After a few hours in Lubbock yesterday, I returned to this quote I’ve been staring at for a couple weeks. It’s from songwriter Butch Hancock:
“Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you’re going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love.”
And that’s not just Lubbock, of course.
We need to be very careful about the messages we’re sending out with our words and our lives.
One other quote for today. These insightful words are from Doug Foster in Seeking a Lasting City: The Church’s Journey in the Story of God
“God expects us to be traveling, not sedentary, always journeying and never permitting ourselves the smug sense that we have found our place in the world.
“Simply put, continuing the journey toward the lasting city isn’t easy. As we’ve seen, New Testament Christians relied on elements like Scripture, worship, leadership, holy living, and the Holy Spirit, all working in combination to ensure their faithfulness to God’s purpose for this church. Emphasized in different combinations from congregation to congregation, these elements provided healthy diversity, as well as continuity, for the growing church. Churches must allow themselves the freedom in Christ to combine these elements in ways that make the most sense for their time, place, and circumstance. Such congregations aren’t denying the authority of the first-century church to serve as our model; on the contrary, their approach aligns perfectly with the principles (if not the specific practices) that governed the early church. This kind of diversity ought to provide the opportunity for Christians to experience the richness and legitimacy of diversity in the church, grasping parts of the story we might otherwise ignore.”
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There are tragic words — and yet, remarkably, words of faith — at lauravanryn.blogspot.com.
Morning Mike.
First off, your link isn’t working correctly, fyi.
You know, I really enjoy reading your blog and the thoughts you share from yourself and others are always quite helpful to me.
Churches must allow themselves the freedom in Christ to combine these elements in ways that make the most sense for their time, place, and circumstance. Such congregations aren’t denying the authority of the first-century church to serve as our model; on the contrary, their approach aligns perfectly with the principles (if not the specific practices) that governed the early church.
Wow. Don’t you think that as Christians are individually on this continual journey Doug mentions, then the way, the look, the reality of how the church plays itself out in today’s society will coincide with such? I mean really, as the Spirit leads and guides His people, certainly wouldn’t the quote above seem so non-essential in the sense of well, yeah…would you expect anything else?
Churches must allow themselves freedom, it must grant the members freedom and open herself into the clear truth that we are the bride and His is our Head. As Jesus guides us, wouldn’t He be the one to determine how our churches today will influence society and reach out to save the lost? The practices of the early church were under the direction of the Holy Spirit, it’s still true today.
May Jesus truly be the chief cornerstone and the Head who shows us our relavancy in representing Him today.
A favorite quote of mine from G. K. Chesterton regarding sex:
“The first two facts which a healthy boy or girl feels about sex are these: first that it is beautiful and then that it is dangerous.”
Of course, Chesterton is right. We’ve done a good job elucidating the danger, now it’s high time to talk more about the beauty. To wit, sex as sacrament within covenant marriage, an in-the-flesh harbinger of a more complete union yet to come.
Lucky me, I grew up in Lubbock.
Mike, I see you added to you post to Laura VanRyan’s site. Thanks for sharing that.
It’s extremely tragic, yet, so powerful of the love shown by these families. God’s Spirit is so alive!
Thanks for alerting me to the problem, Michele. I fixed that earlier link. Yes, the VanRyn family’s words are filled with deep faith.
“We need to be very careful about the messages we’re sending out with our words and our lives.”
I learned while teaching English, that students learn as much about attitude toward “English as a subject” as they do about English. Too many English classes produce students who pass the standardized tests and say things like, “I’m glad I’ll never have to read a book again…” or “I hate writing…” or “I’m so stupid… I can’t even spell…”
Teaching “skills” or “bits” of knowledge means nothing if the learners can’t wait to “NEVER have do that again…”
What do we communicate about Christ? The “Good News?” If so, I don’t think we’ll be able to keep people away from Him. The reality says that we seem to have to work really hard to “sell” him to people who are reluctant if not even opposed… the same way English teachers have to sell Shakespeare or journaling or worksheets… by offering some sort of “free day” or a “popcorn” party… I’ve even heard of schools that pay cash to kids to get good grades.
I was recently at a youth rally Bible Bowl that gave cash prizes…
What are we saying about Christ?
“God expects us to be traveling, not sedentary, always journeying and never permitting ourselves the smug sense that we have found our place in the world.”
That is part of hope. Hope isn’t necessary unless there is some degree of discontent. You don’t hope for something you already have. You hope for something you want. When you hope, you don’t twidle your thumbs and sit still, you move forward - act. In other words, faith is journeying.
