05/01/07 vanderKOK:

THE ALL-NEW WORSHIP BLOG.

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF
" THE MESSAGE"

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 5/01/07
vanderKOK:
THE
ALL-NEW
WORSHIP BLOG.
FIRST
ANNIVERSARY OF
" THE
MESSAGE" !

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To: THESUNDAYMESSAGEBYPASTORKOK@YAHOO.COM, Send an
Instant Message REVTOMVANWEY@YAHOO.COM,
ministerfirstcrc@on.aibn.com, jskimgracealone@hotmail.com,
jameschangkim@hotmail.com, keizer@rushmore.com, j_a_vos4kemp@shaw.ca,
jonathanjkim@msn.com, dallasgreatlight@hotmail.com, lmits@lumc.edu,
perdomo@embarqmail.com
WELCOME !
THIS IS THE
NEW WORSHIP BLOG.
THE WRITTEN MESSAGE BEGINS
AT THE TOP,
& THE IMAGE MESSAGE
BEGINS AT THE BOTTOM.

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Date: Tue, 1 May 2007 17:13:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: THE ALL NEW WORSHIP BLOG !
To: PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM

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TRANSMIT COMMENCEMENT DATE
(MAY 1, 2007)
THE ALL NEW WORSHIP BLOG
A WORK IN PROGRESS
HOLY WEEK
& BEYOND
WORSHIP BLOG
BY
PASTOR KOK III

GOOD MORNING !
HOLY WEEK DAY 1
PALM SUNDAY

FROM SUNSET BEACH, CALIFORNIA ! IT IS 6:09 A.M (PST), AND it is still

dark here. I don’t know if the surf’s up—I can’t see the beach from here. IS LIFE A
BEACH? Well, although there is a long coastline here in southern California and a
beach is never too far away, lots of southern Californians don’t pay much attention
at all to the beach.

Let’s sing a few Palm Sunday songs to start this HOLY WEEK BLOG SERVICE:
SONG: OUTSIDE THE HOLY CITY !
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/h/oholcity.htm

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SONG: FROM BETHANY, THE MASTER !
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/b/fbmaster.htm

SONG: RIDE ON, RIDE ON IN MAJESTY !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/i/rideride.htm

I remember when we came here to visit from GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN we

would come to SUNSET BEACH to visit my AUNT KAREN who lived here with
her friend, VANA (no, not the Vana from Wheel of Fortune). My aunt Karen is my
dad’s step-sister. When my dad’s mother, Kathryn, died at a young age (back in
Holland, Michigan) my grandfather, (Rev. Gareth Kok) re-married to a widow by
the name of Ada Timmer Vanzee.

At the time my grandfather had five children (Sherwood, James, Faith, Kay,Gary, )
and Ada also had five children of her own (Marvin, Bruce, Mary, Karen, Doug). It
was like the BRADY BUNCH, but with two extra children. Suddenly, it was a family
of TEN CHILDREN !

This had a GREAT IMPACT ON MY DAD’S LIFE, and on all of the children from
both sides of the family. While both sides of the family attended church and ALL
TEN OF THE KIDS WENT TO CALVIN COLLEGE (although not all ten
graduated) as well as GARETH & ADA, not all emerged into adulthood as fervent
Christians. Or at least not all identify themselves overtly as Christians. CAN YOU
BE A SECRET CHRISTIAN?

If so, some of them might be. Why would they want to be SECRET CHRISTIANS
as adults? Various reasons, including possibly differences of theology and worldview
than some of the Christians on the other side of the family. That’s as best as I can
come up with—in addition to the increased BELIEF IN SCIENCE on the Timmer
side of the family.

As best as I can tell, the Timmer father (who died at an early age) was more from a
scientific persuasion, whereas obviously my grandfather (Gareth) came more from a
theological persuasion. And this was a time when SCIENCE & FAITH did not agree
nor do too much of compromising.

In fact I was reminded of this friction and tension between SCIENCE & FAITH by
a lady named CORDULA who gave a PASTORAL CARE presentation which I
attended earlier this week at the HOLIDAY INN in Anaheim, CA (near
DISNEYLAND). As a surprise my dad (Jim Kok ) showed up for the day-long
seminary as well.

I ran into a man by the name of Don Koepke at a Spirituality & Aging luncheon at
Westminster Gardens in Duarte, CA a few months ago and he is one of the leaders

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of the SPIRITUALITY & AGING CENTER based in Anaheim. So he e-mailed me
information about this seminar and I FORWARDED IT TO MY DAD.

Now some of you know that my dad is a CPE SUPERVISOR and leader of the
KINDNESS CONFERENCE at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. He’s
been doing pastoral care most of his life, starting out as a church pastor and also as
a chaplain at PINE REST CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL.

That’s why I was surprised to see him at the seminar. WHAT DID HE NEED TO
LEARN FROM A “101” PRIMER ON AGING & SPIRITUALITY? Well, he sidled
on in and told me that he had a “new assignment”—apparently from his boss or
bosses at the church (SCHULLER OR THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR) –Jim
whispered to me that he was doing a new ministry for SENIORS, the 3rd Thursday
of every month.

My experience at the Crystal Cathedral has been that it is largely an aging

population, including MANY, IF NOT MOSTLY, SENIOR CITIZENS. I figured
they already had something specifically designed for senior citizens, but apparently
not. And my dad, himself, is a senior citizen, having just turned 72 years old. In fact,
the next day, after the seminar, on March 30, 2007, I dropped off a little birthday
cake for my “old man” as they say, at his house in Bellflower.

But back to what I was saying about my dad’s family—the ten kids grew up,
PARTLY BUT NOT WHOLLY, in HOLLAND, MICHIGAN together (later some of
them moved with Gareth to Edgerton, MINN), albeit my dad started out in 1936 in
Bellflower, CA where he lived with his dad and real mother until 6th or 7th grade,
albeit he was actually born in HILLS, MINNESOTA.

Funny thing is—at the seminar he mentioned a lady named ANN HOEKSEMA –
who remembered him from childhood—and noted that she just died. ANN
HOEKSEMA had been living in the ARTESIA HOME ( a retirement home) in
nearby Artesia, CA. and Jim also mentioned that two of the Crystal Cathedral
retired pastors (Ken Leestma and Ray Van Beek) were now in the Artesia Home –in
the Alzheimer’s Unit.

This was interesting to me because I had known the two of them while they were
still active in ministry at the Cathedral. IN fact I remember hearing Ken Leestma
give his retirement announcement in the pulpit at the Crystal Cathedral not long
ago. Now, according to my dad, Ken sits in a chair at Artesia Home with his head
down and doesn’t speak much, if at all. Apparently, this is how quickly dementia or
Alzheimer’s can afflict people.

Anyways, back to what I was saying about my dad’s family— after all of them went
to CALVIN COLLEGE for a few years or more (who graduated from Calvin?
Gary, Bruce, Karen, Jim, & maybe Marvin. ) they all went their separate ways, and

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several of the Timmer kids ended up out in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, which is
not where they actually grew up (they grew up in Holland, MI).

Funny thing is—my impression for many years had been that they were from
southern California, whereas my dad, Jim, was actually more “ FROM “ southern
Cal than any of the Timmer kids. But for a while the Timmer kids really adopted
the southern Cal lifestyle more so than anybody else in either side of the family—as
best as I can recall.

Nonetheless, when you look back into my dad’s old black-and-white photo albums
you see lots of pictures of my dad & Sherwood going lots of places around Southern
Cal (& beyond) with Gareth & Kathryn, including Yosemite, Death Valley, and
Catalina Island, among other places.

My grandfather pastored churches in Bellflower as well as Hanford and also did

some ministry around Hemet. He also started the Valley Christian schools in
Cerritos, CA.

So that gives you some context for my dad’s family—and I should tell you that today
—Bruce still lives in Manhattan Beach, CA while Doug (the youngest of the
Timmers) lives in Bellflower a few blocks from my dad’s home. Karen lives up in
Northern Cal (Fort Bragg) while Mary is in Denver (CO) and Marvin in Jenison
(MI). While on the KOK side of the family SHERWOOD passed away a few years
ago; and Gary still lives in GR (MI), while Kay lives in Long Beach, CA and Faith
lives in Edgerton (MINN ).

Of all the DYNAMICS that I experienced growing up with SO MUCH FAMILY

(and this is not including the NINE SIBLINGS ON MY MOTHER’S SIDE) Gary &
Doug stand out in my mind as being DIFFERENT. And because DOUG IS STILL
SO CLOSE TO MY PARENTS HOME he remains an active factor in the picture
and dynamics of family relations. YES HE STOPS BY JIM & LINDA’S
REGULARLY !

And that’s WHERE YOU COME IN ! You the Body of Christ can help in the
HEALING ! A lot of the pain & suffering people cause other people is DUE TO
FEAR. And the less education, experience, and training you have, the MORE YOU
LIVE IN FEAR ! And most of this fear is FEAR OF NOT HAVING A PLACE TO
CALL HOME.

Thus, the history of PROVINCIALISM and marginalizing others for the SAKE OF
HAVING A “HOME.” It explains a lot of the history of WHITE
MARGINALIZATION OF BLACKS, including SEGREGATION.

Ironically, it also includes the rise of the GAY & LESBIAN community—and the
strength they have obtained in America—and their attempts to NOW EXCLUDE
THE heterosexual community. I experienced a little bit of it yesterday when I

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stopped by the HUCK FINN DAY FISHING DERBY in Sierra Madre, a place
where I temporarily called home, or tried to call home for myself.

I took my dog up to the ponds in back of the baseball fields along Sierra Madre Blvd
around 9 a.m. –this is where all the kids were fishing with their parents and some of
them had camped out there all night. My dog, Lola, came with me—on a leash—and
we watched them fish for about five minutes as I circled the two ponds.

NOBODY, I MEAN NOBODY, SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF BEING

UNCOMFORTABLE OR FRIGHTENED BY THE PRESENCE OF MY 14 YEAR
OLD DOG. In fact, many parents & children came over and said hello and played
with Lola. I even let Lola cool off in the waterfall area of one of the ponds.

But I am circling around the 2nd pond when suddenly a lady with a black sweatshirt
on and a little tag that said “Huck Finn Police” sidled up to me and put her hand on
my back –actually touched my back gently—but in a way that was not comforting to
me. She whispered to me –“sorry to tell you but no dogs are allowed. The parents
wanted to be assured that there would be no dogs. I don’t want to hurt your feelings
but I see you are not fishing so you need to mosey on out of here. “ While she was
saying this to me she continued to rub my back as if she was giving me a back rub.

Now you might say that doesn’t sound mean-spirited, but I did not feel comfortable
at all with her touching me or the way she said “mosey.” And there was not a single
“NO DOG” sign, so I began to wonder if she was making it all up on the spot for
some reason to get me out of there. And for that matter there were a few other dogs
on the far side of the pond—whom she had not, apparently, addressed.

Now one of the reasons I left Sierra Madre was because of the tension I felt just
going in and out of stores—a lot of LOCALISM that did not feel okay to me. And I
think some of it is the presence of the GAY & LESBIAN community. They have a
“radar” for normal people, and ARE VERY EXPERIENCED at making normal
people (i.e. heterosexuals) feel uncomfortable around them.

Most of the news we hear from the LIBERAL MEDIA is about the gay community
being discriminated against, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER is that the GAY
COMMUNITY IS VERY PROFICIENT AT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST
STRAIGHT PEOPLE. And I don’t argue in such cases because the discrimination is
usually sufficiently subtle so that it’s BELOW-THE-BELT stuff you can only walk
away from at the time.

Yes, ironically, GAY PEOPLE DO TAKE BELOW-THE-BELT cheap shots even at

heterosexuals. In fact, GAY PEOPLE HATE THEMSELVES SO MUCH that they
are constantly “READING’ others at a below-the-belt level.

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Nonetheless, I left the ponds for the time being—telling a few other dog owners that
according to the HUCK FINN POLICE no dogs are allowed. WHY SHE WASN’T
TELLING THE OTHER DOG OWNERS I DO NOT KNOW. That’s why I started
thinking this was GAY VERSUS STRAIGHT DISCRIMINATION.

By the way, it is ironic how the liberal media has made the conservatives who
advocate male-female only marriages and the importance of male-female marriage
as opposed to same-sex marriages—as the “BAD GUYS” and the persecutors. But it
is very clear that some homosexuals, left to their own natural inclinations, can
become very violent, aggressive, and just plain criminal. The story of Sodom &
Gomorrah is an obvious example of the danger of persons totally IN THE FLESH.
(SEE GEN 19.4 )

And so I e-mailed a few people about it after I left, heading down to Long Beach for
a chili cook-off at Long Beach City College. And I’ve even thought about ultimately
LEAVING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA because of this PROVINCIALISM I
REGULARLY EXPERIENCE, perhaps especially in SIERRA MADRE !

But the thing is when I experience PERSECUTION –AND THAT’S REALLY

WHAT IT IS—PERSECUTION—I tend to FIGHT BACK—no not physically ,
NOT WITH VIOLENCE, but WITH THE SPIRIT !

But I began to wonder if SIERRA MADRE is like the Sodom & Gomorrah of the
Old Testament and whether I should turn and leave and NEVER LOOK BACK. I
did change PO Boxes recently— and do not use my Sierra Madre box anymore.

But even as I left the Huck Finn Day –WHICH WAS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE
PERSECUTION—I stopped at Taylors Produce shop and picked up a bunch of
bananas and the clerk there calls me “buddy” as I leave. Again, the use of “buddy”,
“man” , “dude”, etc is a way of MARGINALIZING, AND IS USUALLY NOT
RESPECTFUL.

ONLY IN SIERRA MADRE? NO, not only, but particularly there. I also
experienced some of it in INDIO, CA among other places. Here’s the fax I
subsequently sent to the supervisor at the Sierra Madre Community Services office
on Monday:

FAX TO SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY SERVICES

APRIL 2, 2007

ATTENTION: SUPERVISOR,
SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY SERVICES
re. "Huck Finn Police"

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When I first discovered Sierra Madre I thought I discovered paradise. The old town
charm (on the exterior) was great). And I have (or had) been around Sierra Madre
for a while now, and was even considering settling down (or in) here (there), but for
several months kept experiencing small , but pronounced, amounts of rude behavior
from various clerks around the city of Sierra Madre, in particular at Bean Town
Coffee Shop as well as Taylors Produce & Meat, and the local library.

There is a DEFINITE PROVINCIALISM by some people in Sierra Madre—and

some of them know how to make people feel uncomfortable if they decide they don’t
like the person they perceive (rightly or wrongly) to be an “out-of-towner.” Which is
too bad because I am a decent person with no significant faults or character flaws
that might make me a bad citizen or a person you don’t want around town.

Anyways, the rudeness was enough to make me decide TO TEMPORARILY STOP

LOOKING FOR a place to live in Sierra Madre and I closed my PO Box and am
now looking elsewhere. Nonetheless, I noticed Huck Finn Days on the web and
decided I would pass back through town for the fun and pleasure of observing a
good ol’ Huck Finn Fishing Derby.

I didn’t even know there were ponds back behind the park on E. Sierra Madre Ave.
So I pulled into town on Saturday morning around 9 a.m. and walked my dog, Lola,
up back around to the ponds and was having a good ol’ time just watching the kids
fishing. And both parents & children came up to me and my dog ( a golden retriever,
mix) and were very hospitable and social and enjoyed playing with Lola (who is now
fourteen years old and very friendly & gentle).

And I was making my way around the 2nd pond when suddenly somebody tapped
me on the back. I turned and saw a lady with dark hair and a black sweatshirt on
and a little sticker that said “HUCK FINN POLICE.” She caressed my back –which
actually made me feel a little uncomfortable—while telling me that they promised
parents that no dogs would be allowed.

She must not have noticed the two other dogs & their owners not far away.
Anyways, she said, “I don’t want to make you feel bad…” as she stroked my back
(which I did not appreciate) “…but we promised the parents that there would be no
dogs and I see that you are not fishing so why don’t you just mosey on out of
here…” The gentle (but unappreciated) touch and the quiet but definitely firm way
she spoke to me was actually somewhat unnerving. I FELT VERY
UNCOMFORTABLE AND VERY BAD ABOUT IT.

“MOSEY ON OUT OF HERE”? the way she said it sounded very controlling and
sort of sarcastic. Nonetheless, I did not argue and left the pond area. But I did notice
that there was NOT A SINGLE ‘NO DOGS ALLOWED” sign, nor, I noticed, ex
post facto, was there anything on the web indicating no dogs.

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I wondered if I was being discriminated against AND IF SO, WHY? The best I could
come up with in combination with a few other experiences in Sierra Madre is that
there is a GAY & LESBIAN community in the town which HAS TARGETED ME
AS A WHITE, MALE HETEROSEXUAL who they deem to be a threat to their way
of life.

If there was an actual rule about NO DOGS why wasn’t it posted? And why do I see
nothing about it on the web? And why wasn’t she telling the other dog owners?
Furthermore, if there was such an actual rule—it would seem that the spirit of the
rule should be considered.

If there was a rule it would seem to be just in case of TOO MANY DOGS and the
dogs becoming a disruption or imposition. I didn’t see that as being the case, but
then if she made it up on the spot for the sake of discriminating against me, the
spirit of any alleged rule obviously wouldn’t matter anyways.

I am a healthy person who originally came to the Pasadena area to attend FULLER
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. I am in good standing with the church, school, and
the law, and am NOT AN EX-CON NOR A CHILD MOLESTER.

I am a single, unmarried, Christian man (still looking to get married) with a dog
that I’ve had for fourteen years. I have roots in southern California as well—with
family in the area. So I am upset that I would be treated this way and feel that it was
UNFAIR.

If there was an actual rule, the way I was informed was wrong (they should have
posted a sign at the entrance down below so as not to cause embarrassment and
inconvenience for dog owners) and if there was not an actual rule I was CLEARLY
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

It is fairly simple. PLEASE PASS IT ON—SIERRA MADRE MUST STILL ABIDE

BY STATE & FEDERAL LAWS CONCERNING DECENT TREATMENT OF
OTHERS. The “Huck Finn Police” cannot make up a rule or selectively enforce it
for self-serving reasons to wrongly “guard” their community to keep it the way they
like it for themselves at the expense of law-abiding others.

Not a single parent or child objected to my or my dog's presence. I am a family-type

person and am usually appreciated by parents & children. It was the sole Huck-
Finn police person who decided to approach me and do what she did.

John Philip A. Kok (pronounced “coke”)

Pastor Kok III

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So HEAR MY PRAYER FOR the gay & lesbian community (GALC). As much as
we hear about them being discriminated against—when they come together they are
very good at discriminating against and persecuting others. MAY THE SPIRIT OF
JESUS COME INTO THEIR HEARTS, M INDS, AND SOULS !

And perhaps we can HEAL THE GAY & LESBIAN COMMUNITY through
modeling a BETTER WAY ! Maybe we can show them that MALE-FEMALE
RELATIONSHIPS EXACTLY WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED (I.E. WHAT
GOD INTENDED). We can show them the BEAUTY OF MALE-FEMALE BOND
—IN A COMMITTED, MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIP.

So for every bad experience—the POTENTIAL FOR GOOD COMES OUT OF IT.
Something slumbering has come to life—and a new “war cry” emerges—NO NOT
FOR VIOLENCE OR AGRESSION, BUT THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT ! May
the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT come to life—EMERGING IN A NEW WAY.

May we, the Body of Christ, show LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS,
GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, & LONG-SUFFERING, IN A NEW WAY ! MAY
WE BRING THE GAY & LESBIAN COMMUNITY (GALC ) INTO THE
CHURCH & HEAL THEM ! Amen?

This is an EPIPHANY for me, my friends. I have always thought that WE MUST
EXCLUDE the Gay & Lesbian community from the BODY OF CHRIST, but now I
realize WE MUST INCLUDE them—it is the ONLY HOPE FOR HEALING !
DOES a doctor exclude a sick man or woman from the hospital because he or she is
TOO SICK? !

Absolutely not ! Likewise, we must NOT EXCLUDE the gay & lesbian community.
We MUST INCLUDE THEM and SHOW THEM A BETTER WAY !

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male
prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God”
1 Cor 6:9-10

“But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matt 9:12-13

“ In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave
themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of
those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire”. Jude 6-7

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 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the
sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Mark 2:17

“But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes
sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of
you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in
the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it,
he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and
neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell
you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke
15:1-7

“In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were
inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men,
and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion”. Rom 1:27

"'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman
must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a
perversion. “
Lev 18:23

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR that homosexuality and sexual perversion IS A SIN ,

INCLUDING sexual relations with animals.

And for those of you with perverted minds, let me say it BLUNTLY & CLEARLY, I
do not have sexual relations with my dog, Lola, or any other animal. Thank you for
your concern. Lola is just a great dog, and a great companion—now 14 years old. I
gave her the name Lola as a tribute to my “madre” in Spain. When we lived for a
semester in Spain during college, we were assigned to a Spanish household and our
“parents” or “padres” were named Lola & Rojelio (or Rojo).

And I meant it to be an honor. Don’t take it in the wrong way. To name one’s baby
or pet or something one loves after somebody IS AN HONOR. SO HERE’S TO
LOLA & ROJO IN DENIA, SPAIN !

Back to my message— I should also mention that this is the ONE YEAR
ANNIVERSARY of THE MESSAGE. It started out as “THE SUNDAY

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MESSAGE” but now I just call it “THE MESSAGE” ! It was on Palm Sunday,
April 2, 2006 that my first real Sunday message was transmitted. And I am
including it as an attachment for those of you who want to reminisce with me.

You will notice that it seems fairly “rudimentary” compared to more recent
messages which are in color and different size type, as well as the image attachments
within the text itself. Back then every thing was attached at the bottom. SO HERE’S
TO THE MESSAGE BY PASTOR KOK III !

And ULTIMATELY HERE’S TO GOD, TO WHOM I PRAY FOR THE WORDS &
WISDOM EVERY TIME I COMPOSE AND TRANSMIT A MESSAGE. I pray that
GOD’S WILL BE DONE, NOT MINE.

Now I want to talk about PASTORAL CARE for a while. What is pastoral care? It
is a part of Christian ministry which concentrates on people in the church who are
physically ill or injured. Some large churches have their own PASTORAL CARE
DEPARTMENT`. Smaller churches rely on the pastor being a “GP” meaning
“general practitioner”—a pastor who does a little bit of everything. (also see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastoral%5Fcare ). Also pastoral care is not restricted
to Christians or the Christian church. Attendees at pastoral care conferences and in
CPE is non-denominational and being Christian is not a prerequisite (see
http://www.uuyarmouth.org/pastoral_care.html for an definition of pastoral care
from a “universal” church).

And some of you may know that my dad, Jim Kok, has been in pastoral care
ministry most of his adult life. As I mentioned earlier, he started out as a pulpit
pastor—preaching a sermon every Sunday in Iowa City, but then returned more to
pastoral care ministry. In fact, he was one of the first, if not the first, in the CRC to
concentrate on CPE (clinical pastoral education) and maybe the first in the CRC to
become a CPE supervisor.

He spent fourteen years as a chaplain at PINE REST CHRISTIAN PSYCIATRIC

HOSPITAL in the pastoral care department, doing CPE and other pastoral care
ministry, as well as preaching in the Pine Rest chapel once a month. Today, Bob
Uken, a former student of my dad’s, is now the CPE supervisor, and there is also a
chaplain by the name of ROZE BRUINS at Pine Rest.

I have had personal correspondence with an angry Roze Bruins a few times---
because she does not like my E-MAIL MESSAGE. In fact she became so irate once
that she SPAMMED ME about 50 times with a reply e-mail to my message. And she
made reference to my “daddy” in one of her e-mails, apparently aware of who my
dad is, and apparently trying to be condescending about my relationship to him.
Fact is, I never called my dad “daddy” nor do I even call him “dad” today. I refer to
my mom & dad as “JIM & LINDA.” And Jim, Linda, & I DO NOT AGREE ON A
LOT OF THINGS, BUT OTHER THINGS WE DO.

13
The other misconception she was relying upon was that I somehow am coddled by
“daddy” BUT THE FACT IS that he has not made me very welcome at the
CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL, and he, along with Richard Mouw & Peter Harkema are
very much COMPETITIVE in terms of wanting to “beat me” in ministry.

That competitiveness is a danger if it gets to the CLASSICAL LEVEL—i.e. classical

competition. WE THE BODY OF CHRIST NEED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH
OTHER, LIKE THE HUMAN BODY SUPPORTS ALL PARTS & ORGANS. And
of course, to say that a man in a yacht with radio contact to shore is fair competition
to the man in a raft paddling is a joke. These fellows (Mouw, Harkema, Schuller,
maybe even my dad, Kok) have access to huge accounts.

They can reallocate funds, start a new program, add a new position, bring in new
people, etc. to take on anything and everything that comes their way. To say
Mustard Seed Ministries is “competition” is a joke, BUT YET THEY MAY BE SO
PARANOID AS TO TRY TO QUASH ME NONETHELESS. It’s the HUGE
CORPORATION AFRAID OF THE MOM-AND-POP STORE.

However, ironically, I may be DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH AND MY IMPACT MAY

BE PARVUS SED POTENS (SMALL BUT POWERFUL ) ONLY BECAUSE GOD
HAS BLESSED ME AND THIS MINISTRY. AND IF GOD HAS BLESSED ME,
NOBODY CAN REVERSE IT, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR WEALTHY YOU
ARE.

The obvious problem is that when a classical competitor such as Roze Bruins starts
unscrupulously pushing buttons the whole BODY OF CHRIST must respond in
ways to diminish the misconceptions and prejudices she may be attempting to
perpetuate. Therefore, even if I wanted to work at the Crystal Cathedral and even if
my dad wanted me to –people such as Roze Bruins who try to intentionally create a
misconception make it difficult, even from as far away as she is.

She’s not the only one, by the way. If she was it probably would not be a problem.
My feeling is that she has become a ‘macho woman’ because she is in a community
that has not always allowed or wanted women in ministry. She may have made the
mistake of OVER RESPONDING to perceived marginalization and has TRIED TO
ACT LIKE A MAN—by “spitting & cussing” so to speak. This is a mistake on the
part of women in ministry. But I also have to point the finger at some of the
“fathers” who were not always kind, accepting, or even nice to women, even their
own wives.

The anger of Roze Bruins is misdirected at me—WHEN IT SHOULD BE

DIRECTED AT THE FATHERS. And such is the case not only FOR WOMEN OF
YESTERYEAR but also for MINORITIES OF YESTERYEAR. It is misplaced
anger for women or minorities to express their frustration at persons my age who
have not benefited from being white or male AS DID THE FATHERS OF
YESTERYEAR.

14
Remember, the FATHERS OF YESTERYEAR did not have to take standardized
tests. They did not have to have HIGH SCORES to get into college, and in some
cases there was no real test of any kind whatsoever to get into college. There was
JUST “TRACKING” AND LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. If your parents
were “professionals” you were more likely to be “tracked” towards college. And
most professionals were white, or at least more so than any other color.

Yet I and others my age did not get tracked like my father did –I may have had a
better chance of going onward in education because my dad & mom groomed me for
it, but I still had to earn the grades and get decent scores on standardized tests. And
my friends of working class parents had the same opportunities as I did, but may be
angry today that they were not “tracked.” Well, they can always GO BACK ! Yes,
adults can go “back to school” nowadays unlike years gone by. But it takes some
sacrifice, just like going to college as a youngster.

But the fact is GOING TO COLLEGE AND BECOMING PROFESSIONAL takes

work. It’s not the easy life. It takes mental agility and perseverance and sometimes
longsuffering. Let me tell you about my life—the obstacles I’ve had to overcome and
difficulties I had to hurdle, including my own physical disabilities (poor eye vision &
dry skin) as well as extended family dysfunction.

And I would say the DYSFUNCTIONAL EXTENDED FAMILY has been more of
an obstacle than anything else. Even within my nuclear family –although a fairly
good family in general as I was growing up—there is some dysfunction and obstacles
that present challenges, including jealousy, AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT
‘GODLY JEALOUSY’ NOR GOOD JEALOUSY .

I am talking about a negative, self-destructive form of jealously, which is a

dysfunction and a sin in the BODY OF CHRIST.

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you
not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 1 Cor 3:3

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in
sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe
yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the
desires of the sinful nature. Rom 13:13-14

Now let me return back to the topic of a dysfunctional extended family. I mentioned
to you the Timmer-Kok side of the family but there is also the Peters side. My
mom’s mother (Helen Mills) died when my mother (Linda) was young (in junior
high) and she didn’t just die of natural causes like my grandma Kathryn, but SHE
DIED OF SUICIDE !

15
Obviously, death from suicide creates more trauma and “baggage” than that of a
natural death. And it obviously had an effect on the Peters family, despite their
efforts to go on and succeed and not look back too much. Nonetheless, you can
imagine the variety of feelings and introspection that must have arisen following the
death of their mother.

After her death—a few years later my grandfather Leo Peters remarried to Nancy
Wallace. Nancy happened to be my grandfather’s maid at the time. She worked
around grandpa’s large house on 750 Plymouth. How to explain them getting
married is something for the historians and psychologists.

But they did and so NEW DYNAMICS arose, as you can imagine. Leo & Nancy had
three children in addition to Leo’s daughters from his first marriage to Helen Mills.

I’ve talked about this in previous messages—and I’ll briefly summarize what I have
said before: For a few years growing up in Grand Rapids everything seemed fine.
We lived a few miles from my grandfather’s house and visited with them for some of
the holidays, having a few nice Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons with them,
enjoying the results of my grandfather’s knack for fine dining (he was the founder
of Butterball Farms, see http://www.butterballfarms.com ); and also having a few
nice weeks every summer at grandpa’s cottage on LAKE MICHIGAN (near Tunnel
Park).

But around the late 70’s early 80’s or thereabouts a difference of opinion arose
between my grandfather and a few (not all) of his daughters. When my
grandmother Helen died she left a will in which she made sure her daughters would
receive a certain portion of her share of the property of Leo & Helen Peters.

However, my nefarious grandfather decided he wanted to change her will. But he

could not do so without the signed permission of all the daughters. So he asked the
daughters for their permission, telling them he was having difficult times and
wanted to draw on his first wife’s account (set aside for the daughters when he
died). Some of the daughters agreed but my mother and one of her sisters (my aunt
Diana) initially refused.
They “held out” for many months and I remember that grandpa continued to put a
lot of pressure on her and that there was a lot of screaming and crying in our house
as my mom & dad debated the issue. I think my mom & Diana were the most
“principled’ ones—refusing to compromise the intentions of their mother, whereas
my dad was non-committal and the other daughters gave in right away.
Also during this time, I was starting high school and lo and behold my half-aunt
Teri Peters—one of the daughters from my grandfather’s second marriage—was in
my high school class ! And although we had had some good times together, by this
time Grandpa Peters had enlisted his kids (from the 2nd marriage) in the war
against the first family daughters (or at least Diana & Linda).

