CRH/BSPM/BSPOPP AND CoyRH/SEATC Clerical 2024 Fall Holy Days NewsletterMAIN STUDY–AT THE END OF THE TRAILShalom alechem from the Hub City (or as I’ve recently grown to call it–my new Rome!!)!!! Here’s trusting that you and yours are found blessed, well, and whole in EVERY area of your life today as the seasons both outside as well as in our lives once again change and our thoughts once again turns homebound bound towards His holy throne and eternal Kingdom that shall never end and that will be the future home of those who truly love and trust Him.I still gawk in disbelief that it’s already been around six months already since I took the leap of faith by my chinny-chin-chin to formally move from the Malta of two years that I lived at south of Floydada to Lubbock to serve as my new official home city and international headquarters. It hasn’t been easy by any means–and there’s still plenty of struggles I face that are still present as challenges that must be overcome (marginal homelessness and transportation challenges and problems being among them). But considering where I was at this same time last year, I now overall find myself in a similar position to another spiritual traveler that the physician Luke describes this way in the last 20 or so verses of the Book of Acts:Paul Arrives at Rome11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse,[b] where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[c] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers,[d] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.15 The brothers and sisters[e] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[f] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[g] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,26 ‘Go and say to this people:When you hear what I say, you will not understand.When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.27 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand,and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’[h]28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”[i]30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.[j] He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.It had been definitely a long journey for the Apostle Paul/Rav Shaul to finally get to the city gates of Rome–and not just in miles neither from his initial starting point in Jerusalem. Of course, his whole life up to that point from when he got struck blind on the road to Damascus and even the years right before that had basically been preparation for what now lied ahead for him in this new city. All you have to do is check out what he himself wrote to the church at Phillippi:Philippians 3:1-10 New Living TranslationThe Priceless Value of Knowing Christ 3 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God[b] are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,…and also to the Believers at Corinth in his second epistle to them to get the full effect of how Paul/Shaul generally approached life up to that point in time…2 Corinthians 11 New Living TranslationPaul’s Many Trials 16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.NOW this rockstar rabbi who was a disciple of the great Jewish sage Gamaliel and who would eventually become his Meshiach’s personal emissary to the Gentiles–THIS rabbi who went through so much as he approaches the Rome city limit sign finds THIS sight awaiting him at the city outskirts:Acts 28:11-15 New Living TranslationPaul Arrives at Rome 11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse,[b] where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[c] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers,[d] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.15 The brothers and sisters[e] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[f] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[g] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.ESPECIALLY make sure that you note verse here:Acts 28:11-15 New Living Translation Paul Arrives at Rome 15 The brothers and sisters[e] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[f] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[g] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.Those of us who have been on long journeys away from home usually find a sense of excitement, relief, and pleasure in either getting to the final destination we planned to go to and/or seeing the most familiar landmarks of our hometown after being gone from home for a long time. Paul by the longings of the Holy Spirit/Ruach Ha’Kodesh had been anticipating getting to Rome. Now here he was to a place he had never been before. How now would his thoughts and reactions be after so long a journey? And what does that have to do with this year’s Fall Biblical Festivals?If there’s one thing that’s self-evident about this time of years, it is what this same Apostle wrote to the church at Thessalonica:1 Thessalonians 4 New Living TranslationAgain, the Apostle admonished us–The Hope of the Resurrection 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.Again, the Apostle admonished us–18 So encourage each other with these words. BUT WHAT, pray tell, MIGHT THOSE WORDS BE? And how might he after getting this far to the end of this particular trail be thinking and wanting to write about to the rest of his brethren throughout the known world at that time? In my humble opinion and analysis, here’s a quick short list of things he probably had on his mind upon seeing the city lights of Rome for himself for the first time in his life:(1.) He probably didn’t have it too far from his mind about what all it took just to get here in the first place. All those times he had to constantly run for his life and leave trusted friends and brethren behind suddenly without notice…Oh–he sure didn’t forget those people who whipped his back real good with a cat-of-nine-tails those 40 lashes save one. Times in prison, times he went cold and hungry; persecuted constantly by just about everyone and everything he knew because he dared to believe that Jesus/Y’shua was the Messiah and unashamedly proclaimed Him without compromise to the entire world. I’m sure those things were still pretty fresh on his mind as he looked out in the distance to the dominating Rome city water tower and skyline ahead of him.(2.) He remembered all the people and places he had encountered along the way. You probably wouldn’t blame him if he were still a bit steamed and soreheaded and desperata\ely desiring to give certain people a piece of his mind. BUTINSTEAD you’d probably be just as amazed to find out how easily he probably forgave all of those people who in the past did him wrong, left the judgment and results to his God, and hopefully entreated his God to open their eyes to these wrongs, come to repentance, and be reconciled to God.