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BSPM/BSPOP 2017 HANUKKAH/WINTER E-NEWSLETTER EDITION

Shalom alechem, chaverim, once again from the flatlands of West Texas! First, allow me once again to give major apologizes for the skipping and omission of what is usually our Fall Festivals newsletter this year. But I think that after you read what follows in this newsletter edition, you’ll see why in light of what I myself and also BSPM/BSPOP has been through in recent weeks and months and why I therefore felt that it was best to not say anything inappropriate about the things we’ll be talking about now until this particular time. So for THIS EDITION ONLY---we’re going to make up writingwise for what we couldn’t do for Sukkot this year…by giving you what will amount to be a special TWO-PART MAIN STUDY that’ll not only sure help you keep the home fires burning spiritually through what might be an especially tough winter ahead, but will also obviously contain some major lessons about Hanukkah AND on top of it give all of you some much-needed food for thought and reflection as the weather gets colder outside and you await the upcoming spring ahead.

 

FIRST IN PART I—when the situation’s FINALLY quieted down around your ranch significantly and you can at last get going on some overdue rebuilding work that needs to be done, there’s some problems and questions that need to be resolved. For instance—where exactly do you start in the first place? What do we prioritize as the first thing that needs to be done above all else on the list? And about all the pesky things that might possibly get in the way of doing that? We’ll find in the Word of God that a guy named Nehemiah once himself faced a daunting task like this. I think you’ll see that Nehemiah might have a thing or two to teach about this rebuilding process thing. And even though it may not necessarily be normally considered a “Hanukkah story”, it will definitely have some surprising parallels that might cause you to reconsider the story and overall purpose of this “minor festival” in a new and fresh light. You’ll find it as we discover what it takes to “…RISE AND REBUILD AFTER THE FALL…”…

 

THEN IN PART II—Part of the story of Hanukkah involves the tyranny of an unjust authority and what happens when a government tries to get in the way of the plans and purposes of God. BUT WHAT IF you find that right now that you DO have at least a few government officials that ARE trying to do the best they possibly can for this sole reason—that they have committed themselves to make it their career goal and personal passion to do one thing above all else…to serve and protect YOU???? Well, I just recently finished one particular experience that really shed light on some things I may not have known. And what I personally learned from it was very sobering and humbling—but yet also encouraging as well. As long as some very special people are still serving and protecting the rest of us, I think that we all can rest assured that our Republic will still remain standing for a little while longer. AND WE’LL CONCLUDE this edition with a particular chat about THE UNSEEN ANGELS AMONG US (LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE GRAND JURY ROOM) that should naturally give us some food for thought…and even some inspiration for us in the Universal Body of Christ to try to have the back of all of those who protect and serve us day in and day out.

 

Doing all of this stuff together AND ALSO simultaneously working to tie all of this in one cohesive Hanukkah package with some sturdy ribbons and ropes will be a tall order indeed to accomplish in just ONE newsletter edition—but we’ll give it the best shot we got. We’ll attempt to do just that AFTER we first catch you up on some things going on right now in the world of BSPM/BSPOP….   

 

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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.

SPECIAL NEWS FLASH—Thanks to our friends at PayPal, we can now offer you an ADDITIONAL EASIER AND FASTER way to pay for your BSPOP purchases ONLINE. You can do that by first following the steps mentioned above. THEN—send your money for the amount of the purchase to us by going to this URL: paypal.me/CoyRHSEATCClerical.

 Once there, when the page directs you to enter in what you wish to send us, enter the EXACT amount of the purchase (for example—to purchase a full set of BSPOP books, enter $80). Then follow the instructions given to you from there to complete the monetary part of your purchase. Afterwards, PLEASE email us at bspopwalking@gmail.com to let us know the books you’re purchasing and the total amount you are sending so that once we receive your money we can process your order right away. And you DON’T even have to have a PayPal account to complete the monetary transaction! The link to send money to us not only will accept PayPal, but also most major debit and credit cards INCLUDING Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AND EVEN American Express!   

