Jack & John cheering for the Eagles, 1983 !

 

the REST of the STORY 👇

Powerful moment:✝️ “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Erika said, "That young man. I forgive him

https://thefederalist.com/2025/09/22/100-million-witness-the-power-of-the-gospel-forgiveness-at-charlie-kirk-memorial/ 

"100 Million Hear Gospel At

 Charlie Kirk's Memorial "

"

The most powerful moment of the memorial occurred when Charlie's widow, Erika Kirk, announced she forgave the 22-year-old man accused of assassinating her husband. Less than two weeks after her husband was taken from her, Erika publicly committed to releasing resentment and embracing healing only possible through her faith.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not  what they do," Erika said, quoting the words Jesus Christ uttered as he was crucified..."

Verse of the day 9.8.25

Blessed are those who 

hunger & thirst

 for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

      -Matthew 5:6

some of you CRC'ers have heard of "Bellflower" (a tiny CA CRC hub) but don't know much about it

https://the-beauty-of-bellflower.blogspot.com/

i found this "bellflower blog" which is also about los angeles county and southern california news, but seems to have been started by somebody affiliated with Bellflower CRC and Valley Christian. 

Calvin's brand new football 🏈 field ready to play on !

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/calvin-university-kicks-off-season-160100080.html

? 

Verse of the Day 7.24.25

"I have fought the good fight,  finished the race, kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the Crown 👑 of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

    -2 Tim 4:7-8

Verse of the day 7.23.25

"You, dear children, 

are from God &

 have overcome 

the evil one, 

because the One 

who is in you is 

greater than the one 

who is in the world."

    -1 John 4:4

How did Average Dude Dan Dekam become the head honcho & CRCNA bigwig ? B/c he married a Borgdorf ?

How did Average Dude Dan Dekam become the head honcho & crcna bigwig ? Because he married a Borgdorf ?

"delegates concerned that shifting offices closer to Calvin U& Seminary could reinforce a Grand Rapids-centric culture, potentially alienating church members elsewhere...

Read more 
(https://x.com/infoprayerwar/status/1945829611067384077?t=xD1t7SV7RSWexKD1qEBnoA&s=03) 

How did average dude Dan Dekam become the head honcho & crcna bigwig ? Because he married a Borgdorf ? 

"delegates concerned that shifting offices closer to Calvin U& Seminary could reinforce a Grand Rapids-centric culture, potentially alienating church members elsewhereHow did average dude Dan Dekam become the head honcho & crcna bigwig ? Because he married a Borgdorf ? 

"During CRCNA discussions about moving from the 28th Street headquarters, some delegates voiced worries that shifting offices closer to Calvin University and Calvin Seminary could reinforce a Grand Rapids-centric culture, potentially alienating church members elsewhere .

A delegate cautioned:

> "There is a culture that's being developed that's not really reflective of the whole of the CRC..."

📌 Background & Appointment

Responsibilities:

🛠️ Previous Experience

🏛️ Roles at CRCNA & Grand Rapids HQ Changes

🧭 Focus & Vision

🧾 Summary

Name Position Start Background

Dan DeKam Director, U.S. Ministry Operations July 3, 2023 Christian education leader, administrator

Has a strong education leadership background and deep ties to West Michigan schools

 [(only Muskegon?)]

As the administrative head, he now oversees CRCNA's U.S. ministry operations, emphasizing collaboration, stewardship, and unity.

Played a leading role in the relocation of CRCNA's U.S. HQ and guides ministry boards amid cultural and governance transitions.

Did he give an update at CRC synod '25? Why isn't he required to attend Synod for that matter ? Why does the CRCNA main office have to be in West Michigan for that matter ? 

American Christians live by Two Declarations ✝️🇺🇲🎆.Happy 4th of July Independence +& Dependence)Day 💥

• American Christians live by 
• Two Declarations ✝️🇺🇲🎆

Declaration of Dependence ✝️📖 : "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, & do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery....I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing..."

