7/16/06 don't be just fishermen, be fishers of men ! by vanderkok

8/14/2019 7/16/06 DON'T BE JUST FISHERMEN, BE FISHERS OF MEN ! by vanderKOK

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7/16/06

Don't be Just

Fisher

Men,

BeFishers

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Of Men !

By vanderKOK

Good Morning Everybody!

Let's begin the E-Church Service with a Song of Praise

Song: Only a Beam of Sunshine !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onlybeam.htm

Isn't that a great warmup song? And there's been a lot of sun in the sky

beating down upon us lately. But we need as much "son light" from thefellowship of Christ beaming all over the place.

Song: Shine for Jesus Where You Are

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/f/sfjwyare.htm

Prayer: Dear God let us shine, Jesus, shine--for You! Let us be a witness to

the world of Your compassion, grace, and love. Let us persevere despite

insults and injuries--for YOU , knowing that You will reward us in the

end. Let us persevere like football players on the field--despite insult and

injury --we know the reason for being here--to win people to Christ, for

Your Kingdom of God--for Our Kingdom of God. Hear our prayer oh

Lord !

And one more Song:

Song: All the World for Jesus !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allthew4.htm

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http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onlybeam.htmhttp://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/f/sfjwyare.htmhttp://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allthew4.htmhttp://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onlybeam.htmhttp://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/f/sfjwyare.htmhttp://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allthew4.htm


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That's what it's all about, folks--victory for Christ! We are here as both

sheep and shepherds. Sometimes we are leading, other times we are

following. When we are tired and weak we draft on the energy of others.

When we are strong we lead others and they draft behind us.

Opening:

I spent the last few days cleaning up a guest house in an undisclosed

location where I can stay from time to time. It gives a little space to move

around--store a few things, even sleep there sometimes. And I'll talk more

about that later. There's even some orange trees and lemon trees that I can

pull a few fruits off of now and then and make some juice --hand squeezed.

I framed and hung a few posters I picked up in the Netherlands a few

years ago. I spent most of the time just recuperating from exhaustion from

being on the road for so long--a nonstop pace --doing ministry andevangelism--much of it E-Church style around the country & world, but

also some local interaction.

And even when I'm doing E-church evangelism and outreach I still do it on

the road (95% of the time). I believe in the power of presence--in actually

going to a community and learning about it and meeting people even if

sometimes that just means walking my dog down the street and saying

hello to people as I walk. Sometimes I put "Christ my Pilot" cards under

windshield wipers. So there's a physical component to the "electric

evangelism". This makes it more "incarnational."

While there only a few people stopped by--one of them Doug Timmer--who

is my dad's half brother. Also the lawn man came by one day. Next door

they were having a garage sale and I picked up a few things--a nice lamp, a

few photoalbums, and a picture frame.

Turns out it was actually an estate sale--the elderly man who had lived

there since '65 had died in September 2005 and the family was selling the

house. I talked to the son-in-law for a little while. He owned a

photography shop for several years--that's why they had so many pictureframes and photo albums for sale. He said they were buying a place in

Colorado to live part -time as well.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-20

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And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two

brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his

brother, casting a net into the sea; for they werefishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me,

and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They

immediately left their nets and followed Him.Matt 4:18-20 (also see Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)

NKJV

Message:

Don't be Fishermen, Be Fishers of Men !

I noted in my opening remarks this morning about some of what I did

this week--establishing a little place to rest and arrange my personal

belongings a little bit better. It's like an office, but it's also my "prayer

chapel" and a utility room of sorts.

And I also made the time I spent there into a three day "prayerathon"--specifically asking local Bellflower pastors to pray for me and for a

few specific Bellflower residents, as well as Bellflower in general and

beyond Bellflower, although I was concentrating mostly on Bellflower

specifically for the three day prayerathon.

And one of the persons I was asking the pastors to pray for was Doug

Timmer, mentioned above (and shown in attached photos). Doug

Timmer is my dad's step brother. After my dad's mom died (my

grandmother Kathryn Schaap Kok) my late grandfather, the Rev.Gareth Kok, remarried to Ada Timmer (whose husband John , of

Holland, Michigan, had also died at an early age).Gareth & Ada did

not did not have any more children together as a couple, but they

brought together five children from each of their first marriages. This

made a family of ten children--like the Brady Bunch, but even larger.

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On the Kok side there was Sherwood, James, Faith, Gary, & Kay. On

the Timmer side there was Marvin, Bruce, Mary, Karen & Doug. All of

them were raised in a "Calvinistic" setting. Growing up they all lived in

Holland, Michigan for a while. And then most or all of them also lived

in parts of southern California for a while, growing up. That's because

my Grandfather Gareth Kok kept moving to new church locations--a

common practice of CRC pastors--especially then but even still so albeit

to a lesser extent, today.

The Timmer & Kok kids were all "churched" kids--and all of them

went to Calvin College, at least for a little while, as well. But not all of

them remained highly active or committed to the church--at least not

the visible church (i.e. attending church in a formal way at a physical

location). The Timmer kids, especially, seemed to fall away from church

attendance, and don't speak much about church, religion, orspirituality; nor seem at all interested in conversation in such regards.

It's not perfectly clear why.

This is not to say any of them are "bad" people--nor that they are not

Christian--although I have a difficult time understanding how

"Christians" can be "silent." Nonetheless, there may be some

"posturing" involved in the dynamics with the Kok-Timmer bunch.

They are all grown adults of course, some of them with children.

Although Doug married once--he subsequently divorced and never hadany children. He left Calvin College after two years and attended a few

community colleges in southern & central California while also playing

basketball. He has an athletic physique. How long he can last totally on

physical prowess is the question, or concern.

And another dynamic I am concerned about is that Doug, having been

the "baby" of the family (i.e. the last one born) as well as being a

handsome man has relied solely upon social interaction and social

intelligence to get what he wants or needs. He uses his looks, his brawn,

and the situation to determine how to interact. Is this bad? Not always--some of it is social intelligence, but sometimes it loses integrity, and the

social interaction loses authenticity if it becomes just "one upping"

others, or if it becomes a form of "classical competition. "

Now when I see Doug in passing he does not converse anymore--not

even social niceties. It's just come and go--hello, goodbye. It's as if he's

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"posturing" to force something. He even sometimes says my name with

a little bit of a "sneer" as if I was a "bad guy."