And—OH…one more thing…we can even take your order over the phone or email without you needing to go through the PayPal.me link listed above. We can now 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

 

The past calendar year, to say the least, has been a very challenging on not only personally, especially on the financial end. The primary focus for about most of the year has necessarily been centered on activities related to BSPOP book promotion and distribution. Back in the spring, we did do one major trip to the Columbus, OH area to not only attend a Gary Keesee conference for entrepreneurs, but to also attempt to get the word out to some prominent people in the Christian world about the existence and availability of BSPOP book releases.

 

We also made several attempts here in the local Plainview area to increase BSPOP book promotion and sales through participation in several local events such as the Rally For Jesus, the Plainview Downtown Association ArtWalk/WineWalk, and Cowboy Days to encourage area residents to purchase their own copies of any and all BSPOP releases. And we definitely spent 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 enterprizes 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….

 

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. For example, we actually had at one spell of the process within a period of just a couple of weeks TWO different cell phones AND even a laptop stolen—which really, to say the least, put us in a real bind for a little while. But our God has helped 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 still praise God for our recently PAID-FOR and DEBT-FREE “new-to-us” laptop computer and also new smartphone to boot.  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 maybe getting either a new tablet and/or smartphone working and operational). 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."

 

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), Vera Jo Bybee

(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.

MAIN STUDY PART I—RISING AND REBUILDING AFTER THE FALL

 

Earlier last month, I finished a personal commitment of sponsoring two different pilgrims for “A Walk To Emmaus”…the last one being our worship leader at two of the different church fellowships I regularly attend. Rather than doing a lot of intro for this first part of our MAIN STUDY, I’m just going to instead let you read something I personally wrote as part of my personal contribution towards this particular Walk for yourself without too much comment…for I feel that it probably speaks well for itself anyway…and plus will more effectively lay the initial foundation for what I wish to focus on for PART II of our MAIN STUDY---

 

WALK #92 PRAYER VIGIL COLLAGE MESSAGE

“RISING AND REBUILDING AFTER THE FALL”

     Howdy to all of you pilgrims on behalf of all of us in what we call here the Living Water Emmaus Community (LWE for short). As you go throughout the rest of this Walk, I’d naturally understand if you were going from place to place this weekend in a continual state of absolute bewilderment about what you’ll see and experience during your time here. You might even go so far to say, “Why in the world am I even here in the first place?” Please allow me a few brief moments of your time out of your busy schedule during your Walk weekend here on behalf of all of us in LWE to attempt to answer any questions you may still have about this thing called “A Walk to Emmaus”.

 

 

Three particular translations of your Walk Scripture theme of Proverbs 31:25 stand out to me right now. The New International Version tells us about the main character portrayed here that we normally call the “virtuous woman” that “…she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” The New Living Translation reports that this same woman “…she is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future…” while the New American Standard reveals that “…strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.”

 

But why might this be so? We find our answer via the prophet Micah where he admonishes his adversaries: “…Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” I especially like how the International Standard Version puts it: “…Don't be glad on my account, my enemy. When I fall, I'll get up. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.”

 

This particular Scripture seems appropros right now with what has happened in recent months to our brethren in both South Texas and Florida with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. I personally have an uncle and aunt that live in the Houston area that was directly impacted by recent flooding caused by Harvey that really caused devastation to their home and required them to live in a FEMA hotel for at least a month or so after the flooding.

 

Closer to my own personal homefront, one of my own city’s major historical buildings after many years of neglect and deterioration is finally getting a long-overdue facelift  and overhaul by a group of community volunteers. And faced with what has been a continuing exhausting onslaught of personal financial rodeos of various kinds over the past year or two. I’m personally facing a major personal task of rebuilding in various realms of my personal life as well. Lately, it at times has seemed that just as I have attempted to take two or three steps forward, HaSatan has been worked to keep sacking me for losses requiring me of at least 20 to 30 steps back for each attempt forward. In fact, it has frankly at times seemed to be the equivalent of a demonic contest to where I’m forced to play catchup to simply get back what I’ve lost AND simultaneously work to get back to the original point of zero where I started in the first place (let alone truly make any realistic progress forward). When it seems you’re your back is against the wall…when you…(you fill in the blank to fit your particular situation)…just where do you turn to and what do you do when many problems, hindrances, and adversaries arise against you?

 

We can take some instruction from the example of the life of Nehemiah on how to conduct yourself while you attempt to rebuild from the ashes of the past. Within the pages of the very book that bears his name, we definitely see a catalogue of the immense laundry list of problems facing Nehemiah in his attempts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Here’s maybe a quick Cliff’s Notes list of some of them:

  •  Asking King Artexerxes not only for permission and time off from his palace duties to go help his brethren in Jerusalem as well as the resources necessary to get the job done

  •  Dealing with at least THREE pesky adversaries who just couldn’t stand the thought that someone (bleep forbid) would even care enough to see Jerusalem’s walls repaired and rebuilt (for which they gave Nehemiah plenty of trouble afterwards as a result)

  •  The immense gravity of the immediate task at hand (Keep in mind that it, of course, had been more than a few years since these walls were destroyed…)

  •  Threats, fear, and intimidation that caused Nehemiah’s leader to have to build the wall with one hand on a sword and the other on their building materials

  •  Sin that was found inside the camp

  •  Being forced to deal with what we’d call today “fake news”

  •  Restoring the original order to some extent of what used to be in the land once those said walls were finally rebuilt

If you saw a job description in the newspaper for a construction superintendent that required those varied job skills and abilities, would you think of applying for it? I’m not exactly sure that I would—and I figure that you also wouldn’t be too keen on the idea yourself.

 

Let me ask you this: DO YOU BELIEVE that your God is MORE than able to do what He promised to do for you? DO YOU BELIEVE that He is truly faithful to YOU? DO YOU BELIEVE that IN SPITE of the many difficulties, obstacles, and personal enemies you might face that HE is STILL faithful to you…even at times where you haven’t always been faithful to Him? (OR—conversely—when everything around you doesn’t make sense to you and it seems HE’S not been entirely been faithful to you…) Keep in mind, campers---just because certain things seem to be the facts DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN that they are the truth!

 

THEN—after all of this, CAN YOU BELIEVE for yourself that with His gracious assistance and help, you can find yourself arising even when you do fall from the most desperate of situations that you may find yourself in right now? THEN—IF we can truly establish that fact as if it were truly so, I from there truly believe that you will find yourself blessed far above most men and women in this society. WHY??? Because you haven’t chosen to sit on your ashes and moan and whine about the pity pot of problems you might face right now. BECAUSE you have chosen to FIRST best utilize the power He has given you through His Holy Spirit to live a victorious life and simply get up and do something for Him!

What tasks has our God put before you in your everyday life? What people does He cause you to have to deal with in some way on a everyday basis? What are the particular callings, gifts, talents, treasures, and other things that He has placed you as a steward over? THOSE are some of the reasons WHY our God wants you here with us for this weekend. He knows, after all, that when the cares of the life you left behind to come here this weekend get in the way, it’s hard to think clearly and straight about the really truly important issues that He would rather have you deal with when you’re forced to constantly be in the middle of dealing with the “tyranny of the urgent”. Here’s your chance to make at least some REALLY important decisions about the overall direction of life while things are, shall we say, a little less rushed and others (both here in what we call the Living Water Emmaus Community and the rest of the world outside) attempt to temporarily take up the slack and let you rest for a short spell to catch your breath. Take advantage of what might be a sort of “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity—for it might not exactly come your way again like it is now.  
 

As you arise from where you may have fallen in your life right now, remember first what you BELIEVE in and where exactly you stand! Then LISTEN to His voice as to where He might have you to go from here and OBEY it! THAT VOICE will be the one that can lead you to the more abundant life everlasting AND ALSO enable you to be a better light to others that you might be able to reach for Him! YOU CAN AND MUST REBUILD AND ARISE FROM THIS FALL! Ask Him for all the help you may need to do it! And

as you do, please also remember that there are many others both inside and out of LWE (some you may never personally know about this side of the Kingdom) available to you to help you in that effort as you may need them to do so. Shalom rubakah (Hebrew for “peace and a blessing”) and DeColores in the Name of Him who continues to stay at battle stations for you on your behalf as you do just that!

 

Coy Reece Holley

Men’s Walk #51

Living Water Emmaus Community

 

MAIN STUDY PART II—THE UNSEEN ANGELS AMONG US (LESSONS I LEARNED IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SUFFERING OF BEING A FEDERAL GRAND JUROR)

Ok, campers…I know what you’re probably thinking when I start to deal with the topic of jury service…how you’d do ANYTHING and/or make ANY excuse to get out of an obligation to your government that usually equates to most of us to the pulling out of a root canal. But don’t try to throw out that jury summons quite so fast…before you do, let’s have a little chat on THAT unpleasant subject before we go too much further. AND YES…I DO PROMISE that there’s even some distant connection to Hanukkah that we will explore before we conclude our overall discussion here.

FIRST for kicks…let’s think of some ways on just HOW you can ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE that you will NEVER receive ANY GRAND JURY indictment…Here’s a few that I found might be good ideas to implement to insure that you don’t receive legal papers signed by a foreman of any Federal grand jury…(ok…waiting with bated breath, yet?...)

WAYS TO ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENT: 

  • Remember THIS saying—DON’T smoke, chew, cuss, or do drugs or alcohol of ANY kind OR EVEN DARE run around with those who do (ESPECIALLY if they might be involved in ANY sort of conspiracies to do the same)!

  • Remember what your mama told you about NOT playing with guns? It’s STILL valid and STILL works (especially if you’re a convicted felon)!

  • If you’re an illegal alien who’s been previously deported or kicked out of the U.S.—PLEASE DON’T bother trying to come back in (at least NOT without obtaining the permission of either the U.S. Attorney General OR the Department of Homeland Security FIRST)!!!\

  • Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see on the Net, put on your flash drive, text on your smartphone, etc.—for it may NOT necessarily be that girl (or boy…whatever the case might be) that you’ve got eyes for and are so hot to trot about! And oh—DO YOU REALLY want to end up in handcuffs fast and end up in a jail cell or worse? Doing anything that smacks of child porn should do the trick REAL FAST!

  • If you’re a previously convicted felon, there’s a reason why you REALLY need to listen to your probation officer and DON’T do anything you’re NOT supposed to do that might get you in trouble!!! JUST SAY NO TO IT, will ya? Don’t take the chance for sure—it’s DEFINITELY NOT worth the risk or the indictment!

Just a few tips, of course, if you don’t want to see any papers on your front door by any federal magistrate….hope THAT HELPS!

OK…seriously…there WERE really things I learned about life sitting in a chair in a grand jury room on one of the floors of a Federal courthouse over the past year and a half. Maybe I should let you in on a formal statement that I submitted to the Federal Magistrate Judge that our Grand Jury worked under to give you the basic idea of what I mean…then we’ll tie the rest of the loose ends together from there afterwards and bring this particular newsletter edition to a close--

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FINAL OFFICIAL PERSONAL GRAND JURY STATEMENT—DECEMBER 13. 2017

 

May it please the Court to if possible enter the following individual statement at the discretion of the Grand Jury Foreman and any other appropriate officials of the Lubbock Division of the Northern District of Texas and also let the Court understand that the following personal statement should be considered as one that ONLY officially represents my own personal views and should not necessarily be construed to be views possibly shared by my fellow colleagues on this particular empaneled Grand Jury that was officially constituted in July of 2016 and in which will disband shortly after the conclusion of our December session. I leave it to the discretion of the Grand Jury Foreman and fellow Grand Jurors as to whether each one might also consider this an adequate individual and corporate representation of the overall views of this particular Grand Jury.

When I was first called to serve on this particular Grand Jury, I did so while in the courtroom frankly not aware that I was even a part of this Grand Jury until the decisions were already made and we were then ushered into another room to start our collective jury service. As the jury selection process was going on, a certain inner voice said this to me: “…Consider this your personal grad school in the area of criminal justice. You need more training.”

I have over the past year and a half experienced the firsthand cost of undertaking and fulfilling this particular monthly obligation—even to the point where at least on one of these occasion due to personal financial problems I literally had to spend a night at “Tent City” down the street from this courthouse building on Broadway when I didn’t even have enough on my person to pay for one night at a nearby budget-priced motel. And on at least a couple of other occasions over the past year, I have literally risked eviction from my own apartment in Plainview due to the fact that I have had to personally prioritize my monthly trips here and see that I had adequate amounts to pay for the minimum expenses required to fulfill this particular monthly obligation. To say that this particular undertaking has been extremely expensive on the financial side for me personally would be to say the least a massive understatement.

And yet—despite the personal financial cost and toll involved, I have appreciated the unique opportunity handed to me to have served as a member of this particular Grand Jury. One has obviously been the new relationships I have been blessed to establish with not only my fellow Grand Jury colleagues, but also with all the Assistant U.S. Attorneys we have been privileged to meet and work with along the way.

Another for me personally (especially due in part to my own personal desire to help the community of faith in West Texas more effectively serve those affected in some way by our criminal justice system—whether it be on the county, state, or federal levels) has been to gain via a ‘hands-on’ manner some more personal experience, training, and knowledge on some of the inner workings of our federal court system. I hope to best utilize the concepts and lessons I’ve personally gained through this recent jury service to be a more effective minister of the Gospel to all groups impacted in some way by our criminal justice system.

But what has been more impressive to me (even where I’ve probably not been the most alert and attentive Grand Juror in my duties and responsibilities) have been by far the numerous law enforcement officials that have appeared before our Jury and presented their cases before us. They have even as they have made their requests before us for indictments of certain individuals have also simultaneously served as some of our greatest teachers in their various specialties and areas of expertise in law enforcement. They have also shown us their unique perspective on the human condition around us in general and the current state of our society overall. Their competence, professionalism, and experience definitely has shown through in not only just the presentations they have made before us, but the professional demeanor and conduct each has displayed in their individual and corporate presentations before us as a Grand Jury.

In personal reflection over this recent term of Federal jury service, I first consider the personal sacrifices made of two members of my own family who themselves served in our nation’s military---my own grandfather who served in World War II as an Army truck driver in southern France and Germany and one of my uncles who himself served his country in the Korean conflict that is now sadly rearing its ugly head once again in our front page news.  I also reflect on the words of one man who wrote that those who our government has place in authority over us “…are ministers of righteousness against evildoers” and help us in the community of faith live quiet and peaceable lives that are holy and acceptable unto our God.

In this particular process of reflection, I also simultaneously realize how blessed we are as citizens of the Northern Federal Judicial District of Texas to have excellent law enforcement personnel that have made it their career goal to simply serve and protect this rest of us. The performance of the tasks required to perform these jobs on a daily basis causes folks like me to realize the lack of appropriate credit and affirmation that these men and women truly deserve for their diligent efforts on behalf of myself and my fellow citizens. Even a small attempt on those particular days of jury service to at least privately pray and intercede to my God for their continued personal safety, protection, wisdom, discernment, financial provision, and other needs of these members of Federal law enforcement here in the Lubbock Division seems entirely inadequate in comparison to a Scriptural admonition to pray for those in authority because “…they do not bear the sword in vain.”

In light of the fact that today’s session will be the final one prior to the official disbanding of this particular Grand Jury, I hereby formally request for the record (and also invite my fellow Grand Jurors to join me in the making of this request) that Magistrate Bryant and other appropriate officials of this Court of the Lubbock Division of the Northern District of Texas communicate on my behalf to all members of all Federal law enforcement agencies the following:

  • Our immense appreciation on behalf of ourselves and our fellow citizens to said officials for their unique and distinguished service to their country and fellow citizens;

  • That all of us, as we each have the ability and opportunity to do so in the future, will attempt to assist in such efforts in one small way—by explaining to our fellow citizens what things we have been privileged to learn about you all during our respective terms of jury service and assist in eliminating any misconceptions about the overall criminal justice system that others may have and instead help disseminate more accurate information about those involved in law enforcement and the Federal criminal justice system to others we know in our own personal spheres of influence;

  • AND that those of us who are already in the community of faith will attempt to at least encourage others to join not only in prayer, but also appropriate support and assistance as each of us are able to give said law enforcement personnel and encourage them officially their pursuit of excellence in their efforts to serve and protect the rest of us.

I also conclude this official final statement as a Federal Grand Juror with a particular thanks to this Court and to the Lubbock Division for the opportunity to have served as a Grand Juror for this Court and the learning experiences it has provided me that will surely help me in both my personal and ministry endeavors. This I officially submit freely and voluntarily of my own free will this thirteenth day of December, 2017:

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

Coy Reece Holley

 

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OK—now for the bailing wire and duct tape we need to tie all of this different threads into one cohesive redneck-style Hanukkah newsletter…

First, I hope that after the above statement you just read, it possibly humbles and shames you into treating those jury summons you get at various times in the mail with such dread and disgust. Consider this, I ask—WHAT IF it might be a possible opportunity from our Lord to learn some new things about the world around you that you never realized…and for you to soften your own heart and give you more compassion for people whom you normally don’t have much connection with? Please DON’T disregard, throw away, or despise that jury summons so fast! And if you realistically DON’T have a VERY GOOD excuse to get out of jury duty, PLEASE don’t try to squirm your way out of it. You might if you allowed yourself to serve give yourself the opportunity like I had about how your criminal justice system operates and also the overall human condition around us everyday…but more importantly, about what our relationship is to not only ourselves, but also our God and also your fellow man!

Yeah, sure—there’s good authorities and bad authorities. If you want a textbook example of what bad things happen when a ruler or government official does something completely berserk, just take a good look at the overall story of Hanukkah and see what some of the Jewish people did against established authority when the chips were down and it was either their way or the highway.

But I want to focus INSTEAD in light of what I learned over the past year and a half sitting in a chair in the same room of between 16 to 24 federal grand jurors—one of them by first taking a good look at what the Apostle Paul said about situations like these to the believers in Rome (Romans 13:4-):

 

Romans 13:4 ►

New International Version
For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

New Living Translation
The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

English Standard Version
for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Berean Study Bible
For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God's servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Berean Literal Bible
For he is God's servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For He is God's servant, an avenger for wrath to the one doing evil.

New American Standard Bible
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

King James Bible
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For government is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

International Standard Version
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong.

NET Bible
for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God's servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

New Heart English Bible
for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For he is the Minister of God to you for good. But if you have done evil, be afraid, for he does not wear the sword for nothing, for he is the Minister of God and a furious avenger to those who do evil.
 

CHECK OUT IN PARTICULAR the next translation and how it particularly renders what Paul/Shaul said here—and put some BIG asterisks next to it…
GOD'S WORD® Translation
The government is God's servant working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid. The government has the right to carry out the death sentence. It is God's servant, an avenger to execute God's anger on anyone who does what is wrong.

King James 2000 Bible
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

Weymouth New Testament
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.

World English Bible
for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Young's Literal Translation
for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.

Study Bible

Submission to Authorities
…3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.…

Berean Study Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Thessalonians 4:6
and no one should ever exploit or take advantage of his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

1 Peter 2:14
or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and praise well-doers.

Treasury of Scripture

For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.

Folks—if you’re privileged to live here in the good ol’ US of A, you don’t truly realize how much you take for granted when it comes to those serving you in our local, county, state, and federal governments. We are a TRULY BLESSED people—and we certainly if it weren’t for His grace have it 10 times worse than what we have it now. No matter what side of the political and/or religious aisle you come, we should all at least agree that our Founding Fathers (albeit not perfect) DID know what they were doing when THEY sought God for how this land should be eventually governed. Benjamin Franklin was approached by one woman immediately after the Constitution after months of hard work with this question—“Mr. Franklin, what type of government have you given us—a monarchy or a republic?” Franklin aptly replied, “A republic, madame--if you can keep it…” We should all be so blessed now over 250 years later that it wasn’t decided to be anything else.

(2.) I also recall, of all things, on a wintry Hanukkah night when the fate of this nation was literally on the line…that despite continued pleadings and personal inconvienence and even at times absolute financial ruin, one Jewish banker name Haim Solomon time and time again answered the call to keep the dream of this nation from being aborted at birth. Even when the winter winds howled outside, the lights of Hanukkah beckoned to a new nation to be a light unto the world and a lamp to weary and tired pilgrim feet.

(3.) Now fast forward to OUR day…Sitting in a Lubbock federal courthouse all this time across from personnel representing the various federal law enforcement agencies had made me realize how blessed we are to have QUALITY people who have made it THEIR life’s work and career goal to simply do one thing…to serve and protect the rest of us. THAT above all else should DEFINITELY be as sobering and humbling to you as it has been to me. These law enforcement officials have been some of our greatest teacher in terms of what really happens in the real world, but also the overall human condition of this world.

Whether their personal areas of particular expertise have been immigration, drug enforcement, or whatever other area—these esteemed members of the Federal version of the “thin blue line” have shown through in each of their presentations before us as a Grand Jury. Their diligence, hard work, commitment to excellence in their profession, and service to their nation cannot be denied—and (even if they don’t say it with their lips) literally BEGS AND PLEADS through their actions that the rest of us provide them whatever prayers, intercessions, assistance, and support we can give them on our God’s behalf.

  • And lastly, realizing that we DO have such talented people serving us—it’s as obvious to me like a freight train in the middle of the night one persistent question—what are WE doing to have THEIR backs when THEY might need it most? The more I think about it, the MUCH more I realize that the real answer for all of us should actually be—NOT QUITE ENOUGH! The old saying about talk being cheap really speaks out at this juncture. We are DEFINITELY a truly blessed people to have folks like I’ve seen come through the doors of our Grand Jury room—and they deserve a LOT more back from the rest of us than what they currently receive.

FINAL WRAPUP AND CONCLUSION—ECCLESIASTES 12:13

New International Version
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

New Living Translation
That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.

So as we approach another hard winter ahead for us and either once again light candles on our Hanukkiah or trim our Christmas trees, let’s remember above all else:

  • That there is One who can help rebuild and repair the broken walls of our lives—BUT ONLY if we will FIRST allow Him to do so in the way that HE deems best because unlike our own frail human efforts…for HIS are ALWAYS PERFECT…

  • There are many more unseen angels and helps around us and MANY MORE who fight WITH US—than are against us. You may not always know exactly who they are or what they did to help this side of the Kingdom…BUT PLEASE DO BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE THERE TO HELP WHENEVER YOU MAY NEED THEM MOST! And I’m not just talking about His angelic forces, either! Sometimes the packages He uses to provide to the rest of us are wrapped in much less obvious packaging than we realize.

The help that the Maccabees received from Him didn’t necessarily come with neon signs pointing the way…but it was still much-needed Divine help and guidance nonetheless. What mattered at the end of the day was that the Temple was rebuilt…the Jewish people were still alive for a little bit longer….’nuff said, case closed. And what could have been truly the end of the road for a people instead ended with the opportunity for the blessing to be able to say, “…A great miracle happened HERE!” The Greeks ended up in the dustheap of history…but Israel still lives! AM ISRAEL CHAI!!!

And more importantly, it is truly through Him where we live, move, and have our being. And (as the Gaithers might sing) it IS BECAUSE HE lives, we can not only face tomorrow…but also be more than conquerors in the process. Let’s keep THAT in mind FIRST AND FOREMOST as we march forward through the hard winter ahead!

 

As has been my usual tradition around this time of year, enclosed at the end of this newsletter is my special handout “9 Reasons Why I Observe Hanukkah”. Years ago, when I received the revelation about why I should personally observe this unique Jewish festival, the Lord specifically gave me NINE special reasons why I as an evangelical Christian might wish to consider observing Hanukkah—literally one reason for each candle of a hanakkiah going through 8 nights of this “minor” but still special Jewish festival. As always, I feel that you will find this handout enlightening and inspiring as we march forward into a challenging winter ahead.

And once again, my final thoughts before I leave you once again until the next edition....Remember that it’s folks like YOU who have joined in the area of prayer, financial provision, and other ways that have made these Divine connections and opportunities possible. My tip of the hat personally goes out to each one of you for playing YOUR part in helping these ministry efforts go a little further down the road than it has been. I only simply ask that you not only continue to do so even more and more, but that each of you out there reading these things that’s interested in keeping these efforts going and being of some assistance to myself and these particular ministry efforts consider doing the following:

  • 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:

  • 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”

  • 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.

  • 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.

Believing as always with ya’ll for all the best during this time of Hanukkah—and in the Name of the One True Light of the World who rebuilds our walls and is there ANYTIME we might call on Him—Y’shua Ha’Meshiach…

Shalom rubakah and have an excellent and blessed Hanukkah season and also an endurable winter ahead--

Coy Reece Holley

 

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Nine Reasons Why I As An Evangelical Christian Have Decided To Observe Hanakkuh (Abridged Version)

(1.) It represents a time of dedication/rededication to those things that my God has shown me that He wants me to believe in. [(Ex.) What do you stand for? What do you truly believe in?]
(2.) It reflects on the turmoil around us and foreshadows a future time where kingdoms will be in conflict to a point where only our Savior Himself can come in and fix it all.
(3.) It foreshadows a time of transition and a future crisis point where people will literally have to choose between material security or our relationship and dependence on God ALONE to provide for our every need and concern.
(4.) It illustrates to us how truly our God will do miraculous things on our behalf for those who will OBEY Him and truly HEAR His voice.
(5.) It shows that our focus should be on the Great Commission our Y'shua/Jesus (who in Hebrew literally translates to be our SALVATION) left behind for us--and NOT on petty doctrinal conflicts, extremes, fancies, and controversies on ANY side that DOES NOT properly contribute to that focus.
(6.) It reminds us of the One True Light in the darkness that helps us to see where we're going--and what is the True Way and Path He wants us to walk in.
(7.) To quote Kenneth Copeland: "...FEAR TOLERATED IS FAITH CONTAMINATED! Perfect Love casts out ALL fear. Fear has torment--and there is NO torment in your God!"
(8.) THE SHUMASH CANDLE reminds us of what Herbert W. Armstrong emphasized while he was alive of our need to focus more on "...the way of GIVE instead of the way of GET".
(9.) I could say this last point many ways...but the best way I could do it is by using a quote Mr. Armstrong also said (along from what I understand a few others have said something similar to this as well)--"Brethren, we have already read the end of the story--and in the end, WE WIN!!!!!!!!!"

(Abridged Version (C) 2006, Coy Reece Holley. All rights reserved.)

 

 

 

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