Declaration of Independence 🇺🇲🗽

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...."

summary of Synod 2025

provided by ChatGPT                                                    (always double check & verify) 

"Synod 2025 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), held June 13–19 at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, addressed several significant issues affecting the denomination. Here's a summary of key decisions:(thebanner.org)

---

🔗 Ecumenical Relations

• Reformed Church in America (RCA): Synod affirmed the CRCNA's relationship with the RCA as a "church in communion," contingent upon RCA officebearers' willingness to sign the CRCNA's Covenant for Officebearers when required. This decision follows a review of the RCA's stance on human sexuality, noting that while the RCA officially holds the same convictions as the CRCNA, there is latitude within the RCA for differing practices. (thebanner.org)

• Alliance of Reformed Churches: Synod agreed to pursue a church-in-communion relationship with the Alliance of Reformed Churches, recognizing it as the closest ecumenical category of relationships the CRCNA has.(thebanner.org)

---

🏛️ Governance and Structure

• Office of General Secretary: Synod decided against creating a separate legal entity for the Office of General Secretary, citing recent leadership and structural changes that have addressed previous concerns.(thebanner.org)

• Loan Fund Governance: The Council of Delegates was granted authority to make changes to the mission and governance of the Christian Reformed Church Loan Fund, Inc., U.S., streamlining decision-making processes.(crcna.org)

• Ministry Reviews: Synod approved a guideline for conducting ministry reviews, aiming to enhance accountability and effectiveness within the denomination.(thebanner.org)

---

📖 Theological and Doctrinal Matters

• Bible Translation: The Bible Translation Committee recommended against using the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) for general worship, citing concerns about its translation methodology and faithfulness to the original texts. The ERV may be suitable for specific contexts like children's worship or devotional reading. (thebanner.org)

• Assisted Suicide: A task force report on assisted suicide reaffirmed the CRCNA's position against the practice, emphasizing compassionate palliative care and pastoral support for those facing suffering and end-of-life issues. (thebanner.org)

• Virtual Church: Synod acknowledged the potential of virtual churches to embody the three marks of a true church but emphasized the need for intentional planning, particularly regarding the administration of sacraments and church discipline. (thebanner.org)

---

🧭 Church Unity and Disagreement

• Covenant Community Toolkit: Synod tasked Pastor-Church Resources with developing a toolkit to help churches discern their hopes for covenant community, especially in light of potential covenant realignments. (hesedprojectcrc.org)

• Survey on Disagreement: The Office of the General Secretary was directed to create a survey to gather feedback from churches on how to navigate respectful disagreement within the denomination, with results to be shared transparently.(hesedprojectcrc.org)

---

🧱 Church Order and Discipline

• Confessional Alignment: Synod reinforced the requirement that all officebearers affirm the CRCNA's confessions without reservation. Those with reservations are expected to either align with the confessions, submit a confessional-revision gravamen, or resign from office. (christiancourier.ca)

---

These decisions reflect the CRCNA's ongoing efforts to address theological, structural, and relational challenges within the denomination. If you would like more detailed information on any of these topics, feel free to ask.(crcna.org) "

Amen 🙏 👍" Hegseth Delivers a Perfect Response After Leftist Haters Bash Him for Hosting a Christian Prayer Service at Pentagon | "

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/05/watch-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-delivers-perfect-response/ 

"

It's interesting. I've gotten some criticism for hosting a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon yesterday," Hegseth told reporters. "We said it very publicly, we said it very proudly. Appealing to Heaven, to God, is a long-standing tradition in our military."