(3.) But even as he thought about those who did him wrong, his thoughts also probably turned towards all the saints and believers he met and got to know in all the places he was blessed to travel to through the years. He probably thought of brethren he remembered such as that Lydia in Thyrtira who took him into her home and graciously spent times of sweet fellowship with him and his traveling colleagues or those Berean brethren who received what he preached, took the time to give him a fair hearing, and examine the Scriptures themselves to see if the things Paul/Shaul told them were truly so.He also most likely thought of his compatriots such as Apollos and maybe even Peter himself that were also doing the exact same things he was doing (and whom Paul even dared to call on the carpet a time or two when Peter got a little offbase theologically on something). He kept in mind other standup folks he knew such as Priscilla and Aquila and also thst guy Epiphroditus who bent over backwards for him to see that Paul while he was in prison got all that he needed thanks in part to the supplies the Believers in Phillippi arranged to send him. Coming to the end of this particular trail was probably for Paul/Shaul not just for his own sake, but also for the sake of his most valued friends and partners who make the necessary sacrifices to help Paul get to his eventual destination. (4.) He would probably remind us of a similar time coming down the road for all of us that he wrote the Thessalonians about13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.He might also like to remind us that this life is not all there is. Just like Paul finally getting to Rome, he’ll probably tell you that there will be a time where we’ll also soon be going to a place that we all have never been before–but that will very much also feel like our final true home and destination. And when we finally get to THAT place, we’ll never have the desire ever again to leave, stray, or wander away …because at that time for us, there will NEVER truly be ANY place like THAT Home.(5.) Then Paul/Shaul would recommend that in the meantime while we wait for that opportunity to go to that final place, we first consider the advice he would have given to these same believers in Rome that he wrote to before he got here:Romans 12 New Living TranslationA Living Sacrifice to God 12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d] 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[g] says the Lord.20 Instead,“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.And then with a wistful smile and twinkle in his eye, he’d probably tell us–”And if you do these things, you will do well in pleasing the Master and in doing all the things He said and commanded us to do before He left us.”(6.) It would be at this juncture that Paul’s traveling companion and official physician Luke might jump in and remind us of something interesting about the way he specifically ended his account of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. “Have you noticed something about the way the Lord had me to END that book?” He’d especially try to point out with his finger the LAST two verses of Chapter 28:0 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.[j] He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.We’d then clearly see for ourselves one big thing about the particular story about Paul/Shaul and the other Apostles. The book of Acts is written in such a way where there is NO CLEAR-CUT DEFINITIVE ENDING! IN FACT–the story STILL continues WITH ALL OF US…i.e.--the story hasn’t quite finished for us yet. After all of this, I think Paul/Shaul once he met the Roman brethren and entered the city gates for himself wouldn’t say that it was actually the END of his current journey–but only the BEGINNING! Then he’d probably turn around and say to us as he now officially starts his “contending in Rome” era–”Thank you, Lord, that You FINALLY got me here to this place. It’s definitely been worth every mile of the trip. Now, it’s showtime–time for me to get busy and get down to business and to work!”Just like it wasn’t the end of Paul’s story getting to Rome, so it is with our story pertaining to us. While we all await His final Glorious Appearing, let’s all remember during this Fall Feast season that His final overall redemption story for all mankind wil not for now en WITHOUT US involved in some way within it. Let us do our part while we still have time and opportunity to do so to make His Name famous in everything we do. That way, we’ll have no regrets when He finally lets us arrive in that place we’ve never been before…but that will serve as our final Ultimate Home and destination for the most ultimate of wedding suppertimes.Then as Paul gives us one last look before we part ways with him for now so that he can finally get settled here in Rome, he’d one more time reemphasize the following final reminder from our state department of highways:The Hope of the Resurrection13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.May THAT day AND place come speedily–even in our own days…Wishing you all the best to you and yours during this special Fall Festival season in THAT Matchless Name of Him who is now helping me contend in my new Rome….Coy RHSPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:(1.) I’d especially like to ask those led to do so to join me in appropriate intercession and prayer not only for Israel and its people in its current state of war against both Hamas and Hesbollah, but also in particular those in East TN/western NC affected by the foods that were the result of Hurricane Helena. One of my cousins just happens to live in the Asheville area in a town that’s about seven miles north of Asheville proper. When I texted him immediately upon hearing about those floods, he told me that he himself was fine personally save for losing some of the back treeline around his property–but that there were a number of his neighbors and people trapped in their homes and still waiting for water, power, and cell service to come back on. He told me that overall the scene out that way was sheer devastation. I urge people that wish to help in the disaster relief efforts due to road closures still prevalent right now to consider monetary contributions to such organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Blessing, and Kenneth copeland Ministries who are usually very active in various relief efforts as these as you might be led to do so.(2,) Here's a friendly reminder from your state department of highways that you can still get your copies of all four of our current releases available through BSPOPP such as “Walking From Lockney to Jerusalem”, “A Message from Siberia”, “sowing In Tears”, and “A’Wise and A’Foolish In Canaan’s Land”. Keep in mind that a portion of the proceeds of the sales of all BSPOPP books after basic expenses are paid goes to help various restorative justice ministries stay financially strong and prepared for futrure ministry. You can get more detailed information on all of our current BSPOP releases at https://coyrhseatcbspm.wixsite.com/walking and also access our Amazon pages through our good friends at texashighplainswriters.com through their “member Books page tab. On the member books page, just simply click on to the picture there of “Walking From Lockney To Jerusalem” to jump immediately to all of our BSPOP book Amazon pages. (And please don’t dforget to consider patronizing some of our distinguished West Texas author colleagues while you’re there on the Texas High Plains Writers site…)(3.) We leave for you two different special Sukkot gifts this time…the first is