https://www.wnd.com/2024/11/election-day-stunner-prayers-around-the-globe-for-a-trump-victory/
The POWER OF PRAYER
which is the
#PowerOfGod π₯
re-elected Trump
✝️☝️π₯πΊπ²π―☑️π½π½π½
ππππππππππ
GO EAGLES ! DEDICATED TO GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH my alma mater ! & also for Holland Christian football & Kirk Cousins VIKINGS; and those from the Reformed tradition
kirk cousins twitter
1
2
pray
sports
My Blog List
My Blog List
1983 embers 2
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024
He always concludes in GR (where I grew up!) "Trump’s campaign road again ends with rally in Grand Rapids" πΊπ²πWoodTv
https://www.woodtv.com/news/elections/former-president-donald-trump-to-wrap-up-campaign-with-rally-in-grand-rapids/amp/
"It is Trump's habit [ritual] to hold his final rally before Election Day in metro Grand Rapids. In 2016, his last one was at DeVos Place and in 2020, it was at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Trump won Michigan in 2016. President Joe Biden won it in 2020..."
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Sunday, October 27, 2024
"Jonathan Cahn unveils terrifying message found inside Kamala's 'ANTI-CHRIST' comment "
https://www.wnd.com/2024/10/watch-jonathan-cahn-unveils-terrifying-message-found-inside-kamalas-anti-christ-comment/
"He explained Harris' words were "words that the anti-Christ will say in one form or another," the anti-Christ being the essence of evil prophesied in the Bible to come onto the earth during its last days.."
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024
Trump knocked it out of the park at McDonald's ππΊπ²πͺππ½ #PrayForAmerica π
better than anything
SNL is done in the
last 10 years ! ππΊπ²π½πͺ
ππππππ
π
#MAGA
#MagaDonalds π
#BigMaga ππΊπ²
#MagaBurger π
"An icon "
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Friday, October 18, 2024
MAGA Prayer ππΊπ²π½✝️
O Lord, we lift our hearts in prayer π
For this land we hold so dear & fair
Guide America πΊπ² with Your light⚡
Through the darkest days, lead us right
Protect the unbornπΆπΌ, small & frail
Give them life, let hope prevail
Strengthen our borders, firm & strongπͺ
Keep our nation safe from wrong
Grant us leaders, brave & true
Who stand for justice⚖️ in all they do
Let honesty reign & truth be told
With courage, integrity, pure as goldπ₯
Help us cherish values bright
Faith, love ❤️ & what is right
Turn our hearts to You, O Lord
With Christ ✝️, our guide, in one accord
Revive our spirit, let freedom π½ring π
Make us worthy of the blessings You bring
With patriotism, faith & grace π️
Help us build a better place
For our country, hear our plea
Bless this land of liberty
With Your mercy, lead us on
To a brighter hopeful dawn
#MAGA ππΊπ²
#NeverKamala π‘ππ«
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Confidence in Prayer π
With confidence, we come & pray
To God☝️ above, both night & day
We lift our voices, hearts entwine
For in His will, our hopes align
He listens close, He knows our need
If we believe, He'll plant the seedπ±
We ask in faith, our spirits still
Trusting fully in His perfect will
When doubts arise & fears draw near
We find His presence ever clear
For every prayer π, both small & grand
He holds us gently in His hand π
So do not waver, do not fear
He's always there, He's always near
With every whisper, every plea
He hears our prayers & sets us free π️
Seek Him first, & you will find
A love ❤️unchanging, pure & kind
He knows our hearts, our deepest care
He listens carefully, always here
Prayer for Jack & family
Dear Lord, we thank You for Jack Holwerda's life,
A man of great virtue, with a beautiful wife.
Brenda, his partner, stands by his side,
Together in love, through life's long ride.
Jack's a Christian Eagle, soaring so high,
With faith in his heart, he reaches the sky.
Honest and kind, intelligent too,
He shines with the Spirit in all that he'll do.
Blessed with a son, young Charlie, so bright,
Who brings them such joy, from morning till night.
Five sisters surround him, a family so grand,
No brothers to tease, just a loving band.
