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.
BROKEN AND SHATTERED PROMISES MINISTRIES 2016 FALL HOLY DAYS E-NEWSLETTER (PART I--INTRODUCTION AND MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Howdy and shalom alechem to ya'll from the West TX flatlands--THIS TIME from downtown Lubbock! In case you're scratching your head at that last statement--NO...I HAVE NOT moved permanently from Plainview and (as you'll notice later) all my current addresses are still FIRMLY based in Plainview as well. But recent events in my life (especially over the past few months and this summer in particular) have required me to spend more time away from home and, as a result, here instead in the Hub City of the Plains. (More on that later....)
I'm sure that some of you sometime in your past or even maybe recent educational experiences remember a famous Robert Frost poem "Two Roads Diverged in A Snowy Wood"...you know, it's the one that starts something like this..."
“Two roads diverged in a snowy wood...”
Winter hasn't necessarily come yet to the Hub City by any means--but due to my being forced to take more frequent trips here to LBK and then back home to PLV, I recently found for myself a number of interesting personal roads and experiences that in some fashion either started and/or ended at one particularly notable place in Lubbock that you wouldn't expect at first. But from this unique transportation crossroads, I've seen over recent weeks for myself how what might seem to be several unrelated personal stories eventually come together to not only teach us practical things about life--but more importantly, what He may feel is most important for all of us to learn about Him and His ways.
It just seems right to me to write a letter about these upcoming Fall pilgrimage festivals (as in Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot) from one place here in town where for some all roads eventually lead. And along the way, we'll even learn a lot more not only about ourselves, but also about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who loves each of us...and a unique entity They have created that reminds us of the true essence of who They really are. Where is this special Divine crossroads at--and what can we learn from it? We'll find out more during this session’s MAIN STUDY after some important ministry and business announcements...
MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
(I.) SPECIAL UPDATE ON BSPOP BOOK PURCHASES
Here’s yet another friendly reminder from your state department of highways to let you know that all of the books that my God has had me to write throughout the past 20 years are still AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE RIGHT NOW on Amazon.com as well as directly through Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing--”Walking From Lockney To Jerusalem: My Life In The Worldwide Church of God”; “A Message From Siberia”, “A’Wise And A’Foolish In Canaan’s Land: Detailed Bible Studies For The Believer”, and "Sowing In Tears". How can you do so? SIMPLE...
Just do one of the following things to get your copy of each of these books in your hot little hand--
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) Stop by the Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing website to see a brief description of each book, download FREE sample intro chapters to each book to get a little taste of what each of them is like for yourself, and then get details on how to order each of these books-- http://coyrhseatcbspm.wix.com/walking (no www. necessary on the URL) [FYI--You can also type in to any search engine “Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing” or my name to find the website in case the above link isn’t exactly right...] Then, click onto the top tool bar to find the appropriate part of the site you may specifically wish to access, click onto a specific link, and the necessary information will come up before you on how you can order any of the above books through BSPOP.
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) If you absolutely otherwise can’t wait to get them yourself, then by all means go directly to http://www.amazon.com and type in the search engine “Coy Reece Holley” to get a listing of all books available. [Note: If you purchase directly via Amazon, the prices might be a little higher--but ALL books WILL be available in both print (paperback ONLY--sorry, campers) and also (except for “Sowing In Tears”) e-book form for those willing to subscribe to Amazon Kindle. And you WILL NOT be able to take advantage of the special book prices we’re offering here at BSPOP.]
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) (UPDATE:) For those that don’t have computers and/or Net access, they can also call, write, and/or email me to pre-order each of the books directly from myself/BSPOP (paperback version ONLY--which I will be more than willing to assist you in obtaining as needed) at the following addresses and/or phone numbers: (NOTE: Please note new changes in my phone numbers due to a recent additional phone number I have added AND NOW OUR BRAND-NEW business and ministry mailing address...)
Broken and Shattered Promises Online Publishing
P.O. Box 1501
Plainview, TX 79072
Email: CoyRH_SEATCBSPM@yahoo.com
(806) 451-7475 (cell)
PLEASE by all means feel free to print and send copies of the enclosed order form found elsewhere on this site and even this newsletter to those you know in your own circle of influence that wouldn’t otherwise have access to this information so that they can also have the opportunity to be blessed themselves by the information presented in each of these books.