What I began to realize was that he may be a little bit jealous of me

when I come around my folks house in Bellflower and enjoy social

interaction with the folks or just being around the folks home. Why

would he be jealous? Well--as I said he was the "baby boy" in the

Timmer family and for many years he lived right next door to his mom

(Ada) and stepdad (my grandfather Kok, the retired CRC pastor) who

retired on Arkansas Street in Bellflower, just down the street from

Bethany CRC. Doug helped the two of them in their old age, as did my

dad, Jim Kok, who lived a few blocks away.

But both my grandfather Gareth Kok and his second wife, Ada, passed

away around the turn of the century, and were buried in a localcemetary in Bellflower/Cerritos. Their house was sold and Doug no

longer had anybody to care for or to care for him. For a while Doug

lived in Redondo Beach which is right next to Manhattan Beach where

his brother Bruce lives. Bruce works for Aerospace Corp and is married

to Anne and has two adult children, John & Nick. Doug loved playing

beach volleyball and riding his bike and working out. He made ends

meet by being a waiter at an upper scale restaurant called the Chart

House. We would go there periodically as a family when he was working

and have a nice meal. He can be a gregarious fellow.

But he can also be a little bit nasty. And he's being "nasty" now to me,

as best as I can tell--because he's jealous that I can come to my folks

house in good standing and say hello and sometimes even stay there.

Doesn't that sound strange?

But there's some big differences between myself and him. I stayed in

college and graduated. Then I worked full time at Pine Rest Hospital for

a year and then went to law school. I left law school after a semester and

realized God had a different calling for me. I didn't know exactly what,yet. I did a semester of Social Work education at California State Long

Beach and worked in the emergency room at St. Marys in Long Beach

but didn't get along that well with Jim Wenrick, the MSW mentor at

the time. I left after a semester and returned to Calvin College and got a

teaching degree.

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This was two more years of education for a second BA. During off time

I travelled and volunteered--doing a summer mission in the Philippines

with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM, 1992) and doing

disaster relief in Costa Rica (1991) where I stayed and tutored two

elementary kids for several months as well. And I worked in the resort

town of Jackson Wyoming for two summers. Then I taught high school

English full time for two years in Coachella Valley 1994-96) And then I

returned to Seminary--my ultimate destination I later realized--even

though I didn't much like the seminary environment.

I stayed at Calvin Seminary for a year (1996-97) and then I transferred

to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena (1997-2001). While studying at Fuller

and completing all the Masters requirements I also made ends meet and

helped young people as a substitute teacher. Are you getting the

picture? I stayed busy--and I followed my vocational calling to helppeople--either in education or in ministry or both.

While teaching and going through seminary I started my own ministry,

Mustard Seed Ministries. And then I added E-Church to the things I do

every week. Are you getting the picture? I've remained constructively

involved in helping people.

But there are people who do not remain so constructively involved who

make it their occupation to give the "appearance" of being so. I thinkDoug Timmer is a great person and has done some great things.

Unfortunately, I don't think he truly feels he has accomplished much. I

wish he had persevered in education. Underlying great potential I see

low self-esteem.

And this translates sometimes into insecurity. I think he has a strong

need for social approval from my dad & mom, Jim & Linda--almost to

the extent that he wants to be their "boy" so to speak. Since his mom &

dad are both gone he has nobody to give him a "pat on the head" so to

speak. I think he's transferred that over to my mom and dad and Ibecome "competition" for him when I come by.

I felt it very strongly for a while, and still do. He's not nice to me. He

sort of scowls at me when I come by. And for a while I stayed away, in

part, because of it. Who wants to be in an environment where one is not

respected--nor in the case of Doug--truly understood. I don't think he

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has the slightest idea of what I've done or been through--my

experiences, my accomplishments, etc. Given he left education I don't

think he truly respects it.

The only problem is that this is my parents house, not Doug's.

Further complicating matters is the phenomena of people wanting to be

around the pastor--in this case not me as much as Pastor Jim who has

been doing ministry for many years--from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to

Gowanda, New York, to Iowa City, Iowa, to Grand Rapids, Michigan,

and finally to Garden Grove, California (and Bellflower). Jim is known

in ministry and is constantly surrounded by people. He has groups from

the church over to his house. He socializes with Richard Mouw the

president of Fuller Seminary. He obviously knows and interacts

occasionally with the Schuller preachers (Robert H & Robert A et. al) ,His income is greater than mine.

Does this mean Jim is a better pastor than me? Closer to God? Not

necessarily. It just means Jim has been in the ministry longer --and

more formally, than myself. But that's a different story --for a different

time. Jim has his "niche" --especially CPE (Clinical Pastoral

Education) and the Care & Kindness Conference , whereas I have mine

(right now especially E-Church, among other things).

One thing my dad, Jim, & Doug Timmer, have in common is their

physical prowess. Both Doug & Jim were good athletes. My dad excelled

even more in basketball than Doug. This means that both of them have

or had a tendency to rely upon their physical prowess and their

physical stature. Now Jim would vehemently object to my saying this--

and I'll admit he has made an intentional effort to change--and he has a

lot; but there's still some physical aspect to his modus operandi (m.o.).

Same goes for Doug.

As I was saying they use their physical stature in various ways to createthe situation they want or try to. Whether it is the way they step into a

social situation or go through the check out line at the grocery store, or

what have you--part of their m.o. is physical. And this is probably true

of many of us--how we use our physical largesse (or lack of) is the

question? You can use it with integrity or otherwise.

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Jim stuck with education--going through Calvin College & Seminary--

grant him that. He's not "all brawn". Doug has much less education or

respect for it. He's relied upon not only his physical stature but growing

up in a culture that awards or awarded (more so several years ago then

now, although still today to a certain extent) simply being white and

knowing English. That's why a lot of "whites" could get away with

dropping out of school--more so than now.

And so Doug is nervous and insecure and relies upon things to stay the

way they are--apparently he thinks they can and will forever. But they

won't. Even if I don't change things, God will. People will die, cultural

norms will change. And if he doesn't change with them or learn how to

properly address things that concern him, he's going to be left behind,

so to speak.

Which is why I wish he would simply get involved with the church. But

he won't. And that's about all I'm going to say for now about Doug

Timmer (but I might add an attachment about him to this message).