He studied at Calvin, where wisdom took root,
A winner in life, a man of good fruit.
He's patient and gentle, joyful and true,
With love and with kindness, in all that he'll do.
Lord, bless Jack's family, his huge, happy clan,
Guide them and keep them, through every plan.
For Jack is a light, in this world so vast,
A beacon of love that will always last.
May his days be filled with Your endless grace,
As he walks with You, at a steady pace.
Amen.
Prayer for POTUS Trump
Be strong & bold, don't be dismayed
The Lord is with you, don't be afraid
Wherever you walk, His light will shine
Guiding your steps, His will divine
Fear NOT the storm, nor dark of night
For God's own hand will lead you right
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
GRCH EAGLE ! NOW NBA CHAMPION ! "Grand Rapids native Xavier Tillman crowned an NBA champion"
The Grand Rapids Christian and Michigan State grad wins first NBA championship."
"Averaged 13.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.2 blocks while shooting 68 percent from the field as a senior at Grand Rapids Christian High School, leading his team to a 27-1 record and an appearance in the Class A state title game..."
"Celtics win 18th championship with Game 5 victory over Mavericks"
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Ode to Life π✝️πΆπΌπ€±π¨πΌπ©πΌπ§πΌ
(https://x.com/PRAISETRIUNEGOD/status/1843703365748044236?t=pMHLI2hsizvi7Wb7PGWJUg&s=03)
π✝️π€πΆπΌπ€±π¨πΌπ©πΌπ§πΌ
From the moment of conception's spark,
A life begins, though small & stark.
A precious soul, so pure & new,
A gift from God✝️, both bright & true.
In the womb, God knows their name,
Each tiny heartbeatπ ,not the same.
In His image, they are made,
With love so deep, it will not fade.
Before their eyes π have seen the day,
God has planned their every way.
Innocence wrapped in tender form,
A miracle within the storm.
Their hands are small, their hearts so light,
They are precious in His sight.
Each child a wonder, life divine,
God's perfect ⭐work, His grand design.
He knew them long before their birth,
Each baby carries endless worth.
With purpose woven into time,
A life ordained by hands sublime.
How can we then ignore the plea,
To guard them with sincerity?
To shield the innocent from harm,
And cradle them within our arms?
For they are souls with futures bright,
Created for His holy light.
The Lord commands us to defend,
The unborn π️ life He longs to mend.
So let us stand for those unseen,
For every child, both pure & clean.
In love, protect them from all strife,
For in God's eyes, they carry life.
Each baby's worth is more than gold,
A treasure that cannot be sold.
To save, to love, to nurture too,
For every life, God calls on You
π✝️π€πΆπΌπ€±π¨πΌπ©πΌπ§πΌ
Fair Election Poem π³️π½ππΊπ²
In electionsπ³️, a voice should be earned,
With laws of the land duly learned.
To cast a vote in a nation's plan,
You must first be a citizen, woman or man.
When rules are bent, & lines blur thin,
It's unfair to those who've registered in.
For every vote made from an unlawful hand,
A legal vote is silenced, dismissed, or banned.
Citizens pay taxes, abide by the laws,
They should have the right to support a cause.
But when someone unvetted steps in to vote,
It tips the scales, a sinking boat.
Citizenship is the price to pay,
For a voice in the country's election day.
And if one's here illegally,
Should they influence our democracy?
A system's integrity must stand tall,
For the benefit of one & all.
So, let's ensure it's clear & fair,
That only those who belong, DECLARE πΊπ²ππ½
Friday, October 4, 2024
Our cousin Cousins shines in prime time π "Kirk Cousins has career night as Falcons win in OT vs. Bucs -"
OT win ! https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41599710/kirk-cousins-lets-fly-career-night-falcons-win-ot
I call Kirk Cousins our cousin because he went to Holland Christian and we went to Grand Rapids Christian, so we jokingly call them our cousins (& they're also our rivals). We all come from the Reformed Christian tradition .
"Cousins passed for 509 yards against Tampa Bay, the first time he has ever reached that milestone, breaking his personal best of 460 yards set two years ago. He also set a Falcons record for passing yards in a game, snapping a mark set by former Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who threw for 503 yards in 2016 against Carolina.."