The lows in life teach us that.
The problem comes in the highs. That is when we stop moving and smuggly sit still. Our hope isn’t needed and our faith begins to shrink.
May we keep moving forward. Just not through Lubbock!
What I learned from my brief time in Lubbock:
Heat + dust = great big boogers.
I hurt for Laura’s family. What a shock!
Another famous singer/songwriter, Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks) has also written a song about Lubbock called “Lubbock or Leave It”.
I read the VanRyn/Cerak story as I was retiring for the evening last night. Sleep was difficult, as I thought of the impact of these events on these families. But, oh my, grace is shining through their words now.
As for the quote you share about Lubbock, what makes it compelling is the fact that there is some truth to it. But, if you listen to the people I’ve been living amongst (mid-Atlantic and northeastern states) for more than five years now, that’s their perception of all the burgs out west, including Abilene.
Still, God works there. I was wandering in a spiritual wasteland about 30 years ago and some folks with roots in Abilene who were then living in Lubbock helped me find my way. There is some beautiful human scenery there, even still.
I grew up in Lubbock also. Born in the county, lived there growing up, left for Abilene, went back for law school. Grew up watching dear ole Natalie’s dad play at the Cotton Club with Joe Ely (he played steel guitar). Great music, great people, great place to live. Not a perfect place, but then I would think that you could say that about just about any town in this part of the country.
Now, the big news.(I knew Mike would not write anything on the subject, instead leaving it to me)
Many of you on this site have followed the up and down season of the team we refer to as the dysfunctional Baybears of Abilene South Junior League, the only team with its own fulltime minister, fulltime lawyer, and fulltime probation officer. Last night, the always undermanned Baybears pulled out a come from behind 6-5 victory over the Redwings to clinch first place in the second half of the season, guaranteeing themselves a spot in the district playoffs. The last out of the game was registered when the pitcher for the Baybears shook off the instructions from the Baybears pitching coach (a person who shall remain nameless, but who was apparently in Lubbock yesterday studying the writings of Butch Hancock), threw a perfect curve, and struck out the last batter. It was the first time in three games that not a single Baybears player threw a bat or batting helmet or yelled at an umpire. Real progress has been made!
No doubt about it, BW. Beautiful human scenery, indeed.
Abilene’s on a roll right now:
Just is ranked first in Best Small Town Feel, Best for a Country (and Western) Feel, and Best for Sun Gods and Goddesses categories in the new book, “Best Places to Raise Your Family: The Tope Affordable Communities in the U.S.”
Also, in May:
- Abilene was ranked as the 9th lowest median home price in the nation by http://www.money.com
- Abilene was featured as a good place to go for a 36-hour trip by the NY Times; and
- Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine named Abilene as one of the fifty smartest places to live.
Charlie — Unnamed pitching coach felt that with an 0-2 count, an eyeball-high fast ball would be the right pitch . . . and he told the pitcher so when they returned home. Good job on improving the situation with slinging bats and helmets.
Mike, thanks for making us aware of the VanRyn family situation. I can’t imagine going thru that. It sounds more like something out of a novel or movie than reality. My prayers are with that family!
I have to love Lubbock…….Jan was born there!
Fire the pitching coach.
DU
From today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution on the tragic mixup in identities of Whitney Cerak and Laura VanRyn.
http://tinyurl.com/lnxnb
May God blessings and peace reside in he hearts of both of these families.
Peace.
I grew up in Abilene. Went to AHS. Proud to be an Eagle. I Still consider it my home town. Feels good to come home and visit but tried moving back to Abilene and found that Abilene is a great place to retire. Abilene is becoming a retirement community. And if that is what Abilene wants to be that is great. As far as raising a family Abilene is a hard place. The places one can work are very limited. Companies that are in Abilene have the idea of why should we pay a decent living wage that some can live on when we can pay part time wage to some retired person who doesn’t need the money. Declining school enrollment. AHS and Cooper soon to go to 4A’s or 1 Big 5A is a sign that people are moving to communities where they can make a living: Frisco, San Antonio, and Lubbock. Again, love my home town just wish things were diffent for those who live in Abilene trying to make ends meet.
LUBBOCK! Man, that word brings so many things to mind! I’m actually on a road trip right now & had planned to go there, but that portion of my trip was cut (I did make it to Abilene, though (to meet Sally Gary! I was there on Senior Sunday, Mike!).