16
And the only way my grandpa could convince his second family that he deserved to
control my grandmother’s will was to persuade them of the unworthiness of the
daughters from his first family ( or at least Linda & Diana). Therefore, high-brow
innuendo and below-the-belt cheap shots were the result.
And the kids from my grandfather’s 2nd marriage (Mark, Andrea, & Theresa) who
were all about my own siblings same age, albeit Theresa was the only one in the
same class as one of us Kok’s, namely me) were too young to truly understand what
was happening.
My own grandpa convinced them to believe that my mother was an unworthy
daughter, and of course, therefore the kids of his daughter were likewise unworthy
and filled with unspeakable character flaws. And Teri was my grandfather’s best
recruit in the “war” or “feud” if you wish. Teri not only took my grandfather’s bait
“hook, line, & sinker” as they say but also perpetuated the falsehoods by telling
them to some of her female classmates (who happened to be my classmates as well).
That’s how I experienced persecution already at the high school level. And I didn’t
even realize it until later in life. It explained a lot of things I didn’t understand at
the time (i.e. marginalization by some of my female classmates who believed Teri
about the Kok family being unworthy).
Meanwhile, my mom wore down as did Diana, and they eventually agreed to sign
for the sake of “keeping peace” in the family. They drove over to grandpa’s house
one day and signed the papers thinking that this would keep the peace and that
grandpa would be happy and the harmony would be restored.

However, as soon as they signed it he immediately turned the cold shoulder and
communicated to them that since they “balked” –since they did not immediately put
their signatures on the paper—it was a sign of disloyalty to him and he, therefore,
was not going to acknowledge them, thereafter, as his daughters.

The long-sought-for-harmony was therefore

THE BEGINNING OF THE END ! From that point on there was very little
communication between the Koks and the Peters, and there were not more summers
at grandpa’s cottage nor Thanksgiving or Christmas at 750 Plymouth.
Nonetheless, we were still living in the same community and had to find a way to
peacefully co-exist. And my way was to pretend nothing was wrong and ignore the
issues, WHICH IS GOOD & BAD.
On the one hand, it was good because I had to have a way to cope with something I
could not solve at that age (or so I thought). On the other hand, because this was a
“cancerous cell” so to speak, ignoring it meant potential long-term problems.
PROBLEMS IN THE PHYSICAL BODY CAN BE USED AS ANALOGIES TO
THE SPIRITUAL BODY. When we ignore problems that need to be confronted
and assertively addressed we are allowing a “germ” to fester in the body. And long-
term germs or cancerous cells will often manifest themselves later on in much more
severe ways.
Anyways, that was how I and the rest of my family, by and large, handled the
problem. LIFE WENT ON and we pretended it did not exist anymore. We basically
pretended grandpa Peters didn’t exist anymore and the rest of his second family

17
became less important in our lives, AND VICE-VERSA—we became less important
to them, or maybe I should say totally non-existent to them.
In essence, grandpa Peters handled the matter like the businessman he was—he put
pressure on and persevered until he got what he wanted, and once he got what he
wanted, there was NO LONGER ANY NEED FOR THE PURSUIT OR THE
PEOPLE WHO HAD THE KEYS TO WHAT HE PURSUED.
And then we moved to southern California in 1984—and ACTUAL DISTANCE
BECAME THE GREAT DIVIDE . My mom would say over and over that she was
glad to be out of Grand Rapids SIMPLY BECAUSE OF HER FATHER.
Nonetheless, you have to remember that our family had become a presence in Grand
Rapids and had really felt “at home” there for fourteen years. What ‘FELT GOOD’
FOR MY MOM (and probably my dad too—who was basically returning “home” to
Bellflower) did not necessarily “feel good” for everybody else in the family.
Although moving to southern California sounds so great “on paper” and “in theory”
and “in the movies” in REALITY there are a lot of adjustments to make in order to
make such a move a TRULY POSITIVE CHANGE.
While “fun in the sun” sounds great, and being in the “entertainment capitol of the
world” sounds so romantic, as well as being around the “entertainment church of
the world” (Crystal Cathedral) the truth is that southern California is such a huge
metropolis, to truly make it “home” and to become truly integrated into the
community takes TIME AND EFFORT !
And in 1984 I didn’t have the time even if I had the compulsion. I was here for a
summer and then college began and I was a freshman at Calvin College living in the
dorms.
In my mind when dad said we’re moving to Bellflower, CA I’m thinking everything
is so close together—like we would be living within sight of the Hollywood Sign and
mingling with movie stars , and walking on over to the beach. In reality, we were not
within sight of the Hollywood sign, nor in walking distance to the beach. And the
Crystal Cathedral was a 30 minute drive from Bellflower.
The world I imagined in my mind was not the reality I experienced in 1984, which is
probably one of the reasons I returned to Grand Rapids almost immediately and
finished my senior year of high school where I began ! And southern California as a
glamorous place to live would not become a reality until much later in life—in fact it
still is not that reality. And now I am realizing it never will be nor was intended to be
so.
The NOTION of Hollywood, warm weather, & multi-cultural PEACEFUL living, is
what, IN PART, brings people to southern California. And in some ways it lives up
to its name and reputation, but YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. It doesn’t just
happen. You can’t just show up and say, “Here I am entertain me.” You have to
ACTIVELY participate.
And my way of participating in the game of life has been EVANGELICAL—
TELLING THE GOOD NEWS! Others participate in different ways—but me—
NOW--I am an evangelist. Christ is my “game”!
Back in 1984, however, although I was a Christian I did not have a well-defined way
of living OR EVANGELIZING as such. I had not discovered my gifts and had not

18
totally dedicated myself to CHRIST ! I explored and wandered as is the case for
most college students.
It was not until 1994 that I came back to southern California on my own as a
professional and as a regular teacher. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Back to Calvin College, 1985-99,--as I was saying the problems between the Peters
& the Koks never got properly resolved. And now the Peters kids were attending
Calvin College as were my siblings and I(albeit not yet my younger brother, Steven).
Furthermore, the friends I made were NOT ALWAYS GOOD FOR ME. They were
NOT HIGHLY ASSERTIVE, and sometimes were self-centered. Jack H. & Keith S.
were too of my closest friends or associates and to this day I NEVER HEAR FROM
THEM AT ALL.
They even came to southern California—Keith once, Jack twice—but you would
think I don’t exist anymore. I realized that there are some who grow up in Grand
Rapids who have a very concrete self-identity as being “Grand Rapidians” or “CRC
Grand Rapidians”—so much so that they cannot communicate outside of their tiny
world. They have not truly become part of the global church. For some, the CRC IS
nothing more than AN ETHNIC CLUB !
But I insist that we MOVE BEYOND ETHNICITY & RACE IN THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH ! DOES A WHITE BLOOD CELL SAY TO A RED BLOOD CELL “GO
AWAY” BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE SAME COLOR? GOD FORBID !
RACISM has no place in the BODY OF CHRIST! It is very clear that God wanted
us to be a GLOBAL CHURCH , BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR
INTEGRITY ! Therefore, we don’t immediately say “okay to gays” if it offends our
sense of integrity; and we don’t immediately say “okay to Muslims” if it offends our
sense of integrity.
What we do is WAIT ON THE LORD and He helps us grow—and IF WE ARE
GROWING AND TRYING we will have “EPIPHANIES” FROM TIME TO TIME
such as the one I had earlier this morning about HELPING THE GAY & LESBIAN
COMMUNITY TO HEAL & THEREBY GROW IN CHRIST, RATHER THAN
HATING THEM.

Likewise, I now understand the importance of INCLUSION of other religions in to

the BODY OF CHRIST—USING THE ANALOGY OF THE CHURCH AS A
HOSPITAL, rather than a FORT FOR SAINTS.
I REPEAT THE FOLLOWING VERSES:
When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick
people do." Matthew 9:12
When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick
people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good
enough." Mark 2:17
Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor — sick people do. Luke
5:31

Back to the move of our family from Michigan to California—like a lot of people
who move to southern Cal—the move and location represents “getting away.” This

19
means there are a probably more people in southern California who are living with
unaddressed & unresolved issues left behind from “back east.”

The problem is that proximity & distance while acting as a temporary “band-aid” –
it is NOT CORRECTIVE SURGERY. The wound still exists. Remember that many
truths about the physical body can also be applied to the spiritual body. If we take
enough pain killer to number pain from a minor broken bone we are able,
sometimes, for a while, to successfully pretend the bone isn’t broken at all.
But we cannot do so forever. I think I broke my small toe on my left foot some time
ago and never acknowledged that it was broken. I just lived with it—thinking it was
sprained, and eventually the pain went away. However, today I cannot move my left
toe by itself the way I can in my right foot. Therefore it remains too close to the toe
next to it and it causes the space between the two toes to become itchy and sore. The
space needs breathing room which is more likely when you are able to move your
toes within your shoes, rather than only for a few moments at the end of the day by
hand.

Likewise, my mother never resolved the issues with her father. Could she have if she
had remained close to him? Maybe not directly if he refused to communicate—but
INDIRECTLY through other parties or even the use of the judicial system it might
have been possible.
Sometimes the church has been too afraid of the civil system—our judicial system—
and has refused to use it effectively or at all. I think that the judicial system can and
should be used at times by the Body of Christ for the sake of addressing issues that
are too large for us to handle on our own.
Therefore, since my mom & dad refused to address the problem I subsequently did
so myself back around 2001. In fact I was in communication with an attorney Grand
Rapids on September 11, 2001—the day the terrorist struck the World Trade
Center. I had a long chat with this attorney by phone while the whole attack was
happening unbeknownst to me or him at the time. That’s one of those unforgettable
“where were you when…” questions.
And I am now at the Tustin Library on Main St. which happens to be open on
Sunday at 3:30 p.m. They close at 5 so I have just enough time to do some more
composing and upload some images for the attached image message—which will be
shorter this week.
And I would like to take time for prayer
& a few songs now.

PRAYER: DEAR GOD, I THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE AS I COMPOSE
THIS MESSAGE. AND I ASK FOR YOUR WILL TO BE DONE, NOT MINE.
Lord Of HEAVEN & EARTH I ASK FOR YOU TO BE WITH OUR ELDERLY—
THOSE WHO ARE WEAK OR IN A STATE OF DEMENTIA, THOSE WITH
ALZHEIMERS DISEASE, AND THOSE WHO ARE JUST PLAIN TIRED. AND
FOR THOSE WHO ARE OLD BUT ARE STILL ACTIVE—I PRAY THAT YOU,

20
LORD JESUS, WILL KEEP INSPIRING THEM TO DO GOOD AND TO NOT
GROW WEARY. KEEP GIVING THEM NEW WINGS TO FLY AGAIN !
AND LORD, I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE AND
FOR EVERYBODY. YOU ARE THE GREAT KING ! YOU ARE THE ONLY
TRUE GOD ! YOU ARE LOVE ! THANK YOU. IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
AMEN !

SONG: PEACE, TROUBLED SOUL

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/ptrosoul.htm

Are you troubled? Are you perplexed? Confounded? Aren’t we all? But there is a
light that will bring you through the darkness—HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST !
SONG: THE POWER OF GOD!
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/o/w/powergod.htm

SONG: PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT HE’S DONE FOR ME!

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/g/pg4whhdm.htm

HOLY WEEK DAY 2

It is now Monday morning, the day after PALM SUNDAY, and I am in
OCEANSIDE, CA. Last night I e-mailed my dad a few times telling him that he
must find his own unique purpose that will leave him feeling fulfilled and content—
IF HE SHOULD DIE TOMORROW , GOD FORBID !
Why would I be telling my dad, the pastoral care guy, this? Because I keep getting
the feeling that he is not truly content with what he has accomplished in his life. I
keep getting the feeling that he is trying to bring ‘loose ends’ together—and still
trying to do MORE ! OR that maybe he took shortcuts that he now regrets? !
And it was great to see him at the SPIRITULITY & AGING CONFERENCE, but I
don’t know if he really needed to attend a “101 primer” course on pastoral care for
those with Alzheimer’s & dementia.
And as much as I love my dad, he is not a pretty girl, NO OFFENSE INTENDED.
That’s the one thing that Jim & Linda have never acknowledged—MY NEED FOR
A FEMALE COMPANION, just as they themselves enjoy each other as companions.
It is a very strange ‘SILENCE’ … anytime I mention my search and need and
desire—they RESPOND BLANKLY—I.E. they do not respond. They just gloss over
it.
So I began to wonder “what’s up” with this? Likewise, when I stayed at my Aunt
Martha’s home in Jackson, WY back in the summer of 1994—a gal friend I had met
in Grand Rapids came to visit –a few days prior to my aunt arriving from the state
of Washington. Apparently, her adult son Todd (who was rehabilitating at their
Jackson home for a few years) called her and told her that I had a gal friend at their
home and so she called me and said in a very chilling manner, “Your woman friend
had better be gone by the time I get there.”
As if I had picked her up at a bar for a one-night stand?! GOD FORBID ! No, this
was a gal from GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH & CALVIN COLLEGE who
I met at a end-of-year graduation social. This was a gal from the same school and

21
tradition as my Aunt Martha herself. It was as if my Aunt Martha did not care
about helping nurture a male-female intimate relationship with a good person…
with whom I saw the potential for marriage !

It was strange. Anyways, my ‘gal friend’ who I had the hope of getting to know
better left---she was working in Colorado Springs for the summer—but the
command for an abrupt departure which I relayed to her left her feeling offended
and we were never able to pick up where we left off. And I blame, in part, my Aunt
Martha.
On the other hand I also blame myself for not having the ASSERTIVE skills to
appropriately address the situation and perhaps just leave Martha’s house myself as
well, with my gal friend. If any of you know Amy Jonkers, please tell her I say hello
and would love to hear from her (pastorkok3@yahoo.com)
And I began to wonder if my own family, both nuclear & extended, were not willing
to help me develop a relationship that might lead to marriage? Not only that—I
began to wonder if they would go so far as to INTERFERE in a potential
relationship?! And the thought bothered me.
This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don't we have the right to
food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as
do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and
Barnabas who must work for a living? 1 Cor 9:3-6
Here I was—having worked hard to support my siblings and my parents in their
lives and in their marriages. I attended the weddings of my two older siblings and
faithfully supported them as a younger sibling. I was the best man at my brother’s
wedding and a participant at my sister’s wedding.

And I was on my way to Yosemite for my younger brother’s wedding when my 1986
Honda Prelude broke down with a bad fuel pump. I eventually made it to Yosemite
but not to the wedding. I was able to get a gift to them back at their wedding
reception in Chicago—but never got a thanks from them until one day when I went
to their home in Redlands with my dad—at which point my younger brother, Steve,
legalistically said thanks. Your welcome, bro.

Anyways, since those days in which I was a faithful sibling supporting my brothers
& sisters they have not reciprocated. IN FACT, two years ago I even drove cross-
country to spend a month with my sister’s family and her husband, Kevin, an
attorney, around the state because his driver’s license had been suspended due to his
third DUI !
On the one hand I ask for your prayers for my sister Julie’s family and for Kevin &
Julie as well as Megan & Larkin (their two daughters) but on the other hand I want
to shame Kevin (and Julie) a little bit for their reckless lifestyle. Three DUI’s is
inexcusable. At the same time I can understand how my sister Julie’s behavior could
cause a man to drink. She is not always a very pleasant person, and I even suspected
her of spiritual warfare against me as I was growing up.
Beyond Julie & Kevin, however, even some of my friends, whom I considered
“close friends” have not reciprocated. As I was saying, I haven’t heard from Jack in

22
ages—despite him coming out to southern Cal twice to visit. I didn’t even get an
invitation to his wedding. I’ve observed a very selfish, self-serving pattern develop
amongst “my people” in the Christian Reformed Church(CRC) community.

And I didn’t get any relief by going to Fuller Seminary—a non-denominational

institution—because Mouw & Harkema (both from Calvin College & 1st CRC)
were there, in addition to my Aunt Martha & her husband Warren being on the
board of directors ! You might think that would be a blessing—but IF THEY ARE
NOT BEING SUPPORTIVE OF ME IN TERMS OF BIBLICAL MANHOOD,
THEIR PRESENCE IS NOT A BLESSING.
Turning to what I thought was a “sure thing”—over at the Crystal Cathedral—that
too FELL THROUGH—with my dad giving only a tentative and somewhat weak
invitation to “come on board.” It was not heart warming nor very welcoming, and
the security there did not help the matter.

One bright star amongst all these negative experiences was a lady by the name of
Shirley Zink, whom I met along the way—and who is involved in the Care &
Kindness movement. She lives in Yorba Linda with her husband Don and has been
very supportive, God bless her !
But that’s a minority. The competitive environment of “the world” has seeped into
the church, and classical competition is sometimes not even questioned. I remember
Robert A. Schuller saying once to a guest singer, “We like to win here” to which the
Christian singer responded haltingly and seemingly a little bit surprised, “Yes sir.”
And when my dad showed up at the Spirituality & Aging Conference in Anaheim he
whispered to me that he was also “shopping” for speakers at his Kindness
Conference. Later, I e-mailed to him that I thought the term “shopping” was a little
crass as if he was a church talent agent. I said, “You meant that you were hoping for
the Holy Spirit to connect you with like-minded others to do good and assist you in
your Kingdom of God objectives, right?”
Of course, people at the Crystal Cathedral can become a little haughty sometimes,
even “more Hollywood than Hollywood itself” at times—sometimes for show, other
times unthinkingly or even presumptuously.
And my dad has a tendency to be reductive—and thinking that words don’t matter
so much. I’m just the opposite. I don’t like reductionism . And I think WORDS DO
MATTER ! I like the POETIC ESSENCE OF THE BIBLE, and believe that the
WORDS OF JESUS meant a lot ! He said things in a specific way for a specific
reason—making every word count. It is not only the PSALMS that are poetic—
much of the rest of the Bible is too in a less obvious but nonetheless real way.

Poetry can be manly & masculine. It can change lives. It can express truths in ways
that bluntness & being literal cannot. And it’s a form of being social—of exhibiting
social skills. I was at a school in Westchester last week and it was the day before
Spring Break—a Friday, and the last period of the day. They asked me to cover a
class and I did—and there was not a lot to do. The regular teacher left a video
entitled “Iraq for Sale” about alleged corruption by private contractors in the
country.

23
I let it play despite there obviously not being a lot of interest in it. At the end of the
video I asked the class did you think about that?” hoping for at least a polite “white
lie” but somebody in the “audience”, a young lady, decided to be bluntly truthful
about it and said, “NOBODY WAS WATCHING.”
I decided to confront the young lady and said with the same blunt truthfulness that
she employed, “Learn some social skills, young lady.” I said it again, loudly, for the
whole class to hear: “LEARN SOME SOCIAL SKILLS.” And said, “ I don’t want
to hear that nobody was watching. Don’t you get it?”
[by the way, I left east Oceanside this morning after spending a few hours at a
couple of Starbucks on one of the Vista streets and made my way to a laundromat
on PCH in west Oceanside. I spent an hour doing laundry there and left a few Christ
Pilot cards on windshields as I left, including one for a young Latino gal with a car
from Nevada, and apparently all alone, but she said her husband was stationed
here.

I hope by leaving the Christ Pilot card she got a positive impression of me, and not
just another single guy eyeing her . the funny thing is she was flashing a lot of
cleavage so she seemed to be single trying to attract others. I hate it when women
reveal a lot of cleavage and then if you look they act as if you’re a “disgusting man.”
If they don’t like people looking, why do they show it?
And speaking of cleavage, there’s a secretary over at W. High who always flashes a
ton of cleavage. It leaves me feeling ambivalent.
On the one hand I come to a school with a job to do, and having been educated for it
—take it seriously. On the other hand, as a heterosexual “guy” a decent show of
female sexuality is sometimes appreciated from adult women (NOT KIDS), albeit it
is always ambivalent in a school setting, especially and all the more so by students.
I’ve had to tell female students, on occasion, to cover themselves up a little bit more.
Too often, their attempts at being “sensual” becomes rather boring and tiring, and
by the time I leave at the end of the day sexuality or sensuality is the last thing on
my mind. And this secretary occasionally calls me “baby” which, again, makes me
ambivalent.

On the one hand I appreciate a little flirtatious affection from the right person and
believe there is spiritual/Biblical grounds for it to a certain extent, but on the other
hand in the school setting where I have a job to do which I have been educated for,
and take seriously, I sometimes wonder if I should say or do something about it if it
goes too far.

On the one hand the “cleavage secretary’ is an occasional welcome contrast to the
overly-buttoned-down prudish librarian personality which includes other main
office secretaries, but on the other hand if it is too much in the opposite direction,
then there is a problem as well. A moderate amount of expression in terms of female
sexuality is good, but too much is, well, too much. ]

And now I am in the public library at Cardiff-by-the-Sea, just south of Encinitas.

It’s a hazy day. As an adult outside of the education setting, and away from students,

24
a normal, healthy amount of sexual expression and attraction in terms of Biblical
manhood & womanhood is good. It all depends on context and the individual.
There’s no rule that can be uniformly applied.
SENSUALISM, DEFINITELY,
CAN BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE!,
“ Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. I said,
"I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit." May your breasts be like the
clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, and your mouth like
the best wine. “ Song 7:7-9
“I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like
one bringing contentment.”Song 8:10
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? As I was saying, it cannot be applied to
anything across the board as a rule or generalization. It simply goes to show that
male attraction to the female body is prevalent in the Bible. But there are also
times when it isn’t appropriate or good; and addiction to sensualism takes one away
from true spirituality.

There is also the further problem & concern of women who use their sensuality to
entrap and defeat men rather than attract and truly love them. A perfect Biblical
example, of course, is Sampson & Delilah. And some of these Delilah-types are what
we might also call “borderline personalities. The borderline personality is very
difficult to define, but take a look at wikipedia’s definition to give you some idea
what I am talking about. ” (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder ).
In cases of sexuality & the borderline personality you are better off NEVER
GETTING INVOLVED OR SHOWING ANY ATTRACTION OF EVEN
INNOCENT FLIRTATIOUS BEHAVIOR. IT COULD COME BACK TO HAUNT
YOU. SOME OF THESE WOMEN HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY MOLESTED AS
CHILDREN, SOME OF THEM ARE ‘MAN HATERS’ BUT YET THEY STILL
LIKE TO “BAIT” MEN. AND IF YOU EVER SHOW ANY EVEN INNOCENT
ATTRACTION OR A CERTAIN TYPE OF GLANCE FROM THAT POINT ON
THEY DESPISE YOU AND THINK YOU ARE WEAK & UNWORTHY OR
“JUST ANOTHER MAN.”

PRAYER: DEAR GOD, I WANT TO ‘LEAVE MY FATHER & MOTHER &

CLEAVE TO A WOMAN AND BECOME ONE WITH A WOMAN BUT I NEED
YOUR HELP. I NEED THE RIGHT WOMAN, GOD. I NEED A WOMAN WHO
LOVES YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING & ANYBODY ELSE. I NEED A
WOMAN WHO IS HONEST AND HAS INTEGRITY. I NEED A WOMAN WHO
IS NOT A MAN-HATER. GOD IF IT IS ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL, HELP
ME FIND THE RIGHT WOMAN. IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN !

When all is said and done, after all the adolescent ambiguity about sexuality, the
primary reason for sex is to re-create or reproduce. God wanted us, in general, to
have more children, and raise them in a way that is PLEASING TO HIM. JUST as a

25
male-female marriage is analogous to our marriage to GOD, having children is
analogous to being CREATED BY GOD! And raising children is analogous to
JESUS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES.
And parents have an obligation to their children:
Among other things,
“Fathers, provoke not your children
to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Col 3:21
And children, likewise, have a duty:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and
mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with
you and you may live long on the earth."
And Paul repeats here:
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the
training and admonition of the Lord.
Eph 6:1-4

And ultimately while sensualism may create part of the initial attraction between
man & woman, if the marriage is to last and be meaningful and satisfying there has
to be more to it than solely sex & sensualism. And kids might be a distraction for
twenty or thirty years but that’s not enough either.
HOLY WEEK DAY 3
It is now Tuesday, April 3, 2007 and I am at a Starbucks in San Diego, near or on
Regents Ave, not far from La Jolla Village Dr and Gennesse Ave. it is 6:40 a.m. (pst).
It’s a different world “down here” compared to Los Angeles. And this is PASSOVER
WEEK or HOLY WEEK if you prefer! FOR AN EXCELLENT
ACOMMENT/OPINION ABOUT PASSOVER WEEK SEE
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/04/02/passo
ver_and_the_passion/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Today's+paper+A+to+Z
ALSO SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover
AND DO YOU THINK IT WAS JUST COINCIDENCE THAT JESUS WAS
CRUCIFIED AT THE TIME OF THE JEWISH PASSOVER?
He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My
appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at
your house.'" So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the
Passover.
Matt 26:18-19
Of course, Christians believe that JESUS REPLACED THE PASSOVER LAMB.
And therefore the timing of the crucifixion was crucial (no pun intended) in order
for HIS DEATH TO HAVE SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE.

And I am excited and pleased that my MESSAGE was born during HOLY WEEK !
PRAISE THE LORD ! I didn’t plan it that way consciously, IT JUST HAPPENED !
I started composing and decided to transmit as I sat outside the Crystal Cathedral
in my car on Palm Sunday, 2006—a habit I had started a few years prior—as I was
going through seminary and after having been around the cathedral for a while, but
had not become truly integrated there.

26
By the way, I noticed something very interesting as I spoke with my dad, Jim Kok,
last week at the spirituality & aging conference at the Holiday Inn in Anaheim, CA.
He sat next to me while Cordula lectured and periodically we would exchange a few
comments as well as converse during the break and lunch.
And one of Jim’s comments to me was that a person at “his church’ (i.e. the Crystal
Cathedral) by the name of Dick Innes
(SEE http://www.actsweb.org/rwi_bio.php ) also did “something like I did” in terms
of sending out a message by e-mail. And then Jim said “he has a list of 70,000
people.” IT WAS AS IF JIM WAS TRYING TO “ONE-UP” ME.
My feeling was, first, that I AM NOT COMPETING, NOR AM I INTERESTED SO
MUCH IN SHEER QUANTITY, AS MUCH AS I AM IN QUALITY. Jim went on to
mention that Dick apparently bought an e-mail list, to which I responded that I am
not trying to reach the masses in general so much as I am carefully, one-by-one,
compiling a list of people to whom I try to reach every week, most of them initially
from the Christian Reformed tradition, including those from Grand Rapids
Christian High & Calvin College.
But apart from that it was Jim’s “one up” comment almost as if he was trying to
“burst my bubble” that bothered me. He had done that before as well—when I was
getting all excited about WALKING ACROSS AMERICA! Shortly after I started
talking about it he mentioned to me that “lots of people walk across America”
including somebody from “his church” as well as two people he talked to from Santa
Monica. And then he added “a lot of people die in the desert.’
Was Jim intentionally trying to deflate or even depress me by trying to burst my
bubble? And in the larger picture—as I mentioned my perceived lack of support by
family in helping me establish a male-female relationship that might lead to a happy
& successful marriage, I began to wonder is there some DYSFUNCTIONAL forms
of CLASSICAL COMPETITION going on in my family?
And is there a DYSFUNCTIONAL CLIMATE OF CLASSICAL COMPETITION
nurtured at the CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL which goes beyond the true sense of
“RUNNING THE RACE” as Paul speaks about in the Bible?
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize
1 Cor 9:24
“… for fear that I was running or had
run my race in vain.”
Gal 2:2
By the way, I moved over to a new Starbucks, only a few blocks away from the one
on Regents. This one is on Genesee Ave. They are giving out free samples of their
new breakfast sandwich.
“ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the
truth?” Gal 5:7-8
And what a day it’s been so far! It is now 2:25 p.m. and I am in La Jolla, CA.
Earlier today, I hiked down the tunnel/cave that begins at the cave store and then I
went over to UCSD and visited the futuristic, space-age, Geissel Library, named
after Theodore Seuss Geissel, the creator of Dr. Seuss stories (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisel_Library ) (also see

27
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss )

So I was at the UCSD campus for a little while and then I cruised back down
towards La Jolla and found the public library from where I am currently composing
( 04/03/07 at 3 p.m, pst). Florida beat OSU last night in the men’s college basketball
championship game. Another defeat for OSU by Florida in a championship match in
the same year. Tough luck for the Buckeyes.
Holy Week (continued)
Day Four: Wednesday, April 4, 2007.

I am hanging around La Jolla for a second day because I have a reservation to tour
the Salk Institute today at noon. I first heard about the Salk Institute just by chance
when I was listening to Rob H. Schuller, Sr. Pastor at the Crystal Cathedral, giving a
sermon a few years ago. Apparently, it is an architectural paradise. (see
http://www.salk.edu )
8:00 a.m. I moved to a new Starbucks Coffee over at Torrey Pines Road & La Jolla
Drive. Its busy here, but I lucked out and found a table next to a socket so I can plug
in and laptop for a while. There’s a couple of gals talking at a table in front of me.
Every other chair and table is also filled. Lots of dogs and owners here—one dog
outside with a small family. More dogs in the cars, including my own, Lola.
Her breathing was heavy again this morning so I tried to give her the medication
using the dropper. The first one was successful but then she became very resistant to
the second one, even nipping at my hand as I tried to hold her mouth open. She
must hate the taste of this medicine. Usually I am able to do it very subtly and she
doesn’t see it coming, but if she sees or feels the dropper she IMMEDIATELY
BECOMES RESISTANT. This time just as I shot the fluid into her mouth she
moved her head and all of the fluid hit the pillow next to her head. So I gave up for
the time being.
It is now 2:52 pm (pst) and I have left the SALK INSTITUTE after taking a tour. It
was a very interesting and informative tour and I got a great look at the renowned
Salk Institute inside and out. Our guide took our small group around the institute
which looks out upon the Pacific Ocean and gave us a little history of its
construction and development.
And then I stopped by the nearby Torrey Pines municipal golf course—which is the
site of the 2008 U.S. Open. And now I am heading back north, and at the moment
am at a public library on the east side of the 5 freeway, north of La Jolla.
HOLY WEEK DAY 5 ,
MAUNDY THURSDAY !
What is “Maundy Thursday?” It is the day before Jesus was crucified (by
traditional calendars), and it is the day of the LAST SUPPER that Jesus had with
the disciples. And it is the beginning of the EASTER TRIDIUM—the three holiest
days of HOLY WEEK---GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY SATURDAY, AND EASTER ! IN
fact, some contend the Last Supper was actually eaten in the early morning hours of
Friday.

28
The word “Maundy” apparently comes from “mandate” (actually vice-versa) in
reference to the command Jesus gave to His disciples during the Last Supper hours,
immediately after Judas left the room.

