is little or no change, then real conversion hasn’t taken place.
= = =
I kind of agree.
But I can look at the thief on the cross. Not much time to examine if a little or no change.
“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” “
I don’t give up on ‘half way conversions’. They can advance the remaining half way.
GREAT MOVIE
I HAVE THAT MOVIE ON VHS. LOVED IT.
Did accounting since 1957.
Caught onto the premise quickly.
CAN HAPPEN.
**But I can look at the thief on the cross. Not much time to examine if a little or no change.**
The thief changed all he could change. He would be dead before long, (and in the process of agony, experience having his legs broken as well).
I haven’t followed KK’s life very closely (I don’t follow celebrities’ lives very much). But when I saw his name mentioned in the news, it appeared to me he was still trying to serve two masters.
it appeared to me he was still trying to serve two masters.
==+
If examined, I could be seen trying to serve three.
1) My sinful flesh.
2) The Government, obey the governing authorities, paying taxes, wearing a mask, my employer and his diversity demnands, etc.
3) The Lord Jesus - Who rules above all else in my life.
And who loves me and has saved me -
From Today’s readings - Heb 10:
11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
But this Man!!!!! Thank You, Jesus
Yeah, I remember that movie.
Scenning of his filmography reveals he did some interesting and diverse projects.
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