And it's a matter of prayer. My mom wants to reach him. She will bend

over backwards to reach him. I'm less patient. She's teaching me in this

regard, but I don't think she realizes how he is posturing in a way that

could harm me (i.e. he wants to make me look bad so that he will look

good). On the other side of the family my Uncle Gary who lives inGrand Rapids (also the baby of the Kok side ) does this to a certain

extent as well.

I ask for your prayers about this. I want Doug to be respected asan elder but sometimes he acts very childish---ageinappropriate. And it is hindering my development if I dontaddress it. I need to be treated and respected as an adult doingsomething constructive with my life in education and ministry,and he interferes.

While I dont want to make him feel as an outcast he cannot bemore in than me in my own family. When I go to my parentshouse and backyard, the house and backyard is more mine thanhis (and I don't have a lot to call my own right now). When Iwent over to my Grandpa Koks house on Arkansas Street the

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house and backyard was more his than mineand heundoubtedly inherited some of the proceeds from it.

I think he needs to be family more with his own family (i.e hissiblings Bruce, Marv, Karen, & Mary) than with my family. Praythat somehow the dynamic will change without any real hardfeelings being exposed.

And pray that my mom will understand this as wellas much asshe believes in reaching out evangelically to Dougthere is alsothe question about whether there comes a time when you sayhes not going to change. And if you keep reaching out more toDoug than to your own son what will be the ultimate result?Doug needs to establish his own manly way of life. Hes a grown

man.

And by the way, let me say something further about the"physical " element people use in their way of life. Sometimessociety to a certain extent forces it upon us. Clerks can do itsometimes. They try to control and use "social engineering" incertain ways. One way they do so is by the way the refer to you--sometimes "sir" other times "buddy" other times "pal" , maybeeven "dude" --female clerks might call you "hon" (short for"honey") or"sweetheart"--and it all depends upon how you"carry" yourself. And they are trying to influence the outcome ofsocial perception in so doing.

There are times when I feel like yelling to a clerk "I don't care ifyou think I'm a sir or buddy or a dude or whatever. I wish youwould just do your job and give me my change" But then othertimes I see their need and insecurities and try to be empathetic.

Sometimes we end up acquiescing to this social pressure (mostof us have the necessity of interacting with clerks and othersorts of sometimes unscrupulous employees) and use ourphysical aspects to influence how we get treated. Some wearsuits and are very formal so that they will be respected. Somegals expose a lot of cleavage--relying upon men's subtle sexualinclinations. Others don't care as much and just ignore the

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social pressure. Some must be aware of it and must respond toit. It all depends upon what you do for a living and the nature ofthe interactions you experience.

As Christians I say that we have a responsibility to influencesociety more so than clerks and others who have self-servinginterests. Our interest as Christians should be for the bettermentof others and the welfare of society. We want to be creating amilieu of respect for others--as well as a milieu of excellence--doing our best in whatever we do but mostly in reaching out toothers evangelically. This involves "care" as well.

But sometimes with all the systemic variables in the wayit cantake some work and prayer and perseverance to make simple

evangelism happen. With all the cultural and social clutter so-called simple evangelism is not always so simple or easy.

And I think about fishing. When I first learned how to fish it wasas simple and easy as carrying a bamboo pole down to the localpond around Grand Rapidssuch as Reeds Lake or CampauLake, and putting a worm on a plain old hook and catching a fewsunfish, sometimes no bigger than ones hand.

As I got older and started fishing for bigger fish the complexityof catching them increased as well. New poles, longer lines,different types of bait, and then add a boat to itand you need afish finder and downriggers, and larger and fancier types ofbait or lures. And all for what purpose? To catch a fishnoteven so much for the sake of survival todaythere arecommercial fishermen who do that for us. This is sportsfishing.

But when Jesus was walking on earth it was less a matter of

pride and competition as much as it was a perceived need forsurvival. The fishermen Jesus addressed were fishing for themarket. But you get the feeling that they were also competitivelyinclined and attracted to the hunt. I get the feeling that there issome cross over between sports fishing and commercial fishingtheres some similarities.

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Jesus changed the zeitgeist of the fishing culture back thenby telling them to transform their zeal for catching fish to a zealfor catching menspiritually.

We, as Christians, are to use all our intelligence and zeal toreach others, in Christ ! This underscores the importance ofeducating ourselves to a certain extent as to how to go aboutdoing what we do. As we become better fisherman we dontcontinue using a bamboo pole and worm but we learn new ways,better ways, of reaching people. We study how the people think.What are the social and governmental influences upon them?What kind of education do they have? What language do theyspeak? How does their language and culture effect their ability

to learn about God and draw closer to Him?

A lot of this is what they call missiology in seminary. Thesame way you might study a culture in preparation for militarywarfare you might study them and prepare for spiritualinteraction. A lot of what we do prior to any actual meaningfulevangelism is really what I call (and learned at seminary) preevangelism. Prior to reaching people I would want to know theculture, the laws, the social situation, and have a little bit of amap in mind as to how the neighborhoods are structured.Otherwise we will be quickly defeated and demoralized.

Relating this back to Doug Timmerhe knows or knew theneighborhood of southern California better than I diddefinitely more so twenty years ago, a little bit more so ten yearsago, not as much so today.Even if I wanted to reach out to him, in Christ, he being resistant

has the advantage of knowing the neighborhood better. And

being a competitor and physical athlete who is inclined towardsclassical competition, he would simply laugh at me. My youngerbrother, Steven, also knows or knew southern California betterthan me. When we moved to California in 1984 I was a senior inhigh school. He was a 7th grader.

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He stayed in California and graduated from Valley Christian Highwhile I returned to Grand Rapids and graduated from GrandRapids Christian High. He had several years of socialization insouthern California with class trips and athletic events etc thatsocialized him to the area.Fortunately, my brother Steve is committed to attending churchin Redlands, but in terms of speaking to him at a larger Christianlevel he has some of that local resistance a sense of

satisfaction, maybe even smugness, about being a local to acertain extent.

Ironically, the real locals are sometimes less resistance thansome of the half-way locals. Neither Steve my brother or Doug

Timmer my uncle are really locals. As I mentioned Doug livedin Holland Michigan for a while and my brother was born inGrand Rapids and grew up there until 7th grade.