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Friday, September 27, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
WHAT IS WORSE than a far-left immoral radical lefty liberal dem (FLIRL dem) ⁉️
1. A FLIRL dem who just discovered CrossFit
2. A FLIRL dem with a podcast
3. A FLIRL dem in charge of the group text
4. A FLIRL dem who's also your mother-in-law
5. A FLIRL dem with a megaphone at 6 a.m.
6. A FLIRL dem that's also a vegan influencer
7. A FLIRL dem who doesn't use headphones on public transportation
8. A FLIRL dem who corrects your grammar at parties
9. A FLIRL dem that just binged all of "West Wing"
10. A FLIRL dem who insists on discussing astrology at every dinner party
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Friday, September 13, 2024
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
live update: Kamala is doing almost AS BAD as Joe did at the last debate versus Trump
live update: Kamala is doing almost AS BAD as Joe did at the last debate versus Trump. It is very pathetic & sad. She is unable to defend herself with solid policies and plans. I don't see how she can continue after this. But who else do they got? They have no other choice at this point.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
9/7/24 CALVIN WINS their 1st-EVER FOOTBALL GAME 50-6 (played at Christian High, vs Oberlin)
9/7/24 CALVIN WINS their 1st-EVER FOOTBALL GAME 50-6 (played at Christian High,
vs Oberlin)
Sunday, September 1, 2024
MANY MISSIONARY KIDS , AS WELL AS MILITARY KIDS ARE 2nd or 3rd Culture Kids
MANY OF US HAVE ENCOUNTERED MISSIONARY KIDS & MILITARY KIDS WHO GREW UP in other parts of the world, even though their parents are Americans who grew up here. Usually the MK's also live in the USA during the periodic breaks from their military or missionary service; but their primary developmental years are in a different country often speaking in a different language, or bi-lingual. Missionary kids also especially develop a sense of being "special" because everytime they come back to America they are in the spotlight as the missionary goes from church-to-church in their denomination on different Sundays to try to raise money for their mission. So they will get the VIP treatment after the service and sometimes may even develop a disdain for their "fellow American" peers of the same age, thinking of them as stupid or provincial etc. The problem being that these MK's, although they do attend schools of course, in their foreign country; often they do not play sports in the same way, if at all. THey do not always experience the same "grind" that American kids do in terms of making their way in life and school. And so it is all the more awkward when after growing up in this other country(s) , they decide at the age of 20 or 25 they now want to settle into their "home country" (ie America) - but have no real peer relationships here. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that for now. I've known a few of the MK's, including some cousins; and everything is awkward around them.
TCKs move between cultures before they have had the opportunity to fully develop their personal and cultural identity.[3] The first culture of such individuals refers to the culture of the country from which the parents originated, the second culture refers to the culture in which the family currently resides, and the third culture refers to the distinct cultural ties among all third culture individuals that share no connection to the first two cultures.[4][5][6].."
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
condolences to Tom Keizer (I think '84) on loss of his father this year (Jan 2024), if it's the correct Tom. I didn't know his father was a pastor
https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/thomas-keizer-obituary?id=54090533
condolences to Tom Keizer (I think '84) on loss of his father this year (Jan 2024), if it's the correct Tom. I didn't know his father was a pastor
a couple of articles in M.Live re a Kevin Groothuis . Is it Eagle '83 Kevin ?
this Kevin's father was killed in 1974. Same Kevin ? Age seems about right. condolences either way.
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2012/01/you_dont_forget_says_son_of_ro.htmlthis Kevin opened a fly fishing shop in 2009. is it the '83 Kevin ? Age seems about right.
PRAY YOUR CLASSMATES !
Jenna Devries (Morton) class of '84 is in Las Vegas ? condolences re Loss of father (Bert) (2021)
looks like Jenna married a Morton (Michael) who is a restaurant owner/operator at several casinos in Las Vegas , and in 2015 she was still helping her father Bert (Calvin professor) do archeology digs in the country of Jordan .
https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/celebrity/restaurateur-gets-dig-out-of-archaeology/Jenna's father Bert died in 2021. I remember Jenna from seeing her around the high school and also at Calvin. I remember she was stunningly beautiful like a super model; but I didn't know her father was born in the Netherlands. Sure, many of of us old school Eagle- Knights come from Dutch ancestry but not as many are directly from Holland.
