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/BSPOP 2018 FALL FESTIVALS NEWSLETTER EDITION
Shalom alechem, chaverim! (i.e.—HOWDY AGAIN, CAMPERS!) once again from the flatlands of West Texas! I definitely know that it’s been a while since I’ve been able to get ANY newsletter edition out lately—and I sincerely apologize for any delay and/or inconvienece caused. But sadly, personal events for about the past year or so have prevented me from communicating with you in a timely fashion. Hopefully as this edition transpires once again during this season of teshuvah and the current Fall Festival season, you’ll see the justifications I was forced to make in my long-delayed efforts to keep you abreast about current events and happenings here at BSPM/BSPOP.
Part of the reasons for this stem from myself over the past year or two being forced personally by the Adversary to engage in situations that I could frankly only describe as being the personal equivalent of two instances where the late Oral Roberts went through challenges that at the root could be only described as demonic contests of some kind. For those having no clue what I might mean by the phrase “Oral Roberts in a demonic contest”, I probably should give a couple of introductory stories to explain further what I mean.
The first one I recall as a result of watching actual footage of Bro. Roberts recounting an experience on one of his past TV programs of his early days in ministry as a pastor of a small church. (FYI—This was during the days when not even the basic concepts of what we would now call the doctrine of Biblical prosperity/”word-of-faith” weren’t as widely taught as they are now by a number of prominent Biblical teachers today.)
There was a time in one of the churches Bro. Roberts pastored when he was trying to encourage the members of his church to financially contribute to the building of a parsonage not just for himself, but future pastors to follow. But Bro. Roberts was faced with a very unique financial situation that could have only been crafted by the gates and forces of h-e-double hockey sticks itself. In one corner was the refusal of those same church brethren to adequately provide for the needs of their pastor and really laying it on with words such as “…Lord, if you’ll keep Oral Roberts humble, we’ll keep him poor…” and “Oh, Pastor’s such a courageous man for asking for so little from the flock…”…, yada, yada, yada…really stupid stuff like that dribble. In the other corner was the pressure by his “darling wife” Evelyn to either find much more suitable housing than they were in at the time or she would pack herself and the kids to go back to her mother’s (i.e.—the old school way of threatening divorce). Talk about a slap to the face to Bro. Roberts and the imminent threat it placed on both himself and his family—especially when it came to his God-given role as the financial provider and protector of his family.
Another situation in later years for Bro. Roberts (at least according to an early autobiography he wrote) confronted him years later when he took his tent crusades to Australia—and eventually found himself in a next-to-impossible situation that threatened doom and failure for himself and his ministry at that time involving horrible press coverage, intense opposition from many sides including the labor unions, etc. and even a lack of enthusiastic, whole-hearted support from his original backers on top of that. (You know the old saying—with friends like these, who needs enemies?)
I may not have exactly been recently roughed-up by the mob in Australia like Bro. Roberts once was for things I was alleged to said and did. But in recent months, I can safely say that I’ve also encountered my own unique demonic contests that (save for His mercy, of course) surely would have spelled curtains for me on both the housekeeping and financial fronts. Not to give the Adversary any glory, of course—when already problematic financial pressures are combined with intense bureaucratic pressures on the housekeeping front to basically get rid of an odor that I personally COULD NOT AND STILL CANNOT smell, but was so horribly repulsive to maintainance, pest control, and many others that had power over me were actually dictating what THEY think was my absolute need to get rid of said offensive odor and clean up the place in a more palatable way by a certain date OR I would be evicted from my apartment (no second chances, no appeals—that’s it and you’re done, buster!)….THEN you begin to obviously wonder what demonic spirits have begun to inhabit other people around you in a way that affects their hearing of ANYTHING you might say because all they seem to hear and think about is the smell and stench in their noses. And you wonder if you have truly stepped into a perverted version of the “Twilight Zone” for good—never to ever return again back to the crowd of civilized and responsible humanity for reasons that neither you or even they can completely understand.