Even take my Uncle Barry Bosscher (who married my Aunt Kay).He is originally from Grand Rapids but undoubtedly has or hada much better mental map of southern California having workedin the Los Angeles County Assessors Office for most of hisadult life. Hes a good Christian man and attends the ReformedChurch in Artesia.

And they have two great kids, but if I wanted to engage with himon a level that had to do with the real estate and layout of LosAngeles he would surely know more in that regards. Twentyyears ago all the more so. Ten years less. Today, even less so. Idont know a lot or any of the specifics about being a CountyAssessor but now I know much more about southern Californiaand the culture and the map . I can communicate better withBarry in such regards because of this but nonetheless we dont

have a lot of face-to-face interaction.

But I am hoping some of this can change for the better. I'mhoping to engage with those I haven't engaged with much at allin previous years. Nonetheless, I have also used my zeal forChrist to reach those less challenging but nonetheless stilldifficult.

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I try to reach convenience store clerks and people working instores. I talk to you in my Sunday Message. You respond--whichI appreciate. I hope for an evangelical "ripple effect" from mymessage. Things I tell you maybe effect how you relate andinteract with others.

And I continue to pray and ask for your prayers. I left the "prayerchapel" this morning and came over here to Seal Beach for achange of settings and to compose and transmit the morningmessage. I like trying to go to a new setting every week . Itinspires my thinking and makes it more interesting for you.Don't you think? If you want to know more about the history ofSeal Beach go to

http://www.orangecounty.net/cities/SealBeach.html#historySeal Beach is adjacent to Sunset Beach, and if you keep goingsouth on PCH you come to Huntington Beach. If you go northyou pass through Long Beach and then San Pedro and PalosVerdes around the point to Hermosa, Redondo, and ManhattanBeach, among others. I rode my bike down here once fromBellflower.

I came here more often when I was younger--when we firstmoved here and went to the beach, went boogey boarding.Later, but many years ago, I even entered the lifeguard tryouts--which involves swimming out to the end of the pier and back--the top swimmers are given the job as lifeguards for thesummer. I was not even close to being a top swimmer. But Igave it the old "college try" as they say.

This is a typical beach community with the beach culture inplace--the fishermen, the hedonists, the sunseekers, the

boaters, the shop owners, the tourists, et. al. It's what you thinkof when you're back east and imagine living in southernCalifornia near the beach. I know this area and the ManhattanBeach area because I have an uncle in each place. So when Iwas younger I would combine a trip to see them with a trip to thebeach.

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But the "beach culture" is ephemeral--meaning it is fleeting. Ithas no long term value or purpose. Those who live the "beachlife" are not building their house on the rock. Their lives are "dayto day" without a lot of ultimate purpose. Maybe they just likethe feel of the ocean or the suspense of catching a fish. Maybethey are there just to look at "chicks." Growing up you learnthese things and eventually realize the ephemeral nature of sucha lifestyle. But some continue as adults the same way--nevermaturing.

As Christians in Christ we mature and grow. This is not to saywe can't "go to the beach" once in a while even as adults, ortake our kids there or even look for a wife there (good luck) (I'mstill looking by the way but not at the beach); but it is not our

preoccupation, or shouldn't be---unless we have a ministry atthe beach (which is not a bad idea). .

In fact the beach culture may be one of the most ripe settings forevangelism--but even though the need is there the positivereception often isn't. Christians are still stereotyped in anegative way by parts of culture, and especially parts ofHollywood. Pastors are still sometimes portrayed or mis-portrayed as stern and legalistic; and Calvinism is still one ofthe biggest targets (even at Fuller Seminary), sometimes, but notalways, rightly so.

Fortunately this is fading to a certain extent. Some of the olderfilm makers and Hollywood producers are less influential. Andwe, as Christians, can make inroads as long as we do socarefully and don't live up to negative stereotypes.Seal Beach is one example of beach culture. Wherever you are,you might have something similar. In Michigan I remember the

beach culture in Holland. Even the "Christian kids" engaged inthe beach lifestyle. Growing up it's natural--as we get olderthough we mature and grow wiser so that we can teach our kidsand other kids about the right path to take. At the same time welet kids "live and learn" --sometimes the hard way. God is incontrol.

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The last few days I spent at the prayer chapel and organizingthings. I made some orange juice from real oranges which I handsqueezed myself. I bought a few things at the estate sale nextdoor. I drove around the neighborhood and walked around theneighborhood (and this is not my permanent neighborhood, I'm

just visiting). I saw Joel Slenk washing his van over on View Park.I pulled out an old football uniform from my high school days. Ipicked up some ribs at Chris 'n' Pitts over on Artesia Blvd.

And I continued to scan pictures from photo albums so that theyare available on my computer and which I will make available forothers. I went over to Food Saver and bought a bunch of produceat a good price and made a nice big salad. I spent timerecuperating. Physically I am not in great condition. I need more

exercise--especially in the abdomen area. I spend too much time inthe car. So pray for me to work on physical conditioning--makingtime for it.

This morning I puttered around Seal Beach and took a few pictures(see attached) and composed my morning message. The surferswere already out by 7 a.m. Somebody caught a stingray or what hecalled a "bat ray" at the end of the pier--and left it lying out in thesun. I walked my dog down the pier --not noticing the signs thatsaid "no dogs" until I came back-- at the end of the pier somebody

warned me that I might get a citation. Fortunately I didn't. I haven'tbeen to Seal Beach in over a year or at least nine months.

It's another hot day here. There's been a wildfire raging over in theYucca Valley area as anybody who follows the news knows. Idrove over to Sunset Beach where my Aunt Karen & her friendVanna used to live.

I passsed by the Naval Weapons Station and the SubmarineMemorial--dedicated to submarine soldiers who lost their lives in

combat. It's a nice memorial--too often ignored by the locals Ithink. It reminds me to pray for our troops--who are fighting for ourfreedom and the freedom of others. Whether you agree with thewar or not you can still pray and care for the troops.

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Song: Only a Beam of Sunshine !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onlybeam.htm

Isn't that a great warmup song? And there's been a lot of sun in the sky

beating down upon us lately. But we need as much "son light" from the

fellowship of Christ beaming all over the place.