[Special Note:] (A.) If you attempt to call me on my cell (especially for a book order), please leave a voicemail if I do not answer right away due to the fact that it is one of my methods of how I must currently screen my calls and make efficient use of my limited cellphone minutes. Also, (especially since I’m currently having to deal with some challenges with both my own hearing as well as cellphone clarity), please speak VERY slowly, LOUDLY, and DISTINCTLY as is possible to make sure that I am able to hear your information and then attempt to call you back.
(B.) Those who contact me directly to do your book purchase should note the following BSPOP price and rate structure:
Individual books can also be ordered directly from BSPOP for $20 each INCLUDING all applicable Texas state/local sales taxes and shipping/handling. Please see the attached book order form for more detailed instructions on how you can order any and/or all BSPOP books. Those who are either outside the U.S. OR who are inside the U.S. who desire faster PRIORITY SHIPPING should add another $20 (U.S. dollars) to the total price of the order to help defray our required costs for additional shipping and handling charges.
Whatever way you decide to order any and/or all of these books, I feel that you will be truly blessed as you join me in each of these unique literary journeys my God has taken me on over the years and gain new practical insights and concepts about the Word of God and on some current issues facing the universal Body of Christ that you may have not previously considered. And if you like some things of what you find in each book, please don’t keep the words to yourself--but instead encourage others to take the following advice I’ve recently suggested to others about these important books--”Do like they do in Chicago...buy early and buy often...buy for friends, buy for neighbors, buy for strangers if you must--BUT by all means, BUY, BUY, BUY, BUY, BUY!!!!” (I’ll end my obligatory commercial message this right there at this point...hah, hah, hah...)
(II.) BSPM/BSPOP UPDATE:
If you haven’t checked out our website mentioned above [ http://coyrhseatcbspm.wix.com/walking ], check out how everything is now linked to the website so that we will not have to rely so much on cumbersome email to communicate business and ministry messages. If you haven’t already done so, please stop by the website from time to time for vital updates not only on book purchases, but also for the plans and direction the Lord may be taking this particular ministry.
And (as you will see later on) don’t forget our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/brokenandshatteredpromisesministries ! You can also use the search function on Facebook as well to look for either “Coy Holley” or “Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries”. Our Facebook page is now the QUICKEST way to keep an eye between Newsletter editions on what’s going on as far as BSPM and BSPOP. Those who are more social-media inclined are more than welcome to stop by, give us a like, post comments, questions, etc. about anything related to BSPM or BSPOP.
One of our primary emphases in recent months have been recent efforts to further increase book sales and obtain critical financial underwriting for both our business and ministry projects. This has been primarily been done through a couple of recent trips to Amarillo for the purpose of getting the word out about all of our BSPOP releases. We were privileged to be present earlier in the year for recent concerts at the Church at Quail Creek given by Sandi Patty and Veritas and another separate one the next month by Chonda Pierce as well as an appearance at another Amarillo church by internationally known speaker and apologist Dr. Ravi Zecharias. With that round of promotional efforts at the present time complete, we continue to await the final results of these recent efforts and believe God that these efforts will eventually yield productive fruit not only for ourselves, but also more importantly for His Kingdom.
As you will probably see in more detail throughout this edition's MAIN STUDY, work and other personal obligations have required us to go on more frequent extended trips to Lubbock for work and other purposes several times throughout this past summer. One of those most recent trips was especially helpful in achieving a MAJOR desired goal that we have wanted to fulfill for several years--obtain much needed training on Quickbooks accounting software to benefit our business and ministry endeavors. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension was extremely helpful to us in making an affordable and cost-effective way possible to attend a two-day hands-on based training session in Lubbock to allow what was a seemingly impossible objective to be accomplished.
A side benefit of having attended this training was being able to also receive some information about some important management tools and services that might be of particular benefit to farmers and ranchers to help guide them in making better and more-informed decisions in managing their agricultural operations. Once we at BSPM/BSPOP/CoyRH-SEATC Clerical have first had appropriate opportunity to get more acquainted with Quickbooks for our own endeavors, we then hope to make these services available to the general public at a later date for those who might need them.
At times recently on the technological front, it has seemed like we've first taken 3 steps forward, but then 2 3/4 steps back as we've lost cell phones and/or had things go wrong with our available technological devices. But even in the past week, our God has graciously not only allowed us to gain back some of the ground we've lost technologically, but are even in the process able to go further than we have been able to do recently. For instance, we can praise God RIGHT NOW for PAID-FOR and in our current possession DEBT-FREE a new laptop computer and also new smartphone to boot. By the time this edition officially goes to press, we hope to utilize that smartphone to not only make calls again via our current phone number, but to also do much more than that on top of it!