“So, when he [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified,
and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in
Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little
while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you
cannot come,' so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will
know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:31-35
Good Morning from Escondido, CA !—I’m at a Starbucks on Valley Parkway
around 6 a.m. It is Thursday, April 5, 2007,
And it is now 7:43 a.m. two Starbucks later, but still in Escondido… over on W.
Mission Ave. This is a quaint little Starbucks, a little more decorative and better
lighting than some of the other Starbucks. A couple of other laptoppers are in here.
Most of the customers are drive-thru. One of the employees is handing out free
breakfast sandwich samples. They just started offering hot breakfast sandwiches
and they are working hard to get them to go.
Normally, I go up north during the Christmas & Easter break—to the
SEATTLE/OLYMPIA/LYNDEN area of WASHINGTON state. I have three aunts
in OLYMPIA, Sandra, Barbara, & Diana—and for the last few years have been able
to leave them a Christmas & Easter gift on their doorstep on Christmas & Easter
day or eve !
But this year with Lola being as questionable healthwise as she is, I decided to stay
around and hope to get to the BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS at a church in Los
Angeles on HOLY SATURDAY. Then, if all goes well I plan to go to the HAUTE
DOG parade in Long Beach—which is now an annual parade for dogs on Easter
Day.
I also hope to attend the EASTER AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL service—which
has now resumed, but I have not yet had the opportunity to go. Go to
http://newdeal.feri.org/library/f61b.htm for a glimpse of the 1937 EASTER AT THE
BOWL service. Last year (2006) was the first Easter at the Bowl after the
temporary stoppage (see
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_086080727.html )
Now I just got a free breakfast sandwich sample myself ! It’s my lucky day !
And This day is flying by ! I stopped in at a little Mexican hair salon and got my
hair cut and beard trimmed . The Latino gal’s name was Gabi. She did a nice job. It
felt good to get my hair washed a little bit better than the way I do it when I am on
the road (i.e. using a 3-liter bottle of water I wet my hair, wash it, and then rinse it
all of—that’s my shower).
Maundy Thursday (continued) 4:45 p.m. (pst) . I also found the Mayflower Dog
Park in Escondido—nice area with several fenced off sections. Not many dogs there
early in the day. And I briefly stopped in at the Escondido Library which is unique
in that it is connected to the city gymnasium. I stayed there long enough to compose

29
for a while and add a page to the image message. That’s why putting together this
message can sometimes be more time-consuming than you might realize.
If my message were solely the written word composed by my hand, that would not
take so long. But when I add images, I do so one page at a time usually 6 to 9 images
per page. If you try to put too many images on a page my experience has that it
takes too long and often fails. Therefore I stick with 6 to 9 images and that usually
takes ten, fifteen, sometimes twenty minutes to SUCCESSFULLY SEND. It is
completely out of my hands once I push the send button. And since I never send
from the same place twice ( at least not in the same month or more) I never know for
sure if it is a reliable place to transmit.
Why don’t I just stay in one place and preach to the people? Because even though I
called myself the “internet preacher” last week, it is not truly how I think of myself.
I don’t like the notion of clergy being “preachers” who stand in the pulpit week-to-
week with their black suit on and yell at the people and tell them how to live (i.e. “do
this, don’t do that…”). That’s probably more of a Hollywood myth than reality.
In reality messengers of God are (or should be) relational, and the message they
deliver at any given time should be both IMMANENT (not imminent) and
TRANSCENDENT, as well as inspirational, truthful, candid, informational, and
even sometimes entertaining, among other things.
I e-mailed JIM (my dad) last week after the spirituality & aging seminar and asked
him if he noticed the misspelling of ‘IMMANENT’ on the overhead. Cordula had
spelled it “imminent.” I said I don’t mean to nitpick but they are two completely
different words. And at another point there was a typo saying “workshop service”
when it was supposed to be “worship service.”
Sometimes these typos are not due to one’s lack of knowledge or understanding of
the word or words. Sometimes when you do spell check quickly you might
accidentally click “change” as you are going through the words and might not
realize it until it is too late. I’ve had it happen myself.

But that is an aside. I made it through Escondido and stopped in at Palomar College
as well as Cal State San Marcos. San Marcos has a great campus and an excellent
library. Palomar’s not bad, but pales in comparison to San Marcos. And I’ve been
having cell phone problems—my SIDEKICK III cell phone keeps powering off and
on by itself. I’ve only had it for two months so it is still under warranty—but it is
strange that it would start acting funny so soon. I never had any problems with my
SIDEKICK II. The only reason I moved up was because the old sidekick II was just
getting old. But it still worked.
Anyways, I found a T-Mobile store on Center Drive in San Marcos and talked to
Vivian there about the problem. She was kind of a “doomsday” personality—even
placing my warranty under question (without even checking) because she said if I
charge my phone too much in the car it wears down the battery quicker. I said I
charged my Sidekick II in the car for two years and the battery is still holds a great
charge. And then she balked about battery warranties saying only the phone is
covered.
I didn’t say anything but I figured either 1) she is trying to pull my leg and annoy
me (maybe she’s a man-hater); or 2) she is totally incompetent and knows nothing

30
about her job or the warranties on the phones they sell. Anyways, I got t-mobile on
the phone—and a gal at the SIDEKICK DEPT helped me out—walking me
through a “soft reset” and then she did a “master reset” and assured me that if it is
a battery or device issue that my battery is covered through May 22 and the phone
through February 2008. I KNEW IT !
I hung up and related the information to Vivian who didn’t bother apologizing for
the misinformation she provided. But if there is some truth to the car charger
wearing out the cell phone batteries quicker, it would be nice of them to inform us.
DON’T YOU AGREE? !

HOLY WEEK DAY 6

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2007

I made it back to Oceanside, found a place to rest for the evening and then located a
Starbucks near Oceanside Blvd & the 5 freeway ! IT IS 5:45 A.M ON GOOD
FRIDAY,
PRAISE THE LORD ! WHAT IS GOOD FRIDAY?
IT IS THE DAY MOST CHRISTIANS COMMEMORATE AS BEING THE DAY
JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED.
LET’S SING A FEW SONGS:
SONG: BLESSED CALVARY http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/blesscav.htm
SONG: FATHER FORGIVE THEM, SAID OUR SAVIOR
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/f/ffsasaid.htm
SONG: I LOVE YOU CHRIST, MY CRUCIFIED
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/l/y/ilycmcru.htm
SONG: IT IS FINISHED, BLESSED JESUS
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/i/iifibjes.htm
Apparently, however, not all Christians celebrate Good Friday. Some Christians
apparently make Wednesday the day of the crucifixion to coincide with the Jewish
day of the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday )

Good Friday is also referred to by other names in various parts of the world
including “BIG FRIDAY” in the HOLY LAND; “KARFREITAG” meaning
“FRIDAY OF LAMENTATION” in GERMANY; “HIGH FRIDAY” in ARMENIA;
The DUTCH, LIKE AMERICANS, ALSO SAY GOOD FRIDAY BUT IN THEIR
OWN LANGUAGE (“Goede Vrijdag”).
Some speculate that the name “Good Friday” actually was originally “God’s
Friday” just as “goodbye” comes from “God be with you.”
Well, I’m at Starbucks #2 already—having started out at the “bucks” on Oceanside
Blvd in Oceanside I am now at the ‘bucks on Carlsbad Blvd in nearby Carlsbad.
Why did Jesus wash HIS DISCIPLES FEET?
First, you have to remember that the disciples were still trying to figure out what it
meant to be a follower of Christ and even argued about who is the “greatest” in the
kingdom. This was before “democracy” as we know it today. This was on the heels
of one earthly kingdom and king after another, some good, some bad. Now the

31
disciples, perhaps with some illusions of earthly grandeur for themselves, are asking
who is the greatest in the “kingdom of heaven.’
And as usual Jesus confounds them all the more with one of his paradigm-reversing
statements:

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the
truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “ Matt 18:1-4
Therefore, it may have been the intention of Jesus to MODEL SERVANTHOOD &
HUMILITY and washing His disciples feet was a very remarkable and memorable
way of doing so.

So why don’t we wash people’s feet today? Actually, if you go back to my message a
few weeks ago you will notice that I found a few places in Monterey Park where the
Asians wash people’s feet (for a fee), and I made an analogy to Jesus washing the
feet of others; but it didn’t fully capture the essence of servanthood because I,
myself, was not washing the feet of others, but having my feet washed. Nonetheless,
I tried to make it work for the sake of THE MESSAGE. In other ways I do,
however, “wash people’s feet”.

In terms of being a guest teacher despite personally having much more education
than the average guest teacher, and in terms of sometimes being treated poorly by
some students—there is a form of SERVANTHOOD in being a guest teacher. And it
is also a form of MISSION. When I start feeling down because of something that
happened at a school, I remind myself that THIS IS NOT A JOB, IT IS A MISSION.
If it was “just a job” I would have quit a long time ago.
Anyways, back then, they didn’t have shoes or socks that covered the feet.
Presumably they wore sandals and there are a lot of references to sandals in the
Bible.
Therefore their feet became dirty and dusty very quickly. Also, when they sat down
to eat they apparently sat on pillows with their feet sometimes in sight of everybody.
Thus, back then, cleaning one’s feet may have been more like the way we wash our
hands today—usually before we eat, and periodically when we use the restroom
(etc). Albeit they did not have the convenience of modern restrooms so perhaps
servants or laborers would wash the feet of the higher class.
(also see
http://www.westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/articles/diff_quest/wash_feet.html )

The image of Jesus washing the disciples feet also contradicts the NOTION OF
CLASSICAL COMPETITION AND WINNING (OR DEFEATING OTHERS) FOR
THE SAKE OF SOME EARTHLY PRIZE & SELF-GLORY !
Paul used the word prize (brabeion NT:1017,)

32
several times but never in reference to an earthly reward. It was always something
in the future—with heavenly significance. The reward is to be WITH THE FATHER
!
They do it to get a crown that will not last;
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Cor 9:24-25
NOTICE THAT HERE PAUL SAYS “WE” (PLURAL). THE RACE IS A TEAM
SPORT. WE RUN TOGETHER, HANDING OFF THE BATON AS IN A RELAY
RACE !
“ I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which
God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 3:14

APRIL 8, 2007
DA Y 7, HOLY WEEK 2007
HOLY SATURDAY !
Apparently HOLY SATURDAY is also called “Low Saturday” , and “EASTER
EVE”, as well as “Sabado de Gloria (meaning “Black Saturday” in the Philippines )
while it is called “WHITE SATURDAY” in Czechoslavakia and Slovakia
(apparently in reference to baptism ) . Also, in eastern orthodoxy it is referred to as
THE GREAT SABBATH because
Jesus is said to have ‘RESTED’ in the tomb. it is also believed that Jesus descended
into hell during this time and performed the ‘HARROWING OF HELL’ release of
“captives” including Adam & Eve (see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell )
Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Saturday )
By the way, I am at a Starbucks in Dana Point (or is this San Clemente?) It’s on the
border of San Clemente/Dana Point, east of the 5 freeway. It is 6:26 a.m (pst).
Did I mention that at the Spirituality & Aging conference Jim (my dad) asked me if
I ever considered “shortening” my MESSAGE ? I tried to be diplomatic in my
response but then just FLATLY SAID NO. I cannot adequately express myself in a
TRUNCATED manner. It is NOT GOOD FOR MY SOUL. At least not at this point
in time.
I also added, “Does anybody ever actually read anyways?” In this day and age I
sometimes wonder—which is probably why I include the IMAGE MESSAGE every
week. It is also why large corporations spend millions in marketing (commercials,
advertisements, billboards) every year. People are shallow.
BUT I AM NOT. That’s why I refuse to simply “market” a spiritual message. I do
cater a little bit to that market—using the IMAGE MESSAGE to reach people, but
always hope that people “dig a little deeper” into my WRITTEN MESSAGE and
find some meaning, raise some questions, and maybe even challenge what I say.
And also important is that I GROW WITH EACH

33
MESSAGE ! And I hope you do too !And I’ve said before that doing evangelism is
AS MUCH FOR THE EVANGELIZER AS IT IS FOR THOSE BEING
EVANGELIZED. It is a MUTUAL GROWTH PROCESS.
I learn something in the process of composing THE MESSAGE. I’ve learned new
things about HOLY WEEK this week. I’ve done some windshield evangelism—
WHO KNOWS WHAT GOOD MAY COME OF IT? And I’ve spent countless hours
doing PRESENCE EVANGELISM in coffee shops (mostly Starbucks) across
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

And now let’s take time for a PRAYER:

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR PRECIOUS
SON TO DIE FOR US ! WHERE WOULD WE BE TODAY WITHOUT JESUS,
OUR LORD ! WHERE WOULD WE BE TODAY WITHOUT YOU, OUR GOD !
THANK YOU FOR THE ABIDING PRESENCE OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT IN
OUR LIVES. WE ARE NOW YOUR SON.
WE ARE NOW THE BODY OF CHRIST, SACRIFICED DAILY FOR YOU ! WE
ARE ONE—UNITED IN YOUR SON, BECAUSE WE, THE BODY OF CHRIST,
ARE YOUR SON. LORD HELP US TO FAITHFULLY KEEP RUNNING THE
RACE AND FINISH THE TASK YOU SET BEFORE US, HANDING THE
BATON OVER TO THE NEXT RELAY RUNNER BEFORE WE GO !
AND GOD THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME SAFE TRAVELLING DURING THIS
HOLY WEEK. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL
THE GOOD NEWS TO OTHERS AND TO VISIT NEW PLACES AND TO KEEP
LEARNING AND GROWING !
AND THANK YOU FOR MY LITTLE DOG LOLA. BLESS HER GOD. PLEASE
BLESS HER. AND BLESS ALL THE FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY. IN
THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN !
BY THE WAY IT IS NOW 7:55 A.M. AND I am at a Starbucks on PCH (Pacific
Coast Highway) in Dana Point, CA. This is definitely Dana Point, not San Clemente.

2:00 p.m. And I made it to the BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS in downtown Los
Angeles! I stood in a long line with plenty of other pet owners and Roger Mahoney
the leader of the Catholic Church in Los Angeles threw a little water over Lola as we
passed by quickly.
IT’S EASTER! IT’S EASTER !
April 8, 2007: And now it is the BIG DAY ! I started the day at the HOLLYWOOD
BOWL ! EASTER AT THE BOWL IS A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE WORSHIP
SERVICE WITH MANY GREAT MUSICIANS, A FEW PREACHERS, AND A
CELEBRATION OF OUR RISEN LORD !

HE LIVES ! JESUS LIVES !

In some other countries Easter is called ‘PASCHA’ in reference to the coinciding

PASSOVER celebration. It is also called “RESURRECTION SUNDAY” .

34
Ironically, the word “Easter” is not directly derivative of anything from Biblical
Greek or Hebrew. Apparently, it comes from the word “Eostre” or “Ostara”—a
Germanic goddess or Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring ! Also, apparently according to
the “venerable Bede’ “the lunar month around the month of April in the Julian
calendar was called “Eostur.”

Apparently there are non-Christian religions, including Wicca, that also place a lot
of emphasis on celebrating this time of year, but having nothing to do with the
resurrection of Christ. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter )

It is now 4:30 p.m. on EASTER DAY ! And I am at a Kinko’s Copy Shop in

Manhattan Beach. After leaving the Hollywood Bowl, I headed south towards Long
Beach and stopped in at a few Starbucks before heading over to the dog beach just
south (or east) of the Belmont Pier.

Then at 1:30 I stopped in at the “Haute Dog Parade & Dog Costume Contest”! That
was fun to mingle with other dog-owners and see the funny dog costumes. I didn’t
know there was an admission fee to enter the parade, however, so I just watched (I
didn’t have $20 cash on me).

From there I stopped at a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant and picked up a fish sandwich

for $ 1.49 and now I’m here at the Kinkos—one of the few that are open on Easter.

Lola is tired out after an hour at the beach and romping around the dog parade
area. She’s tied up outside by my car, sleeping.

And it’s time to sing a few EASTER SONGS !

SONG: ALIVE AGAIN http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/aliveaga.htm

SONG: CHRIST IS RISEN AGAIN !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/i/cirisenf.htm

SONG: THE BELLS OF EASTER !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/bellseas.htm

BRIGHT WEEK BLOG

Monday, April 9, 2007
And it is now the DAY AFTER EASTER. This is the BEGINNING OF BRIGHT
WEEK ! (SEE http://www.angelfire.com/planet/parastos/bright.html ).
http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/beginning2/week.shtml
Bright Week is not very well known or understood by many Christians, nor me
either. I continue to grow in my understanding and appreciation of the
LITURGICAL CALENDAR beyond reformed Protestantism. Bright Week
apparently is more of an orthodox tradition—and is a continuation of the

35
celebration of the RISEN LORD for the week after Easter. And I ask, WHY
SHOULDN’T I (AND WE) CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE? ! So I am going to
continue my WORSHIP BLOG !

Orthodox Christians from the Eastern tradition also celebrate the FEAST OF THE
LIFE-GIVING SPRING at the end of Bright Week on “Bright Friday” (see
http://www.orthodox.net/questions/bright_week_1.html#a5n )

I was not able to continue worship blogging throughout the whole day. And so I am
picking up again Monday morning at a Starbucks on Crenshaw Ave. at Vernon.
I got an assignment this morning—to H. High on Robertson Ave. I’ve been here
before—many times. It’s a fairly nice school with a “Music Magnet. “ I actually was
not expecting to get called this morning. Usually teachers are present on the first few
days after a break.
By the way, I thought it was funny when I saw Jim (my dad) for the first time in
about eight months—that the first thing he said to me was,
“I got a new assignment” almost like a young man. I wondered who gave him a new
assignment?
He said they were starting a new ministry every third Thursday of the month for
seniors. As I’ve mentioned before—the church seems to be made up of mostly senior
citizens so I figured most of the ministry they do—whether it is specifically targeting
senior citizens or not—seems to be geared towards seniors.
And some time during the course of the seminar he invited Don Koepke to speak at
the Cathedral. Funny thing is—my first impression of Don at the Westminster
Gardens luncheon was positive, by the end of the day in Anaheim I left feeling
ambivalent.

It was the final moment that puzzled me. I reached out my hand to Don for a
parting handshake and he gave me a strange grin—it seemed almost canned—and
he didn’t do so likewise with anybody else. And prior to that—during the course of
the seminar he interrupted Cordula as she mentioned seniors and depression and
he said, “I have a problem with depression. I can’t handle it myself. I keep trying to
do so, but I know I need help.’ He also gave this same “honest confession” over at
Westminster Gardens.
I began to wonder if it was manic-depression. Of course, it seems that people his age
and older like to go around making psychological diagnosis of themselves and
others. When I met with Frank Freed back around 1997 when I was starting Fuller
Seminary he said he thought my dad was “manic-depressive.” Then at the aging
seminar in Anaheim my dad said he thought Frank Freed was showing signs of
dementia.

I think some of what they do is merely belittling each other. . It’s one-upmanship
and another form of classical competition—taking away from the team game that
Christians are supposed to be playing. It’s an epidemic for a certain generation of
“players’ including, and maybe especially, those in the church.

36
At the same time they are actually in cahoots with each other. As much as they may
belittle one another, they will also support one another financially, emotionally,
career-wise, etc—more so than they will anybody else. It’s the ‘buddy system” and
the “old boy” network combined.
Nonetheless, here I am—back in the desk again. I’ve spent most of my life on one
side of the desk or the other. But I don’t think of myself as a student or a teacher. I
consider most of what I do to be “mission” in nature with an emphasis on pastoral
care. Even in the classroom there’s a Eneed for a form of “pastoral care’.
I’ve been around pastoral care all my life.

BRIGHT TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007

I’m starting the day at a Starbucks in the HOLLYWOOD PARK area of Inglewood.
Yesterday, after my assignment I went to an Oriental School of Medicine and tried
acupuncture. I’m at the point where I am willing to try alternative approaches to
healing the pain in my neck/arm/leg. And so for three hours I was interviewed,
assessed, diagnosed, and finally had needles stuck in my back. I tried acupuncture
once before—and that was because my chiropractor in Beverly Hills (Shirley
Elzinga) also had an acupuncture license. I just remember feeling sore after that
session. Yesterday, I actually felt better; and this morning I could breathe better.
I’ve been having trouble breathing through my nose and am schedule to have an
allergy test—but I told the acupuncture interns about it and they consulted with
their supervising doctor and they found points to address my breathing issues—and
so far it seems to have worked—my sinuses are clear.

Not everything is perfect, however. The pain in my leg and neck remains. Maybe I’ll
go back. This is a college where students learn the art & science of acupuncture.
Therefore, the first session and assessment is free. They need “guinea pigs.” So I
volunteered hoping to get something positive from it. The three interns—two women
and one man—did all the work. The youngest of them, Michelle, is a southern
California native and had that southern Cal “look”. I’m not sure where the other
lady was from, but the man was from South Korea. And the supervising medical
doctor was Anglo.

They stuck about 15 needles in me –some in my back, a few in my arms, and a

couple in my legs. And I lay there for fifteen minutes and felt absolutely no
discomfort or pain whatsoever. I barely even felt anything when they stuck the
needles in—and they also informed me that all the needles come out of new,
individual packages and are never re-used.

Here’s what I like about acupuncture. Part of the theory behind it is identifying
“bad spots’ in the body where the “chi” (or “unseen energy force”) is interrupted.
And they talk about ‘pneuma” –which is also the word for “spirit” in the Bible.
They try to unblock the “meridian lines” that are disrupting the flow of chi, or
pneuma. Apparently, some of this has roots in Taoism which is not so much a
religion, some say, as it is a philosophy.

37
(see http://www.soton.ac.uk/~maa1/chi/taichi/what.htm ).
( Also see http://www.soton.ac.uk/~maa1/chi/taichi/what.htm )
a Christian’s opinion: http://healthychristianliving.com/acupuncture.htm )

If any of this involved compromising my faith in the TRIUNE GOD I would not do
it. But when I mentioned my faith, and being a Christian, and my ministry—none of
the three intern practitioners smirked or belittled me or tried to convince me of
something otherwise. They showed respect for me as a Christian, which I
appreciated.

The word “pneuma” can refer to spirit, wind, life in general, and “spirits’ within
both good & bad; as well as the HOLY SPIRIT, specifically.

SPIRIT

pneuma NT:4151 primarily denotes "the wind" (akin to pneo, "to breathe, blow");
also "breath"; then, especially "the spirit," which, like the wind, is invisible,
immaterial and powerful. The NT uses of the word may be analyzed approximately
as follows:

"(a) the wind, John 3:8 (where marg. is, perhaps, to be preferred); Heb 1:7; cf.
Amos 4:13, Sept.; (b) the breath, 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 11:11; 13:15; cf. Job 12:10, Sept.;
(c) the immaterial, invisible part of man, Luke 8:55; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor 5:5; James
2:26; cf. Eccl 12:7, Sept.; (d) the disembodied (or 'unclothed,' or 'naked,'
2 Cor 5:3,4) man, Luke 24:37,39; Heb 12:23; 1 Peter 4:6; (e) the resurrection body,
1 Cor 15:45; 1 Tim 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18; (f) the sentient element in man, that by which
he perceives, reflects, feels, desires, Matt 5:3; 26:41; Mark 2:8; Luke 1:47,80; Acts
17:16; 20:22; 1 Cor 2:11; 5:3,4; 14:4,15; 2 Cor 7:1; cf. Gen 26:35; Isa 26:9; Ezek
13:3; Dan 7:15; (g) purpose, aim, 2 Cor 12:18; Phil 1:27; Eph 4:23; Rev 19:10; cf.
Ezra 1:5; Ps 78:8; Dan 5:12; (h) the equivalent of the personal pronoun, used for
emphasis and effect: 1st person, 1 Cor 16:18; cf. Gen 6:3; 2nd person, 2 Tim 4:22;
Philem 25; cf. Ps 139:7; 3 rd person, 2 Cor 7:13; cf. Isa 40:13; (i) character, Luke
1:17; Rom 1:4; cf. Num 14:24; (j) moral qualities and activities: bad, as of bondage,
as of a slave, Rom 8:15; cf. Isa 61:3; stupor, Rom 11:8; cf. Isa 29:10; timidity, 2 Tim
1:7; cf. Josh 5:1; good, as of adoption, i. e., liberty as of a son, Rom 8:15; cf. Ps
51:12; meekness, 1 Cor 4:21; cf. Prov 16:19; faith, 2 Cor 4:13; quietness, 1 Peter 3:4;
cf. Prov 14:29; (k) the Holy Spirit, e. g., Matt 4:1 (see below); Luke 4:18; (l) 'the
inward man' (an expression used only of the believer, Rom 7:22; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph
3:16; the new life, Rom 8:4-6,10,16; Heb 12:9; cf. Ps 51:10; (m) unclean spirits,
demons, Matt 8:16; Luke 4:33; 1 Peter 3:19; cf. 1 Sam 18:10; (n) angels, Heb 1:14;
cf. Acts 12:15; (o) divine gift for service, 1 Cor 14:12,32; (p) by metonymy, those who
claim to be depositories of these gifts, 2 Thess 2:2; 1 John 4:1-3; (q) the significance,
as contrasted with the form, of words, or of a rite, John 6:63; Rom 2:29; 7:6; 2 Cor
3:6; (r) a vision, Rev 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10."
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas
Nelson Publishers)

38
SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit

The "Holy Spirit" is spoken of under various titles in the NT ("Spirit" and "Ghost"
are renderings of the same word, pneuma; the advantage of the rendering "Spirit"
is that it can always be used, whereas "Ghost" always requires the word "Holy"
prefixed.) In the following list the omission of the definite article marks its omission
in the original (concerning this see below): "Spirit, Matt 22:43; Eternal Spirit, Heb
9:14; the Spirit, Matt 4:1; Holy Spirit, Matt 1:18; the Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19; the
Spirit, the Holy, Matt 12:32; the Spirit of promise, the Holy, Eph 1:13; Spirit of God,
Rom 8:9; Spirit of (the) living God, 2 Cor 3:3; the Spirit of God, 1 Cor 2:11; the
Spirit of our God, 1 Cor 6:11; the Spirit of God, the Holy, Eph 4:30; the Spirit of
glory and of God, 1 Peter 4:14; the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead
(i. e., God), Rom 8:11; the Spirit of your Father, Matt 10:20; the Spirit of His Son,
Gal 4:6; Spirit of (the) Lord, Acts 8:39; the Spirit of (the) Lord, Acts 5:9; (the) Lord,
(the) Spirit, 2 Cor 3:18; the Spirit of Jesus, Acts 16:7; Spirit of Christ, Rom 8:9; the
Spirit of Jesus Christ, Phil 1:19; Spirit of adoption, Rom 8:15; the Spirit of truth,
John 14:17; the Spirit of life, Rom 8:2; the Spirit of grace, Heb 10:29."
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas
Nelson Publishers)

By the way, I LEFT A CHRIST PILOT CARD BEHIND IN THE ACUPUNCTURE

OFFICE before I left.

It is BRIGHT WEDNESDAY ! April 11, 2006

I’m at a Starbucks near Centinela & La Tijera. It is a cool morning here in

Ingelwood, CA. And I’m just thankful to be alive ! To be able to keep telling
somebody, anybody, the GOOD NEWS ! Every day is a new opportunity to tell the
Word !

BRIGHT THURSDAY ! APRIL 12, 2007

Yesterday, I spent the day visiting hospitals and medical centers around southern
California. Obviously, not all can be visited in one day. My purpose is to get a feel
for what is available in southern California so that I can make recommendations if
necessary. Clearly, I cannot make educated decisions just by walking around the
corridors of the hospital and stopping in the cafeteria, but I can at least get a
“concrete” notion of what the hospital layout is like—so that it is more “real” to me.

And I can get a feel for the ambience and whether there is good morale, friendly
people, etc. And the only way to know for sure about that is to go there. Sure you
can read U.S. News “Best Hospitals” edition, but going there and being there is

39
always preferable. So as long as I am not getting assignments that is my assignment
for the next few weeks.

And so I started out at Brotman Medical Center near Culver City. A big banner on
the outside wall of one of the buildings claimed they were one of the best. So I
walked in to the reception area yesterday morning around 8 a.m and saw the
cafeteria to my immediate right. I started heading that way when the security
guard, Henry, an African-American fellow with a Jamaican accent, stopped me.

He asked me my intentions for being at the medical center and I told him I was
evaluating or observing hospitals for my ministry. This apparently caused him some
concern so he paused, not sure of whether this was acceptable. He “hemmed and
hawed” for a while and then called the nursing supervisor.

The way he explained my presence to the supervisor was not according to what I
told him I was doing. I told him I was just going to get a cup of coffee from the
cafeteria. He said to her that I wanted to go around observing. So I got on the phone
myself and talked to her and told her I was just going to the cafeteria and also trying
to get a feel for the ambience of the hospital in so doing. She said that was fine but if
I was going to go through the hospital corridors I would have to clear it with the
hospital administration first. I said I perfectly understand and that was that.

I hung up and told Henry that I felt he was harassing me and said I would be
talking to his supervisor. It’s not uncommon for immigrants to America with a little
bit of power to sometimes become overly perfunctory in their duties and even
sometimes bossy in smallish ways. He was doing his job, but he went a little bit too
far after I assured him I was just going to get a cup of coffee from the cafeteria.

Leaving there I visited several other hospitals without any incidents or hassles from
security. Basically, I walked into the cafeteria, bought something to eat or drink, and
walked back out. If it seemed quickly feasible I also looked for the chaplains office.

One of the problems at hospitals which actually hinders pastoral care is that
everybody else is concerned about BEING ON TASK or LOOKING AS IF THEY
ARE ON TASK. In fact, as I walked through the hallway of the VA Hospital in west
Los Angeles I heard one staff person say to another staff person, “Killing time?” to
which she responded with a knowing smile.

We live in a world of people who are so afraid of being “off task” or appearing “off
task” that a lot of institutions become perfunctory and all the social interaction
becomes somewhat falsified. “HAVE A NICE DAY” is the epitome of the automated
social smile and statement.

On the one hand can you blame some people? We have “watchdog cops” in some
places who go after those who look as if they do not have a purpose. And sometimes
this is necessary. There are misfits, crooks, criminals, and dishonest persons who

40
don’t know how to use their freedom productively. Police “profile” in such regards
because sometimes “the shoe fits.’

But what about those who want to be “constructively or productively off-task?”

What about those who want MORE ? What about those with a HIGHER
PURPOSE ? And the answer is that those with a higher purpose have to slowly but
surely transcend the mundane by good behavior. It is why we have an education &
other systems—especially for those WHO SEE THE LIGHT ! It just takes time.

I know because I am now 40 years old and still slowly but surely trying to transcend
the mundane. And the first thing anybody else says to anybody who thinks they
deserve more is, “You think you’re special?” or in Pasadena “We treat everybody
equal.” My response to that is that yes I do think I am special and no I do not think
treating everybody equal is the answer. In fact, a Supreme Court justice, Felix
Frankfurter, once said, “I can think of nothing more unequal than the equal
treatment of unequals.”

What makes a person more special than others? Just thinking you are special? Of
course it begins with good self-esteem but then a lot of criminals, troublemakers,
and social misfits think they are special too. So it must go beyond merely thinking
positive about one’s self. There must be a corresponding effort to BE SPECIAL.
One must strive to DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.

And there’s NO FORMULA for being special. There are some prerequisites,
however. One of the prerequisites is WANTING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER
FOR OTHERS ! You have to truly care about helping & healing. It’s a
“REFORMATION ATTITUDE.”

One problem , however, is that within almost every “sphere” (i.e. institution,
organization, be it church, school, hospital, etc) there are COUNTER-
REFORMERS who appear to be compliant. However, the “reformation mask” they
wear is a veil for apathy. They do not actually care all that much, if at all. In fact
some of them are subtly blocking progressive, positive, change.

Go back to the Dutch Christian Reformed Calvinists in West Michigan. All of them
come from a “Reformed” tradition, but some of them only learn the words and a
veil of reformation, but don’t have the true heart, mind, & soul to change things for
the better. They actually hinder reformation, but are with us for a generation of time
or more (if they disciple their children in the counter-reformation). And it is
comfortable being a counter-reformer for those who are materially well-off. They
have their cottages, boats, etc. They want to maintain the social order even if it
means oppressing others (not consciously of course). It just means they don’t worry
too much about things being a little bit unfair. They can explain their superior
position

APRIL 13, 2007

41
IT IS BRIGHT FRIDAY !

And I am starting the day in Manhattan Beach—the first Starbucks at Hawthorne

& Artesia—a relatively large & spacious coffee shop, but with somewhat seedy
patronage. So I moved over to Prairie & Artesia—just a few blocks away—and it’s a
little better here, with one exception—a fellow sitting in the corner—sitting &
staring. It’s somewhat disconcerting—BUT HE HAS THE RIGHT TO SIT &
STARE, RIGHT? Not really, but I’m not going to start a fight. Anyways, just as I
started composing he got up and left—he’s leaving on his bicycle.