It was 15 years ago that I loaded up my car and made the 16 hour trip from an obscure small Mississippi town to Lubbock, TX. I did not know a single person there. Moved there to go to the Adventures In Missions program based on a brochure I picked up at the Tulsa workshop. WOW. Lubbock? What was I thinking?! But similar to BW’s comment… God used people from there in a powerful way in my life!
After visiting Abilene though… I’m sad that I was so close for all those years & never experienced what God was doing there…
Blessings to you, friend. I’m thankful for your blog!
Writing from Euless, TX today…
My heart is burdened for these families. Here is an additional report from Taylor University.
http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/2006_05_31_accident.htm
Do you know these families Mike? How are you connected?
Peace.
Those quotes are why the culture of a church are so important. If its a place filled with and always talking of Grace, a place where broken people can be broken and still loved. A multitude of things said “wrong” can be covered. But when its the oposite, we learn things that may go unsaid but are implied. That we have to get it all right. That we have to be perfect. That God loves you, but not really. Sad, Sad stuff.
Mike,
Do not think I can take credit for the improvement. I just think medications have finally adjusted, mine included.You are right on the eyeball high fastball. It sure made for a great ending though.
David U:
No way we can fire the pitching coach. First, he would take one of our best players with him. Second, there would not be anyone left to coach my son, since he will not listen to me, but apparently will listen to Mike.
Classic quote. Reminds me of a Joke about Lubbock Christian University I heard while living in Lubbock…
Why is pre-marital sex not allowed at LCU?
Because it might lead to dancing!
Lubbock might be the uggliest place in the world, but the people sure are nice. Like Angie, I moved there to attend the AIM program. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I never stop thanking God for what he’s done in my life through those special people in Lubbock.
I have no words for these familes. I’m just setting here stunned at the progression of their journey. God be with them……
Steve - I only feel connected to the families by common grief. When our son was in the accident on I-20, his friend on the seat with him — who looked a lot like him — died. When we saw our son in the ER, we thought, “How could anyone be sure it’s him?” He was bludgeoned almost beyond recognition.
A common grief and pain unites like no other. So sorry for you Mike too. Pain and suffering are part of our lives here, even when we think we can’t hold up, He holds us up.
Thanks Mike. I thought of that about the time I pressed submit.
And how grief does connect us all. It perhaps the most common of life’s experiences. Thanks for bringing this situation to our attention so we can pray.
Whenever I read something like your son’s experience or these two families’ experience, I think of the phrase that used to be offered in payer–when we cross the chilly waters of death. That’s obviously a commentary from this side of death.
Peace.
I lived in Lubbock from ages 3-5 and all I got out of it was yellow teeth (high mineral content in the water supply, they tell me). The other messages–about God and hell and sex and nastiness–I picked up from other places as surely as I would’ve if I’d stayed in Lubbock.
I thought someone would’ve referenced Mac Davis by now. Since no one has, I will. The refrain from his song about a West Texas boy with Hollywood dreams says:
I thought happiness
Was Lubbock, Texas
In my rear view mirror
My momma kept calling me home
But I just did not want to hear her
And the vision was getting clearer
In my dreams.
Of course, the song ends with him coming home:
I guess happiness was Lubbock, Texas
In my rear view mirror
But now happiness is Lubbock, Texas
Growing nearer and dearer
And the vision is getting clearer
In my dreams.
And I think I finally know
Just what it means
And when I die you can bury me
In Lubbock, Texas, in my jeans.
Ah…Lubbock=the place I called home for 7 years, and the town that still holds an incredible place in my heart-it will always be HOME. It definitely has beautiful human scenery there-I love that phrase!! I probably still go to Lubbock at least once or twice a month to visit my “other” family there-they invited me into their home to live with them after I had interned at Broadway for awhile-without question, one of the most incredible blessings of my life. They are still family, and always will be!! Broadway will also always hold a very special place in my heart-there are some precious people there.
I loved my time at LCU-that is a great school, and they have been blessed with some amazing professors-especially for such a small school. I will always be thankful for my time there. I had never planned on going to LCU, it was always ACU or Harding-but I can only say that God led me there, because there is not much else that can lead you to Lubbock!!
What an incredible story with the two girls-and an amazing portrayal of faith-I really cannot even imagine. I pray that God continues to bless them with peace~
My family lived in Lubbock for 5 years “back in the day”, & it is forever stamped in our hearts. Except for the dust storms, we loved the scenery & the people. When we moved to Searcy, I remember being so scared of all the trees & bushes. Felt claustrophobic after living on a “table top”.
The VanRyn/Cerak story is compelling. Thanks, Mike, for pointing us to the blog.