What the Adversary has tried to steal from us, our God is right now more than restoring! Now only a few things still remain on this particular front before we can finally declare that we are fully functional on the technology end (including getting two remaining pieces of software still needed for the desktop and being able to get our Internet service at home restored). As Joyce Meyer has said, "...I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm OK and I'm on my way."
On the CoyRH/SEATC Clerical front, we have throughout a good bit of this year attempted to also get the word out about our clerical and notary public services endeavors through a directory ad in the Plainview Herald. Due to more pressing recent financial obligations and a current lack of response to the ad, we were forced to call a temporary halt to the ad efforts. We do hope to resume them again closer to the upcoming holiday season as finances permit.
Work still continues on baby steps towards formal incorporation and other more pressing concerns of BSPM. There’s still a few more things that will remain before BSPM is incorporated as the 501(c)(3) that it will need to be--but the journey continues to proceed as finances permit and our God graciously permits and allows. We are still also hope to work with one source for the development of the necessary ministry/business logos that will be required to operate and pictorially represent the essence of what BSPM, BSPOP, etc. plans to become as soon as finances permit us to do so.
As for our past attempts to do initial organizational meetings, we have decided to shelve those plans for the present time until a more convienent and expeditious time that He might later let us know about comes up. BUT if you still have a desire, leading, and/or calling of the Lord to join us on the ground floor of this brand-new and exciting ministry endeavor, please keep an eye on our BSPM Facebook page for further updates and/or call or email us for more information on how YOU as a part of the Body of Christ can truly make an impact on those affected by the criminal justice system.
(III.) RECENT FIJM PRISON CRUSADE EFFORTS
After a little bit of an extended layoff from prison ministry involvement, it was good to once again get back in the swing of things at two recent Freedom In Jesus Ministries (FIJM) crusades at the Montford Unit in Lubbock and the Rudd Unit in Brownfield (which, ironically, dovetailed with my most recent frequent Lubbock trips) and also here in my ol' West TX home of Plainview at the Wheeler and Formby Units.
Even though the night before the combined Montford/Rudd crusades FIJM president and founder Don Castleberry was forced out of action due to a sudden illness, that didn't dampen the spirits of our ministry team or the offenders on both units. In fact, the Spirit still moved regardless on both Montford and Rudd even in Don's absence. It was a privilege for myself personally to literally myself be directly hands-on with all the efforts of the Montford crusade from start to finish (even as I beat the rest of the team Fri. afternoon in getting to Montford while "walking in faith" one more time getting from the extreme southwestern end of Lubbock to the east side heading towards Slaton where Montford is located).
As has been the custom with this particular crusade at Montford in years past, the offenders were treated to a special "watermelon bust" thanks to the generousity of various FIJM donors that to them is always a special treat. Pastor Jarrod Baker of Glad Tidings Church of Lubbock and Zebbe Hernandez of Road To Restoration Ministries were among the speakers whose messages dovetailed off the testimony of ex-offender Joe Narvais who one time actually served two life sentences in TDCJ, but was urged by the Lord to believe Him for an early release even to the point of being required to say in response to the question when he might get out of prison: "...any day now!"
That theme was reflected first in the things we saw as four of us took part Sat. morning in visitation of the men in the buildings on the unit. I was for instance personally privileged to pray with one of the men who was at the time on crutches for healing and a speedier recovery from recent ankle surgery. During the final service on Sun., the members of our ministry team also prayed for one of the men on the praise team from back and other injuries. Ironically, HE was one of those same men Joe was talking about--for this older man was LITERALLY on his own way to being out of Montford "...any day now...".
I was also privileged to speak briefly to the men at Montford during the closing service about the concept of the "kehillah kedoshah" (i.e.--Hebrew for "sacred community") from a Jewish perspective and how important, according to Hebrews chapter 10 that we not forsake it or neglect our participation within it--regardless of whether we are in or out of prison--and how important the concept of a "sacred community" should be in our lives as it is in the eyes of God.
It was in particular a very special treat for me personally to finally get back in touch with the man who's now the chaplain at Montford--Steve Claybrook. Since my recent forced layoff from ministry, I have been chomping at the bit to get back to Montford ever since I heard that Steve had become the chaplain there. I have known Steve personally since his days as pastor of New Covenant Church in Muleshoe (where I would see him from time to time at previous Deliverance Weekend conferences here in Plainview when Bro. Frank Hammond was still alive). It was truly good for me personally to see him for myself and also as well on behalf of my friends at Dare To Believe and New Covenant who had also known him in the past.