actually a new song the Lord just happened to get me to write just now about our featured topic of today’s MAIN STUDY. The second is our latest photo just for you courtesy of the good folks at Circle J photography here in lubbock who we happened to recently encounter at the West Texas Small Business Summit that was held here in Lubbock just a few weeks ago. Enjoy and have a great Fall Holy Day season!!!AT THE END OF THE TRAIL Lyrics(Music:) Think Southern Gospel–along the lines of the the style of Jason Crabb and the Crabb Family) (Start the song a cappella on the first verse, then add instrumentation as you go along…)(Verse 1:) It’s been a long hard journey From Jerusalem to here I can’t believe I finally made it After all these many years The Lord so many years ago Said to me loud and clear This was the place I needed to go to To finish my race of years…(Chorus 1:) At the end of the trail In a place they once called Rome Is now where I find myself No longer wanting to roam As the city lights are calling me And summon me towards His throne To a place that I’ve never been But they say is just like home…(Verse 2:) To all the ones who caused me trouble And persecutions galore I say, “Father, please forgive them– They know not what they’ve done…” And for all my friends and partners Who helped me along the way It’s for their sake I got here And by his grace one thing seems clear…(Chorus 2:) At the end of the trail In a place they once called Rome The trials and tests I suffered Are now just memories It’s only by His grace that I survived And by His love He saw me through As I come closer finally Towards a place I might call home…(Bridge:) The city limits sign And the city lights all beckon me I throw down all my burdens And hug my loved ones so dear…(Chorus 3:) At the end of the trail In a place I’ve never been The shooting wars all are over I’m finally safely in His den It’s a feeling I’ve never had Since I don’t know when Here at the end of my trail In a place I now call home.{Final Ending:] It’s here I will finish my course And at this point I’ll stay At what is now the end of my trail At this place I now call home.(Repeat last two lines–then end by singing lines–”Lord, I’m home…I’m finally home…I’m home….I’m finally home…”)© October 3, 2024; music and lyrics originally written by Coy Reece Holley and property of Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing and Productions. All rights reserved.
BSPM FALL HOLY DAY 2016 NEWSLETTER--PART 2
AND NOW ON TO OUR MAIN STUDY…
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MAIN STUDY—THE MANY ROADS DIVERGED IN THE "KEHILLAH KEDOSHAH" OF THE LUBBOCK BUS STATION
"...Two roads diverged in a snowy wood..."
Albert Pike: "...What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
The Hub City has had a very colorful history throughout its over 100 years of existence here on the High Plains. A lot of things have come and gone through its brick-lined downtown streets. From the creation of Texas Tech just down the road on Broadway around the time of the Roaring '20s, its people and local flavor have made it a place that's still known the world over. Even in the midst of the aftermath of the 1970 tornado that severely did significant damage to the city and forever changed its character, Lubbock has been given many titles over the years (its latest one by one national entity of "...the friendliest city in the USA." Regardless of what you might think about it, the one thing you can't deny the most is the fact that in the harsh terrain that has been the Texas High Plains, the city of Lubbock has not only been a survivor...but has even by His grace thrived in spite of whatever has been thrown its way.
You can even see it now in the names of some of its very streets. Mac Davis Lane (which passes by the Civic Center) reminds us of the country star who ironically once sang about having LBK in his rear view mirror. The West Texas Walk of Fame is also present there at the Civic Center as well to memorialize the various artists that have graced its various streets and buildings. A reminder of the only national title so far that Texas Tech has ever won is still memorialized through the renaming of LBK's portion of US 62/82 after former Tech ladies' basketball coach Marsha Sharp brings us closer to the modern era. Prominent artist Glenna Goodacre also has her own street here as well (but I forgot exactly why).
If you'll go east about a mile or so on Broadway after first going underneath the railroad bridge and then afterwards Avenue A, across the street from the South Plains Fairgrounds you'll find a memorial to the man simply known around Lubbock and the world as "Stubbs" where his world-famous restaurant once stood and where another place that is one of LBK's few places of ministry to the homeless known as "Tent City" now stands in the former confines of an old cotton gin.
Going back to downtown, Buddy Holly (no personal relation here) Avenue (which connects downtown with the Depot District known for its bars and unique nightlife that attracts Tech students and other folks alike) reminds its people about the day in the late 1950s when "...the music died". His former band, the Crickets, even have their own street named after them next to their former bandleader, too.
It's interesting to particularly see some of the buildings that grace the very intersection of Broadway and Buddy Holly. From here, we see several places of the seat of government here especially in both the Lubbock County courthouse and old Lubbock County Jail and also the Federal Courthouse across the street. But at the southeast corner of this same intersection lies a transportation crossroads that some may not know about, but in which has been a vital transportation lifeline to me personally over recent weeks. Many personal roads and experiences may diverge from this spot--but surprisingly at times also converge and come back together here as well. What is this spot? It's a place called the Citibus Downtown Transit Center.
It might not seem like much at first--until you know some of the recent history that I'm aware of about this particular place. For a number of years, the bus line that used to be called TNM&O had its own separate bus depot a few blocks down on 13th Street. But when it officially merged with Greyhound, thanks to certain agreements with the City of Lubbock, Citibus eventually became the place that not only provided local bus service for the City of Lubbock, but also became the Lubbock home of Greyhound as well that insured access for even the lowest-income residents to other destinations both throughout the state and nation.
For someone who doesn't have a car at present and must rely on Greyhound to get out of cities outside of Plainview, this unique transportation setup in Lubbock has been very advantageous at times personally to me. Here in this one spot can I not only transact any necessary Greyhound business required here, but as needed can also even get a Citibus pass as needed to get to most places that I might need to get to locally as well. From this place, I can even catch a cab and/or other transportation necessary to get to where I might need to go here in the Hub City in one way or another.