When a believer in Yeshua/Jesus encounters these types of entirely strange and wacky situations, what does he/she do? How do these folks stand a chance in overcoming these insurmountable obstacles and mountains? What are some major tools the believer in Him can truly use to face insurmountable odds and instead truly become what Scripture says about being “the head and NOT the tail, above and NOT beneath…?” We’ll use this session’s MAIN STUDY to look at a few things of what it might take to engage in a “TESHUVAH TOWARDS THE FAITH OF INCONVIENENCE” and to focus and shed some light on being an OVERCOMER INSTEAD of being overcome! STAY TUNED after some important business/ministry announcements to find out the answer!
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BUSINESS & 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--
1) ) 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.wixsite.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.
2) ) If you absolutely otherwise can’t wait to get them yourself, then by all means go directly to 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.]
3) ) (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: bspopwalking@gmail.com
(806) 388-0083 (cell)
PLEASE by all means feel free to print and send copies of the enclosed order form 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 also note that 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. And—OH…one more thing…we can even take your order over the phone or email to directly take your debit or credit card number over the phone or email and then process it immediately into our system. More details on how we can do that are available when you email or call with your order!
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 WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGES:
If you haven’t checked out our website, 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 don’t forget our Facebook page that you can find by using 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.
(III.) LATEST GOINGS-ON IN THE BSPM/BSPOP ORBIT
Throughout most of 2018 to date, the primary focus for about most of the year has necessarily once again been centered on activities related to BSPOP book promotion and distribution. This year, we have been able so far to actually go to a few different places than we have done in the past—including recent booths at both the Hale Center 4th of July Celebration and also for a bit of a homecoming appearance in Lockney for Old Fashioned Saturday Night. We also just recently made two attempts here in the local Plainview area to increase BSPOP book promotion and sales through participation in the July Second Saturday Event Downtown with the Plainview Downtown Association, and our second straight Cowboy Days booth appearance to encourage area residents to purchase their own copies of any and all BSPOP releases. Two more tentative appearance appear on the calendar—with our first BSPOP solo OUT-OF-STATE booth as a part of the Perry Stone Main Event Fall Festival in Cleveland, TN coming up on Oct. 6th and then back to the home area for Punkin Days in Floydada on Oct. 13th shortly afterwards to possibly wrap up our booth promotion season for the year.
And we definitely continued to spend a good chunk of change in both time and monetary terms in sowing promotional copies to other prominent Christian leaders and other luminaries as was possible. As we await the eventual harvest that we believe that we will receive from Him as a result of this particular year’s efforts, we anticipate an eventual winddown of these current book promotion efforts due to not only costs that have been incurred through the past year (especially with recent financial projections actually showing us that expenses related in some fashion to these book promotion efforts were one of the top two expenses for all of our enterprises for the entire year), but also the need to finally take some other overdue projects to much higher priority status that were previously forced to go on the backburner due to other more pressing and urgent priorities (including such things as BSPM formal incorporation and possible completion of what may be yet another book). We are also exploring the possibility of establishing a new business/ministry blog to ensure more consistent communication with all of you. We’ll keep you posted on these developments as we know more, of course….
ALSO--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.
(IV.) PRAYER REQUESTS--
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: Lynda Holley (my mother), Billie Lam (now living in Corpus Christi), Don and Donna Castleberry and also Stephen Canup (all with Freedom in Jesus Ministries in Levelland, TX—all three facing both very serious physical, financial, and other ministry needs).
(ALSO--) BSPM/BSPOP--(a.) 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.
(e.) We’re also still looking for some BSPM/BSPOP PROVISION PARTNERS as well that can help get our efforts here a little bit further down the road. We have currently two levels you can give at. If you’re interested in being a part of this particular efforts, please contact us ASAP so that we can go over further details with you!
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MAIN STUDY—A TESHUVAH TOWARDS THE “FAITH OF INCONVIENENCE”
Within my most recent situation of hiring a housekeeper to get me back in good graces with my landlord and allow me to stay in my apartment, there were several stories I could tell about this that would take too long to tell here. But as I reflect on what have been some very strange demonic contests lately, one instance in this spoke more volumes than anything else I could ever say.