"I'm very proud that we're starting a monthly voluntary service at the Pentagon. George Washington was on bended knee with the troops, praying for God's providence and protection in that moment," he added. "Chaplains and ministers and Christians and people of faith across generations have prayed because of the business that we're in. The business of the 82nd Airborne…And we appeal to God"

Is this the answer to liberalized Xianity? "Orthodox Christianity: Young US men joining 'masculine' Russian churches"

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c30q5l8d4lro 

In other words 'Biblical Manhood': 

due to the liberalized church & seminary in America still being led astray by the hippy generation & trying to feminize young men 👎. The other problem is going too far in the opposite direction and becoming a form of overbearing 'toxic masculinity ' 👎. Try to find the 'Christly middle' ( my term, not in Websters) 

Memorial Day 2025

🕊️🕯️❤️✝️🇺🇸🪦🙏👶👼
#MemorialDay2025
https://youtube.com/shorts/4OyfTArfZ-E?si=V7y3lKLSZahVP7s6
🕊️🕯️❤️✝️🇺🇸🪦🙏👶👼

Gossip combined with ignorance is HIGHLY TOXIC 🚫👎

The unfortunate thing was that Steve Brinks and Rick deVries became friends at Notre Dame and they became gossip partners about things they really DIDN'T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND much about at all . Gossip combined with ignorance is HIGHLY TOXIC 🚫👎

Cc: Winny, Winnie 

good ol' lew vandermeer (2012) "Addicted to church? Grand Rapids pastor prescribes alternatives to renew Christian ministry"

Lew was our religion teacher at Grand Rapids Christian in the 80's. Then he went on to start Sunshine CRC (which became quite popular from what I hear, but then  subsequently closed ?)

https://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/2012/03/addicted_to_church_grand_rapid.html

CRC IN CRISIS "‘Change Is Necessary’: A Frank Picture of Rising Governance Costs and Diminishing Ministry Shares"

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2025/05/change-is-necessary-a-frank-picture-of-rising-governance-costs-and-diminishing

I took a break from campus ✝️ ministry & went to Tahoe for a few days

>

Planned on hiking but there was still too much snow on the ground . Nonetheless, Most of the ski 🎿 resorts are closed for the season ( except Palisades, shown here). Palisades used to be called Squaw Valley & hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Do you remember that ?

I still found some nice places to explore even though they weren't long hiking trails.  The weather was really nice sunny and blue not too hot either ( 70's). 

6000 feet down below in Sacramento it was in the 90's.

 Would have loved to take a swim but of course the water is ice cold because it's all snow melt at this time of year. 

quick decision in Rome, wow! first-ever AMERICAN POPE ! They said it would never happen

some of you Protestants and CRCers are saying "Who cares, I'm not catholic" . Well, you should care. We're all part of the same Body of Christ ! Stay informed. PRay he's a good one. The Catholic church effects EVERYBODY ! #PrayTheNews 

https://www.the-sun.com/news/14194998/cardinal-new-pope/

"HISTORY has been made as the First American Pope will lead the Catholic church with outsider Robert Prevost taking up name of Leo XIV after less than 24 hours of secret voting in the Sistine Chapel.

The new Pope - known to many as "Father Bob" -  stepped out onto the balcony in the Vatican to cheering crowds as he greeted them by saying "peace be with you".

re "An Act of Spiritual Communion -" Holy Spirit Parish

https://holyspiritchurch.us/an-act-of-spiritual-communion/ 

For Protestants, 

In plain English: we can talk directly to God with simple earnestness 

"When we cannot attend Mass [or church, for Protestants] we can still make an Act of Spiritual Communion. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, a spiritual communion is "an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him." One good time to make a spiritual communion is while we are adoring Our Lord ✝️ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, but we can make them at any time of the day or night, even multiple times a day..."

Every Day should be a National 🇺🇲Day Of Prayer ( & international 🌎)- 🙏🙏🙏 #PrayMore ✝️👍☝️5.1.25 #MayDay

https://search.brave.com/news?q=national%20Day%20of%20prayer 

VOD 4.30.25 ✝️

"For as lightning ⚡
that comes from the
east is visible
even in the west,
so will be the coming
of the Son of Man✝️
    .... -Matt 24:27

#YAWYW ✝️☝️🙏

Prayers4 America 🇺🇸 :  (@AmeriPrayer1) posted at 8:17 AM on Tue, Apr 22, 2025:

You are what you eat?
Or,
you Are What
You Worship ⁉️✝️

(https://x.com/AmeriPrayer1/status/1914700107288863094?t=loP22e7FY5N6B49atGgB8A&s=03) 

Watch "My Life Is In God’s Hands (Morning Devotional And Prayer)" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/9jR3HeSNhSA?si=2EDa3omfSN7XUcuU 

"Aaron Rodgers faces a new rival: Kirk Cousins is pushing to be the Steelers' new QB | "

https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/2025/04/30/6811567846163f55718b458c.html 

"It's believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year," Russini revealed, referring to the arrival of rookie Michael Penix Jr., who took the starting job from Cousins midway through the 2024 season."

VOD 4.27.25

Whoever believes
in Him✝️ is Not condemned,
but whoever does
not believe is
condemned already,
because he has not
believed in the
name of the
only Son of God 🕊️

      -John 3:18 - 

Happy ✝️ Easter . He's Arisen ☝️

The next morning 🌅

 the women came to the 

tomb & found it empty, 

&the angel said to the women, 

"Do not be afraid, 

for I know that you are

 looking for Jesus, 

who was crucified. 

He is not here; 

HE HAS RISEN, 

just as He said"

   Matt 28:5-8

Happy😊 

#Easter2025 🕊️🌅

re sending postcard to Kim Kooiker

some of you may know that I "dated" or whatever you want to call my relationship with Kim back around 1989-91 around the time I was finishing Calvin College and also working at Pine Rest Hospital as a mental health counselor (as was Kim, which is where we met).

 I seriously admired and respected Kim. We had several nice experiences together just getting to know one another. She came to our Lake Michigan cottage once when my parents were in town (near Silver Lake for those of you who know west Michigan). 

And she even accompanied me to my cousin Brian's wedding. And I remember visiting her home in Caledonia  (she attended South Christian & Calvin; I attended Grand Rapids Christian & Calvin) at least once when her whole  lovely family was there. Among other things such as movies, etc 

You could say it was "getting serious" but at the same time I was conflicted about my ultimate purpose in life. I was struggling with following what I thought was my call to be a Christian missionary versus just staying around Michigan, working a job of one sort or another, etc. 

Well, I was also accepted into Law School and eventually started, but did not finish, Wayne State Law School, nor any other law school. My experience at Wayne State led me to believe that I was not following God's call for my life if I pursued a career in law. 

After I left Wayne State law school I informed Kim that I was leaving Michigan too. It was a short conversation. I didn't really know what her feelings were towards me, but she was always amicable. We didn't get involved physically at all. 

It was more than "just friends" but not romantic either. I guess you could say we were just "getting to know each other gradually" . SO i left Michigan not knowing if or when I would be back. 

I ended up in California for a few months (where my parents lived) and then there was an earthquake in Costa Rica which I volunteered to do disaster relief . So I flew to San Jose met with other Christian missionaries and we worked together to help needy areas after the huge quake. 

And then I got an offer to tutor the kids of a rain forest tourist camp in Drake Bay near the famous Corcovado National park where tourists from all over the world travel to explore. So I stayed in Costa Rica for about 9 months total until near the end of August 1991. 

Then I returned to California and then decided to try seminary back in Grand Rapids. But then didn't  work for very long either. I stayed in the seminary for a quarter then I got disillusioned. Around that time I did see Kim a few times- once at a place called TeleDial which was owned by a friend of our family named Andy DeVries.

He offered me a job there- and when I was visiting I saw Kim- she was working there ! But i was till thinking I had to follow my call to be a full-time missionary- and a seminary-educated one for that matter. But I decided to try teaching instead for a while- I stayed at Calvin for 2 years working on an education/English degree but didn't see Kim much after that time at TeleDial. 

So it was really over I guess you could say (there was no "break up" or hard  words or anything because it was never to such a serious or formal level. But I always admired and respected her, and so when I returned to California and took a teaching job I continued to think about and pray for her. 

I also found out she had moved on and married a nice fellow (presumably) and so there was absolutely no romantic or relational thoughts in my mind anymore, nor her's obviously. Yet I knew she was a strong committed Christian so I wanted to continue to encourage her in the faith. 