But the Citibus depot hasn't been just of benefit to me personally in the practical sense. In recent weeks (either in waiting for another bus or in transit somewhere), I have been amazed how my God managed to use this unique transportation crossroads as either the starting and/or ending point of a number of my recent personal spiritual journeys as well. By no means am I going to break down everything I've learned (at most, due to what I might have forgotten about all of these things, I'll probably do good just to distill things in a way to where I can hit some of the highlights).
But maybe in writing what I might call a sort of Lubbock Citibus version of Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition", we might find out a few deeper lessons from places we might not expect about the various ways our God loves us and takes care of us. Some of these lessons we probably already know--but it never hurts to not only be reminded of them, but also learn new ways of how to approach them. Others are probably fresh ones that we may not otherwise be aware of--and at the end find the truth about what Frost wrote about "...two roads diverged in a snowy wood...and I took the one less traveled on...and that has made all the difference."
First, let's establish the Scriptural basis for this particular main study through a couple of Scriptural passages that should be somewhat familiar to most of you who have studied the Word of God for a while...but in which it also wouldn't hurt to look at these two particular passages through fresh eyes:
HEBREWS 10
KJV
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
JAMES 1
KJV
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
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ROAD PICTURE LESSON #1: THE PARABLE OF THE SHOPPING CART
(Setting at the Citibus Depot: Tues. night 10 P.M. shortly after arrival from Plainview..and not having enough money for a cab to get to my motel with luggage to carry)
“I came here into town tonight with just about enough money for the motel and maybe a drink or two—but that’s it otherwise. Let’s see—if I recall right, I need to have at least a good $10 or so to get a cab here. But the motel’s only about a eight to ten blocks from here…and I want to hang on to all the money I’ve got to do this trip. I might as well hoof it…”
That was my general frame of mind shortly after I claimed my checked garment bag upon arrival here. It’ll be slow going with this luggage (with one backpack on my back, another backpack that I’m dragging with a handle, and then with the garment bag strapped around my shoulder. So off I went west on Broadway while all along asking Him, “If you’ve got a ride to get me there, I’d sure appreciate it. Unfortunately, not too many vehicles stop in downtown Lubbock around this time of night. So every half-block to full block, I’d have to drop one or two pieces of my luggage at a certain spot, then come back and get the other remaining pieces of luggage and bring them to the point where I left the others and keep continuing on this fashion. Maybe at this rate, I’ll get to the motel by midnight (or so I thought)…
About a few blocks away from Citibus in the midst of the above routine, I was passing by one of the vacant buildings when a lady asked what I was doing. We talked for a couple of minutes—and despite appearances otherwise, she assumed that I was probably homeless. Whatever her reasons (even if she didn’t have a car), I found out tonight through her that the LORD sometimes if you ask for transportation may not necessarily give His answer in the way you normally would expect.
I literally came into town straight from working a VERY long day merchandising stores for one of my jobs, then managed to get to the Plainview bus station in sufficient time from Wal-Mart to catch my bus to here. Doing all of that and now getting myself and this luggage to my motel naturally makes for a very pooped pup. I never thought that the Lord decided that a shopping cart will do just as good as a ride from a stranger I don’t know.
But out of the blue, she offered a shopping cart. Knowing that I didn’t seem to have any other options at the time, I gratefully and thankfully took it. She also went ahead and let me know about a free meal that one of the Catholic churches did each day around 5 P.M. I was fine on food (because I was able to get a free breakfast at the motel I was staying at and could also use any other money not otherwise needed for Citibus fares to get some grub at either the 7-Eleven next door or at the Wal-Mart just a few blocks down the street.
After I was given that shopping cart by that lady, it proved to be quite handy the rest of the way to the motel. Instead of having to carry that luggage in a cumbersome fashion, I actually felt like a speed demon once I put the contents of my luggage in the cart and starting pushing everything instead. For the rest of my current stay here until I left early the next Tues. morning to catch the bus back home, the cart stayed in my room with the majority of the contents I carried with me into town. It was just as handy to use that same cart to take everything back to the Citibus depot to go home. I did have to ditch it across the street by the old Lubbock County jail at the request of Citibus personnel, but hey—it was there when I needed it, right?
ROAD PICTURE LESSON #2: WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE'S NO ROOM AT THE INN
(Setting at the Citibus Depot: 10 P.M. shortly after arrival in Lubbock about two weeks later on another Tues. night)
Hmmm…don’t see the shopping cart I left behind when I was here last…somebody else must have went and took it…ah well…Back to hoofing everything…at least my load’s a little lighter this time since I didn’t have to take as much…. I was just here a couple of days ago or so doing my Quickbooks training at the same motel I’ve stayed at while here in town for the past few weeks. While here, I had a major problem with the way the pass key didn’t go through—and the owner had problems like the dickens trying to fix it. I tried to pay the owners in advance for this stay—but they wouldn’t take the money. Did I hear them say it right? The next stay was free. I double-checked it with them last time—and I thought they said this stay was on the house. The hard part is that this older couple is from India—and it’s quite hard to understand or communicate anything from their broken English into terms this ol’ West Texan can understand….
(After attempting to check in to the motel with no success because only having about less than $10 in my pocket now…) I KNEW IT!! I thought they said that this stay was on them because of what happened with the key…I guess I misunderstood them….what am I going to do now? Hmmm… I guess there’s no choice tonight but to try to stay at “Hotel Denny’s”…at least I have enough for something to drink. I’ll have to really stretch this one out….