It reminds me of Jim Zoetewey. He liked to go to places and “people watch” as he

called it. I always thought it was a little eery . He had a way of watching intensely,
including television. And he would seem far away in his head—and if you would
suggest something to him, his inevitable response was ‘okee doke” . I wonder if he
was experiencing depression.

Jim was a southern California “local” and there is a definite different perspective
amongst “locals.” There’s a sense of entitlement amongst them—just from having
grown up here. Ironically, it ends up trapping them in, more than setting them free
—the same kind of localism I observed & experienced in Grand Rapids. Of course I
probably would have been no different had my family not moved from Grand
Rapids to Southern Cal in 1984. But suddenly “there was no place called home.” I
was no longer truly “at home” in Grand Rapids, nor in Bellflower.

Being uprooted has its pros & cons. On the one hand you are not entrapped into a
too often localized “vicious cycle” of dominance & acquiescence within the
provincialized dysfunctional social setting. On the other hand you don’t have the
camaraderie that locals experience even if it is shallow and too often sinfully
exclusionary.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2007

I had an assignment yesterday to a school right next to the famous SHRINE

AUDITORIUM in the USC area of LOS ANGELES. It is a “music magnet’ meaning
many of the students have a special interest in music. I covered a music class and
they watched a video about the “BRITISH INVASION” of rock ‘n’ roll music (in
America). And then the last period (choir) sang a few songs before also watching
part of the same video.

It’s always amazing how much impact, ex post facto, some of these assignments have
on me. You go from 6 a.m.—not sure if you’ll have an assignment to 6:30 a.m getting
a call, accepting an assignment , and hitting the road (although in my case I’m
already on the road at 5:30 a.m) and arriving at the assignment site.

42
Then you are immediately thrust “on stage” in front of 20 to 30 persons, from 6th
grade age to 12th grade age and have to implement a lesson plan, maintain
discipline, take attendance, etc.

After a while it seems almost second nature but every assignment is a NEW
CHALLENGE. In this case, parking was the first challenge. I had been to this site
once before and had parked at a meter all day. This time I asked at the office if they
provided parking and she gave me a pass for the parking structure attached to the
SHRINE AUDITORIUM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_Auditorium

Now to me—the word “SHRINE” is an “ALARM.”

Why? First, apparently in order to be a member of the SHRINES you first have to
be a member of the FREEMASONS or MASONS for short.

And the stuff I read about FREEMASONS while in seminary made me VERY
WARY of this organization. Meanwhile, there was a freemason building (a YORK
RIGHT CHAPTER) right across from FULLER SEMINARY and even close to my
first ministry office.
Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriners

To understand the SHRINES you have to understand the FREEMASONS and the
history of this organization. And for the CHRISTIAN MIND—maybe especially the
REFORMED CHRISTIAN—it is going to raise suspicions.

And it is amazing how many notable American dignitaries were involved in

FREEMASONRY, and maybe some still are. However, as DAVID BARTON
explained to me at a clergy conference in WASHINGTON D.C. the most notable
alleged freemason, GEORGE WASHINGTON, was not so much interested in being
a FREEMASON as much as he was in finding out more about them—so according
to BARTON he accepted honorary membership in their organization.

If this is the case—it greatly relieves my mind and makes me less suspicious of some
of our other FOUNDING FATHERS who were also apparently members of the
FREEMASONS. Maybe some of them did the same as good ol’ GEORGE.

Nonetheless, this does not lessen my concern about the organization and their
history. At the same time, there are those who are overly paranoid and suspicious
and make it seem as if the FREEMASONS have power over us. THEY ONLY
HAVE POWER OF YOU IF YOU LET THEM. SEE
http://www.fdrs.org/christians_against_freemasons.html

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUOTE:

In their effort for a prophetic one world government, the two secret societies merged
in 1781, providing the need for the movement of Christians against Freemasons and
the Illuminati. Further proof is the following quote from Adam Weishaupt (founder
of the modern Illuminati) as quoted by John Robison in “Proofs of Conspiracy”:

43
“The great strength of our Order lies in its concealment: let it never appear in any
place in its own name, but always covered by another name, and another
occupation. None is fitter than the three lower degrees of Free Masonry; the public
is accustomed to it, expect little from it, and therefore takes little notice of it.
"Next to this, the form of a learned or literary society is best suited to our purpose,
and had Free Masonry not existed, this cover would have been employed; and it
may be much more than a cover, it may be a powerful engine in our hands. By
establishing reading societies, and subscription libraries… we may turn the public
mind which way we will. In like manner we must try to obtain an influence in… all
offices which have any effect, either in forming, or in managing, or even in directing
the mind of man.”

This is somewhat alarming, don’t you think?!

Nonetheless, while the aforementioned website entitled ‘CHRISTIANS AGAINST

FREEMASONS’ is a good warning, they don’t seem to understand the advantages
of BEING AN EVANGELIST amongst the FREEMASONS. Of course, this is not
for any and all CHRISTIANS. To do mission/evangelical work YOU HAVE TO BE
ONE OF THE STRONGEST IN HEART, M IND, AND SOUL, OTHERWISE, YES,
THEY WILL CONVERT YOU TO THEIR WAYS.

Obviously, George Washington was strong in heart, mind , and soul, and from most
accounts he was a strong CHRISTIAN. What he probably did not anticipate was
that, ex post facto, the FREEMASONS would create one of the largest
MONUMENTS in WASHINGTON D.C. in his name, and maintain a headquarters
there in his name. So while Washington may have been using the freemasons, the
freemasons, likewise, used him. http://www.gwmemorial.org

I continue to GROW STRONGER in HEART, MIND, & SOUL as a CHRISTIAN,

and am becoming better at being a missionary/evangelist in the world, including in
the public schools, but you can never take the status quo for granted. The dark side
is always testing the limits, looking for “holes” to get through—just like the illegal
MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS keep finding ways to get into AMERICA.

Another good website about FREEMASONRY is

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/freemasons.htm .
There is NO SALVATION WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST! But yet the freemasons
apparently think otherwise. What makes them more of a concern than some other
NON-CHRISTIAN religions is their refusal to openly say what they believe.

We know what Muslims believe (or don’t believe). We know what Jews believe (or
don’t believe). But talk to the average FREEMASON and they won’t give you a

44
clear answer. You have to dig through books and ‘clear away the brush’ and search
websites to find what other people have discovered about them.

GOOD MORNING, IT IS ST. THOMAS SUNDAY !

By the way, as I was sitting in what I call the ANGELS STADIUM STARBUCKS
(because it is in view of Angel Stadium) I faxed the following to the REAGAN
LIBRARY/MUSEUM:

BEGIN FAX TO REAGAN LIBRARY

APRIL 14, 2007
ATTENTION: REAGAN LIBRARY

I NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE SCHEDULED TWO PRESIDENTIAL

CANDIDATE DEBATES AT THE BEAUTIFUL RONALD REAGAN
LIBRARY/MUSEUM, ONE AS SOON AS THIS MAY, 2007.

MY NAME IS (JOHN) PHILIP A. KOK (PRONOUNCED "COKE").

I AM A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND I WAS NOT INVITED TO BE IN
THE DEBATE. MY FEC (FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION)
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS C00432088.

AND I AM CURRENTLY IN, IF NOT ORIGINALLY FROM, THE SOUTHERN

CALIFORNIA AREA, SO IT IS CONVENIENT FOR ME TO ATTEND. I AM
KNOWN FOR MY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION AND CHRISTIAN
MINISTRY, AMONG OTHER THINGS (SEE
WWW.MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG)

I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVITED TO OBSERVE THE UPCOMING (MAY, 2007)

DEBATE AND I ALSO HOPE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SUBSEQUENT
DEBATE (2008).

WE ALL DESERVE A FAIR CHANCE TO GET KNOWN.

AND I THINK YOU'LL LIKE ME.

I DO NOT NORMALLY COMMUNICATE BY PHONE.

ALL COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED
BY EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE.
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

PASTOR KOK III

16828 CHICAGO AVE
BELLFLOWER, CA 90706

SINCERELY
JOHN PHILIP A. KOK

45
(" KOK (COKE) IS IT ! ")
PASTOR KOK III
B.A./B.A/.M.DIV.

KOK FOR PRESIDENT

2008

COKE IS IT !
KOK IS IT !

"I tell you the truth,

anyone who has faith
in ME will do what
I have been doing.
He will do even
greater things
than these..."
John 14:11-12

END FAX TO REAGAN LIBRARY

AND LET’S SING A FEW SONGS TO GET THIS SUNDAY SERVICE GOING !

SONG: THROUGH THE NIGHT OF DOUBT & SORROW

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/r/thrunite.htm

SONG: WE HAVE NOT SEEN, BUT YET WE BELIEVE !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/n/whnswcse.htm

SONG: LORD I BELIEVE !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/i/b/libeliev.htm

BY THE WAY, WE LIVE IN A SUSPICIOUS WORLD, ESPECIALLY SO AFTER

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

When I took my 52 day trip across the country in my car—filming for “GOD’S
COUNTRY” I passed through west Michigan—where I grew up, and took pictures
of homes I lived in, friends homes, even a few old gal friends’ homes, one of them—
the home of KIM KOOIKER in BYRON CENTER.

46
Apparently, she or a neighbor observed me drive up her driveway and take a picture
and leave. And apparently somebody got my license plate number. And apparently
somebody contacted the FBI about it, as if I might be a potential terrorist !

The funny thing about it is that I was simply documenting my life history including
a discussion of past relationships and where some of them are now—(all of them
married). The other question is—WHAT THE HECK WOULD A TERRORIST BE
DOING IN BYRON CENTER, MICHIGAN? And for that matter why would they
be interested in KIM KOOIKERS HOUSE? ! It’s not as if there’s a lot happening
there that the world is concerned about.

It makes me wonder about the FBI’s judgment. They actually visited my parents
home IN LOS ANGELES and asked them about it. Apparently, I was also observed
taking pictures of a bridge somewhere along the way. This too is explained by the
fact that I was taking images of churches & steeples, famous architectural
monuments including bridges & buildings, and anything else that caught my fancy
in the TRIP ACROSS THE USA !

Who’s the REAL AMERICAN ?! ME, ME, ME !

Some of the folks in BYRON CENTER think of themselves as TRUE AMERICANS
but are they? Are they opening the doors to persons of color? This is a VERY
WHITE community? DOES THAT MAKE IT AMERICAN? OR
EXCLUSIONARY?

I contend that a TRUE AMERICAN is much more INCLUSIONARY ! This is not

to say he or she compromises his or her integrity in so doing, but the TRUE
AMERICAN welcomes others, and the TRUE CHRISTIAN AMERICAN hopes &
prays for these “others” to ENTER INTO THE FAITH ! The CHURCH IS A
HOSPITAL, NOT A HOTEL FOR SAINTS.

And I ultimately have concerns and questions about persons such as my UNCLE
GARY who seemed so friendly and close to our family as we were growing up but
from whom we (or I) never hear at all anymore. Here’s a guy who went into social
work after college—and ended his career as a school social worker. He bought a
cottage with us on LAKE MICHIGAN. He taught me how to sail a HOBY CAT. His
son, Brian, was my same age and we hung out together.

But I never hear from GARY (OR HIS WIFE SHIRLEY), NOR BRIAN (DESPITE
HAVING BEEN AT HIS WEDDING), NOR THEIR DAUGHTER AUDRA
(DESPITE ALSO BEING CLOSE IN AGE TO HER). And they all live within a few
miles of each other on the south side of GRAND RAPIDS, not far from BYRON
CENTER—home of TRUE AMERICANS, RIGHT ? WELL, MAYBE NOT.

Today, Gary’s hobby is driving a HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE (HE

STARTED OUT DRIVING HONDA GOLDWINGS). But is he giving back at all?
Did he ever give back? Truly give of himself? There’s a shrewdness in the DUTCH

47
CHRISTIAN REFORMED COMMUNITY that sometimes keeps people from
GIVING IT THEIR ALL , and I think GARY is still HOLDING BACK.

And it is a GENERATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC. It is a similar characteristic

that I observed at the SPIRITUALITY & AGING SEMINAR IN ANAHEIM A
FEW WEEKS AGO. While DON KOEPKE & CORDULA exhibited a certain
amount of professionalism, it almost SEEMED TOO MUCH as if they were doing a
CATCH-ALL seminar.

There was SOMETHING LACKING in terms of emotional sincerity and simple

truth. And it causes me concern about the PROFESSION OF PASTORAL CARE.

By the way, it is now 9:07 a.m (pst) on St. Thomas Sunday, April 15, 2007, which
also happens to be “IRS DAY”—last day to file one’s taxes. Maybe they are giving a
day of grace since today is Sunday. But as I walked into the STARBUCKS at
WOODRUFF & SOUTH I noticed a few people waiting in front of the H&R Block
office. Apparently they are open today for the last-minute procrastinators.

And this is my third Starbucks of the day already—having gone from the
Paramount/Jackson Starbucks with all the lovely ice-skating figurines in front if it
by Paramount City Hall (and for a few minutes it started pouring—I had to run out
and put my dog back in the car—I usually try to let her lay outside on the grass—
hitched to my car with a long leash when I go in somewhere—even if its only brief),
and across from the PROMISE HOSPITAL ; to the STARBUCKS ON
CANDLEWOOD which is one of the nicest “BUCKS” I’ve been to…I was the only
one sitting inside—most of the business was drive-thru-or walk-in/walk-out; and
finally to where I am now (Woodruff & South).

As I sat inside composing at the CANDLEWOOD STARBUCKS I heard a walk-in

customer say to a coffee clerk (or barrister, as they call them) whom he apparently
knew that he had an “INTERVIEW WITH CLINT EASTWOOD ON MONDAY.”
Apparently he was an actor and was auditioning for an upcoming Eastwood film.

And then I resumed hospital visitation—first stopping by LOS ALAMITOS

MEDICAL CENTER and then I pulled into the VA Hospital in Long Beach, right
next to CSULB. As I pulled in I noticed a security car on the lawn, which suddenly
took off. I found a parking spot, let Lola out on the grass in the shade of a nice tree
(& tethered to my car) and walked over to the hospital entrance. It was my first time
there so I looked at the directory and just as I did there was Matt Burns, the
security officer.

He said, “Can I help you?” And I asked him where the cafeteria was. He said it was
closed so I asked about the chaplains’ office and he asked, “Are you seeking
employment?” and a few other inquisitive questions.

48
I said that I was just checking out area hospitals including pastoral care
departments. He said they might be having a service this morning and that I could
go in and ask at the reception desk to direct me to the chaplains office. I entered but
there was nobody at the reception desk so I walked back out.

As I approached my car I noticed that Officer Burns was now walking around it,
apparently trying to see inside. I said “Matt” as I approached and explained to him
that my dog was fourteen years old and I was trying to keep her comfortable. As I
was talking with Burns, Officer Lewis came driving up. First, Burns called me
“buddy” and then Lewis called me “man”—to which I responded, “I prefer sir” and
added, “I hate it when people call me man, buddy, or dude.”

They checked to see if there was anything on me (called my name in) , cleared me ,
and let me go. I said, “I’m taking my dog down to the dog beach !” And that was it.
Actually I stopped at the nearby Kinkos and faxed a message to Burns & Lewis,
with more details about who I am and what I am doing [which I just discovered did
not transmit for some reason].

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

I was on assignment at Middle School #4 yesterday and in the middle of a

challenging day I noticed that there had been a shooting at Virginia Tech. Like most
tragedies, it sounded small at first, but as the day went by, the story unfolded and
the enormity of it unfolded.

I started e-mailing Jim about it but so far have not gotten a response in regards to it.
Pastoral care must be responsive not only to small and individual needs, but also
large events and disasters.

In fact, my dad, Jim, who has been involved in pastoral care all his adult life, is
sometimes conspicuously absent and quiet when large-scale tragedies and disasters
happen.

And I read news reports about the tragedy periodically all day long yesterday and
throughout the evening and early morning hours today. And every time a tragedy
such as this occurs, THE QUESTION ALWAYS ARISES, WHAT MORE COULD
WE OR SHOULD WE BE DOING?!

It is now 6 pm and I spent most of the day at the veterinarian. Lola has been acting
ill again-heavy breathing, drops of blood coming from her right nostril, sometimes
wheezing—so I brought her back in. First I went to the VCA in Burbank, not far
from NBC studios where the TONIGHT SHOW is produced.

49
Dr. Robinson, the vet in Burbank, thought I should go over to the VCA in west Los
Angeles—thinking it might be a larynx issue rather than a congestive heart failure
problem. He said there were specialists over there.

So I drove over to west L.A. (near Westwood & UCLA ) and had Lola checked out
by a Dr. McBride. McBride is a young lady vet—and she thought Lola might have
cancer. She recommended several things—and I said I would do only one of them
and asked which she would place as top priority. She was ambivalent for a few
moments and then finally said the blood test would be the most helpful.

She took Lola in the back and did a “full physical” although I was not allowed to
watch (which always makes me wonder what is really going on). As I was waiting –
on the television they showed the university memorial service which included
President Bush, although I didn’t see him.

And a lady came up to me and said, “We were eavesdropping” as you talked to the
doctor, and went on to say that their black lab experienced similar problems to that
of Lola, including a bloody nose. She actually had tears in her eyes as she said it’s so
hard to lose a dog that’s been with you for so long. She talked about their previous
dog that lived for almost seventeen years. Her daughter was with her and stayed
sitting on the bench while the mother conversed with me.

Anyways, McBride came back out about fifteen minutes later and I was given a bill
of $335, which included $100 worth of antibiotics. I paid the bill—over my budget
for the month once again.

Leaving the VCA I didn’t have a specific destination in mind—although I rambled

westward and then remembered I needed to stop at one of the shared credit unions
to make a deposit. The closest one is the 1st Entertainment FCU at the Yahoo
building in Santa Monica. I had been there once before.

It’s a nice building with a beautiful campus and I took Lola with me –tying her up to
a tree while I went into the FCU. Then I stopped at a Ralph’s grocery store and
picked up a double-stuffed baked potato and some vegetables and ate lunch in the
car.

From there I headed north through Marina Del Rey thinking I would go check my
PO Box in Manhattan Beach. Along the way I noticed a DMV (Dept of Motor
Vehicles) and remembered I needed to change the address of my driver’s license. I
didn’t realize it was free to do so –and they gave a card showing the new address.

Onward I looked at my Thomas Guide trying to think of places I hadn’t been to yet
—always looking for new libraries or hospitals. I noticed the nearby Marina Del
Rey library right on the of water’s edge. It’s a nice library with a view of the docked
boats. But there’s not a lot of space to sit down and laptop. The few available spaces

50
were occupied. So I left and now I’m at a library on the corner of Ingelwood &
Venice.

WORSHIP IS NOT FOR SUNDAY ONLY

Good Morning it is Wednesday, April 18, 2007

My dog is wheezing, wheezing, wheezing. She’s not sounding good at all. She slept
outside most of the night—and for a while was sleeping so soundly and so deeply
that I thought she might be out. But she’s still got a lot of life in her. Despite the
wheezing—when you get her moving around she likes to walk and even run or chase
a ball (especially at the beach.).

It’s 6:06 a.m (pst) and I am at the IT’S A GRIND COFFEE HOUSE in
BELLFLOWER. This is a new coffee shop for Bellflower—and apparently this is a
new chain of coffee shops. I’ve seen a few around southern California, but this is the
first one I’ve been in.

There’s only one place to plug in and laptop.

8:30 a.m. No education assignments today so I am self-assigning the tasks for today
—and that includes resuming HOSPITAL VISITATION. I am currently at the
LAKEWOOD MEDICAL CENTER cafeteria on this beautiful Wednesday
morning !

It is a nice campus, nice hospital. My first impression is that everything is clean. The
floors shine. Morale seems to be good. Security is present but not overly suspicious.

And it is now 10:09 a.m. and I have moved over to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in
Torrance. http://www.humc.edu

From Harbor I went over to St. Marys where I did a semester of social work
internship over a decade ago. Jim Wenrick had been my supervisor at the time,
which added to the reason for leaving, I suppose. He had been too antagonistic. But
also I don’t think I was sufficiently challenged there.

So I left and went back to Michigan and Calvin College… so walking back into St.
Mary’s Hospital after so long since being there was a walk down MEMORY LANE.

I got a visitors pass and walked down the hall to the cafeteria, made a small salad at
the salad bar and was pleasantly surprised that it only cost $2.43. I sat down in the
café where I had had so many previous meals, sometimes with Jim Wenrick or the
other intern, a Jewish girl who called herself a “JAP” (Jewish American Princess).

Then I stepped outside, peeked in at the ATLANTIC CAFÉ which is connected to

St. Mary’s Hospital but not part of it. I bought a large can of green tea and left.

51
From there I went over to Long Beach Memorial Hospital—the largest of the Long
Beach Hospitals. I found a parking spot on the ramp—you are allowed 30 minutes
free—and I walked to the hospital entrance where I asked about the cafeteria. I was
given directions to the cafeteria—descended down the escalator to it—realized even
if there were sockets to plug in my laptop down here—there would be no wireless
reception—so I briefly gazed at some of the cafeteria food—noticing it was an ample
menu—and busy—and then I left.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2007

I missed a day of blogging yesterday—spent most of the day at an inner-city middle

school which had an emergency closure of the main office building due to an
asbestos crisis. Apparently, they were trying to clean out the old asbestos and
something broke—releasing asbestos throughout the building (that’s my assumption
based on tidbits of information I received—nothing official). So they moved
everybody out of the building—and combined it with a disaster drill scheduled for
today.. so when I arrived a few minutes late (due to a late call) everybody was
already out on the field.

I was shown to my class—and for the rest of the day kept an eye on these kids along
with another teacher, Ms. Shelly, a nice African American woman.

After a few hours in the field they assigned Ms. Trae’s class (for whom I was
covering) to a new room—the only problem there were no desks, supplies, or
anything else in the room. IT WAS COMPLETELY BARE. SO the kids sat on the
naked floor for about an hour until they could get some desks.

When the desks arrived—most of them were covered with dirt so the kids
complained about having to sit on them. Ms. Shelley said “tough luck” to them—she
was a no-nonsense drill sergeant type teacher—and the kids sat down even if the
desks were dirty. Meanwhile, I got a few paper towels and helped clean them up a
little bit.

The rest of the day was normal—and we even taught a little math & English. Ms.
Shelly handed me the chalk at one point and said, “You want to review the math
with them?” I said sure and went up in front and corrected the math together with
them. Funny thing is they didn’t expect this “white boy” to be able to do their
simple math. That’s about how much status a “white” sub has in some of the schools
around here.

But once I did do the math suddenly they were very quiet and respectful. During the
breaks I went out and checked on Lola—made sure she was comfortable and cool. I
gave her a “shower” during nutrition (i.e. poured a 3-liter bottle of water over her
head & body).

52
“ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal 5:24-25

Invoking the Spirit during our day-to-day lives is important, not just on Sunday.
We have much, much, more power than realize, as Christians. It’s like having a 1000
horsepower engine and never pushing it to the limit.

“…the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life…”
Gal 6:8

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
Eph 1:13

“… I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Eph 1:17

“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Eph 2:18

“… He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”
Eph 3:16-17

“…keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and
one Spirit…”
Eph 4:3-4

“…be filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18

“ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
“
Eph 6:17-18

“… through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:19

“…we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus…”, Phil 3:3

53
“…our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the
Holy Spirit and with deep conviction…” 1 Thess 1:5

“…from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of
the Spirit and through belief in the truth. “ 2 Thess 2:13-14

“…the mystery of godliness is great:

He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit…” 1 Tim 3:16

“ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline.”
2 Tim 1:6-7

“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the
Holy Spirit who lives in us. “ 2 Tim 1:14

“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom
he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…” Titus 3:5-6

“…preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.” 1 Peter 1:12

And I managed to find these verses as I sat through an assignment at H. High

School in W. Los Angeles, relying upon the Holy Spirit to get through the day, and
leaving H. High I headed north to Lancaster—where I am right now—for the
POPPY FESTIVAL !

Prayer: Dear God, thank YOU for the PRESENCE & POWER of YOUR SON,
JESUS CHRIST, IN MY LIFE, IN OUR LIVES—WE ARE NOW THE BODY OF
CHRIST ! WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT ! AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE LOVE
YOU, LORD. WE PRAISE YOUR NAME, NOT JUST ON SUNDAY, BUT ALL
THE TIME, EVERY DAY, HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND!

Poppies are popular and sometimes plentiful here in ANTELOPE VALLEY, and
people apparently come from all over to see them in bloom at the ANTELOPE
VALLEY CALIFORNIA POPPY RESERVE (see
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=627 ) and there is also the POPPY
FESTIVAL. I just called the POPPY HOTLINE AT 7 A.M on Saturday, April 21,
2007 and their recording (from April 15) said that the poppy crop was not good this

54
year and they don’t expect improvement. For more about this years poppy crop go
to http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24565

11:35 a.m. I’ve already been in and back out of the POPPY FESTIVAL this
morning. The MAYOR OF LANCASTER was there and they had opening
ceremonies precisely at 10 a.m., and then the festivities began. I walked through
quickly—most of the booths were commercial—trying to sell things, but there were
a few other non-commercial attractions such as the animal section which included
an owl, a white wolf, a small marine species tank in which there was a horn shark
among other things, some large birds of prey, a few emus, among other things.

And let me confide in you my friends—this morning and last evening I had a very
clear epiphany –that the seminar I attended re aging & spirituality WAS NOT ALL
IT COULD BE. I feel perplexed, bewildered, even bothered about it, ex post facto—
the feelings are getting stronger all the time.

There was something out-of-the-ordinary at this seminar—and I can’t put my finger

on exactly what—other than that I felt and continue to feel that SOMETHING WAS
(AND IS) NOT RIGHT.

One thing that bothered me was the character change of D.K. –the seminar
organizer. He was not the same person I knew at the Westminster Gardens
luncheon. His disposition had changed. He didn’t talk very much to me, and then
for a while he sat very close behind me and Jim—so close it seemed unnatural,
almost as if he was trying to intimidate us or me. There was plenty of space to sit
elsewhere, but for some reason he chose to pull a chair up very close behind Jim & I.

Then, at the very hand I reached out my hand to say farewell and give him a shake,
and he gave me a very strange, forced, grin. I noticed he did not do this to or with
anybody else. It made me feel uncomfortable.

In addition, the presentation by Cordula was way too much. It was pseudo-
academic, with so much medical & psychiatric terminology mixed in, it seemed
more like a show of intelligence rather than a care conference.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007

THIRD WEEK OF EASTER

LET’S SING:

SONG: HARK THE SOUND OF HOLY VOICES !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/s/hsoundhv.htm

SONG: ARE YOU SOWING THE SEED?

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/y/aysowing.htm

55
Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother,
In the morning bright and fair?
Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother,
In the heat of the noonday’s glare?
Refrain
For the harvest time is coming on,
And the reapers’ work will soon be done;
Will your sheaves be many? Will you garner any
For the gathering at the harvest home?
[FOR ALL THE LYRICS, CLICK ABOVE ]

SONG: SAINTS OF GOD THE DAWN IS BRIGHTENING !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/o/sogtdawn.htm

PRAYER: DEAR LOVING LORD JESUS, GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, AND
POWERFUL SPIRIT OF THE TRIUNE GOD—BREATH YOUR BREATH OF
LIFE INTO ME AND ALL OF THE BODY OF CHRIST HERE ON EARTH. GIVE
US NEW LIFE, N EW WINGS. TAKE AWAY STRIFE AND CONTENTION, GIVE
US UNITY TO SERVE YOU WHOLLY.

And I am in Santa Clarita this morning, not far from Los Angeles, but definitely
with its own identity apart from the L.A. area. I started out at the Starbucks on
McBean Parkway and now I am in the Newhall area of Santa Clarita-at a very
modernized Starbucks, unique from many of the others.

The Eastern church celebrates today as HOLY MYRRHBEARER SUNDAY

http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/sunday_of_myrrhbearers/learn

also see http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/feasts/myrrhbearers.htm

And I would like to make this Sunday a COMMEMORATION SUNDAY for the
victims of school shootings, specifically VIRGINIA TECH, and also the 8th
anniversary of COLUMBINE.

VIRGINIA TECH VICTIMS

Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 20, of Saugus, Mass., according to his mother, Lynnette
Alameddine.
• Christopher James Bishop, 35, according to Darmstadt University of Technology
in Germany, where he helped run an exchange program.
• Ryan Clark, 22, of Martinez, Ga., biology and English major, according to
Columbia County Coroner Vernon Collins.
• Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, a French instructor, according to her husband, Jerzy
Nowak, the head of the horticulture department at Virginia Tech.

56
• Daniel Perez Cueva, 21, killed in his French class, according to his mother, Betty
Cueva, of Peru.
• Kevin Granata, age unknown, engineering science and mechanics professor,
according to Ishwar K. Puri, the head of the engineering science and mechanics
department.
• Caitlin Hammaren, 19, of Westtown, N.Y., a sophomore majoring in international
studies and French, according to Minisink Valley, N.Y., school officials who spoke
with Hammaren's family.
• Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, of Bellefonte, Pa., according to Penn State University, his
alma mater and his father's employer.
• Emily Jane Hilscher, a 19-year-old freshman from Woodville, according to
Rappahannock County Administrator John W. McCarthy, a family friend.
• Jarrett L. Lane, according to Riffe's Funeral Service Inc. in Narrows, Va.
• Matthew J. La Porte, 20, a freshman from Dumont, N.J., according to Dumont
Police Chief Brian Venezio.
• Liviu Librescu, 76, engineering science and mathematics lecturer, according to
Puri.
• G.V. Loganathan, 51, civil and environmental engineering professor, according to
his brother G.V. Palanivel.
• Daniel O'Neil, 22, according to close friend Steve Craveiro and according to Eric
Cardenas of Connecticut College, where O'Neil's father, Bill, is director of major
gifts.
• Juan Ramon Ortiz, a 26-year-old graduate student in engineering from Bayamon,
Puerto Rico, according to his wife, Liselle Vega Cortes.
• Mary Karen Read, 19, of Annandale, Va. according to her aunt, Karen Kuppinger,
of Rochester, N.Y.
• Reema J. Samaha, 18, a freshman from Centreville, Va., according to her family.

(According to
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070417/ap_on_re_us/virginia_tech_names )

COLUMBINE HIGH VICTIMS

THE VICTIMS
Cassie Bernall
Steven Curnow
Corey DePooter
Kelly Fleming
Matthew Kechter
Daniel Mauser
Daniel Rohrbough
William "Dave" Sanders
Rachel Scott
Isaiah Shoels
John Tomlin
Lauren Townsend

57
Kyle Velasquez

( According to http://web.dailycamera.com/shooting/26amem.html )

WE CAN USE INTERCESSORY PRAYER IN TIMES OF GRIEF & SORROW.

(ALSO SEE
http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/p/IntecessoryPray.htm )
OUR PRESIDENT ALSO OFFERED PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/12303825/detail.html?rss=fran&psp=news

LORD, we do not always understand why seemingly evil and senseless things
happen in this world. We don’t know why seemingly good people get wrongly
injured or even killed. We cannot always see what YOU see. But,we pray, let us
NOT DOUBT YOUR PROVIDENCE ! In some way, GOD, make this HORRIBLE
event, the killing of good citizens & students, into something positive. SOMEHOW,
SOMEWAY, allow us to find purpose & meaning from this seemingly meaningless
act of senseless violence. Lord, comfort the families of the victims. Heal those who
are injured. Bring new life into the Virginia Tech community !Bring new life to this
world !

MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007

I accepted an assignment to a west Los Angeles High School—and I am here at 9:02

a.m (pst). The sun is rising and I am feeling okay today. The teacher called and said
she wanted them to watch a movie but I can’t get the DVD to play. One of the kids
says I need a remote for the TV to change the input, but we can’t find the remote, so
I told them it’s a study period. Most of them are talking quietly. I had to send two
students out because of repeated profanity. I haven’t been to this school in a while.

So I call the technology office at the high school and leave a voice mail message
requesting support. I don’t have high hopes that somebody actually will, but am
pleasantly surprised when a kid shows up during 2nd period (her conference period)
and tries to get it working. He doesn’t have any more luck than I did with the DVD
player but he is able to get the VCR working. I had planned on playing “A DAY
WITHOUT A MEXICAN’ but that’s only available on DVD. I look at the available
VCR movies and find one that looks somewhat interesting. It’s called “THE
HISTORY OF LATINOS IN HOLLYWOOD.”

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007

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I have a doctor’s appointment this morning. I am seeing a neurologist who is going
to do an EMG (ELECTROMYOGRAPHY), often done alongside a a “nerve
conduction test.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2007

…So I entered the doctor’s office and there were the receptionists (several). It’s not
a fancy office, nor a fancy location. In fact, Dr. Dietz does not even validate parking
tickets for the nearby parking ramp.I parked on the street in a residential
neighborhood. Across from the Dr.’s office is SHERMAN OAKS HOSPITAL which
I managed to step in and visit for a few minutes following the EMG.

I spent about an hour being tested. Dietz put various electrodes on my arm and
occasionally I would feel a little shock, but nothing major. He didn’t explain
anything. He said he would have to do a few calculations and that I should call him
tomorrow (which is now today).

And now I am at a STARBUCKS at 5:50 a.m. (pst) on Montana St. in Santa

Monica, not far from Brentwood. The song playing is “PUT ON A HAPPY FACE”—
IS THIS FRANK SINATRA ?

While Dietz was testing I struck up conversation, initially mentioning the Virginia
Tech shooting saying it was “totally unexpected’—to which he demurred saying
something about the gun policy in America that allows this to happen. I agreed with
him on that—mentioning that America is probably the easiest place to buy a gun
and that the NRA (NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION) is one of the strongest
organizations in the U.S. I noted that some contended that if everybody was armed
they could have stopped the killer at Virginia Tech. He laughed at that.

Then I mentioned my fourteen-year-old dog, Lola, and that I was more concerned
about her than my own physical health. He inquired about what kind of dog she
was..and we chatted about dogs for a while. He mentioned that he has always had
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS if I recall correctly. And I mentioned my dog’s love
of the beach and LONG BEACH DOG BEACH to which he responded there’s not
enough dog beaches around here—but said that he found an unofficial one in
Malibu (Malibu Lagoon) , right by the pier—which you can “sneak” into if you get
there early (and said you should park across the street).

I mentioned MT WHITNEY and he said that he did WHITNEY about 15 years ago.
I talked about hiking at night and with Lola up to the top and he mentioned hiking
in Ecuador—and noted that if you factor in the bulge of the earth at the equator—a
bulge of about 2 miles—that there is a peak in Ecuador that is actually higher than
Everest. He mentioned his experience with altitude sickness while hiking in Ecuador.

He also said he was originally from Delaware but had been in southern California
since 1970. He mentioned his daughter went to Northern Michigan University

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(“chasing a boyfriend”) after I told him I was originally from Grand Rapids,
Michigan. I said, “That’s where all the deer hunters go.” He said it was very cold
there and that she is now at Santa Clara University, a “much more civilized place.”

The conversation meandered to places I had been and he had been and he
mentioned going to China Lake Naval Base this past weekend to see the petroglyphs,
to which I responded I was up in Lancaster for the poppy festival but there were no
poppies this year.

Then I mentioned Costa Rica—going back to his mention of Ecuador—and told him
I had been down there for about five months in 1991 following the earthquake. I was
VERY SURPRISED when he knew about the OSA PENINSULA and DRAKE BAY,
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK, ETC. He was very familiar with the area, and
PANAMA as well.

He said he and his wife go to COSTA RICA/BELIZE annually but that they
couldn’t get there this year. This guy was very well-traveled. It is now 7:21 a.m and I
am at a Starbucks in BRENTWOOD at San Vicente & Barrington, not far from the
dog park.

Somewhere around here is the former OJ Simpson home and the scene of the
murder of his ex-wife. I’ve never bother trying to look up the address, but
Brentwood is forever fixed in my mind as the former home of OJ Simpson and the
murder scene. Brentwood Country Club is just around the corner.

MONEY. People are fixated with making it, getting it, and spending it. Even Dr.
Dietz, when mentioning MALIBU LAGOON, said “of course if you own a
$10,000,000 home, you don’t need to sneak your dog in…” I laughed politely but
didn’t necessarily agree. If you put your faith in money, then, yes, money is what it
takes. IF YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN LOVE, TRUST, SINCERITY, &
TRUTHFULNESS, THEN LOVE, TRUST, SINCERITY, & TRUTHFULNESS, IS
WHAT IT TAKES.

Of course, don’t try talking about GOD with a doctor. Doctors may say they believe
in GOD but in some ways, or many ways, GOD IS IRRELEVANT to their practice
of medicine, even if they don’t realize it, consciously intend it to be so, or want it to
be so. IT JUST BECOMES THAT WAY.

By golly, this day is going fast ! It is already 10:48 a.m. and I am now at Olympia
Medical Center (apparently also known as Midway Medical Center) at the corner of
San Vicente & Olympia in Los Angeles.

And I had an interesting little detour this morning. I was exploring Brentwood—
cruised up Mandeville Canyon Road and along the way I saw Rockingham Ave. I
just happened to be thinking about the OJ SIMPSON murder case as I drove by
Rockingham Ave and the name of the road rang a bell and I immediately realized

60
that this was the name of the road that OJ lived on at the time of the Nicole Brown
& Ronald Goldman murders.

So I told myself to check it out when I came back down the canyon road. And so I
used my handy-dandy cell phone data services to look up the exact address of OJ
Simpsons’ former home on Rockingham (360) and drove right by it. The gate was
open , but apparently the new owner demolished the old home and so the actual
house is not the same one.

From there I realized I could also locate the murder scene—so I went over to Bundy
Road where Nicole Brown & Ron Goldman had been murdered. And there was the
condominium—plain as day –although the address had been changed by a few digits
apparently to throw tourists off the track. I drove around the front and the back in
an non-obvious way-not wanting to intrude or to cause anybody any discomfort.
There was a gardener in front at the time and in the back what looked to be the
home-owner doing some gardening of her own.

Then I went back up Bundy to San Vicente and found the site of the former
Mezzaluna Restaurant where Ron Goldman had been a waiter at the time and
where Nicole had eaten her last meal of the evening (and her life). Apparently,
Nicole had left her prescription sunglasses at the restaurant that evening and Ron
had offered to drop them off at Nicole’s condominium after he got off. Was there a
“relationship” between Ron & Nicole? I thought that was the previous insinuation.
Or did Ron just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, the evening that
OJ (?) or whomever planned the murder?

Not far from the restaurant is the apartment where Ron Goldman lived. I snapped a
picture of all the locations and e-mailed them to a few local people whom I know
and stay in touch with. And then I went on from there. Now, as I was saying, I am at
Olympia Medical Center. The cafeteria is not open (for cooked meals) yet, but it is
open to sit in and purchase a snack from the vending machines. So I am composing
a little bit here in the cafeteria at Olympia Medical Center and sipping a red
grapefruit soda.

And now I am at the second hospital of the day—GARDENA MEMORIAL

HOSPITAL. Not much shade around the hospital (which I am always seeking for
Lola), but I finally found a place in a residential area. I entered through a side door
—which beeped as I pulled open. Strangely, it apparently is an emergency exit—so
WHY DID IT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE? !

Ironically, it is the closest door to the cafeteria, so I immediately step in to the

cafeteria and survey the lunch options. There’s a good chicken & Spanish rice deal
for $2.70 ($2.50 for employees), which I decide to try and even found a place to sit
down and plug in. It’s not that busy at 12:47 pm lunch hour. Nobody notices me

61
except for one cafeteria “dude” who says “How ya doing, brother?” I say how ya
doing in response and he says, “Doing good, doing good.”

The hospital looks average. Cleanliness and maintenance is not perfect. Outside, I
noticed weeds growing in the cracks of the parking ramp. This is an inner-city
neighborhood near the 110 freeway. I’ve been a guest teacher at one of the nearby
schools—not an easy school.

And I CONTINUE MY WORSHIP BLOG ! This is about praising & worshipping

God everyday, NOT JUST ON SUNDAY ! Too often our job requirements or the
way we schedule our work day MAKES GOD IRRELEVANT. Some Catholics have
MASS everyday—and I wonder if that’s something PROTESTANTS could learn
from—albeit I am less concerned about a formal building in which to take time out
for God than I am about making time & space somewhere, anywhere, FOR GOD !

It is that need for the TRANSCENDENCE OF GOD at times when everything is

TOO IMMANENT; and vice-versa there are times when we need the
IMMANENCE OF GOD when everything is TOO TRANSCENDENT.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007 GOOD MORNING!

And I ended yesterday at the ANAHEIM DUCKS 2ND ROUND PLAYOFF, GAME
1—AT THE HONDA CENTER (FORMERLY THE ARROWHEAD POND). It was
my first time at the Honda Center and also a first time seeing the DUCKS --, albeit
no longer the MIGHTY DUCKS. And they won ! Not only did they win—but they
WON BIG, 5-1 !
And McDonald had a HAT TRICK !

WHAT PLACE DO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HAVE IN THE LIVES OF

CHRISTIANS?

Is it something we should endorse, watch, participate in, AS CHRISTIANS ? ! that’s

a good question without a quick answer, but sports CAN DEFINITELY BE
ANALOGICAL IN OUR LIVES !

At a quick glance I can tell you that the word “race” is used at least five or six times
in the Bible as a metaphor for what our lives should be like as CHRISTIANS.

“ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”.2 Tim
4:7

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?
Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
1 Cor 9:24-25

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“… nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and
the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the
grace of God…”
Acts 20:24

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith…”
Heb 12:1-2

Our CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RACE, BUT NOT THE KIND IN WHICH WE LOOK
BACK TO SEE IF ANYBODY IS GAINING ON US. WE DON’T LOOK BACK.
IT’S NOT TO “BEAT” OTHERS—IT’S TO DO OUR VERY BEST. THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT THE SAME AS ‘CLASSICAL COMPETITION.”

DEFEATING OTHERS is not our game. We are actually WORKING

OURSELVES OUT OF A JOB (or should be) as we empower others.

It is now 12:39 pm and I just left Providence Hospital in Burbank, CA—just around
the corner from one of the NBC studios, and where the TONIGHT SHOW is
produced. I stopped in at the BUENA VISTA public library just down the street and
am happily composing here for a few minutes. This is one of the nicest public
libraries I’ve been to—very well kept, nice carpet—many computers and places to
plug in, and plenty of desks to laptop on.

Earlier today I had a chiropractic appointment with a new doctor—whose office is

on the 9th floor at the corner of HOLLYWOOD & VINE of all places. She’s a
German woman with a very pronounced German accent to her English. It’s kind of
charming.

She did a quick “adjustment” to my spine and we talked a little –she asked me if I
was in the movies, and I said no that I do CHRISTIAN MINISTRY and am also
involved in EDUCATION. We talked about religion—she said she thinks there is
truth in all religions, and I responded by saying I have learned from other religions
and believe that other religions do know some truths, BUT ONLY CHRISTIANITY
KNOWS THE ULTIMATE TRUTH !

She obviously felt a little uncomfortable about such a confident statement and so she
asked, tentatively, sort of to herself, what is meant by ‘ultimate truth”… to which I
did not really respond. This is all while she is pushing and prodding on my back in
various places. It’s not as difficult as talking while at the dentist but it still takes
work.

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But I did not want to agree with what I did not agree with. I do not believe that all
religions are “true.” I believe that we, as Christians, can sometimes learn from other
religions, and that they have “truths” we can learn from—such as Buddhisms
reflective & contemplative nature. There’s truth to being reflective—BUT NOT
TOTAL TRUTH, NOR ULTIMATE TRUTH.

Some Christians need to be more reflective—a little more reflection and less action
sometimes. On the other hand, other Christians need to be less contemplative and
more active. Muslims are somewhat ACTIVIST in nature. Their KORAN , when
read literally, makes them ready to DIE FOR THEIR FAITH.

I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE MUSLIMS BELIEF IN DYING FOR ALLAH

(MOST OFTEN ACCOMPLISHED BY SUICIDE BOMBINGS) IS A TRUTH, BUT
I DO BELIEVE THAT THEIR TOTAL COMMITMENT IS A TRUTH
CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM.

The only problem is that the MUSLIMS ARE DOING THE WRONG THING
(KILLING PEOPLE) FOR THE WRONG REASON. Their zeal would be
admirable if it were channeled in the right direction—i.e. HIGH ENERGY
POSITIVE EVANGELISM FOR CHRIST !

If Christians could muster up the same ZEAL & ENERGY to do mission as

MUSLIMS muster up to do suicide bombings, WE MIGHT FULFIL THE GREAT
COMMISSION IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

Of course, CHRISTIANS ALREADY are doing magnificent things FOR CHRIST

but the MEDIA only reports the bad things (i.e. when a missionary gets killed for
example). Is there a way CHRISTIANS could get the attention of the MEDIA in the
same way suicide bombings do, BUT WITH POSITIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE,
MEANINGFUL RESULTS? !

Why is the MEDIA so obsessed with reporting the BAD NEWS? It may also add
FUEL TO THE FIRE for people such as CHO, THE VIRGINIA TECH KILLER,
who depended upon becoming known for his BAD DEEDS. And NBC gave him
what he wanted—they AIRED HIS VIDEO TAPE.

Should NBC have not shown the video? They claim it was their journalistic
responsibility to do so. And even some parents of the COLUMBINE HIGH
SCHOOL victims are complaining to this day that they never got to see the video
tape left by the killers because a court order has sealed it shut. They say that
MAYBE VIRGINIA TECH could have been AVOIDED if we had learned lessons
from the COLUMBINE HIGH TAPES.

What do you think? It’s half-dozen of one, six of another. It’s a gamble. It’s tough to
say. You never know for sure. It’s a guessing game in some regards. MAYBE WE’LL
LEARN FROM THE CHO VIDEO TAPES.

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But reporting something is one thing, GLORIFYING IT IS ANOTHER. Is media
coverage of a negative deed the same thing as glorifying it? And what if the courts
began to censor the news? What does that remind you of?

It comes down to the constant push-and-pull of the various forces that shape events
and coverage of the events. There’s no formula to prescribe that would easily cover
every possibility.

Of course, I didn’t discuss all of this with the chiropractor, but the short
conversation did provide food for thought. And I have to think about what it is like
for a German to live in America. European life is much different than American.

The chiropractor asked me about doing mission and I recited some of my

experiences in Costa Rica, Philippines, & Thailand, among other places. We had a
good conversation—even though she was typically German in her dialogue—i.e. a
little forceful .

I didn’t mind—knowing it was a cultural characteristic more so than personal.

Germans have a need to be right. She actually backed off a lot more than some
Germans I know. She listened and even agreed on some things.

And it is now 4:50 p.m (pst) and I am at San Gabriel Hospital (Medical Center)
eating a plate of eggplant parmesan. It tastes great ! And the person at the lobby
was nice too—she asked me where I needed to go and asked me to sign in and then I
made the long, long, walk to the cafeteria. Only a few moments ago I was at
Alhambra Hospital and for the first time , of all the hospitals I’ve been to, I was not
allowed to enter.

It was a strange experience. I told them I was going to southern California hospitals
for the sake of evaluating their milieu, and the two ladies at the lobby desk said that
only patient family & patient visitors are allowed to enter. I inquired about a
chaplains offices and they said they did not have one. They said they have a little
chapel, but that’s about it. I asked if I could at least go to the cafeteria and they said
no. I asked to talk to the NURSING SUPERVISOR and they said they were all in a
meeting—which sounded dubious at 4 pm. Nonetheless, I took no for no and left
with a business card and immediately called the nursing supervisor from my car—
who immediately answered. She was much more hospitable and provided the name
of a person with whom to talk to next time I returned.

And that was the end of the day for me—I slept great and the next morning I was at
a San Gabriel Starbucks when I got a call to a school over on the west side of L.A. –
fighting traffic I made my way there and arrived just after the first bell. I had been
here before for this particular teacher (W. G), and so I knew some of the names and
remembered a few of the faces.

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Here’s a typical “GUEST TEACHER REPORT” that I write after each assignment
and which I will fax to Ms. G. on Monday:

Dear Ms. W.G.

1st Period: Lynell’s eyes were wandering, Keiwon was looking at a magazine, which
he passed over to Judah who also started looking at the magazine. Eddie was not
trying and kept disrupting the class so I moved him to a new seat and later sent
him out. Ivory was also being very loud and non-cooperative and so I sent him out
as well. Terrance was talking too much. Camille was looking at the teacher’s
materials.

2nd Period: The main problem in this period was PORSCHA & TAMARA. Porscha
was trying to be helpful but she was being a LITTLE TOO BOSSY towards some of
the other students and even a little bit with me. She immediately sat down at the
teacher’s desk to take attendance but I told her I would do it –so that I could get to
know the names. I asked her to pass out the tests instead. There was some talking
amongst the students and so I asked her to write down names of any students that
were being too loud.

I had a little problem with Tamara and told her to knock off the attitude and
thought that was the end of it, but then Porscha got involved as well. Porscha pulled
out a referral form and began to write a referral for Tamara. I told Porscha that she
can’t really write referrals, and that it was a little premature to send Tamara out
anyways. Porscha began to say things under her breath—disregarding me, and then
she and Tamara began yelling at each other. They were calling each other names,
insulting each other and it escalated outside—they were screaming so loud that
other teachers came out of the classroom to see what was going on.

I sent Tamara to another classroom and security came by and said they would take
anybody else that was going to be a problem. There were a few others including
Malik, Shawn H, and Lynell, who were being disruptive but they seemed to be ready
to cooperate so I didn’t send anybody else out.

Porscha remained but I had to give a little lecture about who is in charge in the
classroom when the regular teacher is not present. I talked about hierarchy and why
I have to make the decisions and write referrals and that the T.A. is there to HELP
ME not to control the classroom him or herself. Porscha was not very happy with
being told what to do by me, but I let her and the rest of the class know that was the
way it is. When the regular teacher is gone I make the decisions, I am responsible,
and if anything happens I am accountable.

3rd – problems again with Ivory. He called me a “caveman” and I told him I was
going to call his mother. He was not doing his assignment. Also continuous problems
with Justice, Eddie, Michael, Darrien.Michael called me ‘dude” and I told him I’m
not a “dude” and he said, “What are you, a woman?” which was TOO MUCH and

66
so I sent him out with a referral to the dean. At that point he pleaded with me—
saying he had just come back call from a suspension, but I said it was TOO LATE. I
don’t allow students (or anybody else) to call me “dude”, “man”, or “buddy” or
anything like it. They can call me “Mr. K” or “SIR.”

4TH Period: PROBLEMS WITH CASSANDRA. As I was taking attendance I was

hit by a paper ball in the back. I immediately turned and asked the class who threw
it—and nobody answered—so I said the whole class would stay late if I did not find
out who did it. Shortly later, Cassandra admitted to doing it but said it was an
accident. It seemed strange—how could she “accidentally” throw a paper ball from
way across the room but she said she was trying to fling it at the wastebasket the
other way but it went in the opposite direction. It still sounded strange but she was
straight faced about it and even seemed innocent. Maybe I am naïve but I accepted
her apology and explanation. This made some of the other students’ angry saying
that I was not punishing her because she was white. I hadn’t even noticed her skin
color or ethnicity, but it definitely had nothing to do with my decision. Later, I
noticed Cassandra hit Kiernan in the face ---this time she explained she was
yawning and her arm reached back and hit Kiernan. Kiernan said he thought it was
accidental as well.

At that point I was getting a little suspicious about Cassandra—she had two
“accidents” that physically violated other people but yet kept acting very innocent
and “accidental” about it all. I gave a little lecture about accidents can be punished
in the same way as intentional –making an analogy to driving, and kept my eye on
Cassandra the rest of the period. You probably know her better than I do.

Also Elisha was getting a little hyperactive during this period and I sent her to
another room for a while. .

6th Period: Shelbea wrinkled somebody’s paper causing a conflict. Andrew got in a
few arguments with some of the other students. Most of the period was uneventful
and they completed their practice tests.

In all of the periods some of the students just wrote the same thing on each page of
the practice tests and I told them to put a little more effort and thought into it.

Sincerely,

Mr. Kok (pronounced “coke”, aka “Mr. K”)

GUEST TEACHER/ CHRISTIAN PASTOR, ET. AL.

END GUEST TEACHER REPORT

And let me talk about JOHN LENNON for a moment. I include reference to him in
my image message (below) including his quote, “We’re more popular than Jesus”
which led to so much controversy, rightly so. And what made me think about it was

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a film I watched (mentioned above) at a school (called the USC magnet) with a
classroom of music students a few weeks ago—which narrates the “British
Invasion” of rock music into America, including, of course, and beginning with THE
BEATLES.

The Beatles were the MAJOR MUSICAL FORCE. And so when John Lennon made
his comment to a small British publication that “WE ARE MORE POPULAR
THAN JESUS” it actually took a while for his comment to circulate to worldwide
media. But once it did it was BIG NEWS. And some misquoted Lennon as saying
“WE’RE BIGGER THAN JESUS .”

And on the surface either statement is shocking and understandably upsetting. How
could a rock group, no matter how popular or big, contend that they are bigger,
more popular, more important or anything superior to Jesus Christ?
And it upsets me too, on the surface.

Subsequently, I dug a little deeper into the context behind Lennon’s statement and
found that Lennon had been studying the Bible around that time—trying to figure
out the meaning of the GOSPELS. HE was definitely interested in spirituality—
having by that time totally indulged all his senses on the materialistic level, with
more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life.

So what did he exactly mean? In one subsequent interview he said, “I suppose if I

had said that TV is more popular than Jesus Christ I would have gotten away with
it.” He apparently was criticizing the world, maybe even his own fans, for putting
them (the Beatles) on such a high pedestal. It was partially a self-critical & self-
deprecating statement (see http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/self-deprecating ),
albeit stated totally wrong, and for obvious reasons misunderstood as such. As one
website says,

“It was an artlessly delivered observation that would have unforeseen

consequences…”
C:\Documents and Settings\John\Desktop\John Lennon The New Jesus.htm

Of course, the Beatles were never very clear about what or whom they believed in
and their indulgence into drugs also complicated matters, making them all the more
confusing. Their exploration with LSD made the mainstream more suspicious of
them so Lennon’s comment about being ‘MORE POPULAR THAN JESUS” made
people all the more upset.

But if you strip away the drugs and dig deeper into the comment along with the life
& journey of Lennon & the Beatles the quote may have more meaning than what it
initially suggests.

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Same web mentioned above says, “John admired [JESUS’] central teachings of love,
justice, and seeking the kingdom of heaven but felt that Jesus had been co-opted by
people with a different agenda.

And they add that,

“He speculated that Jesus’ claim to be the son of God might have been a way of
telling us that we’re all divine but that most of us don't recognize it.”

And if that is the case—then I am more in agreement with John Lennon than I
previously thought, albeit the “divinity” within us ONLY COMES FROM FAITH
IN JESUS CHRIST AS A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Lennon even wanted to include JESUS CHRIST ON THE COVER OF THE SGT
PEPPER’S ALBUM COVER, but it was eventually voted against.

And over time Lennon began to answer media inquires and respond to reporters in
more and more “religious” ways, often quoting the Bible in one way or another such
as

“In 1980, when asked why the Beatles would never reform, his reply alluded to at
least three Gospel stories. ''Do we have to divide the fish and the loaves for the
multitudes again?'' he said. ''Do we have to get crucified again? Do we have to do
the walking on water again because a whole pile of dummies didn't see it the first
time or didn’t believe it when they saw it? That’s what they're asking. 'Get off the
cross. I didn’t understand it the first time. Can you do it again?' No way. You can't
do things twice.''

In some ways it might seem that Lennon had become self-glorifying, thinking that
the BEATLES THEMSELVES WERE GOD OR JESUS OR DIVINE ! And he may
have been a little bit misguided by LSD—but once again, stripping away some of the
elements of grandiosity brought about by money & fame—there is a TRUTH TO
LENNON’S notion of divinity in all of us. WE CALL IT BEING IN THE IMAGO
DEO (IN THE IMAGE OF GOD ).

And CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT WE ARE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD—

THAT’S WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL. The problem is not what LENNON was
saying as much as HOW HE WAS SAYING IT. He was putting too much emphasis
on them being GODLY because of their fame & fortune & popularity. As Christians
we believe that being in the IMAGO DEO does not require fame, fortune, or
popularity. Even the poorest person can be in the IMAGO DEO.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS

EXACTLY WHAT LENNON SAID :

69
Intro:

On March 4, 1966, this quote of John's was printed in an interview by reporter (and
friend of John's) Maureen Cleave in the London Evening Standard:
"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right
and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which
will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were
thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
He was, as she reported, reading extensively about religion at the time. It was a
small part of the article. No one took notice of it in Britain.
http://beatlesnumber9.com/biggerjesus.html

“CHRISTIANITY WILL GO. IT WILL VANISH AND SHRINK” ????!!!!

I DON’T THINK SO. How could JOHN LENNON BE SO WRONG? !

AND HERE IS ONE OF LENNON’S APOLOGIES:

The Apology
John: "If I had said television is more popular than Jesus, I might have got away
with it, but I just happened to be talking to a friend and I used the words "Beatles"
as a remote thing, not as what I think - as Beatles, as those other Beatles like other
people see us. I just said "they" are having more influence on kids and things than
anything else, including Jesus. But I said it in that way which is the wrong way."
Reporter: "Some teenagers have repeated your statements - "I like the Beatles more
than Jesus Christ." What do you think about that?"
John: "Well, originally I pointed out that fact in reference to England. That we
meant more to kids than Jesus did, or religion at that time. I wasn't knocking it or
putting it down. I was just saying it as a fact and it's true more for England than
here. I'm not saying that we're better or greater, or comparing us with Jesus Christ
as a person or God as a thing or whatever it is. I just said what I said and it was
wrong. Or it was taken wrong. And now it's all this."
http://beatlesnumber9.com/biggerjesus.html

ALSO SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon

One of the problems is that Lennon by that time was becoming a little bit
ARROGANT & COCKY and didn’t even feel like qualifying his statements or
words. He was becoming a little outlandish and maybe even too big for his britches.
It’s hard to completely be understanding of what he was saying. Some say he was
more critical of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND than CHRISTIANITY, but above you
see it does quote him as saying “CHRISTIANITY” not a denomination or
Catholicism or Protestantism. He specifically says “Christianity.”

70
http://www.morepopularthanjesus.com

And I’ll come back to JOHN LENNON.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2007

8:45 A.M. I am in BOULDER CITY, NEVADA, just south of LAS VEGAS,

NEVADA.

I passed through Coachella Valley yesterday—came sort of close to the

COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL, http://www.coachella.com which some people
are trying to compare to WOODSTOCK, http://www.woodstock69.com but I don’t
think it’s that big yet. And wasn’t WOODSTOCK a one time thing? This is an
annual festival. But it is popular for alternative music fans.

And how should Christians respond to rock music, alternative music, music
festivals, the latest fad festival, etc. ? Should we totally ignore what’s happening
“out there?” Should we interact with it? My first time at the Coachella Music
Festival when it was just beginning—I was doing WINDSHIELD EVANGELISM, a
good way to interact with the world, don’t you think?

In order for Christians to be effective, positive, change agents they must be aware
of what is happening around them—for better or for worse. If an alternative music
festival is drawing people from around the country and now the world as well—
CHRISTIANS NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS SO COMPELLING ABOUT THIS
ALTERNATIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND RESPOND ACCORDINGLY !

And it seems clear that Jesus, Himself, intended for the BODY OF CHRIST to do
even greater things than HE, HIMSELF, did ! Consider the following:

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in ME will do what I have been doing. He
will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will
do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You
may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:11-14

How clear is that? We are guaranteed of GREATER THINGS TO COME. Now that
does not necessarily mean John Lennon or The Beatles or an alternative music
festival is that greater thing, but it is not completely absurd for Lennon to think of
things becoming bigger than Jesus (PROBABLY NOT THE BEATLES,
HOWEVER, OR NOT THE BEATLES ALONE) .Jesus, Himself, assured us of such
and did not say it would be an abomination.

71
And how do we know if this bigger or greater thing is something good? We test it
according to the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT ! Does it bring out the best in others? Or
does it make people worse?

If rock music or a music festival makes people lose their lives via drugs and self-
destruction it is NOT A GREATER THING, but if it causes people to be more
caring, kind, considerate, constructively peaceful, etc. –then it may be one of the
GREATER THINGS Jesus prophesied. But I say it can’t just be any kind of “peace”
and “kindness” it has to be CHRISTLY PEACE & CHRISTLY KINDNESS.

There’s a qualitative difference in the fruits that come from FAITH IN ONE GOD—
THE TRIUNE GOD, versus faith in humanity, faith in environment, faith in
politics, government, etc. It is the HOLY SPIRIT DIFFERENCE !

WELL, I MADE IT TO VEGAS! LAS VEGAS THAT IS. And I’m already gone. I
can only handle so much of Vegas for so long. Usually no more than a few hours .
This time I made the journey down “THE STRIP” and captured images of the
various casinos, including THE SAHARA, NEW YORK NEW YORK, CAESARS
PALACE, THE PYRAMID, THE VENETIAN, THE MIRAGE, HARRAHS,
TREASURE ISLAND, CIRCUS CIRCUS, THE FRONTIER, THE RIVIERA, &
OF COURSE, LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, THE STRATOSPHERE !

And I actually went up to the top of the STRATOSPHERE. I never knew they had
thrill rides up at the top. Wow ! Unfortunately, my cell phone battery died before I
even got off the elevator at the top, so not a single image to take home with me. Oh
well, maybe some other time.

And now I am at a Starbucks in Baker, California—and almost didn’t make it here.

I misjudged the amount of fuel I would need from Vegas to Baker and literally
coasted into Baker—fortunately there is a long downhill portion—where I actually
turned off the engine, put the transmission in neutral, and coasted. I think it gave
me just enough to make it to Baker. I’ve never seen my gas gauge so low.

One of my thoughts concerning VEGAS is that it is a MAJOR MISSION FIELD

FOR CHRIST ! I left a few Christ Cards behind—mostly under windshield wipers,
and a few inside casinos.

And let me tell you about the most interesting thing that happened as I entered the
LAS VEGAS STRIP area. As I’ve said before I like to allow things to happen
spontaneously. I don’t like to try to “engineer” things. So it was about lunch time
and I spotted a SUBWAY SANDWICH SHOP across from the PYRAMID CASINO
and I saw a shady parking spot (i.e. a parking spot next to a tree giving it some
shade –which I always am mindful of because LOLA (my dog) is almost always with
me).

72
“Perfect” I am thinking to myself as I pull in—but then I see two homeless people (a
man & a woman) sitting there as well. I know this means I will be imposed upon as
soon as I step out of the car and I am not sure I want Lola outside next to them.