KEEP THE FAITH JENNA !
Monday, August 26, 2024
condolences, RIP Mrs. Gundy, Spanish teacher (no obituary that I can find, but it was late 80's I think)
condolences, RIP Mrs. Gundy, Spanish teacher (no obituary that I can find, but it was late 80's I think) . She took us to Spain for a week during spring break while she was in remission from leukemia . She seemed to be doing well, but then she passed a year or so later. I can't remember the exact date. I was already gone from the high school. She was very nice. I still feel guilty about stressing her out with my naughty behavior.
Friday, August 23, 2024
Vote Your Values ✝️"Ralph Reed on The Power of Christian Voters: How Their Voice Can Shape Election Victory for Christian Values -"
https://warroom.org/ralph-reed-on-the-power-of-christian-voters-how-their-voice-can-shape-election-victory-for-christian-values/
"Brat and Reed's discussion took a motivational turn as Reed detailed the Faith and Freedom Coalition's ambitious plan to mobilize voters. "We will knock on 10 million doors and reach 17 to 18 million Evangelical and pro-life Roman Catholic voters at their homes between now and November 5th..."
I HOPE MOST CHRISTIANS
ARE PRO LIFE π✝️ππΊπ²πΆ
πΌπ€±π¨πΌπ©πΌπ§πΌ
Thursday, August 22, 2024
.gif)
.gif)
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Saturday, August 17, 2024
there was a lot of misunderstanding & mis- speculation about why I left Grand Rapids
there was a lot of misunderstanding & mis- speculation about why I left Grand Rapids
... some of you who follow my blog know a little about me and my family.. and how we moved from GR to California when I was a senior in high school, but I finished school in GR, and then went on to Calvin for more than 4 years. After my first BA I got a 2nd BA - making it 6 years, plus a year & a half at Calvin Sem, plus a year working at Pine Rest as a Mental Health Worker ... so I was a loyal GR resident for a long time with lots of GR heritage . In between all these years I would come and go for short or long spells. A semester in Spain. A semester in Hawaii. a few summers back in CA . Finally after I got a teaching degree (before I returned to seminary) I left for 2 years and taught school in CA . But i came right back to GR after those 2 years- and stayed for a year. Then I returned to CA and attended Fuller Sem. And now I regularly visit GR but no longer reside there full-time or part-time. However, I have heard things "thru the grapevine" - those kind of urban myths that evolve when people don't know anything truly factual about your life and whereabouts. They only hear little bits and pieces, and some of that may be transmitted by nefarious rivals who want to make me look bad (yes, even "good Christians" can do that sometimes). Truth is I simply moved on - beginning with my teaching - and later as a CHristian evangelist. I came VERY CLOSE to settling down in GR - the good ol' married with kids" thingamajig, but I knew God was calling me to be a missionary /evangelist, maybe even to Africa and I knew that even though the final gal I dated was a sincere Christian (from Calvin & South CHristian), I also knew she was a "Michigan girl" and would never be happy or even willing being a "missionary wife" out in the big bad world somewhere. It was the hardest thing in my life to do- because I respected her so much - and some other Michigan girls who were good spouse possibilities - but I had to be true to my calling from God. That's not to say I've always been perfectly obedient or become a classic African missionary - never did end up there (except for some short-term mission trips. But I hope this helps end any wild speculation about me and my whereabouts and who I am and what I represent, or try to. I continue to live as a CHristian evangelist and daily engage in concrete activities to reach others with the Good News of Jesus Christ our Savior ! Please pray for me. God bless you all
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
there was a guy named Jack
Jack Holwerda, a character quite rare,
With a dash of vanity and a bit of flair.
He lived in a world where he ruled the day,
Though often his actions led him astray.
In the mirror, he'd spend hours so fine,
Admiring his image, making sure he'd shine.
His pride was as large as a mountain so tall,
But his courage was tiny, he'd never play ball.