For the rest of this entire narrative, let me give you the game summary of what happened. First (despite what would have been temptation to call friends and expect them to bail me out), I spent the first night of this particular LBK trip downing lots of Dr. Pepper and managing to even get a couple of plates of the “all-you-can-eat” pancakes plate that I also went ahead and got in part so that I could have a legitimate excuse to stay for a while there.
Sometime around 5 A.M., I decided that I probably gave the wait staff enough trouble (despite their insistence that I wasn’t so and that throughout the whole time I was there only a very few people went through those doors) and decided to head to the nearest bus stop to await the next bus downtown. Let’s say this time I decided to take the longer/scenic route around the city to kill more time until it was time to get back downtown to take care of the particular business that I needed to do for that day.
After I had taken care of business downtown for the day, now I really had to do a little bit of fast thinking about my options since my return trip ticket home wasn’t until Fri. morning—and I was essentially stuck here until then. I then remembered the Salvation Army and decided to give it a go and see if they might be able to help. I went to the Social Services office first—who referred me to the shelter where they told me supper was served at 5 P.M. and the time to check-in for a possible bed for the night was right afterwards at 6. It was around 2 P.M. at the time after I talked to these folks…so I eventually found myself sitting at a nearby park with all of my stuff in another shopping cart I found back at the Citibus depot.
Then I remembered something that I had that was a possible “get-out-of-jail” (or in this case, Lubbock) as fast as I could—my SPARTAN prepaid ride card that I had on me. With my cell phone still in hand, I thankfully managed to call the main office in Levelland and found that the earliest I could get out of Lubbock was the next day around 11 A.M. So a ride was scheduled first originally for the Salvation Army to go back home at that time. I did have to call a little bit later, though, and ask that they change the location instead to the Citibus depot—but at least one immediate problem is solved for now. If I just get back to Citibus in reasonable time in the morning, I’m home free.
Now, though, for the OTHER major pressing problem—where do I spend this SECOND homeless night in Lubbock? At around 4:30 P.M., I leave the park and await outside the Salvation Army shelter for supper and see about a place to stay for the night. I did at least get supper—but once again, no room at this inn (and the situation why doesn’t involve a lack of money either).
After finding out from the men’s shelter manager that they’re all full for the night (due to the fact that they also have to house their recovering substance-abuse clients there as well), they eventually suggest that I instead go back down east on Broadway to a place called “Tent City”. After pushing my shopping cart and walking east towards the South Plains Fairgrounds (where I was told Tent City was a old cotton gin that was across the street from), I looked around for it and even tried to use my IPad to get directions. I wound up at first overshooting it by a few blocks—then finally went back west and then saw it to my left about a street or two south on what are dirt roads.
Thankfully, after explaining my dilemma to the two guys in the office, these folks at least welcomed me with open arms for the night. It may have not been a Hyatt hotel by any means (considering that you have to walk across the property to behind the main office to use the men’s room—and it as well as the main facility closes at 11 P.M.), but considering the previous night, it was better than nothing.
One guy really kept hanging around like a vulture (albeit a nice one—I wonder if he might have had something to do with why my cell phone that I had with me is now missing…but ah, well…bright side of it is that I needed to upgrade my phone to a smartphone anyway…so it’ll be obsolete soon anyway…). But at least I had a cot to sleep on…and SLEEP I did. Little did I know that they also locked the door to the main facility/old cotton gin at night to where I was locked IN…needless to say, when nature called around 5 AM, I definitely had ants in my pants and was mighty glad when one of the other residents/staff came around the area and I was able to try to attract his attention to open the door so that I could head to the bathroom.
Not much in the way of breakfast here (I was sure glad that I still had my large jug of tea that I’d brought with me…)—in fact, I wound up divesting myself of some stuff I didn’t need to carry back home to leave for anyone who needed it. But other than a lost functioning cell phone (which I later found out after I got back home from one of my bosses exactly WHERE it might have been and even possibly WHO might have taken it) that I could never find before I left, I was at least able to set out back towards downtown and the Citibus depot and await my ride back home. Even with what I might say about SPARTAN sometimes, I was never so glad than then after waiting outside in the rain for a couple of hours to finally hear the voice of one of the drivers I knew well. For that moment in time, he and that bus was definitely a much-needed sight and relief for tired and sore eyes that had went through a Lubbock trip that didn’t exactly go as originally planned. You know what they say about home, do you?
ROAD PICTURE LESSON #3: WHO IS MY "KEHILLAH KEDOSHAH" NOW?
(Setting at the Citibus Depot: Flashback to 2 P.M. about four weeks earlier while I'm in transit between different local Citibus routes)
I’ve been here in the Hub City this time on an extended business trip for several days that has required me to spend what few precious monetary resources I had to stay in a local motel just so I could get some retail merchandising-related work assignments done in several major retailers on behalf of one of my employers at the time. I was between buses here at the Citibus depot when I took a look at my cell phone that was displaying a new message that had just been left by someone on my voicemail.
The voicemail I received was in answer to a call I had made to someone in town about whether a certain Bible study I had attended a number of times throughout the years was going to be meeting that week. The response of that particular individual not only shocked me, but even went so far as to break my heart almost to the point of tears. Finding out about this group’s dissolution even saddened me and even made me feel that it directly violated the very essence of what is said in Hebrews 10:23-25 (KJV)—
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
They obviously had their reasons for disbanding the group—but still…WHY??? Was there something I could have done more on behalf of the members of this particular group to help save this group and keep it going in some fashion? And what about OTHERS each of us might be able to reach for Him through the continued existence of that small group?