Joe's theme of "ANY DAY NOW" also continued about a couple of weeks later when our ministry team came calling on my own home units as well. For that weekend, I was primarily assigned to Formby--and overall, I'm glad I was. Fri. night, Joe gave his "ANY DAY NOW" testimony to the men at Formby...and from there, things took off again--so much so that Pastors Gary and Jan Delay of Transformation Church used that as a launch pad for their own message to encourage Formby offenders to believe God for their own early release from prison. The next day, Gilbert Gonzales at the end of his message said something else remarkable as he recounted counseling one offender who had asked for prayer for strength to deal with a broken marriage. Gilbert boldly declared that the men should NOT believe God for strength to deal with broken marriage--but instead encouraged them to go much further than that...to actually BELIEVE God to help KEEP their marriages.
The Spirit definitely moved BIG TIME once again on ALL of these units through both weekends in various ways---particularly in the area of salvations. According to FIJM Vice-President and Executive Director Stephen Canup, around 75 combined total salvations were recorded through the duration of the combined Montford/Rudd crusade and then around 100 more within the several days surrounding the Wheeler/Formby crusade.
Being a part of the Formby portion of the crusade was also a special treat in a couple of ways for myself personally. First was being able to personally set foot in the new chapel at Formby for the very first time that had just been finished by the Texas Baptist Men and others earlier in the year. I had been on the grounds of Formby many times through the years (remembering that one of those times at a similar crusade being held there in March/April in the middle of freezing cold weather outside)--but it seemed like a different place in a totally different world in comparison to various times spent there in the past. I very much credit those that diligently labored to build that particular chapel--because it is truly state-of-the-art for a prison chapel and nice-looking to boot. It has brand-new video screens with Powerpoint capability and to even where Christian music videos and films could be shown. And to think that of all places that this was built RIGHT HERE in MY OWN HOMETOWN definitely fills me with awe and reverence to Him who has graciously provided these offenders with this particular facility. (And strangely enough, it makes even the chapel at Wheeler across the road pale in comparison--and I have been in that chapel a number of times as well throughout the years.)
The second treat for me personally involved yet another familiar face in Mike McCreight who now serves as the Chaplain for Wheeler and Formby. I have known both Mike and Jeff McCreight since my college days at South Plains College in Levelland where they first were prominent members of the old road show group Country Caravan and later both became active members for a while of the Lubbock music scene. If you've seen TV commercials from the Cactus Theatre in the past, for example, you've for sure heard Jeff's name a time or two throughout the years. Jeff now serves as the pastor of Rock City Church on the west side of Lubbock. If you don't recognize both of the brothers right off, then maybe those of you in LBK might remember their dad's name--Dick McCreight. In LBK pastoral circles, Dick was a very prominent and well-respected name amongst LBK pastors until his death...and thankfully, both his sons are doing their parts to keep that unique Christian pastoral legacy alive. It was equally a blessing to get back in touch with Mike again throughout that crusade weekend. We hope to eventually have opportunity in the future to more fully utilize these unique connections to get the planned prison part of our ministry operations going at a future date as He might allow.
(IV.) PRAYER REQUESTS AND A SPECIAL FACEBOOK ANNOUNCEMENT--
We have decided in the latter part of October after yet another extended LBK trip to as He may allow go on an extended ministry/vacation trip--first to Huntsville, TX for the first part of the Feast of Tabernacles; then on to Branson, MO for the Autumn Assembly of Prayer with Billye Brim and special guests; then from there on to Atlanta for a Gary Keesee financial conference.
Speaking about our Facebook site, we want to invite you to also stop by a special forum there we've created to where those that may have appropriate and legitimate prayer requests they feel comfortable in allowing us to release details about can post those requests so that we can then not only believe with you for whatever you may need from Him, but also urge others as we have opportunity to do so to join their faith with yours as well in all of the places we will stop at along the way. Those not otherwise comfortable or able to post their requests via the BSPM Facebook site can also email or snail mail their requests to us to:
Broken and Shattered Promises Ministries
P.O. Box 1501
Plainview, TX 79072
Email: CoyRH_SEATCBSPM@yahoo.com
(806) 451-7475 (cell)
SPECIAL NOTE: WE ASK THAT ALL PRAYER REQUESTS THAT YOU MAY WISH FOR US TO TAKE WITH US TO HAVE OTHERS AGREE IN PRAYER AT VARIOUS PLACES DURING OUR UPCOMING TRIP (WHETHER IT BE EITHER BY E-MAIL, SNAIL MAIL, OR FACEBOOK BE POSTED AND/OR TURNED IN BY NO LATER THAN OCT. 14TH AT THE ABSOLUTE LATEST TO INSURE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM AVAILABLE TO US FOR ALL PLANNED DESTINATIONS DURING THIS UPCOMING TRIP!