Song: Shine for Jesus Where You Are

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/f/sfjwyare.htm

Prayer: Dear God let us shine, Jesus, shine--for You! Let us be a witness

to the world of Your compassion, grace, and love. Let us persevere

despite insults and injuries--for YOU , knowing that You will reward us

in the end. Let us persevere like football players on the field--despiteinsult and injury --we know the reason for being here--to win people to

Christ, for Your Kingdom of God--for Our Kingdom of God. Hear our

prayer oh Lord !

And one more Song:

Song: All the World for Jesus !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allthew4.htm

That's what it's all about, folks--victory for Christ! We are here as both

sheep and shepherds. Sometimes we are leading, other times we are

following. When we are tired and weak we draft on the energy of others.

When we are strong we lead others and they draft behind us.

Opening:

I spent the last few days cleaning up a guest house in an undisclosed

location where I can stay from time to time. It gives a little space to

move around--store a few things, even sleep there sometimes. And I'll

talk more about that later. There's even some orange trees and lemontrees that I can pull a few fruits off of now and then and make some

juice --hand squeezed.

I framed and hung a few posters I picked up in the Netherlands a few

years ago. I spent most of the time just recuperating from exhaustion

from being on the road for so long--a nonstop pace --doing ministry and

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evangelism--much of it E-Church style around the country & world,

but also some local interaction.

And even when I'm doing E-church evangelism and outreach I still do it

on the road (95% of the time). I believe in the power of presence--in

actually going to a community and learning about it and meeting people

even if sometimes that just means walking my dog down the street and

saying hello to people as I walk. Sometimes I put "Christ my Pilot"

cards under windshield wipers. So there's a physical component to the

"electric evangelism". This makes it more "incarnational."

While there only a few people stopped by--one of them Doug Timmer--

who is my dad's half brother. Also the lawn man came by one day. Next

door they were having a garage sale and I picked up a few things--a nice

lamp, a few photoalbums, and a picture frame.

Turns out it was actually an estate sale--the elderly man who had lived

there since '65 had died in September 2005 and the family was selling

the house. I talked to the son-in-law for a little while. He owned a

photography shop for several years--that's why they had so many

picture frames and photo albums for sale. He said they were buying a

place in Colorado to live part -time as well.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-20

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon

called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they

were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make

you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed

Him. Matt 4:18-20 (also see Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)

NKJV

Message:Don't be Fishermen, Be Fishers of Men !

I noted in my opening remarks this morning about some of what I did

this week--establishing a little place to rest and arrange my personal

belongings a little bit better. It's like an office, but it's also my "prayer

chapel" and a utility room of sorts.

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And I also made the time I spent there into a three day "prayerathon"

--specifically asking local Bellflower pastors to pray for me and for a

few specific Bellflower residents, as well as Bellflower in general and

beyond Bellflower, although I was concentrating mostly on Bellflower

specifically for the three day prayerathon.

And one of the persons I was asking the pastors to pray for was Doug

Timmer, mentioned above (and shown in attached photos). Doug

Timmer is my dad's step brother. After my dad's mom died (my

grandmother Kathryn Schaap Kok) my late grandfather, the Rev.

Gareth Kok, remarried to Ada Timmer (whose husband John , of

Holland, Michigan, had also died at an early age).Gareth & Ada did not

did not have any more children together as a couple, but they broughttogether five children from each of their first marriages. This made a

family of ten children--like the Brady Bunch, but even larger.

On the Kok side there was Sherwood, James, Faith, Gary, & Kay. On

the Timmer side there was Marvin, Bruce, Mary, Karen & Doug. All of

them were raised in a "Calvinistic" setting. Growing up they all lived in

Holland, Michigan for a while. And then most or all of them also lived

in parts of southern California for a while, growing up. That's because

my Grandfather Gareth Kok kept moving to new church locations--acommon practice of CRC pastors--especially then but even still so albeit

to a lesser extent, today.

The Timmer & Kok kids were all "churched" kids--and all of them

went to Calvin College, at least for a little while, as well. But not all of

them remained highly active or committed to the church--at least not

the visible church (i.e. attending church in a formal way at a physical

location). The Timmer kids, especially, seemed to fall away from church

attendance, and don't speak much about church, religion, or

spirituality; nor seem at all interested in conversation in such regards.It's not perfectly clear why.

This is not to say any of them are "bad" people--nor that they are not

Christian--although I have a difficult time understanding how

"Christians" can be "silent." Nonetheless, there may be some

"posturing" involved in the dynamics with the Kok-Timmer bunch.

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They are all grown adults of course, some of them with children.

Although Doug married once--he subsequently divorced and never had

any children. He left Calvin College after two years and attended a few

community colleges in southern & central California while also playing

basketball. He has an athletic physique. How long he can last totally on

physical prowess is the question, or concern.

And another dynamic I am concerned about is that Doug, having been

the "baby" of the family (i.e. the last one born) as well as being a

handsome man has relied solely upon social interaction and social

intelligence to get what he wants or needs. He uses his looks, his brawn,

and the situation to determine how to interact. Is this bad? Not always--

some of it is social intelligence, but sometimes it loses integrity, and the

social interaction loses authenticity if it becomes just "one upping"

others, or if it becomes a form of "classical competition. "

Now when I see Doug in passing he does not converse anymore--not

even social niceties. It's just come and go--hello, goodbye. It's as if he's

"posturing" to force something. He even sometimes says my name with

a little bit of a "sneer" as if I was a "bad guy."

What I began to realize was that he may be a little bit jealous of me

when I come around my folks house in Bellflower and enjoy social

interaction with the folks or just being around the folks home. Whywould he be jealous? Well--as I said he was the "baby boy" in the

Timmer family and for many years he lived right next door to his mom

(Ada) and stepdad (my grandfather Kok, the retired CRC pastor) who

retired on Arkansas Street in Bellflower, just down the street from

Bethany CRC. Doug helped the two of them in their old age, as did my

dad, Jim Kok, who lived a few blocks away.

But both my grandfather Gareth Kok and his second wife, Ada, passed

away around the turn of the century, and were buried in a local

cemetary in Bellflower/Cerritos. Their house was sold and Doug nolonger had anybody to care for or to care for him. For a while Doug

lived in Redondo Beach which is right next to Manhattan Beach where

his brother Bruce lives. Bruce works for Aerospace Corp and is married

to Anne and has two adult children, John & Nick. Doug loved playing

beach volleyball and riding his bike and working out. He made ends

meet by being a waiter at an upper scale restaurant called the Chart

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House. We would go there periodically as a family when he was working

and have a nice meal. He can be a gregarious fellow.