My hearing of the disbanding of this particular study group is made all the more poignant due to my past experiences in what was once called the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) (now called Grace Communion International). This small group was the last remaining vestige of what was once a very thriving Lubbock congregation of around 150 to 200 people that was originally formed in the heyday of Herbert W. Armstrong’s ministry in the late 1960s/early 1970s. By the time I first set foot in this particular congregation over 30 years after its formation, it was a pretty strong congregation averaging 100 to 150 people in attendance every Saturday at a Rebekah Lodge hall near the intersection of 50th St. and Ave. Q. and in which also had a smaller sister satellite congregation in Roswell, NM that shared the same pastor we had at the time.
But after the revolutionary changes within WCG that occurred in late 1994 and the course of 1995, the Lubbock congregation went through two different splits that forever changed it for the worse. The second time resulted in a surprise disbanding of the entire congregation out of the blue (or so it seemed to some of us who didn’t know about it until too late after it happened). Afterwards, a smaller core group would eventually reconstitute itself for an unofficial biweekly Saturday morning Bible study that has continued until recently. Hearing about the disbanding of THIS particular core group now naturally in this day and age gives me MAJOR pause and cause for concern.
Why so? Because of a concept that the Jewish people would term a “kehillah kedoshah” (Hebrew for “sacred community”). In these trying days where the term “community” seems to be measured more in terms of Facebook friends and Twitter followers rather than good old-fashioned PHYSICAL presence and intimate contact that can only tangibly be done face-to-face, I still feel that we lose a lot when we neglect the admonition of the writer of Hebrews and fail to make the personal sacrifices and inconvienence necessary to actively gather and show up in person so that actual HUMAN faces can be used by our Savior to give vital encouragement and exhortation when we might need it most.
Just before I go too far off the deep end on this end, let me say to myself with my own accusing fingers pointed back at me that I probably also might have some blood on my own hands for helping cause this particular group’s demise. After all, with my continual financial and transportation problems, I will admit that I haven’t been able to be as active as I could have been in meeting with this particular group as I should have been. Over the years, I have now developed a much more consistent base of contacts here in Plainview that has become in a sense my “religious/church community”. Whether it’s been my more frequent attendance at the two Plainview churches that I have now grown to consider my primary church homes or the Emmaus Community that I attempt to stay active in, I will admit the fact that there’s now others I consider part of the “sacred community” that is now a part of my life with Him—good or bad.
But in reflecting over the demise of what was once a very special group of individuals to me, it’s still hard for me to wonder WHY…why did we as a group (ESPECIALLY after all of the things WE have went through in the past) have to basically call it quits? All of these special people I once knew…for years, we were what I considered a sort of what military people would term “…a band of brothers”. They helped me grow up spiritually into the man for Him that I am now (for better or worse, of course). We went through the roughest valleys together, cried tears of pain, and rejoiced when God blessed one of us with something. The only thing I can equate this sort of pain and sorrow with that could be even harder to bear would be the loss of one’s parents or close family members.
Later on at the FIJM Montford crusade I talked about earlier, I told the men at the Trusty Camp about this particular experience. It was as if my God wanted to tell me something similar to what the prophet Isaiah said:
Isaiah 40:6-8 (KJV)
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
He reminded me about what IS a “sacred community” in the first place and to appreciate the ones you are currently a part of WHILE you’re in it—for they may NOT always be there in the way you used to know them maybe years down the road. Thank God for the lessons you’ve learned in the past from others—but don’t stay stuck in them or rely on them too much either at the expense of what you have now. He also reminded me that the universal Body that is His Church is a much larger and broader one than we tend to see or think—an uniquely formed group of folks of different races, physiques, backgrounds, talents, etc. diverse, yet truly one in Him. And He very much wants to see others come into that very same “sacred community” that you and I partake of now…and we can have a role in expanding it if we will just first yield to what He wants us to do and then do our individual parts in getting it done.
I’ll sure miss being a part of this particular former Lubbock “kehillah kedoshah”—for they were salt of the earth people that I knew I once could rely on. I hope they all know that the door’s at least still open on my end anytime they wish to get in touch with me and talk. And I’ll still always consider them fellow comrades in arms on the overall spiritual journey I’m undertaking for my Lord right now. But I also appreciate even more so now the many new friends in Him that I’ve been privileged to meet over the years since then and that I still see from time to time. I hope and pray that I will never take these new friends (as well as my old comrades) for granted…for they were stepping stones that helped me go further on my journey for Him than I could have ever done on my own. I hope that like one old rabbi I know of that we’ll ALWAYS STAY together in some form as fellow members and citizens of the spiritual commonwealth that is the Ultimate “kehillah kedoshah” of His Kingdom to come.