After 2 years teaching I finally did go back to seminary and finally completed most of it- combining Calvin & Fuller Seminary. WHile at Fuller I remember sending her a postcard a few times- with encouraging Christian words- nothing more, nothing less. Just a friendly hello. 

Apparently, one of these times I sent the postcard to the wrong address- somehow I got her sister's address in my book. I didn't know this would make her sister's blood boil. You're not going to believe this but she actually spoke to the police about me sending a postcard (accidentally to the wrong address).

 Some time later I got a letter from an alleged detective (or somebody who called themself a detective) of the Grand Rapids Police Dept. I actually don't remember what it said but it was bizarre that he would be inquiring of me about sending a friendly postcard. Very bizarre. SO bizarre and strange that I communicated with his superiors about it and they apparently rebuked him and shut him down, and I never heard from him again.

 I guess he thought he would scare me but all it did was upset me so much so that I complained about it. And my complaint got thru to the right people at GRPD or Kent County Sheriff ( I can't remember) . 

So anyways, I just thought I would mention this because I don't believe Kim ever complained about it herself. It was Kim's sister as best as I can tell. I think the postcards that got thru to Kim herself were kindly received - because I knew she was a strong Christian and she knew my Christian path as well. 

So I think she appreciated the prayers and encouragement . To me she was a fellow Christian "sibling" so to speak. That's the way I think of my Christian school mates and Christian Reformed friends and associates that I knew from church or school etc. We are fellow members of the Body of Christ. 

I just want people to know that these were totally well-intended communication and I do this to people ALL OVER everywhere not just one former girlfriend or girl friend . 

And yes I did become an "seminary educated missionary" after all is said and done. I started my own Christian ministry and I continue to be a missionary/evangelist worldwide and especially around the USA ! Praise the Lord !

And I continue to pray for Kim and other girlfriends or girl friends as well relatives, guy friends,  church associates, former classmates, colleagues, etc. God bless you all. Tomorrow is Easter 2025  ! He Lives ! And hopefully We Live too (for Him!) 

Watch "Heaven, How I Got Here; The Story of the Thief on the Cross" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/QeSPL5iaorU?si=cDLIXg7b8GydAoD_ 

Excellent little skit by

 Stephen Baldwin about the 

thief on the cross.

 #GoodFriday

#Easter

 #JesusSaves ✝️🙏☝️

https://youtu.be/QeSPL5iaorU?si=cDLIXg7b8GydAoD_

How did this unknown CRC pastor from Holland Michigan end up on the Hour of Power TV Show ?

 https://youtu.be/UIPqXIFVX2w?si=b5M0O8KMs3fpFCqa

 Here's a clip of popular southern California TV personality Ed Arnold (rest-in-peace, just died in April 2025) interviewing a pastor named Jim Kok for Hour Of Power at the Crystal Cathedral (which subsequently closed as Robert Schuller's protestant (Reformed) church, but re-opened as a Catholic Church).

Who is Jim Kok? (he is/was a CRC pastor, now retired, & yes still alive at age 90 as of 4.18.25)  And what was he doing at the Crystal Cathedral and on the Hour of Power ? 

Well some of you may know the name from the CRC community either as a pastoral care minister for many years as the Director of Pastoral Care at Pine Rest Christian hospital, (as well as CPE supervisor) and prior to that he was a pastor at a  Christian Reformed Church in Iowa City; and also did stints in CPE (clinical pastoral education) in upstate New York & Ann Arbor , among other things. 

Other of you old-timers may remember the name of Jim Kok from his basketball prowess (he mentions it in this video clip) at Holland Christian High as well as Calvin College in the 50's alongside Tony Diekema & Don Vroon (RIP) , among others. 