But I have no alternatives. So I pull in and sure enough –the first thing that happens
is the lady asks me for a cigarette. I said, ‘I don’t smoke, it’s bad for you.” She
responds in a jaded manner, “Lots of things are bad for you.” I notice they,
themselves, just ate at Subway—meaning they are not totally destitute—and they
have two unopened bags of chips next to them. So I say, “please don’t feed my dog”
as I tie her up next to the tree. The fellow is a little more positively social. He agrees
with me that smoking & alcohol is bad for you.

I left Lola next to them and go inside and order a Subway Sandwich—a foot long
tuna with everything on it (except mayonnaise). When I come back out they are still
there and they get up to go. The guy says to me, “Here, take these chips. We’re not
going to eat them. They’ll just go to waste anyways.” I can’t believe it. A homeless
fellow is offering me food.

I object, of course, saying I don’t need them (and don’t normally eat chips too often
anyways). But he insists, and suddenly I remember something I had reflected upon
theologically (or missiologically) some time ago—the power of allowing others to
help you (even if you don’t need it). By allowing this homeless fellow to help me
(even though I didn’t need it) it was an EMPOWERMENT OF HIM !

Sometimes we, as Christians, can and should ALLOW OTHERS TO HELP US

(even if we don’t really need help). I said to the fellow, “I’ve never been given food
by a homeless person.” He said, ‘I have foodstamps.” I responded, “Okay, I’ll give
these chips to her (pointing to my dog, although I am not sure I will—I’m very
careful about Lola’s diet at this point, but nonetheless, it was an acceptable “white
lie.” ).

By allowing this fellow to feel as if he was helping me and doing something good for
another person it was, in fact, an act of charity to him, more so than giving
something to him. In the same way, giving a person a job is an act of charity, more
so than giving him foodstamps or a handout.

Do you understand what I am saying? Christians in positions of relative strength

(as we are, in general, in America) are in the job of empowering others, FOR
CHRIST !

It is now 2:18 pm (pst). I slept in Barstow last night and spent half the day there
today—starting out with doing laundry at a local Laundromat, and then I went to a
shared credit union (one which allows certain ‘partner” privileges in coordination
with my “home” FCU), and then I stopped at a self-serve car wash and guess what
—I didn’t wash my car, I WASHED MY DOG !

73
I had thought about it before but this is the first time I actually tried it—and the
self-serve car wash is the perfect on-the-road dog wash. You use the soap cycle to
clean your dog and the rinse to take off the suds. It’s that simple. Very quick. And
cheaper than the new walk-in do-it-yourself dog wash locations, popping up here-
and-there—and which usually cost at least 10 bucks. That’s the Dutch boy in me.

And my friends it is about time for me to PUBLISH THIS WORSHIP BLOG. I’ve
gone on for several weeks now, beginning with PALM SUNDAY, and we just passed
“Paralytic Sunday”—as some of the Greek Orthodox call it--
http://www.saintnicholas.org/gl-may-26-2002.htm

It falls on a different Sunday every year according to the liturgical calendar, but this
year it is Sunday, April 29, 2007. http://www.antiochian.org/1151346680

Why do they celebrate the healing of the paralytic man on the third Sunday after
Easter? Is it in chronological order with what Jesus did after He rose from the
dead? I’m not exactly sure. I am studying the matter, but I do like the “calendar”
idea of having something specific to remember on a specific Sunday. By the way, the
Greek Orthodox also refer to Easter Sunday as “PASCHA.” (also see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_Tide ) Apparently, they also reference the
healing of the paralytic by Peter on SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC.
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_cycle )

“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in
Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and
which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled
people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been
an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that
he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get
well?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the
water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was
cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a
Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath;
the law forbids you to carry your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me
well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" So they asked him, "Who is this
fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" The man who was healed had no idea
who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.” John 5:1-13

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he
found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.
"Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your

74
mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw
him and turned to the Lord.” Acts 9:32-35

Peter spoke as if JESUS WAS WITH HIM, or even as if he, himself, was with or of
JESUS. And that’s a truth of living faith—WE HAVE INHERITED THE POWER
OF JESUS, if we walk in faith.

MAY 1, 2007

“M AY DAY, MAYDAY, MAY DAY !”

THAT’S ACTUALLY A “DISTRESS SIGNAL” IF REPEATED THREE TIMES.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayday_(distress_signal) DON’T WORRY—I’M
OKAY. BUT IT IS ALSO MAY DAY—THE 1ST DAY OF MAY, 2007 !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day

I’m at a Starbucks Coffee Shop at 7th & Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles. I am
using the Los Angeles Subway System (SEE
http://www.mta.net/default.asp ) today FOR THE FIRST TIME (MY FIRST
TIME) !

Some of you may not even realize there is a subway system in Los Angeles. I wasn’t
either for a long time. And given this is the first time I’ve ever used it—you can see
for yourself that I am a “typical Angeleno’ so to speak –in terms of reliance on an
automobile.

And my friends I am coming to the end of this WORSHIP BLOG. I have been
blogging since PALM SUNDAY, and it is about time to transmit and start a new
blog, midway or thereabouts through the EASTER SEASON, counting down to
PENTECOST.

PRAYER: DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, GOD OF ALL GOODNESS & GRACE,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT OF LOVE ! YOU ARE WITH US
EVERYWHERE WE GO, ALL THE TIME ! WE PRAISE YOUR NAME. AND I
PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME SAFE AS I CONTINUE TO
JOURNEY AND WORSHIP BLOG ALONG THE WAY. YOU HAVE KEPT ME
SAFE & SOUND, EVEN AS I TRAVEL ON A SHOE-STRING BUDGET.

AND THANK YOU LORD FOR THE SUPPORT & COMFORT OF THE
FELLOWSHIP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE ARE YOUR SON ! THANK
YOU FOR PASSING ON TO US THE POWER OF JESUS ! LET US DO GREAT
THINGS. LET US COMPLETELY FULFILL YOUR GREAT COMMISSION ! IN
THE NAME OF YOUR SON WHO DIED FOR US, AMEN !

STAY IN TOUCH, MY FRIENDS FOR THE NEXT WORSHIP BLOG COMING

SOON.

75
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:19:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: "REV KOK III" <pastorkok@mustardseedfaith.org>
Subject: PRAISE BE TO THE LORD !
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM

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APRIL 30, 2007
PASTOR KOK III

AND THIS MAY BE THE

LAST IMAGE MESSAGE
FOR THIS CURRENT WORSHIP BLOG.
I HAVE BEEN WORSHIP BLOGGING
SINCE PALM SUNDAY,
AND IT FEELS LIKE THE RIGHT
TIME TO TRANSMIT TO YOU.

CHUCKWALLA_MTS[1]
CHUCKWALLA
_MTS[1]
COXCOMB_MTS[1]
COXCOMB_MT
S[1]

EAGLE_MTS[1]
EAGLE_MTS[
1]
I PASSED A LOT OF LITTLE MOUNTAIN RANGES
FROM COACHELLA TO LAS VEGAS
(NOT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER &
AS BEST AS I COULD DETERMINE
USING AN ORDINARY ROAD MAP)

76
 I HOPE YOU'RE STILL WITH ME.

CHOCOLATE MTS
CHOCOLATE
MTS
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
AND I PASSED A LOT OF MOTORCYCLERS,
MANY ON HARLEY DAVIDSONS

"THE MESSAGE"
WILL CONTINUE
AS A WORSHIP BLOG MEANT
TO INFORM, EDUCATE, INSPIRE,
& MOST IMPORTANTLY
GLORIFY GOD !

FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04

FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
FROM NEEDLES LAUGHLIN TO BOULDER CITY 04
BE FREE !
RIDE A MOTORCYCLE !
FOR CHRIST !

YOU ARE ALL

IN MY PRAYERS !
STAY IN TOUCH.

"Praise be
to the LORD,
the God of Israel,
from everlasting
to everlasting.
Amen and Amen."
Ps 41:13

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77
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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:53:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: HE WHO HAS EARS LET HIM HEAR !
To: PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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APRIL 29, 2007
PASTOR KOK III
SO THIS IS VEGAS ? !
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS
RESPOND TO LAS VEGAS ?

"The Son of Man will

send out his angels..."

.
CIRCUS__CIRCUS__[1]
CIRCUS__CI
RCUS__[1]
HARLEY_CAFE[1]
HARLEY_CAF
E[1]
LAUGHING JACKALOPE, VEGAS 042907
LAUGHING
JACKALOPE,
VEGAS
042907
NEW YORK NEW YORK
NEW YORK
NEW YORK

SO MANY CASINOS IN WHAT HAS

ALSO BEEN CALLED
"SIN CITY"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas,_Nevada

"...and they will weed

78
 out of his kingdom
everything that causes sin
and all who do evil..."

PARIS__EIFFEL_TOWER[1]
PARIS__EIF
FEL_TOWER[
1]
Pyramid[1]
Pyramid[1]
THE_FRONTIER[1]
THE_FRONTI
ER[1]
TREASURE_ISLAND[1]
TREASURE_I
SLAND[1]
WHY IS VEGAS
SOMETIMES CALLED
SIN CITY?

"They will throw them

into the fiery furnace,
where there will be weeping
& gnashing of teeth..."

THE_SAHARA__[1]
THE_SAHARA
__[1]
THE_RIVIERA[1]
THE_RIVIER
A[1]
Xcalibur[1]
Xcalibur[1
]
WHISKEY PETES
WHISKEY
PETES

IS GAMBLING
(AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT
HAPPEN IN VEGAS)
WRONG,
BAD, & A SIN ?

79
 LETS CALL A SPADE A SPADE
YES!
SHOULD CHRISTIANS
IGNORE, BYPASS, & SIMPLY
PRETEND VEGAS DOES NOT EXIST?
NO*

* ACTUALLY, IT DEPENDS ON THE

PERSON. IF YOU HAVE THE
STRENGTH, WIT, & PASSION TO
CONVERT VEGAS FOR CHRIST, SO BE IT.
IF IT CAUSES YOU FEAR MAYBE YOU
SHOULD FIND ANOTHER MISSION FIELD,
OR FIND A WAY TO OVERCOME THE FEAR,
FOR CHRIST !
I STILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME
STAYING THERE FOR
VERY LONG.
LESS BECAUSE OF FEAR THAN STRESS.

"Then the righteous

will shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father..."

THE_STRATOSPHERE[1]
THE_STRATO
SPHERE[1]
OR IS LAS VEGAS A
MAJOR MISSION FIELD
FOR CHRIST ? !

"He who has ears,

let him hear."
Matt 13:41-43

I, PERSONALLY, WILL CONTINUE TO

PERIODICALLY GO TO VEGAS
FOR THE SAKE OF
TELLING THE GOOD NEWS,
PRIMARILY AT THIS POINT
VIA WINDSHIELD EVANGELISM.

80
 PLACE YOUR
WAGER ON
JESUS CHRIST !
THE KINGDOM
OF GOD IS A
SURE THING !

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2007 18:34:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: "REV KOK III" <pastorkok@mustardseedfaith.org>
Subject: DOES IT GLORIFY GOD ? !
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III
APRIL 28, 2007
NEAR THE
COACHELLA MUSIC
FESTIVAL
http://www.coachella.com

"May the God Who

gives endurance
and encouragement..."

COACHELLA MUSIC FEST 042807

COACHELLA MUSIC FEST 042807
IMG00493
IMG00493
NEARING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FEST
NEARING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FEST

I DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO GET TO THE ACTUAL

81
 CONCERT SITE---IT WAS SO BUSY, THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY
LONG AND BACKED UP IN HOT WEATHER. I WAS
AT THE FIRST OF THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVALS
AND DID WINDSHIELD EVANGELISM THERE.
BUT NOW IT'S TOO BIG.
"... give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves..."

IS COACHELLA
MUSIC FESTIVAL
A MODERN-DAY
WOODSTOCK?
http://www.woodstock69.com

SIGNS OF THE FESTIVAL

SIGNS OF THE FESTIVAL
SIGNS OF MUSIC FESTIVAL
SIGNS OF MUSIC FESTIVAL
NEARING MUSIC FESTIVAL
NEARING MUSIC FESTIVAL
LOTS OF DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN THE TWO,
SO I DON'T THINK SO,
BUT IT IS A POPULAR EVENT

"...as you follow Christ Jesus,

so that with one heart
and mouth..."

NEAR MUSIC FEST

NEAR MUSIC FEST
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS
RESPOND TO ROCK
& ALTERNATIVE MUSIC,
MUSIC FESTIVALS, ETC?

NEAR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL, COACHELLA

NEAR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL, COACHELLA
THE ULTIMATE
QUESTION IS :

DOES IT GLORIFY GOD ? !

82
 "...you may glorify
the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Rom 15:5-6

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 09:19:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: INSTEAD, THOU SHALL GIVE LIFE !
To: PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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options.

PASTOR KOK III

INSTEAD,
AS CHRISTIANS
WE GIVE NEW LIFE !

LIKE A (GOOD) HOSPITAL !

"Or don't you know

that all of us who were
baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?..."

ANAHEIM GENERAL ON BALL

ANAHEIM GENERAL ON BALL
GARDENA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (4)
GARDENA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (4)
DOWNEY HSPITAL 042507 K
DOWNEY HSPITAL 042507 K

83
 MOST OF THESE HOSPITALS WERE HOSPITABLE TO ME AS A
VISITOR
( ALTHOUGH I DID NOT GO IN TO ANAHEIM GENERAL)

"...We were therefore

buried with him through
baptism into death in order that..."

GLENDALE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, APRIL 26

GLENDALE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, APRIL 26
HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL, PASADENA 042607
HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL, PASADENA 042607
PROVIDENCE ST JOE HOSPITAL, BURBANK, NBC
PROVIDENCE ST JOE HOSPITAL, BURBANK, NBC

ALL OF THEM, IN FACT, WERE, IN GENERAL, HOSPITABLE

"...just as Christ was raised

from the dead through
the glory of the Father,
we too may live a
new life..."

ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL WOULDNT LET ME IN (1)

ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL WOULDNT LET ME IN (1)
THESE 2 LADIES WOULDN'T LET ME IN
THESE 2 LADIES WOULDN'T LET ME IN
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL (BOO, HISS)
EXCEPT ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL (BOO, HISS ) WHO SAID
NOBODY IS ALLOWED IN ACCEPT PATIENTS'
FAMILY & PATIENTS' VISITORS.
AFTER LEAVING I CALLED THE NURSING SUPERVISOR
WHO GAVE ME A NAME TO CONTACT NEXT TIME I COME
AROUND
AND I WOULD BE GIVEN A LOOK-SEE.

"If we have been united

with him like this in

84
 HIS death, we will
certainly also be united
with HIM in his resurrection!"
Rom 6:2-5

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Forwarded Message
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:22:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: THOU SHALL NOT KILL
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

THE GOOD, THE BAD,

& THE UGLY

RE-VISITING
THE OJ SIMPSON
MURDER CASE

"YOU know the

commandments,
Do not commit adultery...,

360 N ROCKINGHAM,BRNTWOOD
360 N
ROCKINGHAM,BRNT
WOOD
OJ SIMPSONS FORMER HOME IN BRENTWOOD
OJ SIMPSONS FORMER HOME IN BRENTWOOD
WHERE RON GOLDMAN LIVED,BRENTWOO
WHERE RON GOLDMAN LIVED,BRENTWOO

85
 I WAS DRIVING THROUGH BRENTWOOD YESTERDAY
MORNING,
STARTING OUT AT A STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOP AND
PLANNING
ON DRIVING UP A CANYON ROAD WHEN I REALIZED THAT THIS
WAS WHERE THE
OJ SIMPSON/NICOLE BROWN/RON GOLDMAN MURDER CASE
TOOK PLACE.

"DO NOT KILL..."

I'VE BEEN THROUGH BRENTWOOD PLENTY OF TIMES

BEFORE, BUT USUALLY JUST PASSED THROUGH ON MY WAY
SOMEWHERE ELSE. I DECIDED TO LOOK UP
THE SITES OF THE CRIME SCENE, INCLUDING
OJ SIMPSON'S HOME, NICOLE BROWN'S
CONDOMINIUM, THE RESTAURANT WHERE NICOLE
ATE HER LAST MEAL AND WHERE
RON GOLDMAN WAS WAITER;
AND ALSO WHERE RON GOLDMAN LIVED.
ALL OF THESE PLACES ARE WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS OF EACH
OTHER.

WAS CALLED THE MEZZALUNA

WAS CALLED THE MEZZALUNA
BACK OF NICOLE BROWNS CONDO
BACK OF NICOLE BROWNS CONDO
FRONT OF NICOLES CONDO
FRONT OF NICOLES CONDO

AND USING MY HANDY-DANDY CELL PHONE'S DATA

SERVICES
I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE ADDRESSES QUICKLY
WITHOUT
HAVING TO STOP AND ASK ANYBODY
OR FIND A LIBRARY/COMPUTER ETC.

Do not steal,
Do not bear
false witness..,

RSTAURANT WHERE NICOLE BROWN ATE

86
RSTAURANT WHERE NICOLE BROWN ATE

Defraud not,
Honor your
father and mother."
Mark 10:19

PRAYER REQUEST:

OJ SIMPSON KEEPS POPPING UP PERIODICALLY

IN THE MEDIA, MOST RECENTLY WITH THE
PROPOSED BOOK WHICH WAS ULTIMATELY
QUASHED. IT SEEMS LIKE HE DID THE CRIME,
BUT ULTIMATELY ONLY GOD KNOWS FOR SURE
AND ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE. MY PRAYER REQUEST
IS MORE FOR THE CHILDREN OF OJ SIMPSON
AS WELL AS THE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS
OF NICOLE BROWN & RON GOLDMAN WHO
HAVE TO WAKE UP AND THINK ABOUT THE LOSS
OF THEIR LOVED ONE EVERY DAY.

PRAY FOR
HEALING FOR EVERYBODY
AND JUDGMENT
BY GOD IN THE END.

BY THE WAY, I HAVE BEEN

A GUEST TEACHER
AT THE SCHOOL WHERE
AT LEAST ONE OF
OJ & NICOLE'S CHILDREN
ATTENDED AT THE TIME OF
THE MURDERS. IT'S CALLED
PAUL REVERE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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87
Forwarded Message
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:45:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: WHAT PLACE DO SPORTS HAVE IN THE LIVES OF
CHRISTIANS ?
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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APRIL 25, 2007
PASTOR KOK III
AT THE
ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME
VERSUS
VANCOUVER CANUCKS

WHO'S THINKING ABOUT HOCKEY

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?!

AT THE HONDA CENTER, DUCKS V CANUCKS (4)

AT THE HONDA CENTER, DUCKS V CANUCKS (4)
PASTOR KOK AT DUCKS PLAYOFF GAME
PASTOR KOK AT DUCKS PLAYOFF GAME
ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 V VAN
ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 V VAN
LOTS OF DUCK FANS!

ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 V VAN

ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 V VAN
DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 (2)
DUCKS GAME, APRIL 25, 2007 (2)
DUCKS JUST SCORED, 2-1 !!
DUCKS JUST SCORED, 2-1 !!

AND THE DUCKS WON!

THEY WON BIG, 5-1 !

WHAT PLACE DO SPORTS

HAVE IN THE
LIVES OF CHRISTIANS?

88
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Forwarded Message
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:02:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: HEAL THE SICK
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

"Heal the sick,

raise the dead,
cleanse those who
have leprosy,
drive out demons..."

LA_PALMA[1]
LA_PALMA[1]
MARINA DEL REY LIBRARY
MARINA DEL REY LIBRARY
MARINA DEL REY LIB 041707
MARINA DEL REY LIB 041707
I VISIT HOSPITALS PERIODICALLY--AT THIS POINT JUST
TO GET
ORIENTED TO THEIR LOCATION, THE LOGISTICS OF
PARKING, ETC
--SO THAT IF AND WHEN I DO HAVE TO RETURN IN A
PASTORAL
CARE CAPACITY, I DON'T HAVE TO THINK AND WORRY SO
MUCH

89
 ABOUT LOGISTICS. I ALSO KEEP FINDING NEW
LIBRARIES,
INCLUDING MARINA DEL REY LIBRARY ON APRIL 17.

"Freely you have received,

freely give.
Do not take along
any gold or silver
or copper in your belts..."

PROMISE_HOSPITAL_SUBURB_MED_CTR[1]
PROMISE_HOSPITA
L_SUBURB_MED_CT
R[1]
PROMISE_HOSPITAL[1]
PROMISE_HOSPITA
L[1]
ST_MARYS[1]JJJ
ST_MARYS[1]JJJ
PROMISE HOSPITAL IN PARAMOUNT (CA) IS A SMALL BUT
NICE
MEDICAL FACILITY. AND HERE'S ST. MARY'S IN LONG
BEACH AGAIN.
AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY--I DID A SEMESTER AS A
SOCIAL
WORK INTERN AT ST. MARY'S EMERGENCY ROOM. LOTS
OF
ACTION THERE, BUT I DID NOT SEE EYE-TO-EYE WITH
JIM WENRICK, MY MENTOR SOCIAL WORKER, AND SO I
LEFT.
ULTIMATELY, IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO MY ULTIMATE
CALLING--
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.

"...take no bag for the journey,

or extra tunic,
or sandals or a staff...";

UCI_MED_CTR[1]
UCI_MED_CTR[1]

...for the worker

is worth his keep."

90
 Matt 10:8-10

HOW IS THIS VERSE

RELEVANT TO US TODAY?

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:06:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: "REV KOK III" <pastorkok@mustardseedfaith.org>
Subject: FOLLOW ME
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

AROUND TOWN

"WE'RE MORE POPULAR

THAN JESUS NOW"
-JOHN LENNON-

Lennon_re_JESUS[1]
Lennon_re_JESUS[1]
POOL___ANAHEIM_HILTON[1]
POOL___ANAHEIM_HILTO
N[1]
SAN_PEDRO_LIB[1]
SAN_PEDRO_LIB[1]

ABOVE:

91
 1) OVER AT THE "USC MIDDLE SCHOOL", AS THEY CALL IT,
I WATCHED THE HISTORY OF THE "BRITISH INVASION"
OF ROCK 'N' ROLL INTO AMERICA. HERE THEY ARE
SEEING JOHN LENNON PROCLAIM THAT THE BEATLES
ARE BIGGER THAN JESUS,AND THEN TRY TO EXPLAIN
IT AFTER THE NEGATIVE RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY
FROM AMERICANS. 2) I CONTINUE TO DO WINDSHIELD
EVANGELISM AROUND TOWN, AND ALWAYS SEEK NEW
PLACES TO DO SO, INCLUDING HERE AT THE
ANAHEIM HILTON HOTEL. 3) I STOPPED IN AT THE
SAN PEDRO LIBRARY LAST WEEK.

"I tell you the truth,

when you were
younger you dressed
yourself and went
where you wanted..."

LONG_BEACH_GRAND_PRIX[1]
LONG_BEACH_GRAND_PR
I
X[1]
STREET_PREACHERS_GRAND_PRIX[1]
STREET_PREACHERS_GR
A
ND_PRIX[1]
LOS ALAMITOS MED CTR 2
LOS ALAMITOS MED
CTR 2
ABOVE: 1-2) I DID WINDSHIELD EVANGELISM AT THE
LONG BEACH TOYOTA GRAND PRIX AND
NOTICED SEVERAL STREET PREACHERS THERE.
3) I STOPPED BY THE LOS ALAMITOS MEDICAL CENTER.

"...but when you are old

you will stretch
out your hands,
and someone else
will dress you and
lead you where
you do not want to go."

Jesus said this

92
 to indicate the
kind of death
by which Peter
would glorify God.

Then he said to him,

"Follow me!"

John 21:18-19

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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:59:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: FEED MY SHEEP
To: PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK
AT THE
POPPY FEST,
LANCASTER, CA
http://www.poppyfestival.com

"When they had

finished eating,
Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of John,
do you truly love me
more than these?"

93
POPPY_FEST_BEGINS__[1]
POPPY_FEST_BEGINS__[
1]
LANCASTER_MAYOR_[1]
LANCASTER_MAYOR_[1]
A_FEW_POPPIES_CAN_BE_FOUND[1]
A_FEW_POPPIES_CAN_BE
_FOUND[1]
ALSO ON SATURDAY I VISITED THE LANCASTER POPPY
FESTIVAL .
EVERY YEAR THEY CELEBRATE THE BLOOM OF THE POPPIES,
EVEN IF THEY DO NOT BLOOM.

"Yes, Lord," he said,

"you know that I love you."
Jesus said,
"Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said,
"Simon son of John,
do you truly love me?"
He answered,
"Yes, Lord, you
know that I love you."

HORSE & POPPIES PAINTING

HORSE & POPPIES PAINTING
AND THERE'S A POPPY RESERVE
AND THERE'S A POPPY RESERVE
LOTS OF OPEN SPACE IN LANCASTER
LOTS OF OPEN SPACE IN LANCASTER
LOTS OF ACTIVITIES, PAINTINGS, FESTIVITIES, FOOD BOOTHS,
ETC AT THE
POPPY FESTIVAL. AND THERE IS ALSO A NEARBY POPPY RESERVE,
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO POPPIES THIS YEAR (OR VERY FEW).

Jesus said,
"Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him,
"Simon son of John,
do you love me?"

94
PASTOR KOK @ POPPY FESTIVAL
PASTOR KOK @ POPPY FESTIVAL

Peter was hurt

because Jesus
asked him
the third time,
"Do you love me?"

"Lord, you know all things;

you know that I love you."

Jesus said,

"Feed my sheep."
John 21:15-17

WHY DID JESUS ASK THE

SAME QUESTION SO MANY TIMES?

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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:32:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: THE NET WAS NOT TORN
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEDFATIH.ORG

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APRIL 22, 2007
PASTOR KOK III

WATCHING WYLAND PAINT

AT THE OCEAN INSTITUTE
DANA POINT, CA

95
 http://www.ocean-institute.org

"Simon Peter climbed aboard

and dragged the net ashore.
It was full of large fish,
153, but even with so
many the net was not torn..."

WYLAND_PAINTING[1]
WYLAND_PAINTING[1]
WYLAND_LIVE___DANA_PT[1]
WYLAND_LIVE___D
ANA_PT[1]
WYLAND
WYLAND

SEE http://www.wyland.com

HAVE YOU HEARD OF ROBERT WYLAND?

HE WAS BORN IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Jesus said to them,

"Come and have breakfast."
None of the disciples
dared ask him,
"Who are you?"
They knew it was the Lord.

WYLAND_LOVES_MARINE_LIFE[1]
WYLAND_LOVES_MA
RINE_LIFE[1]
LOLA___DANA_POINT[1]
LOLA___DANA_POI
NT[1]
JELLY_FISH_OCEAN_INSTIT[1]
JELLY_FISH_OCEA
N_INSTIT[1]

BUT IS KNOWN TODAY

FOR OCEAN LIFE PAINTINGS.

SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyland

96
 Jesus came,
took the bread
and gave it to them,
and did the same
with the fish.

This was now

the third time
Jesus appeared
to his disciples
after he was raised
from the dead.
John 21:11-14

PRAISE GOD FOR

OUR GOOD EARTH
EARTH DAY, 2007
APRIL 22, 2007

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:24:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: CAST YOUR NET ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

HOSPITALS, HOSPITALS,

97
 & MORE HOSPITALS

CLARIFICATION:

BY THE WAY, IN THE PREVIOUS IMAGE PAGE,

I INCLUDED BELLWOOD HOSPITAL, BELLFLOWER,
BUT I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE HOSPITAL GROUNDS DID
NOT LOOK VERY WELL KEPT. AND I DID NOT GO IN.
INCLUSION OF A HOSPITAL
IN THIS MESSAGE IS NOT ENDORSEMENT OF IT.
( ALSO SEE http://www.hospitalvictims.com/hv_hosp_main.asp?mpn=50253 )

"Afterward Jesus appeared

again to his disciples,
by the Sea of Tiberias.
"I'm going out to fish,"
Simon Peter told
[the other disciples],
and they said,
"We'll go with you."
So they went out and
got into the boat,
but that night
they caught nothing..."

LONG_BEACH_MEMORIAL[1]
LONG_BEACH_MEM
O
RIAL[1]
ENTERING_LB_MEMORIAL[1]
ENTERING_LB_MEM
ORIAL[1]
ESCALATORS_TO_THE_CAFE[1]
ESCALATORS_TO_T
HE_CAFE[1]
I STOPPED IN LONG BEACH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL--
THE LARGEST OF THE LONG BEACH HOSPITALS
(AS BEST AS I CAN TELL) AND A LIVELY PLACE.
THE FIRST 30 MINUTES PARKING IS FREE.
THERE'S A NICE CAFETERIA,
ALTHOUGH IT IS IN THE BASEMENT (VIA ESCALATOR).
I LIKE CAFETERIAS WITH WINDOWS TO THE OUTSIDE.

98
 Early in the morning,
Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not
realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them,
"Friends, haven't you
any fish?"
"No," they answered.

HARBOR UCLA
HARBOR UCLA
LAKEWOOD_MED_CTR[1]
LAKEWOOD_MED_C
T
R[1]
LAKEWOOD_MED_CTR_CAFTERIA[1]
LAKEWOOD_MED_C
T
R_CAFTERIA[
1]
I ALSO STOPPED IN HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER
BRIEFLY, RE HARBOR-UCLA (OR VICE-VERSA)
IT IS NOT A NICE ENVIRONMENT. (MORE ABOUT THAT LATER)
AS WELL AS LAKEWOOD MEDICAL CENTER.
LAKEWOOD HAS A NICE MILIEU AND PARKING IS EASY AND
FREE.

JESUS said,
"Throw your net
on the right side
of the boat and
you will find some."
When they did,
they were unable
to haul the net in
because of the
large number of fish."
JOHN 21:1-6

MATTHEW_BURNS_SECURITY[1]
MATTHEW_BURNS_
S

99
ECURITY[1]
AND LAST SUNDAY I STOPPED IN AT THE
VETERANS HOSPITAL, LONG BEACH,
WHERE I RAN INTO MATTHEW BURNS, SECURITY GUARD.
HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF "ST. THOMAS SUNDAY"
AND TRIED TO CHALLENGE MY CREDIBILITY

NO LUCK IN LIFE?
TRY THROWING
YOUR NET ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 12:39:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: JESUS DID MANY OTHER MIRACLES
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

"Jesus did many other

miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples..."

@ UCI CAFETERIA
@ UCI CAFETERIA
BELLFLOWERS_KAISER_HOSP[1]
BELLFLOWERS_KAI
SER_HOSP[1]
BELLWOOD, BELLFLOWER
BELLWOOD, BELLFLOWER
AND I CONTINUE TO DO HOSPITAL VISITATION,

100
 JUST GETTING ORIENTED TO WHAT IS
AVAILABLE IN THE LOCAL AREA--LOOKING AT MILIEU
ISSUES SUCH AS CLEANLINESS, MORALE, HOSPITALITY,
ETC.

"...which are not recorded

in this book. But these
are written that you may believe..."

Dr_ROBINSON__BURBANK_VET[1]
Dr_ROBINSON__BU
RBANK_VET[1]
DR MCBRIDE
DR MCBRIDE
GARDEN_GROVE_HOSP_[1]
GARDEN_GROVE_H
O
SP_[1]
MEANWHILE, MY DOG LOLA (GOLDEN RETRIEVER
MIX)
CONTINUES TO HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS. SOME DAYS
SHE SEEMS REMARKEABLY GOOD AND SHOWS SIGNS
OF LIFE, BUT THEN OTHER DAYS SHE SEEMS TO BE
VERY
TIRED. I TOOK HER BACK TO THE VET THIS WEEK--
TWO NEW VETS--DR. ROBINSON IN BURBANK, CA, AND
DR. MCBRIDE IN WEST LOS ANGELES.
WE'VE RULED OUT A FEW THINGS...