ROAD PICTURE LESSON #4: "NI MODO!"--THE ATTITUDE OF FAITH
(Setting at the Citibus Depot: Shortly after midnight upon arrival here at the Depot about another week later at the end of yet another extended LBK trip; the next bus home back home to PLV doesn't leave until after 6:30 AM)
“…I’m FINALLY glad this last assignment is done…I’m tired of gift card audits here in this city FOR SURE…too bad I didn’t have enough for one more night at the hotel and that I had to check out this morning (especially when I only had enough on my person for four days and this particular motel made me give a cash deposit…and I had to ask for help from some people for one more night there. Just as well that I had to come here straight from the place I was across town rather than spend another night in a motel. I’m sure glad I got that ride from someone from that McDonald’s where I was waiting to here…it would have been a long night carrying stuff across town again. Even if I have to wait out here all night at the depot, at least I won’t have to miss the bus back home…”
I could have taken an earlier midnight bus home, according to Citibus personnel—but my ticket said that the bus I was scheduled on wasn’t leaving until after 6:30 AM. So I settled in accordance with original plans to wait out the rest of the night here at the depot. At least initially--that was what I thought…before the Lord apparently let me know otherwise in no uncertain terms that He had other plans for me tonight before I headed back home.
This was done by the sudden appearance by a guy who said he did some sort of street ministry named “John”. What happened after that would be a unforgetable drama that for the two of us wound through the streets of downtown Lubbock for the remaining night I would spend here on this current trip.
“John” asked me what I was doing—and I let him know. I insisted at first that I was fine where I was waiting here for the next bus home. But he seemed so concerned about my safety that he wouldn’t hear none of that—so he offered to get something to drink for me at the convienence store nearby. I admit I was a little reluctant at first—but something in the Spirit about this very unique member of His universal “sacred community” compelled me to override any initial trepidations and go with him for the strangest of reasons that I would only find out about later. And so our midnight journey through these Hub City streets began.
“John” claimed that he had just been released from the Lubbock County Jail (why exactly I didn’t have much of a clue—and he didn’t really specify) and that the name of his “street ministry” was called JOY Ministries (standing for “Jesus, Others, and Yourself”—in that particular order) where he himself as a streetwise person attempts to help in whatever the ways our God may lead him those that are homeless and must for some reason be out on the streets of Lubbock at night.
“John” and I first wound our way through the Depot District. His upfront style of striking up conversations with total strangers as if they were long-lost best friends and boldness in talking about Jesus/Y’Shua to folks who were college students drinking and partying in a bar who probably wouldn’t have cared less normally for a thing he said was quite an interesting thing to witness indeed. (I personally wouldn’t have taken quite the approach at testifying to the goodness of God like “John” did—but that’s neither here nor there…)
As we got to the intersection of 19th & Buddy Holly, we kind of differed on which Stripes store to go to. I suggested that it would be better to go to the one several blocks west of that intersection because for certain that one would be open at this late time of night. But “John” took the notion that there was a closer one at 19th & Ave. A that we needed to go to instead. So we first started on our way to the Ave. A store to see if it was still open—only to find by the time we got there that it was closed (in which I had a gut feeling this was the case).
So we backtracked the other way on 19th and headed for the other store that I had originally suggested. When we got back to 19th & Buddy Holly, there was an older man in a pickup truck that “John” noticed—and from there, let’s say he gladly did all the talking to that guy from there in the same fashion as the college students at that bar. I don’t know if it was the Spirit moving there, “John”’s fast-talking, or what—but he managed to not only ask that gentleman for a ride for both of us on the back of the truck to that Stripes store, but even somehow was given $20 to boot by that same older gentleman after we arrived at the store. (“John” later said to me afterwards, “…You see what He did for us. Now I was going to do it out of the money (in which he kept in his socks) I had…But look how God provided. I take you out to get something…and what did it cost us? NOTHING…”
I could give you a further detailed account of everything else that happened that night between myself and John…but it’s too much to tell in the limited space provided here…and I frankly don’t remember everything that transpired that night anyway. But there were some personal impressions about “John” that night I remember most…
(1.) I can hear him addressing me this way as the night progressed—“Coy, by Roy, by Joy…” (He said it was a sort of word association thing to help him remember my name.)
(2.) It was interesting to note how much of a real servant “John” seemed to be. Two cases in point included: (a.) how he literally acted like a pack mule in carrying the garment bag that had all of my dirty clothes from this recent trip (he said to me that for him, he appreciated the opportunity to get a good workout…and that it was actually a way I was blessing him….how ironic…)
and (b.) when we finally got back to the Citibus depot that he actually gave me a pretty good massage after I sat back down on one of the posts…
(3.) He also seemed to elude that it was probably a Divine appointment that somehow brought us together that night…like he was actually supposed to be where I was that particular night. (He even kind of hinted that he thought I was his guardian angel keeping him from harm and building him up in the faith spiritually when he needed it most…and that he was in turn performing a similar function for me. I’m not for sure about going that far in describing it that way myself…I’ll let Him be the final judge of that part for sure.)
But the biggest thing I’ll remember about the many things he said to me that night was a phrase in Espanol that I had never heard before—but was like the thing I’ll take away the most from this particular experience. It was the way he would use this phrase in a sentence that would really strike a major chord with me spiritually. For example, when we tried to go to that first Stripes store, he might say something like, “…Coy, by Roy, by Joy…we’ll go see if that store is open and get something there. And if it’s not open…ni modo…” Understand that I’m really not that fluent in Spanish—so after I got back home, I naturally asked a couple of folks that are much more knowledgeable in the language what that phrase meant as well as similar phrases to it. They all wound up basically confirming “John”’’s definition: “…it doesn’t matter” OR “…it’s not important.”