To make a long story short, after working at Pine Rest Hospital Jim Kok took the job of Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral. This was actually a return "home" for Jim because he grew up here, partially, as a child in Bellflower CA (about 16 miles from the Crystal Cathedral in adjacent Los Angeles County) where his father (Rev. Gareth Kok) was a CRC pastor who founded the Valley Christian Schools and was a pastor at First Bellflower CRC in the 30's  & 40's.

 (Later,  Gareth moved the family back to Holland Michigan where he was a pastor at Maple CRC, which is why Jim attended Holland Christian High)  (still later, Gareth returned to southern Cal where he eventually retired in Bellflower, now deceased). 

So when Jim Kok took the Crystal Cathedral job and moved his family to Bellflower, he was a few blocks away from his retired father. Jim maintained his affiliation with the CRC- never changed to the RCA- but his primary job was at the Crystal Cathedral until his retirement several decades later. 

For many years Jim hosted an annual International  Kindness Conference which filled the arboretum for several days, and numerous well-known speakers  talked about various medical, psychological, & spiritual issues integrated with the topic of kindness.

 Jim also continued to serve as a Clinal Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor for many years at the Crystal Cathedral until his retirement. Over the years, numerous seminary students did their CPE requirements on the 10th floor of the New Hope tower at the Crystal Cathedral. 

So having become a familiar face at the Crystal Cathedral he eventually was invited to be on the Hour of Power, more than once, but this was one of the times where he talked about his book "The Miracle of Kindness"

A friend of Jim also continues to maintain a kindness blog referencing past writings and articles by Jim Kok, albeit Jim himself in 2025 is no longer active as a pastor (please pray for him as he has some health issues). This blog / website can be viewed at https://www.peoplekindness.com/blogbyjimkok  (I think the website administrator should make that clear on the web, but for some reason he has not yet done so) 

Good Friday 4.18.25

Is 53: "He has borne our griefs & carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, & afflicted.

He was pierced for our transgressions;

  crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, & with His wounds WE ARE HEALED"

#GoodFriday 

VOD 4.18.25

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

    -1 Cor 10:13

Who am I? part3: i spend a lot of time doing "Pray The News"

 and I encourage others to do the

 same such as the person above 

Every day I "Pray The News" . I report daily news updates to my various news websites, and pick a few major stories to pray over and about. One big tragedy that I've been praying for a few weeks now is the earthquake in Thailand & Myanmar that struck on March 28 and  the death toll keeps rising, 

over 3700 now. 

4.16.25

Who Am I ? part 2

 

and more recently I concentrate on being a missionary mostly in America. I call it "AmeriPrayer". And a lot of my evangelism is done driving thru different areas of the country, small cities, villages, communities etc. reaching out via video, inviting people to accept Jesus Christ as Savior, baptizing in the Spirit, calling for repentance, etc . You can see the videos at my primary YouTube channel 

 

Who Am I ? part 1

 

I spent a lot of my time in previous years doing mission work around the world including Philippines, Costa Rica, Peru, China, Thailand, Belize, Guatemala, Macau, Hong Kong, and more!

remembering the GREAT BLIZZARD OF '78 ( i was there ! how about you ?)

see images here 

https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/01/remembering-the-great-blizzard-of-1978-when-winter-packed-a-wallop.html

"The Great Blizzard of 1978, also known as the Cleveland Superbomb,^[1] was a historic winter storm that struck the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes regions of the United States as well as Southern Ontario in Canada from Wednesday, January 25 through Friday, January 27, 1978. It is often cited as one of the most severe blizzards in US history.^[2] The third lowest non-tropical atmospheric pressure ever recorded in the mainland United States occurred as the storm passed over Mount Clemens, Michigan, where barometer readings fell to 956.0 mb (28.23 inHg) on January 26..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1978

Awesome 👍 ✝️🙏☝️ "Trump champions Jesus' 'miraculous Resurrection' in Palm Sunday message

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-champions-jesus-miraculous-resurrection-palm-sunday-message-vowing-defend-christian-faith.amp 

Awesome 👍 ✝️🙏☝️

"Trump champions Jesus' 'miraculous Resurrection' in Palm Sunday message vowing to 'defend the Christian faith'