But he can also be a little bit nasty. And he's being "nasty" now to me,

as best as I can tell--because he's jealous that I can come to my folks

house in good standing and say hello and sometimes even stay there.

Doesn't that sound strange?

But there's some big differences between myself and him. I stayed in

college and graduated. Then I worked full time at Pine Rest Hospital for

a year and then went to law school. I left law school after a semester and

realized God had a different calling for me. I didn't know exactly what,

yet. I did a semester of Social Work education at California State Long

Beach and worked in the emergency room at St. Marys in Long Beach

but didn't get along that well with Jim Wenrick, the MSW mentor atthe time. I left after a semester and returned to Calvin College and got a

teaching degree.

This was two more years of education for a second BA. During off time

I travelled and volunteered--doing a summer mission in the Philippines

with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM, 1992) and doing

disaster relief in Costa Rica (1991) where I stayed and tutored two

elementary kids for several months as well. And I worked in the resort

town of Jackson Wyoming for two summers. Then I taught high schoolEnglish full time for two years in Coachella Valley 1994-96) And then I

returned to Seminary--my ultimate destination I later realized--even

though I didn't much like the seminary environment.

I stayed at Calvin Seminary for a year (1996-97) and then I transferred

to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena (1997-2001). While studying at Fuller

and completing all the Masters requirements I also made ends meet and

helped young people as a substitute teacher. Are you getting the

picture? I stayed busy--and I followed my vocational calling to help

people--either in education or in ministry or both.

While teaching and going through seminary I started my own ministry,

Mustard Seed Ministries. And then I added E-Church to the things I do

every week. Are you getting the picture? I've remained constructively

involved in helping people.

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But there are people who do not remain so constructively involved who

make it their occupation to give the "appearance" of being so. I think

Doug Timmer is a great person and has done some great things.

Unfortunately, I don't think he truly feels he has accomplished much. I

wish he had persevered in education. Underlying great potential I see

low self-esteem.

And this translates sometimes into insecurity. I think he has a strong

need for social approval from my dad & mom, Jim & Linda--almost to

the extent that he wants to be their "boy" so to speak. Since his mom &

dad are both gone he has nobody to give him a "pat on the head" so to

speak. I think he's transferred that over to my mom and dad and I

become "competition" for him when I come by.

I felt it very strongly for a while, and still do. He's not nice to me. Hesort of scowls at me when I come by. And for a while I stayed away, in

part, because of it. Who wants to be in an environment where one is not

respected--nor in the case of Doug--truly understood. I don't think he

has the slightest idea of what I've done or been through--my

experiences, my accomplishments, etc. Given he left education I don't

think he truly respects it.

The only problem is that this is my parents house, not Doug's.

Further complicating matters is the phenomena of people wanting to be

around the pastor--in this case not me as much as Pastor Jim who has

been doing ministry for many years--from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to

Gowanda, New York, to Iowa City, Iowa, to Grand Rapids, Michigan,

and finally to Garden Grove, California (and Bellflower). Jim is known

in ministry and is constantly surrounded by people. He has groups from

the church over to his house. He socializes with Richard Mouw the

president of Fuller Seminary. He obviously knows and interacts

occasionally with the Schuller preachers (Robert H & Robert A et. al) ,

His income is greater than mine.

Does this mean Jim is a better pastor than me? Closer to God? Not

necessarily. It just means Jim has been in the ministry longer --and

more formally, than myself. But that's a different story --for a different

time. Jim has his "niche" --especially CPE (Clinical Pastoral

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Education) and the Care & Kindness Conference , whereas I have mine

(right now especially E-Church, among other things).

One thing my dad, Jim, & Doug Timmer, have in common is their

physical prowess. Both Doug & Jim were good athletes. My dad excelled

even more in basketball than Doug. This means that both of them have

or had a tendency to rely upon their physical prowess and their

physical stature. Now Jim would vehemently object to my saying this--

and I'll admit he has made an intentional effort to change--and he has a

lot; but there's still some physical aspect to his modus operandi (m.o.).

Same goes for Doug.

As I was saying they use their physical stature in various ways to create

the situation they want or try to. Whether it is the way they step into a

social situation or go through the check out line at the grocery store, orwhat have you--part of their m.o. is physical. And this is probably true

of many of us--how we use our physical largesse (or lack of) is the

question? You can use it with integrity or otherwise.

Jim stuck with education--going through Calvin College & Seminary--

grant him that. He's not "all brawn". Doug has much less education or

respect for it. He's relied upon not only his physical stature but growing

up in a culture that awards or awarded (more so several years ago then

now, although still today to a certain extent) simply being white andknowing English. That's why a lot of "whites" could get away with

dropping out of school--more so than now.

And so Doug is nervous and insecure and relies upon things to stay the

way they are--apparently he thinks they can and will forever. But they

won't. Even if I don't change things, God will. People will die, cultural

norms will change. And if he doesn't change with them or learn how to

properly address things that concern him, he's going to be left behind,

so to speak.

Which is why I wish he would simply get involved with the church. But

he won't. And that's about all I'm going to say for now about Doug

Timmer (but I might add an attachment about him to this message).

And it's a matter of prayer. My mom wants to reach him. She will bend

over backwards to reach him. I'm less patient. She's teaching me in this

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regard, but I don't think she realizes how he is posturing in a way that

could harm me (i.e. he wants to make me look bad so that he will look

good). On the other side of the family my Uncle Gary who lives in

Grand Rapids (also the baby of the Kok side ) does this to a certain

extent as well.

I ask for your prayers about this. I want Doug to be respected as an

elder but sometimes he acts very childish---age inappropriate. And it

is hindering my development if I dont address it. I need to be treated

and respected as an adult doing something constructive with my life in

education and ministry, and he interferes.

While I dont want to make him feel as an outcast he cannot be more

in than me in my own family. When I go to my parents house and

backyard, the house and backyard is more mine than his (and I don'thave a lot to call my own right now). When I went over to my Grandpa

Koks house on Arkansas Street the house and backyard was more his

than mineand he undoubtedly inherited some of the proceeds from it.