First, you must understand what the temporary housekeeper went through shortly after I hired her. Within a span of one week or so, she was forced to see her grandmother first go through open-heart surgery, then shortly had to attend the funeral of a cousin in Midland, TX who suddenly died in accident. Add all this to her own pressures of not finding a job herself and having to live and help provide for her mom and her five (yes, count them—FIVE) kids---and you wonder how she could do the work she committed to do for me on top of it. And when she heard things about my own financial state, she really wondered if she ever would get paid and also if the work was good enough.
One night when I came home after she worked on my bedroom, she made the biggest statement of all to me that words could not say. Let’s say that I had been screaming to various people for help in my own situation. But she made an even bigger statement to me by what she did and left behind. The quality of the work screamed so loudly that she didn’t need to say anything further. If I thought that I was screaming bloody murder with what I was personally dealing with, then what she did shouted 9-1-1 in comparison…and guess who was the dispatcher was who had to take that call?
In particular was one thing she did in moving one of the tables and arranging it such a unique way that she even went so far to put one of the Bibles on my table and in essence give me her 9-1-1 call in the form of Psalm 60 in the NIV:
Psalm 60[a]
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[c] and Aram Zobah,[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
1 You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
you have been angry—now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.[e]
5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
I took a further look at this chapter in the Complete Jewish Bible (which also had commentary by the Jewish sage Rashi)—and here’s the way it renders that chapter:
Psalm 60 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
60 (0) For the leader. Set to “Lily of Testimony.” A mikhtam of David for teaching about 2 when he fought with Aram-Naharayim and with Aram-Tzovah, and Yo’av returned and killed 12,000 from Edom in the Salt Valley:
3 (1) God, you rejected us; you crushed us;
you were angry; but now revive us.
4 (2) You made the land shake, split it apart;
now repair the rifts, for it is collapsing.
5 (3) You made your people suffer hard times,
had us drink a wine that made us stagger.
6 (4) To those who fear you because of the truth
you gave a banner to rally around, (Selah)
7 (5) so that those you love could be rescued;
so save with your right hand, and answer us!
8 (6) God in his holiness spoke,
and I took joy [in his promise]:
“I will divide Sh’khem
and determine the shares in the Sukkot Valley.
9 (7) Gil‘ad is mine and M’nasheh mine,
Efrayim my helmet, Y’hudah my scepter.
10 (8) Mo’av is my washpot; on Edom I throw my shoe;
P’leshet, be crushed because of me!”
11 (9) Who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
12 (10) God, have you rejected us?
You don’t go out with our armies, God.
13 (11) Help us against our enemy,
for human help is worthless.
14 (12) With God’s help we will fight valiantly,
for he will trample our enemies.
The Coffman Commentaries scream what they think the overall theme of this Psalm in caps: “…A PSALM FOLLOWING A MILITARY DEFEAT”! In Jewish liturgy, this Psalm is recited as a part of the observance of the alternate observance of the Festival of Purim. Verse 7, FYI, is also a part of the closing paragraph of Judaism’s central prayer called the Shomneh Esreh/Amidah “standing” prayer. The site for the Conference of Catholic Bishops has this to say about Psalm 60:
“…The community complains that God has let the enemy win the battle and asks for and assurance of victory. In the oracle God affirms ownership of the land; the invasion of other nations is not permanent and will be reversed ultimately. With renewed confidence, the community resolves to fight again. The opening lament is picked up again, but this time with new awareness of God’s power and human limitation.”
When you think of situations where your back is literally up against the wall, that’s when it may be time to ‘teshuvah’—i.e.—to turn towards what I would call “the faith of inconvienence.”. In my book “A Message From Siberia”, I talk in depth about what I term the concept of the “faith of inconvienence” is…so rather than talk about that again, I would refer you to the book for the definition of what I mean. Let’s for now give it the 30-second commercial version in saying that it’s my unique way to describe the concept of what faith in Him really is to a people in our modern-day who may not quite be as schooled in what true Biblical faith might be.