Trump makes Holy Week proclamation acknowledging Jesus Christ as 'the living Son of God'" ✝️✝️✝️

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-champions-jesus-miraculous-resurrection-palm-sunday-message-vowing-defend-christian-faith.amp

Then I looked & saw the 

Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 

& with Him 144,000 

who had His name 

& His Father's name 

written on their forehead

    Rev 14.1

Happy #PalmSunday 🌴 #JesusSaves ✝️🙂 2025

" - So they took branches 

of palm trees & went out 

to meet Him, crying out,

 "Hosanna! Blessed is

 He who comes in the

 name of the Lord, 

even the King of Israel!

    -John 12:13

Movie review re " Holland" (Mich )with Nicole Kidman 👎👎

Glad I finished that. I didn't really want to watch it because I knew it would be full of some stupid stereotypes of midwesterners and especially Holland  michiganders many of whom are Dutch of course and Christian Reformed CRC or Reformed RCA. 

But then I doubt Nicole Kidman has any idea about the difference between those two denominations. There has to be a backstory about why they chose Holland Michigan to try to make a mockery of. But I haven't found it so far in any of the reviews I've read online.

So Nicole Kidman plays a housewife named Nancy Vander Groot in Holland Michigan which is a small city on Lake Michigan about 30 miles from Grand rapids. Correction : she also works at the public high school in some capacity, but she acts more like a housewife.

 The movie begins with her being a housewife and taking care of her son Harry. And acting shocked when he swears. They also make a point in another scene about  saying "gosh darn" instead of "Go--amn " .

And In another scene they make a mockery of a lady who says to Nicole 

"I will  keep you in my prayers"  as if that's something so trite and cliche.  Of course they had to bring up the use of the word "pop" which some people use for soda in the midwest but it's really not something you hear too often. There's a scene where the father says "Hey Harry, how about some pop and milk". 

And there's some Dutch singing in this movie which is also a little ridiculous because the use of the Dutch language was part of the immigrant experience back in the 30's etc  but as far as I know there's not that many people in this day and age who still speak Dutch. Some might use it around tulip Time just for historic purposes- that's about it. 

My grandfather was a pastor for the CRC and he spoke Dutch and English, with English his first language and Dutch second. But my dad spoke no Dutch at all. In fact my dad grew up in Holland partially, but also grew up in Southern California. 

So Nicole meets a teacher and they start to become friends and he actually  has a Latino background. In reality, Holland Michigan actually does have a fair amount of Latinos. But they have a scene  where they show some white kids mocking him and calling him a "beaner" presumably meaning a bean picker even though he's a teacher. 

As far as I know, white Hollanders don't have a problem with Latinos. I mean I grew up in Grand Rapids and rarely ever encountered Latinos there, much less in Holland even though I know they do have a population there. 

And then somewhere along the way Nicole starts to suspect her husband who is an optometrist is having an affair. So she starts to play investigator, and enlists her school friend to help her.

 And I won't give it all away, it's really not a great movie- it's not that suspenseful or interesting, but I had to watch it because it's about how in Michigan near where I grew up in Grand Rapids.. and I actually spent fair amount of time in Holland in the summers  because it's right on the big lake. 

And I actually taught in one of the Holland schools for half a year but not the public schools. I really just wanted to see what scenes they showed from Holland Michigan, but then I hear they  filmed a lot of it actually in Tennessee- maybe even the tulip parade scene as well.

 And I just wanted to find out why they chose to try to make a mockery of Holland Michigan. There must be a back story about somebody who felt spurned by the white Dutch of Holland Michigan. Maybe we'll never find out. 

Anyways just for entertainment value, I wouldn't recommend it- it's not that great & it's a little bit sleazy. Definitely not for kids either. Fortunately I didn't have to pay to see it b/c I had just joined Amazon prime and I found out I could watch it on prime video for free. I only wish  Prime Video had one of those buttons like YouTube where you could speed up the video and watch  x2 .