I think he needs to be family more with his own family (i.e his siblings

Bruce, Marv, Karen, & Mary) than with my family. Pray that somehow

the dynamic will change without any real hard feelings being exposed.

And pray that my mom will understand this as wellas much as shebelieves in reaching out evangelically to Dougthere is also the

question about whether there comes a time when you say hes not going

to change. And if you keep reaching out more to Doug than to your own

son what will be the ultimate result? Doug needs to establish his own

manly way of life. Hes a grown man.

And by the way, let me say something further about the "physical "

element people use in their way of life. Sometimes society to a certain

extent forces it upon us. Clerks can do it sometimes. They try to control

and use "social engineering" in certain ways. One way they do so is bythe way the refer to you--sometimes "sir" other times "buddy" other

times "pal" , maybe even "dude" --female clerks might call you "hon"

(short for "honey") or "sweetheart"--and it all depends upon how you

"carry" yourself. And they are trying to influence the outcome of social

perception in so doing.

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There are times when I feel like yelling to a clerk "I don't care if you

think I'm a sir or buddy or a dude or whatever. I wish you would just

do your job and give me my change" But then other times I see their

need and insecurities and try to be empathetic.

Sometimes we end up acquiescing to this social pressure (most of us

have the necessity of interacting with clerks and other sorts of

sometimes unscrupulous employees) and use our physical aspects to

influence how we get treated. Some wear suits and are very formal so

that they will be respected. Some gals expose a lot of cleavage--relying

upon men's subtle sexual inclinations. Others don't care as much and

just ignore the social pressure. Some must be aware of it and must

respond to it. It all depends upon what you do for a living and the

nature of the interactions you experience.

As Christians I say that we have a responsibility to influence society

more so than clerks and others who have self-serving interests. Our

interest as Christians should be for the betterment of others and the

welfare of society. We want to be creating a milieu of respect for

others--as well as a milieu of excellence--doing our best in whatever we

do but mostly in reaching out to others evangelically. This involves

"care" as well.

But sometimes with all the systemic variables in the wayit can take

some work and prayer and perseverance to make simple evangelism

happen. With all the cultural and social clutter so-called simple

evangelism is not always so simple or easy.

And I think about fishing. When I first learned how to fish it was as

simple and easy as carrying a bamboo pole down to the local pond

around Grand Rapidssuch as Reeds Lake or Campau Lake, and

putting a worm on a plain old hook and catching a few sunfish,

sometimes no bigger than ones hand.

As I got older and started fishing for bigger fish the complexity of

catching them increased as well. New poles, longer lines, different types

of bait, and then add a boat to itand you need a fish finder and

downriggers, and larger and fancier types of bait or lures. And all for

what purpose? To catch a fishnot even so much for the sake of

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survival todaythere are commercial fishermen who do that for us.

This is sports fishing.

But when Jesus was walking on earth it was less a matter of pride and

competition as much as it was a perceived need for survival. The

fishermen Jesus addressed were fishing for the market. But you get the

feeling that they were also competitively inclined and attracted to the

hunt. I get the feeling that there is some cross over between sports

fishing and commercial fishingtheres some similarities.

Jesus changed the zeitgeist of the fishing culture back then by telling

them to transform their zeal for catching fish to a zeal for catching

menspiritually.

We, as Christians, are to use all our intelligence and zeal to reach

others, in Christ ! This underscores the importance of educating

ourselves to a certain extent as to how to go about doing what we do. As

we become better fisherman we dont continue using a bamboo pole and

worm but we learn new ways, better ways, of reaching people. We study

how the people think. What are the social and governmental influences

upon them? What kind of education do they have? What language do

they speak? How does their language and culture effect their ability to

learn about God and draw closer to Him?

A lot of this is what they call missiology in seminary. The same way

you might study a culture in preparation for military warfare you might

study them and prepare for spiritual interaction. A lot of what we do

prior to any actual meaningful evangelism is really what I call (and

learned at seminary) pre evangelism. Prior to reaching people I

would want to know the culture, the laws, the social situation, and have

a little bit of a map in mind as to how the neighborhoods are

structured. Otherwise we will be quickly defeated and demoralized.

Relating this back to Doug Timmerhe knows or knew the

neighborhood of southern California better than I diddefinitely

more so twenty years ago, a little bit more so ten years ago, not as much

so today.

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Even if I wanted to reach out to him, in Christ, he being resistant has

the advantage of knowing the neighborhood better. And being a

competitor and physical athlete who is inclined towards classical

competition, he would simply laugh at me. My younger brother, Steven,

also knows or knew southern California better than me. When we

moved to California in 1984 I was a senior in high school. He was a 7th

grader.

He stayed in California and graduated from Valley Christian High

while I returned to Grand Rapids and graduated from Grand Rapids

Christian High. He had several years of socialization in southern

California with class trips and athletic events etc that socialized him to

the area.

Fortunately, my brother Steve is committed to attending church inRedlands, but in terms of speaking to him at a larger Christian level he

has some of that local resistance a sense of satisfaction, maybe even

smugness, about being a local to a certain extent.

Ironically, the real locals are sometimes less resistance than some of the

half-way locals. Neither Steve my brother or Doug Timmer my uncle

are really locals. As I mentioned Doug lived in Holland Michigan for

a while and my brother was born in Grand Rapids and grew up there

until 7th grade.

Even take my Uncle Barry Bosscher (who married my Aunt Kay). He is

originally from Grand Rapids but undoubtedly has or had a much

better mental map of southern California having worked in the Los

Angeles County Assessors Office for most of his adult life. Hes a good

Christian man and attends the Reformed Church in Artesia.

And they have two great kids, but if I wanted to engage with him on a

level that had to do with the real estate and layout of Los Angeles he

would surely know more in that regards. Twenty years ago all the moreso. Ten years less. Today, even less so. I dont know a lot or any of the

specifics about being a County Assessor but now I know much more

about southern California and the culture and the map . I can

communicate better with Barry in such regards because of this but

nonetheless we dont have a lot of face-to-face interaction.

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But I am hoping some of this can change for the better. I'm hoping to

engage with those I haven't engaged with much at all in previous years.

Nonetheless, I have also used my zeal for Christ to reach those less

challenging but nonetheless still difficult.