But maybe the best example of how to endure unexplainable suffering would naturally come from the Biblical account of the patriarch Job. I’m for the sake of space and time not going to do an extensive study in this session on Job (partly because it’s been covered in recent years in various ways that can easily become an intense subject for debate). But there are a few takeaways that I think we can at least see in his life that we can think about in all of the troublesome situations we may face from day-to-day:
(1.)
Job 1 New International Version (NIV)
Prologue
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
The first is the initial reaction Job had at all this stuff that he got handed his way--
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.[c]
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
(2.)
2 On another day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
The next is when it seems that even those close to him were pressing him to just get it over with, notice how he continues to react:
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
(3.) Job reminds us of the Ultimate Hope we should all carry even in the midst of situations where everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink seems to get thrown at us--
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on[b] lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer[c] lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[d]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet[e] in[f] my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
(4.) BEFORE the times of his troubles came, he did what he could to invest in those things that are eternal and “sowed into the tears” of those who were in need around him as best as he could.
Job’s Final Defense
29 Job continued his discourse:
2 “How I long for the months gone by,
for the days when God watched over me,
3 when his lamp shone on my head
and by his light I walked through darkness!
4 Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,
when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
5 when the Almighty was still with me
and my children were around me,
6 when my path was drenched with cream
and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.
7 “When I went to the gate of the city
and took my seat in the public square,
8 the young men saw me and stepped aside
and the old men rose to their feet;
9 the chief men refrained from speaking
and covered their mouths with their hands;
10 the voices of the nobles were hushed,
and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
and those who saw me commended me,
12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me;
I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing;
justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of the stranger.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked
and snatched the victims from their teeth.
18 “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,
my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
19 My roots will reach to the water,
and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
20 My glory will not fade;
the bow will be ever new in my hand.’
21 “People listened to me expectantly,
waiting in silence for my counsel.
22 After I had spoken, they spoke no more;
my words fell gently on their ears.
23 They waited for me as for showers
and drank in my words as the spring rain.
24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;
the light of my face was precious to them.[a]
25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief;
I dwelt as a king among his troops;
I was like one who comforts mourners.
Footnotes:
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Job 29:24 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
(5.) When Job realized who was in charge and also just as much realized how truly little he knew all of the details behind what had happened (and more importantly—WHO was truly in charge of it all), he knew when it was time to step aside and shut up.
40 The Lord said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”
(6.) Remember HOW Job’s final turnaround finally happened?
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Epilogue
7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver[a] and a gold ring.
12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, an old man and full of years.
It was when Job teshuvahed—turned TOWARDS the Ultimate Place where he put his trust and “faith of inconvienence”—and ALSO DID things that would normally be uncomfortable and outside his comfort zone that he finally endured and prevailed. He (as well as I) definitely had his rodeos that he had to go through to get between Point A and the finish line—but he found it well worth it in the end. Not necessary a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow by any means…but actually a MUCH BETTER one with better rewards…given to us by Y’shua/Jesus Himself. Let’s exercise THAT “faith of inconvienence” during this Festival season, shall we?
A few more additional 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 DBAs for all of these new business endeavors and also eventual formal incorporation 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.
One more final thing that I’d thought I’d leave you with that I recently received before I put this newsletter officially to bed and onto the website. It’s in the form of a sort of what I’d call an overall word picture that has been serving me as a unique form of ministry to me lately—especially in helping me to face some recent situations I’ve been facing as I’ve been talking about above. This was, FYI, “drawn” in a sense by one of my fellow volunteers that I’ve known for a while in prison ministry as I finished a day of volunteering for a fundraising booth at the Panhandle-South Plains Fair in Lubbock…
Shalom rubakah as you turn to and exercise THAT “faith of inconvienence” that Y’shua/Jesus gives us during the remaining Fall Festivals ahead--
Coy Reece Holley
