Lessons From Losing
"We stand for certain things. Kids have to be responsible for their actions." So said Mike Slaughter, coach of the Marquette High School football team in Alton, Illinois. That statement will become more impressive to the reader after reflecting on a few things. In many places around the country, interest in local school sports-especially football-borders on religious fervor, making coaches like Mr. Slaughter prominent figures in their respective communities. People are passionate about their home teams. Several years ago I was privileged to experience this passion first hand when I sat with some 18,000 fans at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas and watched the Odessa High Broncos defeat their rivals, the favored Permian Panthers, for the first time in nearly 30 years. For many Bronco fans, this was virtually a spiritual experience. And of course, Odessa High coach Randy Quisenbury became the hero of the moment.
Back to coach Slaughter. His Marquette High football team finished the season undefeated at 10-0, and were set to make a run for the state championship. But before the playoffs began, 16 of his starting players were arrested for underage drinking at a party. The players were suspended. When parents requested the team not suspend the transgressors-after all, they composed most of the starting lineup of an undefeated team that could go all the way, bring home the state championship and put us on the map-that is when coach Slaughter said, "We stand for certain things. Kids have to be responsible for their actions." The season ended for the team with a humiliating 63-0 loss in the playoffs.
How refreshing is Mr. Slaughter's sentiment in an age when people want to point the finger at-and hire lawyers to sue-everyone else rather than take responsibility for their own actions. Parents, we do our children no favors when we shelter them form the consequences of their sinful choices. An inspired wise man tells us, "He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard" (Prov. 13:13-15). When we choose "the way of the unfaithful," there is designed into that way certain unpleasant repercussions which can help us to see our folly, change our direction, and avoid further pitfalls which could ruin us. The way of sin is supposed to be "hard," to chastise us. Our hearts break when our children must suffer for their sin, but if we seek to soften or eliminate altogether the hurtful consequences of their foolish choices, we are not acting compassionately toward them. Protecting them from the hard knocks of life's lessons only pampers them down a path leading to destruction.
Too, it is good to see a school district uphold discipline rather that caving in to whining parents. In Psalm 15, David asks a question, "Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" He answers, in part:"[he] who swears to his own hurt and does not change." That kind of integrity-holding to your own word even if it means suffering for it-is rare, but it is essential if we are going to dwell with God. And how desperately do our children need to see us model that commitment and honor. We are not suggesting here that there are never circumstances in which alternate punishments may be appropriate. But what kind of message would it have sent to these kids if, despite their offenses and regardless of school rules, they would have been allowed to play in the big game? Football is more important than ethics. Winning is more important than ethics. We don't expect you to live up to standards of right conduct. The rules can be bent for the athletically gifted. Underage drinking isn't really too big of a deal (at least compared to winning). We don't really mean what we say. The Marquette High School football team might have been able to go all the way to the state finals and bring home the championship. What an unforgettable season it could have been. But in the end, that 63-0 disgrace will give them more than they could ever get from any passing glory of winning. As coach said, "We stand for certain things." And those things-truth, accountability, responsibility, integrity, fairness, high standards-are far more valuable than any championship.
-Tyler Young
Current Concerns
Wallace Cunningham was admitted to Medical Center Hospital on Monday, April 23rd suffering with back pain
with swollen legs and feet. He is being treated with blood thinners for a blood clot in his leg. The doctors have him
on Morphine and Valium. A cat scan was done on his pelvic to help determine the problem. He is in Room 529.
Fran Arbuckle's eye surgery has been postponed because she has to have an angiogram done on Thursday, April 26th.
She has asked for our continued prayers.
Bruce Cunningham, Wallace & Iola's son has been released from the hospital and is home now recuperating from his
back surgery.
Alex Martinez Jr. hurt his back and is at home and on medication. If he does not improve in a week or so, he will have
to have an MRI done.
June Turnbow had hip surgery on Friday, April 20th. She is in Room 311B at Alliance Health South. She is undergoing
physical therapy.
Nell O' Beth Willoughby has been transferred to Room 944. She is making little progress but still struggling with infections.
Nina Sledge has been moved to Room 409 at Alliance Hospital. She had to have fluid drained from around her lungs.
Nina is able to breathe a little better.
Melissa Clark, niece of Larry and Janis May had emergency surgery Sunday, April 22nd. The surgery to repair an
intestinal adhesion went well.
Sharon Fisher fell and broke her wrist Friday night, April 20th. She is back at the nursing home.
Miguel Arroyo, Jr. youngest son of Miguel ( Director of The Central School of Preaching in Queretaro) will be undergoing
tests Monday or Tuesday.
Dorinda Martin, Ron Inmon's step-daughter had surgery Monday morning, April 23rd and is in ICU #10 at Medical Center
Hospital. The surgery was a success; the doctors were able to remove the cancerous part from her lungs.
Prayer List
Christopher Arbuckle; Bruce Cunningham; Peggy Cade; Dana Erwin; Sharon Fisher; Monte Gerig; Burt Groves; Marion
Lee; Abram Martinez; JoAnna Minter; Pete Munos; Aricema Ramirez; Patsy Sanchez; June Turnbow; Crystal Vargas;
Clay Wilkerson; Delora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Wilma Mitchell; Virgie Price; Charles
and Pearl Tucker
Youth
There will be a graduation shower for Joshua Bell on May 6th in the annex from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
There will be a graduation shower for Kayli Martell and Jacey Wesson on May 20th in the annex from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's
topic will be titled, "The Kingdom of God."
The Cherokee Home for Children will be hosting their annual grocery drive on May 26th. They have requested the following
items: laundry stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, (no aerosol cans.)
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be here on June 4th. Some requested items are cream of chicken soup,
sugar, and plastic food wrap. They are also accepting monetary donations.
FYI
We will be having a ladies' work day on May 19th. We will be cleaning, painting, and decorating classrooms. If you can
help, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer. We are planning to work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. More details will come as it gets closer.
I've moved back to Odessa permanently. My address is 4010 Tanglewood #24. I'm looking for some one that could pick
me up on Sundays & Wednesdays to get to church services. Will be happy to reimburse some of the gas cost.
Thanks , Carolyn Wilkerson
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of April are Devida Montgomery 272-3679 and Glenda Hillis 413-2658
Note: We have not received all of the "Male Information Sheets" as to date. If you have not turned yours in, please do
so as soon as possible.
| April 29, 2007 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Song Leader | Steve Horton | Cameron May |
| Sermon | Roelf Ruffner | Roelf Ruffner |
| Opening Prayer | Lon Howard | Lon Howard |
| Scripture | Bill Butler | John Bethune |
| Second Prayer | Jr. Munoz | Ronnie Lane |
| Closing Prayer | Don Easlon | Leon Sledge |
| Lord's Supper | ||
| West | Tony Marrs Ben Ellison Frank Vargas John Carrol |
Craig Wesson Cody Wesson |
| East | DJ Ray Kirk McFarland Mike Roemisch Juan Morolez |
Jeff Wesson |
Other Responsibilities:Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Jeff Wesson --
Pulpit: Scot Straw ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"The Judge Is Coming" (Matthew 25:41-46)
Sunday PM
"Heart Religion" (I Chronicles 28:1-10)
Our Records
Bible Class...99
Morning Worship...170
Evening Worship...114
Wednesday...119
Contribution... $4,326.00