I try to reach convenience store clerks and people working in stores. I

talk to you in my Sunday Message. You respond--which I appreciate. I

hope for an evangelical "ripple effect" from my message. Things I tell

you maybe effect how you relate and interact with others.

And I continue to pray and ask for your prayers. I left the "prayer

chapel" this morning and came over here to Seal Beach for a change of

settings and to compose and transmit the morning message. I like trying

to go to a new setting every week . It inspires my thinking and makes it

more interesting for you. Don't you think? If you want to know moreabout the history of Seal Beach go to

http://www.orangecounty.net/cities/SealBeach.html#history

Seal Beach is adjacent to Sunset Beach, and if you keep going south on

PCH you come to Huntington Beach. If you go north you pass through

Long Beach and then San Pedro and Palos Verdes around the point to

Hermosa, Redondo, and Manhattan Beach, among others. I rode my

bike down here once from Bellflower.

I came here more often when I was younger--when we first moved here

and went to the beach, went boogey boarding. Later, but many years

ago, I even entered the lifeguard tryouts--which involves swimming out

to the end of the pier and back--the top swimmers are given the job as

lifeguards for the summer. I was not even close to being a top swimmer.

But I gave it the old "college try" as they say.

This is a typical beach community with the beach culture in place--the

fishermen, the hedonists, the sunseekers, the boaters, the shop owners,

the tourists, et. al. It's what you think of when you're back east andimagine living in southern California near the beach. I know this area

and the Manhattan Beach area because I have an uncle in each place. So

when I was younger I would combine a trip to see them with a trip to

the beach.

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But the "beach culture" is ephemeral--meaning it is fleeting. It has no

long term value or purpose. Those who live the "beach life" are not

building their house on the rock. Their lives are "day to day" without a

lot of ultimate purpose. Maybe they just like the feel of the ocean or the

suspense of catching a fish. Maybe they are there just to look at

"chicks." Growing up you learn these things and eventually realize the

ephemeral nature of such a lifestyle. But some continue as adults the

same way--never maturing.

As Christians in Christ we mature and grow. This is not to say we can't

"go to the beach" once in a while even as adults, or take our kids there

or even look for a wife there (good luck) (I'm still looking by the way

but not at the beach); but it is not our preoccupation, or shouldn't be---

unless we have a ministry at the beach (which is not a bad idea). .

In fact the beach culture may be one of the most ripe settings for

evangelism--but even though the need is there the positive reception

often isn't. Christians are still stereotyped in a negative way by parts of

culture, and especially parts of Hollywood. Pastors are still sometimes

portrayed or mis-portrayed as stern and legalistic; and Calvinism is

still one of the biggest targets (even at Fuller Seminary), sometimes, but

not always, rightly so.

Fortunately this is fading to a certain extent. Some of the older filmmakers and Hollywood producers are less influential. And we, as

Christians, can make inroads as long as we do so carefully and don't

live up to negative stereotypes.

Seal Beach is one example of beach culture. Wherever you are, you

might have something similar. In Michigan I remember the beach

culture in Holland. Even the "Christian kids" engaged in the beach

lifestyle. Growing up it's natural--as we get older though we mature and

grow wiser so that we can teach our kids and other kids about the right

path to take. At the same time we let kids "live and learn" --sometimesthe hard way. God is in control.

The last few days I spent at the prayer chapel and organizing things. I

made some orange juice from real oranges which I hand squeezed

myself. I bought a few things at the estate sale next door. I drove around

the neighborhood and walked around the neighborhood (and this is not

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my permanent neighborhood, I'm just visiting). I saw Joel Slenk

washing his van over on View Park. I pulled out an old football

uniform from my high school days. I picked up some ribs at Chris 'n'

Pitts over on Artesia Blvd.

And I continued to scan pictures from photo albums so that they are

available on my computer and which I will make available for others. I

went over to Food Saver and bought a bunch of produce at a good price

and made a nice big salad. I spent time recuperating. Physically I am

not in great condition. I need more exercise--especially in the abdomen

area. I spend too much time in the car. So pray for me to work on

physical conditioning--making time for it.

This morning I puttered around Seal Beach and took a few pictures (see

attached) and composed my morning message. The surfers were alreadyout by 7 a.m. Somebody caught a stingray or what he called a "bat ray"

at the end of the pier--and left it lying out in the sun. I walked my dog

down the pier --not noticing the signs that said "no dogs" until I came

back-- at the end of the pier somebody warned me that I might get a

citation. Fortunately I didn't. I haven't been to Seal Beach in over a

year or at least nine months.

It's another hot day here. There's been a wildfire raging over in the

Yucca Valley area as anybody who follows the news knows. I droveover to Sunset Beach where my Aunt Karen & her friend Vanna used to

live.

I passsed by the Naval Weapons Station and the Submarine Memorial--

dedicated to submarine soldiers who lost their lives in combat. It's a

nice memorial--too often ignored by the locals I think. It reminds me to

pray for our troops--who are fighting for our freedom and the freedom

of others. Whether you agree with the war or not you can still pray and

care for the troops.

And this is the day that God has made--it's a day to rest and relax and

praise our Lord. Let us pray:

Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for giving me the ability to deliver this

message to others around the country today. Let it be a blessing to them

and let them support me in prayer for the specific things mentioned

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above. Let the Body of Christ relieve my burdens, Lord. I thank you for

the Body of Christ around the country and around the world. Let us

praise Your Name.

Song: Just a Word for Jesus

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/u/justword.htm

Song: Beautiful Sabbath

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/a/beautsab.htm

And I have a big trip coming up this week. I'll let you know about it

when I return. I'm praying for all of you in general and some in

particular and ask for the same from you. God bless you all. Have a

great week.

TRUST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR

EVERYWHERE YOU GO!

VanderKOK

J.P. Kok

Pastor Kok III

JOHN,THE EVANGELIST FOR CHRIST

Song: Come Blessed Spirit, Source of Light !

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/b/cbsslite.htm

TAGS: FISHERMEN, FISHERS OF MEN, REEDS LAKE, DOUG,TIMMER, CRWM, COSTA RICA, CPE, SLENK, SEAL, SUNSET,

BOSSCHER, KAY, pre-evangelism, grandpa Kok,

7/16/06 don't be just fishermen, be fishers of men ! by vanderkok

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