Jaclyn Holland-Strauss – Page 84 – Blog

Do you have to be part of an organized religion to be spiritual?

July 6, 2012

Does a person have to be part of an organized religion in order to have a strong spiritual relationship with God? Or can it be a private thing? There are definitely advantages to being part of a group that worships […]

Happy July 4th: Why is the United States the greatest country in the world?

July 4, 2012

Why is the United States the greatest country in the world? There are many reasons. It is the country that was founded by citizens who loved freedom. They resisted the colonial power of England and fought to create a country […]

How specific should we be when we pray?

July 3, 2012

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts that we have been given as human beings. We shouldn’t take it lightly and should pray multiple times a day. That might even be a cliche by now, but it is true, as […]

Should women with money date men without money?

July 2, 2012

Most of the time it doesn’t work if a woman with money marries a man who does not have a lot of money. Why is this so? I think it is because as much as people wish to deny it, […]

Can a rich person enter heaven?

July 1, 2012

The Bible says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven. What does this mean? Does it mean that being rich is bad? I […]

My Brand

I am an amphiist, which I define as someone who looks at both sides of issues (it's a Greek word). However, I have my own expanded definition, which means that I believe in three interrelated concepts, which, when taken together, inform an amphiist viewpoint. Abraham Maslow talked about self-actualization, a person reaching their highest potential. Thomas Carlyle discussed natural aristocracy, which is a principle the Founding Fathers created with regard to the United States, that a person did not have to be of royal birth to have merit; it was the content of their character that counted. And scholars Mayer and Salovey came up with the concept of emotional intelligence, an idea popularized by Daniel Goleman. We should have control over our emotions, and see the bigger picture. All of these together make up an amphiist, and I apply this reasoning to politics, entertainment, etc. I defend the oppressed by offering an alternative perspective. I am currently raising funds for publication of an Amphiist newspaper, the primary focus of which will be anti-extremism. We need to find common ground. We need to stop thinking in terms of liberals against conservatives. Right against left. Men against women. One race against another. One religion against another. If you would be interested in contributing, please consider supporting my work at Paypal via jaclyncarter2005@gmail.com.

Testimonials

Just finished. I am humbled by your story (Catherine's story). My mind is left in a whirlwind of thoughts. I understood the pain, the misery. The path from victim to victor, I applaud you (Catherine). Really, I am speechless. You have a brilliant mind. Your talent is astounding. You were sent to this earth to be a positive influence for others, that I am certain of.

I'm sitting in a restaurant in Green Bay Wisconsin and just finished your book. WOW WOW WOW! So freaking amazing. You have so captured the nature of the marginalized...your postscript at the end WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT. Your book spoke to me at a heart level and encouraged me about my own feelings of insignificance. Thank you so much for writing this very heart touching work of art. You are an amazing person who I would be proud to have not just living on but running my island all day every day. In short, your book is AWESOME!!!!

One of my favourite things about this book is how the author described the characters. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. It's such an important message. No matter what our religious beliefs—even if we have no religious beliefs—He is aware of us, He loves us and He talks to each of us. We are His. The author did a fantastic job with it!