...BUT HAVE NOT DETERMINED EXACTLY WHAT IS

CAUSING
HER TO BREATH HEAVY, AND OCCASSIONALLY BLEED
FROM THE NOSE. DR. MCBRIDE THINKS IT MIGHT BE
CANCER.
CAN I ASK YOU TO PRAY FOR A DOG?
AND PRAY FOR ME TO
HAVE THE WISDOM TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
IF GOD WANTS HER TO BE HEALTHY AND LIVE FOR A
FEW MORE YEARS, LET IT BE. IF OTHERWISE, GIVE ME
THE STRENGTH & COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God,

101
 and that by believing
you may have life in HIS name.
John 20:30-31

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 08:08:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J Truth" <jesusnow2004@yahoo.com>
Subject: ST. THOMAS SUNDAY
To: PASTORKOK3@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III
APRIL 15, 2007
ST. THOMAS SUNDAY

DR FAKHARI, APRIL 13, 2007

DR FAKHARI, APRIL 13, 2007
MOTION PICTURE HOSPITAL
MOTION PICTURE HOSPITAL
MOTION PICTURE HOSP ENTRANCE
MOTION PICTURE HOSP ENTRANCE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_Picture_&_Television_Country_House_and_H
ospital

http://www.mptvfund.org/health%20care/Hospital

HERE'S MY DOCTOR (AZITA FAKHARI)--A NICE JEWISH WOMAN

FROM

102
 IRAN. SHE IS VERY PLEASANT & KIND. SHE TOOK THE STITCHES
OUT
OF MY LEG ON FRIDAY. I ALSO STOPPED BY THE MOTION
PICTURE
HOSPITAL IN THE WOODLAND HILLS AREA. YES, THAT'S RIGHT,
THE
MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY HAS THEIR OWN HOSPITAL TO
"TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN" AS THEY SAY.

AND MY QUESTION ON ST. THOMAS

SUNDAY IS WHETHER OUR
HOSPITALS HAVE ENOUGH
FAITH TO EFFECTUATE THE
HEALING THEY PRACTICE ?!

A week later JESUS' disciples

were in the house again,
and Thomas was with them.
Though the doors were locked,
Jesus came and stood
among them and said,
"Peace be with you!"

ST JOHNS HOSPITAL
ST JOHNS HOSPITAL
ST JOHNS, ON WALL
ST JOHNS, ON WALL
ST JOHNS JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTIT
ST JOHNS JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTIT
http://www.stjohns.org/default.htm

ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL IN SANTA MONICA IS A HIGHLY

RATED HOSPITAL, AND THE JOHN WAYNE CANCER CENTER
IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HOSPITAL
AND AFFILIATED WITH ST. JOHNS.

IN ADDITION TO THE MEDICINE

THAT THE DOCTORS
PRESCRIBE, AND THE SURGERY
THEY DO--IS THERE FAITH?
TRUE FAITH ?

103
 Then JESUS said to Thomas,
"Put your finger here;
see my hands. Reach out
your hand and put it into
my side.

doubting_thomas[1]
doubting_thomas[1]
Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him,

"My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him,

"Because you have
seen me,
you have believed;
blessed are those
who have not seen
and yet have believed."

John 20:26-29

PRAYER REQUEST:

PRAY FOR MY DOCTOR (FAKHARI)

WHO CAME TO AMERICA FROM IRAN--
FLEEING PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS.
SHE IS A LOVELY, GRACIOUS, WOMAN
AND I HOPE SOME DAY THAT SHE MAY
COME TO BELIEVE IN OUR RISEN LORD,
JESUS CHRIST,
THE SAVIOR !

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 08:32:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>

104
Subject: THE PRAYER OFFERED IN FAITH WILL MAKE THE SICK
PERSON WELL !
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

VISITING HOSPITALS
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

"And the prayer

offered in faith..."

VA_MED_CTR[1]
VA_MED_CTR[1]
VA_WEST_LA[1]
VA_WEST_LA[1]
VET___VA_CTR[1]
VET___VA_CTR[1]
THE VETERANS HOSPITAL IN WEST LOS ANGELES IS A WELL
MAINTAINED
MEDICAL CENTER AND THEY HAVE GREAT PIZZA IN THE
CAFETERIA !

"...will make the

sick person well...;

west h ills
west h ills
west hills hospital
west hills hospital
WEST HILLS HOSPITAL 5
WEST HILLS HOSPITAL 5
I ONLY HAD TIME TO BRIEFLY STEP IN TO THE
WEST HILLS HOSPITAL ON THE
NORTH SIDE OF TOWN, NOT ENOUGH
TIME TO ADEQUATELY APPRAISE IT.

105
 "...the Lord will
raise him up..."
James 5:14-15

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:23:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: HEAL THE SICK !
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

VISITING HOSPITALS
AROUND
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

'Heal the sick who

are there and tell them,
'The kingdom of God
is near you.'
Luke 10:9

BROTMAN MEDICAL CENTER 041107

BROTMAN
MEDICAL CENTER
041107

106
HENRY AT BROTMAN 041107
HENRY AT
BROTMAN 041107
BROTMAN MED CTR 041107
BROTMAN MED
CTR 041107
"Now God worked
unusual miracles
by the hands of Paul...'

KAISER WEST ANGELES 041107 CAFETERIA

KAISER WEST
ANGELES 041107
CAFETERIA
FARMERS MARKET & MUST AT KAISER WEST LA
FARMERS MARKET
& MUST AT
KAISER WEST LA
KAISER WEST ANGELES 041107
KAISER WEST
ANGELES 041107

so that even
handkerchiefs or aprons
were brought
from his body
to the sick,
and the diseases
left them and the
evil spirits
went out of them.
Acts 19:11-13

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT, LIKE PAUL,

WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR THE
POWER OF GOD
IN THIS DAY AND AGE AS BELIEVERS
AND FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST?

107
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Forwarded Message
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:53:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: WHOEVER BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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"A righteous man cares

for the needs of his animal"
Prov 12:10

FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2

FLOWER FIELDS OF
CARLSBAD, GOOD
FRIDAY 2
REV KOK III WITH LOLA ON THE OPEN ROAD
REV KOK III WITH LOLA ON THE OPEN ROAD
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF
CARLSBAD, GOOD
FRIDAY 2

"Go into all the world

and preach the
good news to all creation.
Whoever believes and
is baptized will be saved..."
Mark 16:15-16

_______________________

108
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:04:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: LOLA IS BLESSED
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

DAY BEFORE EASTER

I ALSO WAS
ABLE TO ATTEND
AN ANIMAL BLESSING
CEREMONY
http://www.chem.ucla.edu/~alice/explorations/LA/olvera/olvera.htm

THE OFFICIAL DAY

THE OFFICIAL DAY
LOLA IS READY FOR HER BLESSING
LOLA IS READY FOR
HER BLESSING
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS

& LOLA WAS BLESSED

BY ROGER MAHONEY,
WHO IS ROGER MAHONEY?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Cardinal_Mahony
CONTROVERSY ABOUT MAHONEY

http://fl1.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/religion/doelaarch52002cmp.pdf

109
SHE HAS HER SNAKE
SHE HAS HER SNAKE
HE HAS RABBITS
HE HAS RABBITS
SHE HAS A PARROT
SHE HAS A PARROT
BECAUSE I WENT TO AN ANIMAL BLESSING
LED BY A PRIEST OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,
DOES THIS MEAN I SUPPORT
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND/OR ROGER MAHONEY ?
NO

FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE
BY THE MISSION
BY THE MISSION

BUT THE ANIMAL BLESSING IS NOT SOMETHING THE

PROTESTANT CHURCH OFFERS IN THIS AREA AS FAR AS I KNOW.
SO HERE IS SOMETHING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOES THAT
PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, FIND IMPORTANT TO THEM.
IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD TO HAVE MY DOG BLESSED EVEN IF
IT MEANS NOTHING MORE THAN A
CATHOLIC PRIEST THROWING WATER AT HER
AS I WALK BY IN A LINE OF OTHER PET OWNERS.

MAYBE THE QUESTION TO

ASK IS WHY AREN'T SOME
PROTESTANT CHURCHES
MORE INVOLVED IN THE
DAY-TO-DAY LIVES OF
CHRISTIANS, INCLUDING
THE LIVES OF OUR PETS?

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Forwarded Message

110
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:01:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: EASTER AT THE BOWL !
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

EASTER AT THE BOWL !

THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL,

OF COURSE !

"Jesus did many other

miraculous signs in
the presence of his
disciples..."

SUNRISE SERVICE, HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 5:30 AM

SUNRISE SERVICE, HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 5:30 AM
COMBINED HALLELUJAH
COMBINED HALLELUJAH
WARMING UP
WARMING UP
THERE WERE MANY BANDS, CHOIRS, & PREACHERS AT THE
2007 HOLLYWOOD BOWL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

"...which are
not recorded in this book.
But these are written ..."

Intl PEACE CHOIR

Intl PEACE CHOIR
LIVING CROSS IN BLACK

111
LIVING CROSS IN BLACK
LIVING CROSS IN WHITE
LIVING CROSS IN WHITE

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP SERVICE, AND THE LIVING

CROSS WAS SPECTACULAR ! THEY BEGIN IN BLACK ROBES AND
END IN WHITE !

"...that you may believe

that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God..."

MY JOY,MY CROWN
MY JOY,MY CROWN
LAPD BAND IF HEAVENS WERE BELL
LAPD BAND IF
HEAVENS WERE BELL

& that by believing

you may have life
in His name. "
John 20:30-31

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:36:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: ITS EASTER, ITS EASTER ! PEACE BE WITH YOU !
To: JESUSNO2004@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@YAHOO.COM

112
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PASTOR KOK III

AND NOW I CAN SAY,

IT'S EASTER, IT'S EASTER !

"Mary Magdalene
went to the disciples
with the news:
"I have seen the Lord!"

JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD

JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD
HE'S ALIVE ! WE'RE ALIVE !
HE'S ALIVE ! WE'RE ALIVE !
"... [then] when the disciples
were together, Jesus
came and stood among
them and said,
"Peace be with you!"

EASTER EGG REPRESENTS NEW LIFE

EASTER EGG REPRESENTS NEW LIFE
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (7
FLOWER FIELDS,
PASTOR KOK AT
CARLSBAD (7

"After he said this,

He showed them his
hands and side.
The disciples were
overjoyed when
they saw the Lord. "

FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (1

FLOWER FIELDS,
PASTOR KOK AT

113
CARLSBAD (1
THE HOLY BIBLE
THE HOLY BIBLE
"Again Jesus said,
"Peace be with you!
As the Father has sent me,
I am sending you."

"Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive anyone his sins,
they are forgiven;
if you do not forgive them,
they are not forgiven."
John 20:18-23

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Forwarded Message
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:43:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: MY FATHER, YOUR FATHER, MY GOD, YOUR GOD
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

THE FLOWER FIELDS

OF CARLSBAD !
http://www.carlsbad.ca.us/flowers.html

"...but Mary stood

outside the tomb crying.
As she wept,
she saw two angels in white,
seated where

114
 Jesus' body had been...

FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (2

FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (2
FLOWER FIELDS CARLSBAD , GOOD FRIDAY 200
FLOWER FIELDS CARLSBAD , GOOD FRIDAY 200
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2

They said , "Woman,

why are you crying?"
"They have taken my
Lord away," said Mary.
Then, she turned and
saw Jesus ,
but she did not realize
that it was Jesus.

FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2

FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2

"Woman," Jesus said,

"why are you crying?
Who is it you are looking for?"

FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2

FLOWER FIELDS OF CARLSBAD, GOOD FRIDAY 2
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (1
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (1
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (1
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (1
Thinking he was the gardener,
she said, "Sir, if you have
carried him away,
tell me where you have
put him, and I will get him."

115
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (4
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (4
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (7
FLOWER FIELDS, PASTOR KOK AT CARLSBAD (7
Jesus said to her,
"Mary."
She turned and cried out
"Rabboni!"
(which means Teacher).

Jesus said, "...tell them,

'I am returning to my Father
and your Father,
to my God and your God.'"

John 20:11-17

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:01:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: THEY STILL DID NOT UNDERSTAND
To: JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

GETTING A HAIRCUT
IN ESCONDIDO !

116
 "Early on the first day
of the week,
while it was still dark,
Mary Magdalene
went to the tomb ..."

REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO

REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
GETTING HAIRCUT
GETTING HAIRCUT
REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
I GOT A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO ON MAUNDY THURSDAY,
2007

"...and saw that the

stone had been removed
from the entrance.
So she came running
... and said...'

REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO

REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
REV KOK III GETS A HAIRCUT IN ESCONDIDO
"...They have taken the Lord
out of the tomb,
and we don't know
where they have put him!"
John 20:1-2

ESCONDIDO MAUNDY THURSDAY, 2007 (3)

ESCONDIDO MAUNDY THURSDAY, 2007 (3)
ESCONDIDO MAUNDY THURSDAY, 2007 (4)
ESCONDIDO MAUNDY THURSDAY, 2007 (4)

GRAPE DAY PARK IN ESCONDIDO IS A NICE PLACE,

ALTHOUGH DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED

"(They still did not

117
 understand from Scripture
that Jesus had to
rise from the dead.) "
John 20:8-9

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2007 09:38:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: HE ASKED FOR JESUS' BODY
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III
@

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

SAN MARCOS

"As evening approached,

there came a rich man
from Arimathea,
named Joseph, who
had himself become
a disciple of Jesus..."

SAN MARCOS CSU (6)

SAN MARCOS CSU (6)
SAN MARCOS CSU (5)
SAN MARCOS CSU (5)
SAN MARCOS CSU (16)
SAN MARCOS CSU (16)
AND I STOPPED BY THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AT CAL
STATE SAN MARCOS. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS,
SET APART FROM THE CITY. AND OF COURSE
HAVE A STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOP IN THE LIBRARY !

118
 HERE'S TWO STUDENTS LEAVING WITH THEIR STARBUCKS
DRINKS.

SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS (3)

SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS (3)
SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS
SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS
SAN MARCOS CSU (17)
SAN MARCOS CSU (17)
THERE ARE A LOT OF STATELY BUILDINGS AT CAL STATE SAN
MARCOS

"Going to Pilate,
he asked for Jesus' body,
and Pilate ordered
that it be given to him..."

SAN MARCOS CSU (8)

SAN MARCOS CSU (8)
THEY HAVE A NICE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT SAN MARCOS

"Joseph took the body,

wrapped it in a
clean linen cloth,
and placed it in his
own new tomb that
he had cut out of the rock..."

KOK AT SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS (1)

KOK AT SAN MARCOS CSU CAMPUS (1)
He rolled a big stone
in front of the entrance
to the tomb and went away.
Matt 27:57-61

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119
Forwarded Message
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2007 06:33:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: NOT ONE OF HIS BONES WILL BE BROKEN
To: PASTORKOK3@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

THE MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2007

"Now it was the day of

Preparation, and the next
day was to be a special Sabbath..."

Gibson guitars from kalamazoo

Gibson guitars from
kalamazoo
Benny Goodman Orchestra
Benny Goodman
Orchestra
Beach boys
Beach boys
THE MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC IN CARLSBAD, CA
IS A NICE LITTLE MUSEUM WITH LOTS OF MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
AND PUSH-BUTTON MECHANISMS TO LISTEN TO THE
HISTORY
OF MUSIC AS IT HAS EVOLVED.

"Because the Jews did not

want the bodies left on the
crosses during the Sabbath,
they asked Pilate to have the
legs broken and the bodies

120
 taken down..."

Hammond BC Organ
Hammond BC
Organ
GLENN MILLER
GLENN MILLER
IMG00117
IMG00117
I GREW UP IN A MUSICAL FAMILY. MY MOTHER WAS A
PIANO & CELLO PLAYER AS WELL AS A PIANO TEACHER.
ALL THE KIDS IN OUR FAMILY WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE
PIANO
LESSONS FROM HER. I ALSO PLAYED CORNET
THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH.

"The soldiers therefore came

and broke the legs of the
first man who had been
crucified with Jesus..."

violin
violin
saxaphone
saxaphone
specialized guitars
specialized guitars
LOTS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

"But when they came to Jesus

...they did not break his legs...
Instead, one of the soldiers
pierced Jesus' side with a spear.."

BEATLES PLAYED A BIG PART MUSIC HISTORY

BEATLES PLAYED A BIG PART MUSIC HISTORY

"...bringing a sudden flow

of blood and water.

These things happened

so that the scripture would

121
 be fulfilled: "Not one of his
bones will be broken,"
and..."They will look
on the one
they have pierced."

John 19:31-37

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 08:59:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: "IT IS FINISHED"
To: PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

ALL OVER THE MAP !

"Later, knowing that all

was now completed,
...Jesus said,
"I am thirsty."

WESTMNSTER VIETNAM MEMORIAL 040107 (1)

WESTMNSTER VIETNAM
MEMORIAL 040107 (1)
Kok in Westminster 040107
Kok in Westminster
040107

122
WESTMINSTER LIBRARY 040107 (2)
WESTMINSTER LIBRARY
040107 (2)
ON APRIL 1, I STOPPED BY THE WESTMINSTER VIETNAM
VETERANS
MEMORIAL AFTER SPENDING AN HOUR
AT THE WESTMINSTER LIBRARY. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL
MEMORIAL AND IS GOOD REMINDER
OF THE SACRIFICE MADE BY OUR AMERICAN
SERVICEMEN !
AND IN A FEW DECADES
WE WILL SEE AN IRAQ VETERANS MEMORIAL NEXT TO IT
.
http://www.ci.westminster.ca.us/services/visitors.asp

http://www.ocpl.org/32brnch.asp

"A jar of wine vinegar was there,

so they soaked a sponge in it,
put the sponge on a
stalk of the hyssop plant,and
lifted it to Jesus' lips..."

WESTMINSTER LIBRARY 040107

WESTMINSTER LIBRARY
040107
OCEANSIDE LAUNDROMAT
OCEANSIDE LAUNDROMAT
LOTS OF YOUNG LAPTOPPERS AT THE WESTMINSTER
LIBRARY
AND YES, EVEN I, PASTOR KOK III, HAS TO
TAKE TIME TO WASH HIS CLOTHES.AND I DO IT AT
WHATEVER LAUNDROMAT HAPPENS TO BE CLOSEST AT THE
MOMENT.

When he had received

the drink, Jesus said,
"It is finished."

SOLANO BEACH LIB 040207 (1)

SOLANO BEACH LIB
040207 (1)
SOLANO BEACH LIBRARY 040207 (1)

123
SOLANO BEACH
LIBRARY 040207 (1)
THE SOLANO BEACH LIBRARY IS ALSO A VERY NICE PLACE TO
STUDY

http://www.friendsofsolanabeachlibrary.org

"...With that,
he bowed his head and
gave up His spirit."
John 19:28-30

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Forwarded Message
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 06:53:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: WHAT CRIME HAS HE COMMITTED ?
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

LIBRARIES, LIBRARIES,
& MORE LIBRARIES !

"They will condemn Him to

death...[to be] mocked, flogged
and crucified..."
Matt 20:18-19

CARDIFF LIBRARY 040207

CARDIFF LIBRARY
040207

124
CARDIFF LIBRARY 040207 (4)
CARDIFF LIBRARY
040207 (4)
see http://www.sdcl.org
"As you know, the Passover
is two days away-and
the Son of Man will be
handed over to be crucified."
Matt 26:2

CARLSBAD LIBRARY 040207

CARLSBAD LIBRARY
040207
CARLSBAD LIB 040207 (4)
CARLSBAD LIB 040207
(4)
http://www.carlsbadca.gov/cserv/library.html

"What crime has he committed?"

asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder,
"Crucify him!"
Matt 27:23

CYPRESS LIBRARY 033107 (1)

CYPRESS LIBRARY
033107 (1)
CYPRESS LIBRARY 033107 (3)
CYPRESS LIBRARY
033107 (3)
http://www.ocpl.org/45brnch.asp

"[SO PILATE ] had

Jesus flogged,
and handed him
over to be crucified."
Matt 27:26

LA PALMA LIB 033107

LA PALMA LIB 033107
LA PALMA LIB 033107 (1)
LA PALMA LIB 033107
(1)

125
 http://www.ocpl.org/23brnch.asp

"When they came to

the place called the Skull
[Calvary], there they
crucified him,
along with the criminals..."

Luke 23:33-34

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 13:17:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: HEAR MY PRAYER O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY !
To: JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

PRAYER REQUESTS

"Hear my prayer,
O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me,
O God of Jacob.".
Ps 84:8

126
ALLERGY DOC ASSISTANT, BEV HILLS (1)
ALLERGY DOC ASSISTANT, BEV HILLS (1)
DEL MAR BEACH 040207 (1)
DEL MAR BEACH 040207 (1)
ALLERGY DOCS OFFICE 033007 (1)
ALLERGY DOCS OFFICE 033007 (1)
DEAR FRIENDS, SOME OF YOU KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN SEEING
DOCTORS FOR VARIOUS AILMENTS, INCLUDING BREATHING
DIFFICULTIES
WHICH MAY BE DUE TO UNKNOWN ALLERGIES. THEREFORE I
FINALLY SAW
AN ALLERGIST LAST WEEK AT AN OFFICE IN BEVERLY HILLS
(DOCS ASSISTANTS SHOWN ABOVE). AND HERE I AM,
REV KOK III, (ABOVE, CENTER) AT DEL MAR DOG
BEACH THIS WEEK (HOLY WEEK).

IRONICALLY, WHILE YOU MAY

THINK THAT I AM ASKING PRIMARILY FOR PRAYERS FOR
MYSELF--
ACTUALLY I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT OUR
DOCTORS &
THEIR ASSISTANTS, INCLUDING MY ALLERGY DOCTOR WHO IS
FROM IRAN.
DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE OF THE LARGEST IRANIAN-
AMERICAN
POPULATIONS IS IN BEVERLY HILLS, CA?

IN FACT, AN IRANIAN-AMERICAN
WAS JUST ELECTED MAYOR OF BEVERLY HILLS ! AND MY
PRIMARY
CARE PHYSICIAN IS FROM IRAN AS WELL. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE
PROBLEMS IN IRAN (WHICH IS WHY THEY CHOSE TO COME TO
AMERICA)
AND WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THEY CHOSE TO BECOME
AMERICAN
AND THEREFORE ARE USUALLY GOOD CITIZENS.

DIETZ OFFICE 032607 (1)

DIETZ OFFICE 032607 (1)
DR DIETZ
DR DIETZ
BRENDA CHOYCE, WESTCHESTER
BRENDA CHOYCE, WESTCHESTER
AND I AM ALSO SEEING A NEUROLOGIST FOR THE PAIN

127
 LEFT OVER IN MY NECK/LEFT ARM/LEFT LEG/WRIST (ETC)
FROM THE FEBRUARY 3, 2000 INCIDENT IN PASADENA.
I MET DR. DIETZ FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST WEEK AND HE
ORDERED ANOTHER MRI AND A EMG NERVE CONDUCTION
TEST.
AGAIN, PRAY FOR OUR PHYSICIANS. AND ALSO I HAVE A
PRAYER
REQUEST FOR BRENDA CHOYCE, A SCHOOL SECRETARY, IN
THE
WESTCHESTER AREA OF LOS ANGELES. SHE HAS BEEN VERY
NICE TO ME . I DON'T KNOW HER LIFE STORY BUT FOR SOME
REASON I FEEL COMPELLED TO PRAY FOR HER AND ASK YOU
TO
JOIN IN WITH ME.

HUCK FINN , SIERRA MADRE 0331007 (1)

HUCK FINN , SIERRA MADRE 0331007 (1)
HUCK FINN FISHING DERBY 033107 (10)
HUCK FINN FISHING DERBY 033107 (10)
HUCK FINN FISHING DERBY 033107 (2)
HUCK FINN FISHING DERBY 033107 (2)

MEANWHILE, AS YOU KNOW IF YOU READ MY WRITTEN

MESSAGE, I ALSO STOPPED BY THE HUCK FINN FISHING
DERBY LAST SATURDAY IN SIERRA MADRE. GREAT KIDS
AND PARENTS HAVING A GOOD OL' TIME FISHING. AND LOLA
LOVED IT TOO, UNTIL... WELL...READ THE WRITTEN
MESSAGE
FOR MORE DETAILS. PRAY FOR THE GALC COMMUNITY IN
SIERRA MADRE--LIVING IN FEAR THEY ARE DESPARATELY
TRYING TO MAINTAIN A STATUS QUO THAT IS OPPRESSIVE TO
GOD-LOVING OTHERS. PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT
TO INDWELL THE GOOD PEOPLE IN
SIERRA MADRE AND
MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER !

O you who hear prayer,

to you all men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good

128
 things of your house,
of your holy temple.
Ps 65:2-4

THE BODY OF CHRIST

IS THE NEW TEMPLE
WE ARE THE
BODY OF CHRIST !

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Forwarded Message
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 15:43:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ssssss" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: DOES GOD USE SCIENCE TO PERFORM MIRACLES ?
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III
THE SALK INSTITUTE

http://www.salk.edu

"When you enter a town

and are welcomed...

SALK RECEPTION AREA

SALK RECEPTION AREA
KOK AT SALK INSTITUTE 040407 (1)
KOK AT SALK INSTITUTE
040407 (1)
MY FIRST LOOK !
MY FIRST LOOK !

129
 ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007 I TOURED THE SALK INSTITUTE
IN
LA JOLLA (SAN DIEGO), CA. IT WAS MY FIRST TIME HERE AND
OUR GUIDE GAVE US A GREAT INSIDE & OUT TOUR WITH
SOME
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
OF
THE INSTITUTE AS WELL AS A LITTLE ABOUT SALK IN
ADDITION TO
THE ARCHITECT, LOUIS KAHN.

"...eat what is set before

you. Heal the sick
who are there..."

SALK INSTITUTE 040407 (3)

SALK INSTITUTE
040407 (3)
SALK INSTITUTE 040407 (7)
SALK INSTITUTE
040407 (7)
SALK INSTITUTE 040407 (10)
SALK INSTITUTE 040407 (10)

THESE ARE THE BUILDINGS IN WHICH THE LABORATORIES ARE

ENCLOSED.
THIS IS LOOKING WEST TOWARDS THE PACIFIC OCEAN. AT THE
WEST END
THERE IS A DECORATIVE POOL AND A VIEW OF THE OCEAN.

and tell them,

' The kingdom of God
is near you.'
Luke 10:8-10

According to Wikipedia,
"The institute has 56 labs and focuses its research in
three areas: Molecular Biology and Genetics;
Neurosciences; and Plant Biology. Research topics
include cancer, diabetes, birth defects, Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, and AIDS."

( SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salk_Institute )

130
 NOTE:
Although the research they do is very important,
the institute is not surrounded by high fences
and guarded entrances. While it is secure, the
institute is also relatively "open" for both employees and
the public. There was not an oppressive feeling of
being watched at all times. Tours are by reservation.

" Stretch out your hand

to heal and perform miraculous
signs and wonders through
the name of your holy
servant Jesus."

After they prayed,

the place where they were
meeting was shaken.

And they were all filled

with the Holy Spirit and
spoke the word
of God boldly.

Acts 4:30-31

DOES GOD USE SCIENCE

TO PERFORM MIRACLES ?

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Forwarded Message
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 07:18:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: NOT RUNNING AIMLESSLY !

131
To: JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM, pastorkok3@yahoo.com,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III
THE GEISSEL LIBRARY
AT UCSD !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisel_Library

NAMED AFTER THEODORE SEUSS GEISSEL

(AKA "DR. SEUSS")
" I do not run like a man
running aimlessly...;

Incredible futuristic architectu

Incredible
futuristic
architectu
Aka Dr Seuss Library
Aka Dr Seuss Library
UCSD'S Geissel Library
UCSD'S Geissel
Library
THIS IS THE GEISSEL LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO CAMPUS (LA JOLLA). IT IS AN INCREDIBLE,
FUTURISTIC-STYLE
ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL ! I STOPPED IN THERE YESTERDAY
(APRIL 3, 2007)

"...I do not fight like a

man beating the air."
1 Cor 9:26

THE TUNNEL STARTS HERE

THE TUNNEL STARTS
HERE
LOTS OF STEPS !
LOTS OF STEPS !

132
LOLA MADE IT !
LOLA MADE IT !
AND I ALSO HAD A GOOD TIME NEAR LA JOLLA COVE AND
WENT TO
THE FAMOUS CAVE STORE, AND LOLA & I TOOK THE STEPS
DOWN
TO THE WATER. LOLA MADE IT ! THERE'S A LOT OF STEPS
THROUGH
THE DARKNESS. JUST KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LIGHT AT
THE END
OF THE TUNNEL AND YOU WILL MAKE IT.

"Because God wanted to

make the unchanging nature
of His purpose very clear..."

Look at all the Birds !

Look at all the
Birds !
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
La jolla
La jolla
LOTS OF BIRDS INCLUDING PELICANS IN LA JOLLA COVE.

...to the heirs of what

was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath."
Heb 6:17

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 07:28:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J Kok III" <pastorkok@mustardseedfaith.org>
Subject: WALK IN THE LIGHT !

133
To: JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, pastorkok3@yahoo.com,
JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM

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PASTOR KOK III

MORE FROM RIVERSIDE, CA

"Walk while you have

the light , before darkness
overtakes you..."

Riverside Museum 032507

Riverside Museum
032507
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM & LIBRARY
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM &
LIBRARY
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM & LIBRARY (8)
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM &
LIBRARY (8)
RIVERSIDE HAS A NICE MUSEUM ACROSS FROM THE
LIBRARY
WHICH HAPPENED TO BE OPEN WHEN I WAS THERE
AND THE ADMISSION WAS FREE

"...The man who walks

in the dark does
not know where he is going..."

Rvrside Strbucks 032507

Rvrside Strbucks
032507
Rverside Cty Court 032507
Rverside Cty Court
032507
Rvrside Kinkos 032507
Rvrside Kinkos
032507
BEGAN THE DAY (LAST WEEK SUNDAY (03/25/07) AT A
STARBUCKS IN RIVERSIDETHERE IS ALSO A BEAUTIFUL

134
 COUNTY COURT BUILDING IN THE SAME AREA.

"...Put your trust in the light

while you have it..."

Coffee bean 0325007

Coffee bean 0325007
IMG02541
IMG02541
I ALSO STOPPED IN AT THE COFFEE BEAN IN DOWNTOWN
RIVERSIDE.
AND OF COURSE LOLA IS ALWAYS WITH ME IN THE CAR WHERE
I USUALLY SLEEP WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD.

"...so that you may

become sons of light."
John 12:35-36

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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 16:46:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: FOR THIS REASON A MAN WILL LEAVE HIS MOTHER &
FATHER...
To: JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

"For this reason a man

will leave his father and mother...

135
George ChaffeyJr,UplandLib0325
George
ChaffeyJr,Uplan
dLib0325
Upland Lib 032507
Upland Lib 032507
Upland dog park 032507
Upland dog park 032507
ABOVE: UPLAND LIBRARY AND NEARBY DOG PARK (3/25/07)
http://uplandpl.lib.ca.us

"...and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh...

Upland Lib 032507l

Upland Lib 032507l
RIVERSIDE LIBRARY
RIVERSIDE LIBRARY
Riverside Lib 032507
Riverside Lib 032507
Above: ALSO RIVERSIDE LIBRARY
http://www.riversideca.gov/library

"...This is a profound mystery-

but I am talking about Christ
and the church..."