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EXHIBITION FINALE/FINAL THOUGHTS:
Before I go further to finish that last story about “John” and also simultaneously use that same story to bring this newsletter edition to a close, I think that I want to bring the Apostle James back into this discussion one more time as an explanatory witness that might best capture the essence of some of the most recent things I not only learned from “John”, but throughout all of my recent Lubbock trips--
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Jas 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
This study on the surface has probably seemed to be random thoughts coming from practical experiences that have either started and/or ended in some fashion here at Citibus. But it seems best to me during what to me is the biggest time of the year for pilgrimage festivals such as Rosh Ha’Shanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot:
After I got back home and reflected about this unexpected midnight journey with “John” and especially about the meaning of the phrase “Ni modo…”, it was if the Lord shot this thought in my mind—“THAT’S the attitude of faith!” This really threw me for a loop at first…but now I realize that in that one Espanol phrase, it might also possibly mean something similar to how the Aussies would say about a situation, “No worries, mate!” How so? Consider the following about this “ni modo” thing—
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It reminds us about what should truly be of FIRST importance to us—our God and the things of His Kingdom. Anything else is “…NI MODO!”—not that important to deal with anyway…
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It encourages us to consider that wherever our God decides to guide us (even if it’s in places that aren’t always comfortable for each of us), He’s also more than able to provide. It’s in the trials and testing of our faith that shows us the mettle of who we truly are and where we might stand in His eyes. As our Savior Himself said to His disciples:
Mat_6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Luk_12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Luk_12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
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It doesn’t matter what you’ve lost from your past, etc.—for you always not only have Him to draw your strength from at all times, but that He has made available a vast “sacred community” of people and resources to rely upon in your greatest times of need.
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“NI MODO!”---It doesn’t matter what disadvantages you had at the start…and it’s not important anyway what you do or do not have. What matters is what HE has ALREADY done on your behalf, HIS strength, HIS ability, HIS etc.—to get whatever He and you need to get done.
During these upcoming Feasts, I think my new friend “John” has an interesting idea to ponder and consider. You see—“ni modo…” isn’t just a phrase…but a lifestyle of faith…in short, what should be the general lifestyle of a believer in Jesus/Y’Shua. It’s a similar attitude to how He and His apostles carried out their lives. It’s an attitude of faith that should encourage our souls and spur on further down all of the roads we all must travel. It’s that same overall attitude that will help us endure the things we all must suffer until the end for His sake. It’s an attitude that folks like “John” must rely on to survive day in and day out through this current age we live in. And it’ll be that same attitude that we should hope He will find us in when it’s time for Him to tell us (as Rosh Ha’Shanah each year reminds us of most), “Son, it’s time to go home…it’s suppertime!” As He does that, let us in turn say to the things of this world—“NI MODO!” And in saying that, THIS above all else will make the difference in any situation that may come our way.
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And once again, my final thoughts before I leave you once again until the next edition....Remember that it’s folks like YOU who have joined in the area of prayer, financial provision, and other ways that have made these Divine connections and opportunities possible. My tip of the hat personally goes out to each one of you for playing YOUR part in helping these ministry efforts go a little further down the road than it has been. I only simply ask that you not only continue to do so even more and more, but that each of you out there reading these things that’s interested in keeping these efforts going and being of some assistance to myself and these particular ministry efforts consider doing the following:
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) AGAIN ONE MORE TIME--BUY, BUY, BUY any one and/or ALL of the books I now have available on Amazon! That’s an IMMEDIATE way you can be of some help to me not only in the area of my own personal finances, but in also even helping me begin to reach some of the goals I have for this future ministry including such things as:
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) Formal filing of all form necessary for eventual formal incorporation and granting of IRS 501(c)(3) status of what would be called “Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries”
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) I also already have plans in the works once more financial and/or other resources become available to me to see that special edition copies of all of my new books would be sent and made available FREE of charge to various prison ministries and prison chaplains, domestic violence and/or sexual assault facilities and/or organizations, correctional officers and other law enforcement officials, families of offenders and/or ex-offenders, and victims of violent crime.
For too long, most of the Church and universal Body of Christ has given short shrift to those who have been affected by the criminal justice system here in Texas (or worse--done absolutely NOTHING at all while Rome burns). Through personal experience, I have seen in many ways that in the eyes of those affected by crime, the Church has a TON more work to do than it realizes. I say that very soon, though--if I have anything to do with this thing (as He gives me the grace, ability, and resources to do so), this will NO longer be the case...at least as far as things here in the immediate Plainview/Hale County area might be eventually concerned! Even if it’s ONLY a teaspoon full amount that can be done on my end initially, it’ll at least in my eyes be better than doing nothing at all.
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) And that, my friends, is where you can come in and participate...FIRST, seek the Lord and see what He might have you to do in regards to these things. If He doesn’t say anything, don’t sweat it. I am confident as always that if He has kept me from stumbling as I’ve walked for Him up to this point...then He’s more than able to provide all that I may need to continue to go the rest of the way that He may need me to go. But if He does point something that He wants you to be obedient to do (whether through intercession and/or something else), then I simply ask that you do what He says for you to do...and let me know once you do find out as well so that I can help you plug in and find a way to get involved.
Have a great Fall Holy Day season as you go out on all of your upcoming travels and journeys...and may you do so in the very Name of our Savior Himself who leads and guides us--Yeshua Ha'Meshiach,
(And with a shout of "NI MODO!" from the streets of downtown Lubbock...thanks in part to my street ministry friend...),
Coy Reece Holley
Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries
AND Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing