Apology & Explanation

Hello all, I recently posted this reply, explanation and apology on CEChealing

First of all… for anyone who felt like I was trying to be malicious towards the CEC, I wish to apologize and ask for forgiveness. That was never my intention, and I am still a faithful and loyal member of the CEC, attending Lifepath Church in New Port, RI.

I would like to address some things to therestofthestorynow…

Yes, in the beginning, my family was given money – enough to virtually to cover everything. For reasons of which I am sure are genuine, that amount continued for about a year I believe, and has gradually decreased… going to sometime next year… I am not sure if it is January or not, to zero. While the amount that was given was enough to cover the mortgage and all the other bills, including medicine and special needs for my dad, yes, the mortgage was being paid… in fact, it was up until June of this year, when one of the cuts in the amount happened, my mother was able to pay the mortgage, since then it has not been possible. Second, I do not expect “unlimited” finances for life, and I, nor my family, ever have. All my mother has wanted is a roof over her head, food on the table, and the finds to get her (she had stage 4 lymphoma the year before the stroke) and dad’s medicine.

I am not upset over my dad’s illness, in fact, in ways, as God always does, it has not been a “blessing,” but it has not been a curse either. For the finances before, ask the 150 people who received two bags of groceries a week every Wednesday at noon, my dad gave everything that he was and had for those in need, even at the expense of everything else. Acts 4:32-37 should be a good reference point.

About the CEC not letting my parents lose the home, I was under the same impression, by direct source. I do not know what has happened since August, I no longer live in Georgia, and I was just as shocked by my mother’s announcement on facebook at the beginning of last month as everyone else.

I agree, the mortgage payment, and stipend for food and needed medicine would be great, in fact, that is all I have ever wanted.

Asx his eldest son, I wish I could be in Georgia taking care of him, etc, however, I am in Rhode Island, with my wife and newborn daughter, and I must also provide for them. When I can do something, I will, etc.

Lastly, I am not mad, nor do I wish to cause any strife or anyone’s “justification.” For causing strife and possible misunderstanding, I do ask everyone for forgiveness. Again, I thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support, both within the CEC and without. For more information on the support effort, please visit the following webpage:

http://hollowayfamily.wordpress.com

Thank you all, God Bless,

Saepe Cogitamus,
Jared Holloway

Housing Update

Update from Jacob and my parents housing situation

Again, thanks to everyone for their support and prayers!
JZ Holloway

Parents House Update

Please look at this post by my brother on my family’s blog. It contains information about the pending foreclosure, etc. Thanks!

House Update

Also, here is the main link to my family’s blog for more updates and information

The Holloways

Katherine Isabella Elena Holloway…

Finally… after 38 hours of labor, our beautiful daughter was born! 8lbs and 1 oz… born at 6:58 pm on September 30 – feast of St. Jerome… and Judy’s birthday! Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers. Both the baby and Mama are doing great!

Kit Kat

Moon Pictures Featured in New Book

This Summer I was asked by reknowned deer hunter Lynn Ketner of Georgia if he could use some of my Moon phase pictures in his book on hunting whitetailed deer. I agreed and was able to get them to him in time before publishing. Here is a link to his book:

Hunting the Whitetail Using Data & Discoveries

It is neat that I was able to be featured, but also, if you like to hunt, this is a wonderful resource. Please check it out!

JZ Holloway

Why are we upset or surprised?

Recently, a public school in New Jersey were made to praise President Obama in a school recital. Since then, outrage has sprung forth, but really, why are we so upset and surprised? It is no different than what the Roman Emperors, kings, princes, dictators, etc have done in the past, and continue to do to this day. So why is it we are so surprised? I am more surprised that the children in the class who are “Christian” have not been taught to refuse, as the early Christians did in the Roman Empire, to worship anything other than God – and also that the parents sitting there listening to the worship song did not stop it or their children.

We must remember the ruler of this world is the Devil. He is the Lord of the air – even after his defeat on the Cross. Just as Persia had a “prince,” the United States, and every other country and geographical area, has a p”prince,” or ruler over it – influencing and manipulating, even causing “good” things to happen. There is no such thing as a Christian nation, or even a moral nation, they are all pagan. The United States was not founded so men could worship anyway they liked, it was set up so that religious institutions, most notably then the Church of England, could not hold sway over the government, and vice-versa, the government could not hold sway over the religious institutions. It should be no surprise when the government run schools try to infuse a sense of patriotic duty and trust in the government since religious institutions try to do the same thing… i.e. Sunday School, Children’s Church and the like. The government itself is a “religious” body as well as a body that desires to be worshipped. Instead of being shocked when things like this happen, maybe we should simply instruct our children, and remind ourselves, that we must not be surprised or upset, but we should take a stand and refuse to participate.

Lastly, keep in mind – we “worship” past presidents, even setting up feast days in their honor, the same with people like Dr. Martin Luther King – and this does not upset us. We “worship” Christopher Columbus, who nearly wiped out the Carib Indian population, again having a feat day in his honor. We celebrate or Day of Indepence (feast day) which marks our rebellion against England and a great loss of life on both sides. So what makes this worship any more different?

More Pictures…

Update on the Family…

Article on the family @ Diocese of the Mid-South webpage

Jupiter and more from Providence, RI

It’s been about a year since I have posted anything astronomy wise, but here are some. They are not spectacular for a few reasons 1) I have never used a Nikon before 2) it was cloudy & 3) well… it is Providence, lots of light. Oh, and the Jupiter one might actually be Vega or possible Deneb, it is hard to tell with the clouds.

Enjoy!

Being a Christian nation in a Pagan nation…

Keeping with Gregory Boyd’s concept that the United States is not a Christian nation, and that whole idea is a myth, I want to look at a quote from his book “The Myth of a Christian Nation.” “What if the energy and resources spent to preserve and tweak the civil religion [i.e. the Christian nation concept] was rather spent feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, befriending the drug addict, and visiting the prisoner?” (115, 116) The answer is simple, we would no longer just be going to church, but we would be the Church. We would no longer just call ourselves Christian, but be Christian… we would, as Boyd says, do the Kingdom. We would be called Christian not because we say we are, but because people would see the life of Christ in us.

Is the civil religion – the political activism, etc, important to try and maintain? No… in fact, as Boyd argues, it is harmful to the Kingdom. By depending on the civil government to make laws protecting morality – by depending on the “over” kingdoms, we lose our own “under” kingdom… we trust less in God and try and get the government to make the nation a moral bulwark. We put our faith in the “over” government, and lose our servant nature. This began almost 1700 years ago when Constantine the Great legalized Christianity… and hence forth the Church became dependant on the government, as well as trying to control it. Instead of protesting, we should be praying, instead of endorsing and giving our money to candidates, we should be giving our money to the poor and needy. For real change, we need to stop depending on an election… stop just going to the Church, but be the Church and do the Kingdom. We must stop judging and begin  sacrificing all that we are. Jesus fellowshipped with the sinner… not the righteous, for it was the sinner who needed Him most. For this is the only way we can Love.