That's all folks. 👎👎

"And thus I saw the horses

 in the vision, 

& them that sat on them, 

having breastplates of fire, 

& of jacinth, & brimstone: 

& the heads of the horses

 were as the heads of lions;

 & out of their mouths

 issued fire & smoke & brimstone.".   -                -Revelation 9:17 

Verse of the Day 3.25.25

"Brothers & sisters, rejoice! 

Strive for full restoration,

Encourage one another, 

be of one mind, 

live in Peace 🕊️ 

And the God ✝️ 

of love &

peace will be with us.

     -2 Cor 13:11

Verse of the Day 3.8.25

"For the word✝️

 of God 

is alive & active.

 Sharper than any

 double-edged sword ⚔️ 

it penetrates even to

 dividing soul & spirit,

 joints & marrow;

 it judges the

 thoughts & attitudes

 of the heart.♥️

      -Hebrews 4:12

Verse of the Day 3.6.25

"Many will be purified,

 made spotless & refined, 

but the wicked will

 continue to be wicked.

 None of the wicked 

will understand,

 but those who are wise 

will understand."

     -Daniel 12:10

"Hope for the praying 🙏 Christian parent - " ✝️♥️

https://www.mnnonline.org/news/hope-for-the-praying-christian-parent/ 

"You bring that child to Jesus and let Jesus do His mighty work in their life. But don't abandon His work. Don't back down. Don't retreat because of the attack of the enemy. You're the real target. Take your stand against the devil's schemes and let Jesus do that work in your child's heart to bring that lamb back home."

Verse of the Day 2.14.25

Then Jesus said to them,

 "Watch out! Be on your guard

 against all kinds of greed;

 life does not consist in

 an abundance of possessions."

        -Luke 12:15-

Verse of the Day

"Take up the Helmet of Salvation✝️ 

& the Sword ⚔️ of the Spirit, 

which is the Word 📖 of God" 🕊️ 

       -Ephesians 6:17-

#NeverViolence 🚫

#AlwaysPeace 🕊️✌️🙂

Verse of the Day:

'Finally, brothers & sisters, whatever is True,

 whatever is Noble, 

whatever is Right, 

whatever is Pure, 

whatever is Lovely, 

whatever is Admirable—

if anything is Excellent or Praiseworthy—

think about such things.

           -Philippians 4:8-

Gif

What happened to our cousin? "Kirk Cousins has left the building. What’s next for him and the Falcons? -" The Athletic

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6042462/2025/01/06/falcons-kirk-cousins-future/ 

"Cousins signed a four-year contract in March that guaranteed him $90 million and had a total potential value of $180 million, making it the highest total-value free-agency deal in NFL history. He will receive a $10 million roster bonus if he's on the roster on March 17, but that appears increasingly unlikely.."

"Cast thy bread 🍞 upon the waters 🌊: for thou shalt find it after many days. ..-

"Cast thy  bread 🍞 upon the waters 🌊: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, & also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil 👿 shall be upon the earth"🌎 

      -Ecclesiastes 11-

He was one of our football coaches, also taught PE at Seymour "GR Christian celebrates Dick VanderKamp's 50 years of service Kamp was the baseball coach from 1978-2001"

https://www.fox17online.com/sports/gr-christian-celebrates-dick-vanderkamps-50-years-of-service

He was one of our football coaches, also taught PE at Seymour "GR Christian celebrates Dick VanderKamp's 50 years of service Kamp was the baseball coach from 1978-2001"

Verse of the Day 12/16/24

"Good will come to

 those who are Generous 

& Lend freely, 

who conduct their 

affairs with Justice.'

   -Psalm 112:5

let us be AWAKE

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

local eagle celebrity spotted at the Calvin Hope game: Can you guess who this is from class of '85 (male on left)

 

Verse of the Day, 📖 12/5/24

What good will it be

 for someone to 

gain the whole world, 🌍 

 yet forfeit their soul? 

 For what can anyone 

give in exchange 

for their soul?

      -Matthew 16:26

a few pics from this summer (2024) around west Michigan