He feared the competition, it made him quite ill,
Never touched a sport, never climbed that hill.
While others ran races or threw a great pass,
Jack stayed in his room, polished his glass.
A clean freak by nature, his home was pristine,
Every corner was spotless, every surface was seen.
But behind the façade of his meticulous way,
He had a few secrets that led him astray.
Steelcase trucks were his next great affair,
He tried driving them, but did so with care.
The engines roared loudly, the wheels turned with might,
But Jack's driving skills failed him, try as he might.
When it came to his neighbors, oh what a delight,
He'd sneak and he'd borrow things out of sight.
Sometimes he'd take what didn't belong,
A curious habit, but it felt so wrong.
Yet despite all his flaws and his moments of shame,
Jack Holwerda's life was never quite lame.
He'd laugh and he'd stumble through missteps and more,
A peculiar character, with stories galore.
So here's to Jack Holwerda, in his quirky old way,
A mix of the funny, the bold, and the grey.
Though flawed and imperfect, with traits so unique,
He's a fictional fellow whose life's far from bleak.
With a dash of vanity and a bit of flair.
He lived in a world where he ruled the day,
Though often his actions led him astray.
In the mirror, he'd spend hours so fine,
Admiring his image, making sure he'd shine.
His pride was as large as a mountain so tall,
But his courage was tiny, he'd never play ball.
He feared the competition, it made him quite ill,
Never touched a sport, never climbed that hill.
While others ran races or threw a great pass,
Jack stayed in his room, polished his glass.
A clean freak by nature, his home was pristine,
Every corner was spotless, every surface was seen.
But behind the façade of his meticulous way,
He had a few secrets that led him astray.
Steelcase trucks were his next great affair,
He tried driving them, but did so with care.
The engines roared loudly, the wheels turned with might,
But Jack's driving skills failed him, try as he might.
When it came to his neighbors, oh what a delight,
He'd sneak and he'd borrow things out of sight.
Sometimes he'd take what didn't belong,
A curious habit, but it felt so wrong.
Yet despite all his flaws and his moments of shame,
Jack Holwerda's life was never quite lame.
He'd laugh and he'd stumble through missteps and more,
A peculiar character, with stories galore.
So here's to Jack Holwerda, in his quirky old way,
A mix of the funny, the bold, and the grey.
Though flawed and imperfect, with traits so unique,
He's a fictional fellow whose life's far from bleak.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
these Chicago songs reminds me of high school basketball games (pep band always played it) ("Make me Smile" & "25 or 6 to 4" )
"Make Me Smile / Now More Than Ever"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMk-Qdajf3M&list=PLmJvHNd9SFm_QBLQ3PyI1AauW8hl6pPwO
and especially this one
"25 or 6 to 4"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9MyD-wJEwY&list=PLmJvHNd9SFm_QBLQ3PyI1AauW8hl6pPwO&index=3
lyrics:
Searching for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Dancing lights against the sky
Giving up, I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
25 or six to four
Staring blindly into space
Getting up to splash my face
Wanting just to stay awake
Wondering how much I can take
Should have tried to do some more
25 or six to four
Feeling like I ought to sleep
Spinning room is sinking deep
Searching for something to say
Waiting for the break of day
25 or six to four25 or six to fourwhile we watched klunder, korhorn, james maze (rip), rick otte, dave engelhard, steve griffeon, etc do their best
do they still play in the same gym ? i found this clip from 2 years ago (2022) and it looks like the same ol' gym from 1985. wow !
fun fact: i was there with Jack Holwerda 08/14/1982, The Clash @ Welsh Auditorium (aka The Civic):
.jpg)
fun fact: i was there with
Jack Holwerda
08/14/1982
The Clash
@ Welsh Auditorium , we were only 15 at the time so Jack's mom dropped us off and picked us up. we didn't know The Clash would become such a historically significant band . We just thought they seemed cool at the time
.jpg)
bb.jpg)
also see
ALSO SEE
Monday, August 5, 2024
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
π✝️"16-Year-Old Skateboarder Gets Around Olympic Rules With Sign Language Message"
"The Brazilian skateboarding star said "Jesus is the way, the truth and the life" in sign language "
https://share.newsbreak.com/7z3bsigv
https://share.newsbreak.com/7z3bsigv
Sunday, July 21, 2024
"Cowering Christianity "
https://newswithviews.com/cowering-christianity/
"Our culture has been seized by the Evil One and most of Christianity is looking for evacuation rather than occupation. Jesus never ran from fights…He picked them. He asked us to do likewise. It is called the Great Commission!