We might also ask in turn that as you might be led to do so join with us in believing Him for the following prayer requests and needs via Psalm 20:1-5 and Ps. 126:
(1.) Lynda Holley (my mother), Billie Lam, Vera Jo Bybee
(2.) Montford Unit--Desperate need for volunteers for various ministry opportunities in the Psychiatric Unit (and if you're in the LBK area and have an interest yourself in getting involved there, please feel free to contact us and we'll be more than glad to help you get in touch with Chaplain Claybrook about those opportunties) [Also--Chaplain Claybrook has let us know that for the next fiscal year, TDCJ due to the recent state budget process has sadly once again decided to give the Chaplaincy Department a sum total of ZERO...a department where ironically the need is the greatest because at times it is the ONLY rehab program available to offenders on all units across the state. Please pray and believe God with us that this situation will be rectified and that the Texas Legislature and other state officials will change their minds about this madness and see that some sort of additional funding for the TDCJ Chaplaincy Dept. is appropriately provided so that the valuable work of chaplains statewide can be continued in some form.]
(3.) BSPM/BSPOP--(a.) URGENT MAJOR financial provision and open doors on our upcoming extended ministry/vacation trip both for things here at home [(Ex.) Rent and current expenses here] and also on the road [(Ex.) Bus tickets and other transportation expenses; hotel/motel rooms; and food and other necessary trip expenses [P.S.—If you might be one of those special people that He may be wanting to use and you respond quickly to that call in a significant fashion, we hope to see that a special appreciation gift be sent to you ASAP as a special thanks by us for standing with us at this very critical time.]
(b.) Continued Divine intervention on funding and other things needed to complete the transition of all ministry and business endeavors to fully financially functioning entities to where I (Coy RH) can eventually devote my full and primary attention and efforts towards these business and ministry efforts
(c.) I am also right now as I write this seriously contemplating the creation of a FIFTH book. Prayers for appropriate wisdom, discernment, and Divine revelation as needed to bring what will be some new challenging insights to both believers and non-believers alike as a result of this upcoming book to life on the printed page will especially be appreciated in this process.
(d.) In the meantime, we STILL are in DESPERATE need for people to contact us for book sales. We urge not just to pray about this--but as opportunity may permit for you, even consider contacting us about purchasing your own copies of any and/or all of our recent BSPOP releases. Then once you've made your purchase and received and read your books, help us spread the word to others if you like what you have read and encourage others to contact us as well to purchase their own copies. Doing this at present is the absolute best way to support our ministry and business efforts at present until such time where these ministry efforts can be supported by other means.
We also wish to formally extend an SPECIAL invitation offer for those that might be especially led by Him to serve as financial sponsors for everything we at BSPM/BSPOP are currently facing right now at this very minute. We are ESPECIALLY urgently needing folks that would desire to help us out with special gifts of at least $100 or more to help us not only defray the expenses of my upcoming trip (especially because my own VERY limited resources through the work of my own hands will only go so far), but also to help keep things around the homefort paid up and settled down until I get back home around Oct. 31st. [For example, I'm literally having to believe God RIGHT NOW for between $700 to $1000 JUST to keep the rent paid and the landlord happy through the end of November among a TON of other things financially that I don't have time or space to go into detail here.) For those willing and able to do so (even though I'm right now still not an official non-profit yet and therefore cannot assure that any gifts provided will be tax-deductible), it would be our honor to see that you receive an ENTIRE SET of BSPOP books on the house and with our compliments as our special way of thanking you for your much-needed help at this very crucial time.. If you're interested in further info on this special opportunity, please call or email us for more details ASAP.
(PLEASE CLICK ONTO THE TOP TOOLBAR FOR THE LINK TO PART 2 OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND THIS EDITION'S MAIN STUDY! You can also click on to the MS Word attachment here to get this entire newsletter in one fell swoop as well!