RIVERSIDE LIBRARY (2)

RIVERSIDE LIBRARY (2)
RIVERSIDE LIBRARY
RIVERSIDE LIBRARY
INSIDE RIVERSIDE LIBRARY

"However, each one of you

also must love his wife
as he loves himself,
and the wife must
respect her husband..". Eph 5:31-33
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Forwarded Message

136
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 09:21:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: DON'T I HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE A BELIEVING WIFE
WITH ME?
To: JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM, pastorkok3@yahoo.com,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

CLAREMONT & POMONA

COLLEGES

http://www.pomona.edu
http://voxlibris.claremont.edu
http://www.mckenna.edu/

CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (15)

CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (15)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (1)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (1)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (12)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (12)
THE CLAREMONT & POMONA COLLEGE CAMPUS IS VERY
NICE,
AND THE LIBRARIES ARE EVEN NICER ! AND THERE ARE
A
FEW OTHER COLLEGES THERE AS WELL.

"Don't we have the right to take

a believing wife along with us,
as do the other apostles...

CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (14)

CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (14)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (16)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (16)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (10)
CLAREMONT COLLEGE 032507 (10)
KEEP THE KIDS, FACULTY & STAFF AT THE
CLAREMONT (ET. AL) CAMPUS IN YOUR PRAYERS !

137
Honnold Mudd Lib 032507
Honnold Mudd Lib 032507
"...Or is it only I and
Barnabas who
must work for a living?

1 Cor 9:5-6

I EXPRESS SOME OF MY THOUGHTS, CONCERNS,

& FEELINGS ABOUT ME TAKING A WIFE
("LIKE THE OTHER APOSTLES")
IN TODAY'S WRITTEN MESSAGE.

I ALSO ADDRESS SOME OF MY FRUSTRATION

RE. LACK OF SUPPORT FROM FAMILY
IN REGARDS TO ESTABLISHING A
RELATIONSHIP LEADING TO MARRIAGE.

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 07:58:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: JESUS WAS PERIPATETIC
To: JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG,
JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM

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HAPPY PALM SUNDAY !

138
 PASTOR KOK III
STILL IN SEARCH OF
THE GOOD NEWS LIBRARY !
BUENA PARK LIBRARY
http://www.buenapark.lib.ca.us

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (1)

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (1)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 (1)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 (1)
NOT FAR FROM KNOTTS BERRY FARM AMUSEMENT PARK
IS THE
BUENA PARK LIBRARY. THIS IS A NICE, SPACIOUS,
LIBRARY,
WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR LAPTOPPING.

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (2)

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (2)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (3)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (3)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (5)
BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807 GG (5)
I STOPPED IN AT THE BUENA PARK LIBRARY
AFTER THE SPIRITUALITY & AGING
CONFERENCE IN ANAHEIM

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807

BUENA PARK LIBRARY 032807
"I must preach the
good news of the
kingdom of God to
the other towns also,
because that is why I was sent."
Luke 4:43-44

JESUS WAS PERIPATETIC

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/
DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861725073

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139
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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:06:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.P K" <jesusnow2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: THE HOLY SPIRIT OF JESUS WAS PRESENT
To: pastorkok3@yahoo.com, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III
SPIRITUALITY & AGING
CONFERENCE
WORKING WITH
ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS

JIM KOK WAS A SURPRISE ATTENDEE

JIM KOK WAS A
SURPRISE ATTENDEE
THERE'S CORDULA (L) & JIM KOK (R)
THERE'S CORDULA (L)
& JIM KOK (R)
DOUG EDWARDS FROM WESTMNSTER GRDENS W
DOUG EDWARDS FROM WESTMNSTER GRDENS W
ABOVE: 1) DON KOEPKE WHO PUTS ON THE CONFERENCE AND IS THE
DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY & AGING E-MAILED ME
ABOUT THE SEMINAR, WHICH I FORWARDED TO MY DAD, JIM KOK. AND
HE SURPRISED ME BY ACTUALLY ATTENDING ! 2) AND IT JUST SO
HAPPENED THAT CORDULA HAD BEEN A GUEST SPEAKER AT ONE OF
MY DAD'S EARLY KINDNESS CONFERENCES; 3) THIS IS DOUG EDWARDS
WHO WORKS FOR WESTMINSTER GARDENS RETIREMENT HOME--
WHICH IS WHERE I ORIGINALLY MET DON KOEPKE.

THE SEMINAR WAS ALSO ON-SCREEN

THE
SEMINAR WAS ALSO
ON-SCREEN
SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (14)
SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (14)
SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (4)
SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (4)

140
ABOVE: 1) CORDULA LECTURED MOST OF THE TIME WITH ALL OF IT
ALSO ON THE SCREEN NEXT TO HER. IT WAS A VERY "INTELLECTUAL"
LECTURE, WITH A LOT OF REFERENCES TO MEDICAL & PSYCHIATRIC
(DSM) TERMINOLOGY. 2) THERE'S DONE KOEKPE SITTING IN THE
CHAIR BEHIND EVERYBODY ELSE; 3) ONE OF THE ATTENDEES CALLING
HOME DURING A BREAK.

SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (2)

SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONF 032807 (2)
AND OF COURSE , LOLA WAS THERE !
SLEEPING OUTSIDE IN THE SHADE BY MY CAR

MOST IMPORTANTLY,
WHILE EVERYBODY MAY
NOT HAVE BEEN CHRISTIANS,
I BELIEVE
THE HOLY SPIRIT
OF JESUS CHRIST
WAS PRESENT AMONGST US !

_______________________
Mr. K (Kok)
Philip A (John) Kok
Pastor Kok III
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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 11:53:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: SPIRITUALITY & AGING CONFERENCE (03/28/07)
To: JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@MUSTARDSEEDFAITH.ORG

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PASTOR KOK III

141
 SPIRITUALITY & AGING
CONFERENCE
MARCH 28, 2007

THE HOSTESS AT HOLIDAY INN

THE HOSTESS AT HOLIDAY INN
CORDULA DICK-MUELKEWAS THE SPEAKER
CORDULA DICK-MUELKE
WAS THE SPEAKER
MET BILL WRIGHT FR. W ANAHEIM HOSPITAL
MET BILL WRIGHT FR. W ANAHEIM HOSPITAL

BACK TO THE PRESENT: ON MARCH 28, 2007 I ATTENDED THE

SPIRITUALITY
& AGING CONFERENCE AT THE HOLIDAY INN IN ANAHEIM, CA (NEXT
TO DISNEYLAND) .
CORDULA DICK-MUELKE WAS THE MAIN SPEAKER

SPIRIT & AGING 032807, HOLIDAY INN, ANAH

SPIRIT & AGING
032807, HOLIDAY
INN, ANAH
SPIRIT & AGING 032807, HOLIDAY INN, ANAH
SPIRIT & AGING
032807, HOLIDAY
INN, ANAH
SPIRIT & AGING 032807, HOLIDAY INN, ANAH
SPIRIT & AGING
032807, HOLIDAY
INN, ANAH
THERE WERE AT LEAST 30 PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE

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Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 08:25:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: "REV KOK III" <jj1jj12000@yahoo.com>
Subject: 04/02/06 ANNIVERSARY EDITION: Sunday Morning Message from
Pastor Kok III: The Power of the Holy Spirit!

142
To: JESUSNOW2005@YAHOO.COM, JESUSNOW2004@YAHOO.COM,
PASTORKOK3@YAHOO.COM

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BELOW:
THIS IS THE FIRST SUNDAY MESSAGE BY PASTOR KOK III
TRANSMITTED ONE YEAR AGO ON APRIL 2, 2006, PALM SUNDAY

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2006 10:25:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Philip Kok" <pastorkok3@yahoo.com>
Subject: Sunday Morning Message from Pastor Kok III: The Power of the
Holy Spirit!
To: "Rick DeVries" <rdevries@grcs.org>, "William DeVries"
<wilcdev@aol.com>, "Amy Dice" <burzie@prodigy.net>, "GRCH1976 David Dice"
<crwrc@zamnet.zm>, "GRCH1983 John Dice" <dicenolive@yahoo.com>, "Paul
Diekema" <pdiekema@grcs.org>, "Tony Diekema" <AJDIEK@aol.com>,
"GRCH1990 Jeffrey Distelberg" <jlsamidog@aol.com>, "John Douma"
<doumas@brookings.net>, "Drake Bay Wilderness Camp"
<drakebayresort@adelphia.net>, "Kelly Dupon" <KEL32MI@AOL.COM>,
"GRCH1958 Earl Duthler" <e.r.duthler@chello.nl>, "Karen Dykema"
<krh5@calvin.edu>, "Joel Dykstra" <spcdykstra@hotmail.com>,
"GRCH1996Ministry Kevin Eastway" <keastway@mac.com>, "Tim Eckhoff"
<ECKHOFF@BTC-BCI.COM>, "Marla Ehlers" <mehlers@grpl.org>, "David
Engelhard" <engelhard@crc.na.org>, "Kris Engelhard"
<KLGREK@novagate.com>, "Caren Ezinga" <lindsay.whaley@dartmouth.edu>,
"Shari Fifer" <sduthler@tds.net>, "Cindy Vanderveen Friezwyk"
<freeze@chartermi.net>, "FullerLibrary" <BJ@Fuller.edu>, "Joan Ganzevoort"
<jganzevoort@hotmail.com>, "brent gates" <brentgates@comcast.net>, "Lisa
Gezon" <lgezon@westga.edu>, "Sara Gezon" <sarasueshaw@comcast.net>, "Tom
Glass" <tglass@tkns.net>, "John Goldingay" <johngold@fuller.edu>, "Nancy
Gower" <nsg@Fuller.edu>, "GraceCRC?" <gracecrc100@sbcglobal.net>,
"GRCH1" <ken@rjksalesinc.com>, "GRCH10" <pgtop@juno.com>, "GRCH13"
<randmag@aol.com>, "GRCH14" <mrsluis@comcast.net>, "GRCH15"
<michaeljvd@comcast.net>, "GRCH16" <dc9dutch@yahoo.com>, "GRCH16"
<pablovt01@hotmail.com>, "GRCH17" <mike@summitlandscapeinc.com>,
"GRCH18" <lbv@netscape.com>, "GRCH19" <mlv@raderfishman.com>,
"GRCH2" <DEN567@aol.com>, "GRCH20" <svroegop@holland-law.com>,
"GRCH21" <DIRK@NETPENNY.NET>, "GRCH22" <philip367@hotmail.com>,
"GRCH23" <DWMIKK@REACH.NET>, "GRCH3" <SSheler@sbcglobal.net>,
"GRCH4" <rexstephanie@aol.com>, "GRCH5" <amyscraps@juno.com>,

143
"GRCH6" <grandd@iserv.net>, "GRCH8" <jthomas@greenridge.com>,
"GRCH9" <isaacandbensmom@bellsouth.net>, "Roger Greenway"
<grer@calvin.edu>, "Morris Greidanus" <mng.grmi@worldnet.att.net>, "Nelson
Greidanus" <ngreidan@grcs.org>, "Sid Greidanus" <sgreida@calvin.edu>,
"GRCH1994 SaraKooistra Groves" <MEXMAMACITA@hotmail.com>, "Bethany
Gunn" <barbra_gage@gmail.com>, "Walter Hansen" <whansen@silcom.com>,
"Peter Harkema" <pharkema@fuller.edu>, "Arch Hart" <hart@fuller.edu>,
"GRCH1969 John Heemstra" <trailrider@linkline.com>, "GRCH1966 Charlene
Heyboer-Kamper" <char_kamper@eee.org>, "Harold Hiemstra"
<halbus@aol.com>, "Dave Hilbrands" <DHILBRAN@ALTELCO.COM>, "Mark
Hofstra" <hofstrabunch@hotmail.com>, "GRCH1978 ChristieRockett Holliday"
<nhorses@triton.net>, "Marshall Holtvluwer" <pastormarshall@opcrc.org>, "Jack
Senior Holwerda" <jjholw@msn.com>, "Patty Holwerda"
<BETHESDACHRISTIAN@yahoo.com>, "Peter Holwerda"
<peterh@crministrycenter.net>, "Susan Holwerda" <slholden65@aol.com>, "Ralph
Honderd" <hond@calvin.edu>, "GRCH1966 Gerrit Hovius"
<g.hovius@keyaccess.nl>, "Mel Hugen" <mhugen@calvin.edu>, "Calvie Hughson"
<calvieh@crystalcathedral.org>, "tim hull" <timhull@prodigy.net>, "Bill Hybells"
<info@willowcreek.org>, "jj1jj12000@yahoo.com" <jj1jj12000@yahoo.com>,
"Robert Johnston" <johnston@fuller.edu>, "Arthur Jongsma"
<ajongjr@aol.com>, "Wayne Joose" <jooswa@calvin.edu>, "GRCH1964
DavidandGloria Kett" <djkett@sbcglobal.net>, "Donald Klompeen"
<donklo@aol.com>, "Donald Klop" <dw.Klop@verizon.net>, "Dan Klunder"
<drklunder@fhhlc.com>, "Jim Klunder" <jim@centennialsec.com>, "Mark
Knoper" <mrknoper@yahoo.com>, "Andrew James Kok"
<ajkok@varnumlaw.com>, "Bill? Kok" <wwkok2@aol.com>

HTML Attachment [ Scan and Save to Computer ]

Sunday Morning Spiritual Message from Pastor Kok III:
The Power of the Holy Spirit!

This message can also be viewed at www.myspace.com (search

Jesusnow2005@yahoo.com MSM does not endorse My Space advertisements or
other spaces) as well as at www.mustardseedfaith.org/TodaysWorshipService

Dear Friends,

Good Morning from Garden Grove, California! It's a cool morning. I've turned my
clock ahead and it is 6:50 a.m pst as I begin composing. What a week! Some of you
may or may not know that in addition to doing ministry I also am involved in
education. I taught as a “regular teacher” for a few years in Coachella Valley, CA
before going back to seminary and while going through seminary I substitute
taught, and continued to do so after seminary, while building up Mustard Seed

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Ministries. This week I went to several different Los Angeles area schools and there
was a lot of upheaval due to some of the protests that took place earlier this week in
regards to the new legislation or potential legislation concerning illegal immigrants.
In addition, some of the schools I go to are not “stable” schools. There's constant
turnover--teachers quit in the middle of the year, administrations are not always
supportive, etc. etc.

This week I saw a few fights--one kids with a very bloody face, another kid was
taken out of my classroom in handcuffs. I heard the usual insults from students to
students and even a few towards me. I heard the “F word” numerous times. I heard
the “N word” a few times as well (did you know that black students call other black
students “N-gg-r” in a semi-affectionate manner without any notion of the
derogatory history of the word? I've addressed the matter to them a few times and
sometimes it helps, temporarily). But the language problem in our public schools is a
real problem and is something to pray about.

As you can imagine by 3:00 pm Friday I am ready to get away from Los Angeles,
and recently I've been going to San Diego for a brief respite. This weekend I
managed to go to San Diego Zoo and Sea World for part of the day before returning
here to Orange County to be near the church and compose my morning message.
And I promised I would speak about the Holy Spirit this week. After my e-mail
campaign on Monday and Tuesday and the Surprise E-mail Birthday Party for Jim
Kok --which had an overwhelming positive response, but was clouded by one
negative response from my cousin, Bob Kok, led me to send out messages about the
Danger of the Abusive Personality and an exhortation to Walk in the Spirit.

Since then I've exchanged a few other messages with cousin Bob and have decided
to use only postal mail communication with Bob and his wife, Cindy, who live in
Holland, Michigan. Bob got his “fifteen minutes of fame” with his negative spam e-
mail messages in the middle of the Birthday Bash for my dad, Jim Kok. Later, I
responded to Bob Kok saying you have “no patriarchal authority over me” and a
few other things--indicating to him my displeasure not on ly about his negative e-
mail spam but the fact that he has not been a leader nor shown any interest
whatsoever in me and how I'm doing over the last 40 years--and now to suddenly
speak like some sort of upset “father figure” was very disingenuous.

And some positive things came from all of this--I think we broke through some
pretense of affection that was never actually there and I'm glad Bob finally was able
to say, honestly and openly, “I don't care about you at all, Phil (or John)?” Even as
much as it stings to know somebody has no natural affection for you, it is nice to
know the truth. And you can begin to develop a paradigm that includes the
realization that there are those without any natural affection, some of them are
living semi-functionally in society.

My friends, last week I spoke about the Body of Christ and intertwined it with some
of my personal history and made references to the Crystal Cathedral and how the

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Crystal Cathedral, despite seeming to be “larger than life” sometimes, is “just
another” part of the body of Christ, and is a member of the Reformed Church of
America and answers to the denomination. All the pastors of the Crystal Cathedral
have some seminary education at a Reformed or Christian Reformed seminary and
must also satisfy certain denominational requirements in order to continue to be
part of the denomination.

But to whom does the denomination answer? To whom does the seminary answer?
Beyond the Board of Officers or Trustees, et. al. the ultimate answer is Jesus
Christ--the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the “litmus test” of whether it is a
genuine “church” or a genuine part of the Body of Christ is the “fruits of the
Spirit.” Does (do) the church, the denomination, the Board of Officers or Trustees,
the president of the seminary, the professors, administrators, those in charge of
“seminary development” or “student life” et. al. as a whole evidence the presence of
the Holy Spirit and the “Fruits of the Spirit?” That is how the “common person”
can judge. And so let's begin this morning's message with a prayer.

Prayer: Dear Holy Father, we come to you in humble prayer and ask for your
guidance for this morning's message about Your Holy Spirit. Give me the Words to
say, God. Give me the thoughts to think, Jesus. And give me the wisdom to bring a
message together this morning that will be meaningful and edifying to others, Holy
Spirit. Hear our prayer. Amen.

And now let's sing a song

Song:The Bible Stands http://www.newsongonline.org/midi-hymns.html

And the Bible does stand as our source of authority--the Inspired, Infallible, Word
of God. This does not mean we do not study the sources--that we do not examine the
Greek or Hebrew or that we do not attempt to test the “weight” of a passage given
the different fragments of parchment we have from which a verse or passage of the
Bible was derived (which takes some time and serious research to understand) but
we believe in the Bible as a whole--that the Bible stands as Inspired and Infallible as
a whole. But this does not stop us from inquiring into the intended meaning of the
Word in specific--various verses, passages, etc. And ultimately it is Jesus Christ in
our heart and the presence of the Holy Spirit that provides the personal answer to
some specific life questions.

Song: In My Heart http://www.newsongonline.org/midi-hymns.html

Isn 't that a nice piano piece? I'm starting to feel better already. How about you?
Now let's go to the morning Scripture

Scripture: Acts 2:33-39

33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from
the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see
and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘
The LORD said to my Lord, “ Sit at My right hand, 35Till I make Your

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enemies Your footstool.”’[f] 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly
that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now
when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of
the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them,
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the
promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the
Lord our God will call.” What is this passage all about? Well, it's about both
Easter & Pentecost, both of which are coming up. It's about the crucifixion, the
descending into hell, the resurrection and the ascension. First it is about the
promise of the Holy Spirit which we find in Joel 2: 28-29 and which says, “And it
shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the
handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

This is a promise of the Holy Spirit and it was fulfilled, initially and in general, at
Pentecost which we celebrate this year on June 4, 2006. But the Holy Spirit can
come at any time, individually or more. And the Holy Spirit is here, now. All good
things are due to the Holy Spirit--even those things we take for granted. Although
Joel make reference to things that sound sort of “mystical” “shall prophesy” ,
“dream dreams”, and “see visions” this does not necessarily mean it will always or
ever be something exotic like you would find in a fanciful Hollywood movie. Nor
do you have to be an ordained minister of any specific denomination to experience
the Holy Spirit. You do not have to be hired by a church and given a fancy title to
experience the Holy Spirit. Have you ever dreamed of something? Have you ever
thought about the effects of a governmental policy and said to yourself or somebody
else, “Just wait, you'll see--that is going to lead to trouble.” Have you ever had a
premonition about something to come and find out later on it did happen? Well
maybe you have been filled with the Holy Spirit. But if you don't act on what the
Holy Spirit has inspired in you, you might “quench” the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5.19-22 is one verse that warns of the danger of “quenching” the
Holy Spirt: 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesies. 21 Prove all things;
hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

I believe that all of God's people--all believers in Jesus Christ are privy to the Holy
Spirit but too often we quench that Spirit. The word they translate as quench in the
New Testament comes from the Greek “sbennumi” meaning very simply, “to
extinguish”

One of my favorite commentaries says this, in part, about the quenching the Spirit:
“”Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. [God] works

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as fire by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. We must be
careful not to quench this holy fire...we quench the Spirit if we do not stir up our
spirits, and all that is within us, to comply with the motions of the good Spirit... be
careful about indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things.”
(Matthew Henry's Commentary, Biblesoft)

Too often we become overwhelmed with worldly problems--perceived needs (as

opposed to actual needs), desires, fears, phobias, etc. And when we do not rely upon
the Holy Spirit and instead capitulate to the world we begin to quench the Spirit. IN
fact, they used to say when somebody died that the person “gave up the ghost” --and
the King James Version of the Bible uses that phrase for death at least once (see Job
3.11 King James Bible).

But not everybody who has “given up the ghost” is actually, physically dead. We
have all met people who seem to lack natural affection and civility. Fortunately, a lot
of them are in jail--mass murderers, rapists, habitual thieves, etc. Unfortunately,
some are not--some people live without the ghost or much of it in a semi-functional
manner in society. But they are not real pleasant people to be around. In fact some
of these people are “abusive personalities”--fortunately marginalized by good
society to a certain extent--but still dangerous.

And we have the Holy Spirit to rely upon to keep us alive rather than walking dead.
Our senses are not dulled. We are “in the Spirit” and “of the Spirit” and together as
the Body of Christ we exhibit the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22-26; also see
Ephesians 5.9; among others) We can rely upon the Holy Spirit if we are careful not
to get seduced by the world and materialism. This is not to say material things are
bad, God forbid.

IN fact that's an opposite danger to think of all material goods as bad. Indeed not,
what is dangerous is to make materials goods out-of-proportionally important to
your life--so that God becomes secondary. People lose their good judgment when
seduced by material pleasures. The congressman from San Diego, Duke
Cunningham, one of our heroes from Vietnam, is an example of having become
seduced.

How do we prevent this quenching of the Spirit? There is no formula. Going to

church may help but then there are some who so habitually go to church that it is
not fully “of the Spirit” as much as it is just another habitual pattern. Take, for
example, the mass murderer from Kansas City--whom they called the BTK Killer--
“Bind, Torture, Kill”. He murdered several women over the course of many years
and went uncaught for a long time until he led police to him, almost intentionally,
with letters and ultimately a computer disc that they traced to his church where he
was a deacon. Going to church, alone, is not evidence of the Holy Spirit.

When I first returned to southern California in August of 1997 and resumed

seminary at Fuller in Pasadena I began attending the Crystal Cathedral worship

148
service. I actually, physically attended inside the glass cathedral with all the lights
and cameras as they filmed the Hour of Power which is on television every Sunday.
It was not my first time observing the worship service. Our family came here in
1984. But it was my first time I attempted to go as a “regular attendee” and to try to
experience the Cathedral as a regular church. And there were a lot of different
dynamics at the Crystal Cathedral than what one might experience at a more
“local” church.

The Cathedral is too big to be generalized and so I will not try, but I believe
everybody experiences it differently according to their own individual interests or
needs. It is only when you begin to interact with the people as part of the Body of
Christ that you begin to experience the true church, whether it be the people at the
Crystal Cathedral (i.e. physically at 12141 Lewis Ave) or people who are part of the
“Houses of Power” around the country and world, or people who are both part of
the Crystal Cathedral congregation in Garden Grove or via television as well as a
part of another congregation. IT is also each individual person and congregation all
across the USA and around the world. It is the Reformed Church, the Christian
Reformed Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Baptist Church, and so on and so
forth. This is the Body of Christ.

And when we tap into the Body of Christ we begin to experience the regeneration of
the Holy Spirit. If I didn't take time on Sunday, at least one out of every seven days
to specifically focus on the Word and talk with the Body of Christ I would not be
able to regenerate enough to do what I do the rest of the week. Just as we take care
of our own individual, physical body we must take care of the Body of Christ.

And this morning's primary passage goes from mention of the actual, physical Body
of Christ--the crucifixion (Acts 2:36) to mention of the descent into hell ( “His soul
was not left in Hades” Acts 2:31) to the resurrection (”God raised up, whereof we
are all witnesses” 2:32) and mentions the “right hand of God” (Acts 2.33).

I used the New King James Version which says “to the right hand of God” but there
are those who say the Greek (tee dexia) is more accurately translated “by the right
hand of God” ---i.e. a “glorious forth-putting of divine power” as the Jamieson,
Fausset and Brown Commentary says.

And it makes sense to think of the resurrection as a divine intervention and perhaps
later the ascension as being “to the right hand of God.” But Jesus is with us in
Spirit--the Holy Spirit. And it is upon this Holy Spirit which we rely so that we can
exhibit and experience “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5.22) Against such things there is no law.

As some of you saw earlier this week--my attempt to have an e-mail birthday party
was “of the Spirit.” And many of you joined in and I thank you. Nonetheless there

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were some who attempted to quench the Spirit and were negative, trying to get their
fifteen minutes of fame using my e-mail list to spam people with negative ideology.
Don't let that negativity affect you my friends. Bothersome, annoying, frustrating,
and upsetting in the short-run, but not to worry in the long run. The power of the
Holy Spirit and people “in Christ” overcomes.

Let's take a break and listen to a song: There's Power in the Blood
http://www.newsongonline.org/midi-hymns.html

And indeed there is “power in the blood”. IT is the blood of our Lord Jesus having
died on the cross for us which saves. Praise the Lord! Peter reminds us that we need
to “repent” ourselves. All of us have something for which we can repent--maybe it's
a sin of omission, maybe it's a sin of commission. Whatever it is--and you know in
your heart what it is--place it before Jesus and ask for forgiveness. This is the
catalyst for regeneration by the Holy Spirit, acknowledging one's shortcomings, but
not just acknowledging them and later repeating them but sincerely endeavoring to
overcome those shortcomings and to fulfill God's purpose for you.

Song: Sweet Holy Spirit http://www.newsongonline.org/midi-hymns.html

And so my friends as I come to the end of my message feeling much better myself I
thank you for listening to (or reading) my morning message and hope we can
continue as the body of Christ to support each other and keep our “sails up” so that
the power of the Holy Spirit can fill our sails and lead us. We cannot always or fully
control the direction of the wind (of the Holy Spirit) not should we. We should allow
God's Holy Spirit to lead us where He intended us to go. Amen? Amen.

And now may God bless you and keep you. May the Spirit of the Lord be with you
and fulfill you. And may you fulfill others in the day and in the night, in the east and
in the west, wherever you may be. We are the Body of Christ filled with the Holy
Spirit.

Take The Name of Jesus With You http://www.newsongonline.org/midi-

hymns.html

J.P. Kok
Pastor Kok III

Footnotes
How you Know Me or How I know You
1)
Yes it's me, J.P. Kok class of 1985 (GRCH) and class of 1989 (Calvin College,
psychology major, with honors) ) and 1994 (Calvin College again,
English/Education major) and class of 2002 (Fuller Seminary, Masters-in-Divinity,
M.Div ), and "ex" of California State Long Beach Graduate School (for Social
Work, one semester)) and "ex" of Wayne State Law School (one semester) and

150
"ex" of Calvin Theological Seminary (one year, 1996-97) and "ex" of Reformed
Bible College (where I took two years of Greek in one year) among other things.
Some of you might know me from one of the above schools or programs.

Others of you might remember me from growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Still others might remember me as an infant in Iowa City, Iowa (where I was born).
Others of you might remember me from 1st CRC on Bates St. where our family
attended church for fourteen years. Still others might know me from California
where our family moved to in 1984 when I was a senior in high school. Others
might know me because you know my brother (Andrew) or sister (Julia), or you
know my dad (Jim) or my mom (Linda), or my grandfather Kok (the late Rev.
Gareth Kok) or my grandfather Peters (the late Leo Peters of Butterball Farms).

Some of you may know me from the Crystal Cathedral where I am a member and
where my dad works and where the Kindness Conference just took place over the
last three days. Others of you may know me from the mission work I did in Costa
Rica (1991) or the teaching I did there (also 1991) or from the mission work I did in
the Philippines (1992). Still others of you may remember me from the judicial
setting. And some of you I know from the little Bible Study group, Koinonia.
Some of you I remember from working with at Pine Rest Christian Hospital.
Others of you I know because I attended the church you were pastoring at the
time.

Maybe some of you remember me from Spring Break in Florida, either with
Christian Adventures (riding our bikes to Key West with the Calvin College group)
or hiking in the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia (with another Calvin group) or
Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach (a little more of a secular experience).

And some of you may remember me from the Student Teaching I did at Holland
Christian Middle (now South Shores Middle) in Holland, Michigan or maybe even
the summer weeks we spent at my Grandpa's Cottage on Lake Michigan (near
Holland) and others of you remember me from the Cottage near Stony Lake.
Some of you may remember me better from Millbrook Christian Junior High (or
Seymour Christian Elementary) And at least one or two of you I went fishing with
once or more, either around West Michigan or on the Outer Banks in North
Carolina.

Some of you are former girlfriends (I still love you) or friends from somewhere
along the way. And for those of you who are enemies I hope we can be friends now.
I'm not such a bad guy after all. Some of you I knew from the semester in Spain,
1988. Others of you I know from the semester in Hawaii at Chaminade University
of Honolulu (1986). Others of you I know from doing CPE at UCLA Medical
Center where we were hospital chaplains together. Some of you remember my dad,
Jim Kok, as a college basketball player or maybe played with him. Others of you
know my dad as a chaplain and CPE leader.

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Still others of you know me because I know your son or daughter. Some of you
remember me as a student from English, Psychology, Education, or Seminary.
Some of you remember me as a high school football player. Also, some of you may
or may not realize that I've been preparing Sunday morning messages from outside
the Crystal Cathedral for a while now.

At least one of you is a former suite-mate from the Beets Dormitory at Calvin
College. And one of you is a pastor at the CRC in St. Joseph, Michigan, where my
sister lives and where I was for the month of May, 2005.

IF you are receiving this I somehow found your e-mail address and would like to
hear from you, but if I don't hear from you, at least just listen, weekly. Or at least
save this in your archives for a while. God bless you. I am hoping to create a Hol-
E-Spirit Revival. That's a Holy Spirit Revival by e-mail. JPK

FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS. THE MORE THE

MERRIER! I HOPE THIS E-MAIL LIST WILL GROW INTO THE 1000'S OR
MORE!

Attachments: 1) ja23_032 is a photo of Pastor Kok III on a hobycat on Lake

Michigan near Stony Lake (New Era) when my parents used to own a cottage there.
2) mr06_503 is a photo of the Kok family (when Pastor Kok III was a kid) at their
home on Griswold St on Easter in the 1970's (also shown is the Peters Family--or the
Peters 2 Family--my grandfather Leo Peters re-married and had three children
after his first wife died) 3) mr06_469 is a picture of Pastor Kok III and a few of his
siblings in the "dinghy" on Lake Michigan at Grandpa's Cottage which is still
owned by the Peters and where my mom and dad spent a month last summer
(2005); 4) A photo of Pastor Kok III with a fish he caught on Lake Michigan several
years ago and a reminder not to be just a fisherman but be a "Fisher of Men"! 5) A
more contemporary photo of Pastor Kok III by a stream next to the Mississippi
River( Summer, 2004) 6) A picture of the Crystal Cathedral taken last week by J.P.
KOK

VanderKOK

152
153