GO YE…not HIDE YE! "Teach them to observe all I have commanded you and Lo, I am with you always even until the end of the age..."
Friday, July 19, 2024
Jim Timmer Jr inducted into the GRCH "hall of fame" (2023) Why doesn't GR Christian honor other achievements besides sports ?
https://grchristianeagles.org/main/alumnibio/contentid/57067966
Jim Timmer Jr inducted into the GRCH "hall of fame" (2023). Why doesn't GR Christian honor other achievements besides sports ?
Saturday, July 13, 2024
πΊπΈ✝️π❤️Live video of President Trump being shot at by sniper . He's ok ✝️ππΊπ²❤️π. Thank You God
πΊπΈ✝️π❤️
Live video of
President Trump
being shot at by sniper .
He's ok ✝️ππΊπ²❤️π.
Thank You God
Friday, July 12, 2024
Thursday, July 11, 2024
I hate to bust your bubble buddy about PREDESTINATION, but ...
I hear radio preachers etc regularly bash so-called "Calvinists" about predestination. Hate to inform them but MOST of us Calvinists (those from the Reformed denominations) RARELY dwell upon predestination. It's something taught a few times periodically growing up & that's about it. We don't sit around and talk about being ' predestined'
Thursday, June 20, 2024
I felt it "West Michigan sees record-breaking heat | wzzm13.com
MUSKEGON, Mich. — Yesterday was hot—in fact, hot enough that we broke two record-high temperatures in Muskegon and Holland. Grand Rapids also saw its first 90-degree temperature of the season yesterday at 94° but did not break any records.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
is Lew VanderMeer still teaching at GRCH ? and Calvin too ? & a Senior Pastor ? wow How old is he ?
https://www.nccwm.org/about#OurTeam_2
"Lew Vander Meer (MDiv) is senior pastor of New Community Church of West Michigan (http://www.nccwm.org/). He preaches four times weekly, leads numerous Bible studies, teaches sociology at Grand Rapids Christian High School, and communication at Calvin College. ... Google Books /"
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Bible Mnemonics (no rights reserved, no copyright)
Bible Mnemonics
AAA: Do NOT be anxious about anything π«
ROGG: Radiance of God's Glory
BOM: Brothers of Mine
CAP: Called according to His purpose
ICDAT: I can do ALL things thru Christ
FOE: Fix our Eyes π on Jesus✝️
FLOG: Nothing can separate us
from the Love ❤️ of God
WIG: HE has shown you
O man What is Good
HIP: HE is Patient
WESH: Who Earnestly seek Him
TAU: Transcends all understanding
TYMD: That you may declare..
BOP: NOT a spirit of Timidity but of Power πͺ
BAW: Boast about Weakness
LYE: Love your Enemies
BAND: Believe & do NOT doubt
CLIMB: I no longer live
but Christ Lives in ME
BIL: My burden is Lightπ―️
CYS: Confess your sins ✝️
ASGOE: Against the spiritual Forces of evil πΏπ«
NEM: New (mercies) every morning π
LYLS: Let your Lightπ₯Shine
TRYM: Be Transformed by the
Renewing of your Mind
RAW: Reverence & Awe
FGOG: Free Gift π of God
KOA: Be Kind πto one Another
GIL: God is Love ❤️ ✝️
LAGL: Live a godly Life
BOHM: Because of HIS mercies
NRLTL: Narrow road π£️ leads to Life
SAMN: Supply all my Needs
BAP: Blessed are the Peacemakers π️✌️
SORTS: Those who Wait on the Lord shall renew their Strength πͺ
OPS: Our present Suffering
GATY: Grace abound to you
SHUK: Seek HIS kingdom
TYGER: Thank you God, Eternal Reality ππ
EOA: Encourage one Another
SLUM: The Spirit π️ of the Lord is upon me
SIFTS: Spirit Intercedes for the Saints
WOGLA: The Wordπ of God is Living & Active
BIHD: Baptized into His Death ☠️ ☝️
FATFB: The Fullness of Assurance
that Faith ✝️ brings
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Friday, May 10, 2024
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Very charitable, but they declined meπ’✝️ "Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"
And RIch DeVos had shown appreciation for the positive thinking messages of Robert Schuller on the Hour of Power. I think he also appeared as a guest on one of the Hour of Power episodes - which I can't seem to find on the internet after a brief search-but having personally been there I remember the details. It may have actually been an evening service -, if so, it wasn't televised for the Hour of Power.
And I don't remember if it was prior to me sending this letter in 2003 or ex post facto. I remember one detail very clearly: Rich DeVos promised to buy Robert Schuller a new limousine because his old one, which they used to pick him up from the airport, was "bottoming out" . A limousine sounds fancy and rich of course, but I think the original stretch limo was also donated, and it was nothing special. THe new limousine was a silver mini-Limo thanks to Devos.
Anyways, they probably assumed that the Crystal Cathedral could afford to buy it's own copy machine for the 10th floor. And in 2003 they were probably right, even though dark clouds would start to gather in the next few years and ultimately the church would declare bankruptcy and close it's doors in 2013. I never knew it would end this way.
I had no premonition apart from wondering at some point why the chairs in the Cathedral were getting so worn out and not being replaced? Anyways, I was there through it all, even at the court bankruptcy hearings in Santa Ana, CA.
The Cathedral ministry actually has continued on a much smaller budget, at a few new locations (now in Irvine CA known as Shepherd's Grove) under the leadership of Bobby Schuller (Robert's grandson) and the Hour of Power can still be viewed online & on TV in some locations.
Nonetheless, I still had my own income & savings from also working as a regular teacher and during seminary as a substitute teacher for the LAUSD and so I decided to buy the copy machine myself. I surprised the 10th floor with a gift.
The company delivered it, but for some reason the 10th floor staff didn't accept it. They returned it. Maybe I hurt their pride. And a few weeks later they bought their own copy machine. Whatever.
Interesting thing is we have a lot of common heritage as the DeVos family . Our family is of Dutch ancestory and Christian Reformed affiliations; as well as Grand Rapids Christian High, Holland Christian High, & Calvin College. It's a small world. Doug DeVos was a few years before me at Grand Rapids Christian High.
Rich & Jay both attended Grand Rapids CHristian and a little bit of Calvin COllege too, I think. The DeVos family attended LaGrave CRC for many years - where my grandfather's family also attended. They had/have a cottage on Lake Michigan by Lake Macatawa as did/does my grandfather (Rest-in-Peace).
I also worked at Pine Rest Hospital for a year after college as a Mental Health Worker mostly in the adolescent unit, which was named the Van Andel Center after Rich Devos founding partner Jay (who died in 2004; as well as his wife, Betty, Rest-in-Peace). I think the Devos Family has also made contributions to Pine Rest for the sake of Christian mental health treatment. And my father was a chaplain there for many years.
Since 2003 I've continued to make small strides in doing Christian evangelical ministry in various ways. I've done formal mission trips, such as a summer in the Philippines with a CRC group; as well as disaster relief in Costa Rica with CRWM (world missions) after a giant earthquake caused substantial damage.
But mostly I've done online E-vangelism (electronic evangelism: blogs, YouTube, Twitter X, etc ) as well as "street evangelism" (Gospel tracts), among many other things. All on a shoestring budget.
My motto is "I'm not Johnny AppleSeed, but Johnny Mustard Seed" (based on Matt 17.20 which says "… Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...Nothing will be impossible for you." I plant seeds - and hope & pray for good soil. Then I rely upon this Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 6-8
Best wishes to the DeVos family as well as their staff at their Foundation.
Helen died in 2017, Rest-in-Peace
Rich died in 2018, Rest-in-Peace
-----
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/richard-and-helen-devos-foundation-sunsets-after-54-years-1-1b-donated
"Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)