The owner of this blog is in this pic. Can you guess which one ?

It would be considered sexual harassment now, but back in the day..

It would be considered sexual harassment now, but back in the day when I was a student it was common and some Christian schools and even at Calvin College for insecure male  teachers or professors to needle students who threatened their insecure ego. 

These teachers would take cheap shots in subtle ways about a student's "manhood" or "masculinity". One way they  would do this was to raise their eyebrows and say "very creative "  in response to a thought you shared or something you wrote, etc. 

Sometimes they'd just do it one-to- one. Other times they'd do it in public, even in the classroom. It was definitely not appropriate for sure but they would get away with it back then as  part of their "bully pulpit." 

Because back then these self- proclaimed so-called "manly men" deemed "creativity " to be a non-masculine trait. 

Or in some cases if a professor couldn't  get away with doing something demeaning himself, he would encourage another student to do so. At Calvin College and Seminary if  they called you 'dude' that was also a little bit of a slur. 

For example, a professor might be speaking with one student and they might say about another student oh he's a dude," with an insinuating tone. And encourage that student to marginalize the other student as a dude. And this would also help take the light off of that professor who might be the actual less than virtuous person. It would especially help them if they could pit one student against another. 

One of the most egregious professors in this regard at Calvin Seminary was Roger Greenway (Bob DeVries may be second. Cal Van Reken was up there as well). They actually considered this unethical behavior as "gamemanship".  

Roger above all was highly threatened by my alpha male presence and more than once took some little unethical and inappropriate cheap shots at me such as the above. Or was intrusive. 

One time we had a banquet at the beginning of the year, and I had to go make a phone call. This was before cell phones, so I had to find a public phone. And we were at a public restaurant, not at the Seminary. So I stepped out for a few minutes.  IT was an important phone call that couldn't wait. When I came back he was demanding, " Where were you? Where'd you go?"  as if it was any of his business. I didn't even know him at that time.

I didn't even know his name. I didn't even know he was a professor. This was a banquet for new students, including professors and other staff as well. There were a lot of faces that I did not know at that time. I was not new to Calvin College; had already gotten my bachelor's degree there , but I was new to Calvin Seminary. 

He took an over- the- top special interest in everything about me which felt weird; even in this case taking special interest in why I was absent from the banquet for 5 or 10 minutes. 

What if I had been in the restroom with  diarrhea or something?  Is that his business as well ? This isn't like we're in elementary school or kindergarten where the teacher has to know everything about the kid like a parent. This is basically graduate school. 

Roger actually made the mistake of  continuing to take shots at me even after I had left  Calvin Seminary, and all the more stupidly, he did so in writing.  And once I find that letter that I still have somewhere, I will post it as evidence. 

But you see these low- level professors* would use the word "creative" & other similar enigmatic words  because it's ambiguous enough to use as "double speak." This way they are covering their tracks and they can  deny that they meant anything derogatory, if confronted by a complaint, or a  superior investigating their behavior. 

"Dude" passed as doublespeak in that regard as well because you could argue that it's an affectionate way of talking to a fellow person. 

Roger Greenway has passed away, so I won't go on and on... I won't go on any further,  but it's worth mentioning because there might be some professors still trying to get away with this this sort of bully behavior, and maybe some students can pick up a few tips from this information. Greenway was part of the reason that I decided to transfer to a different Seminary. 

 Don't allow professors to take advantage of you.  They have ethical responsibilities and obligations that come with their teaching position; and belittling students is a violation of those ethical standards. 

*Note: It's usually only a small amount of professors who need to use this kind of unethical "classroom control", (or even outside the classroom in some cases).  It's the professors who do NOT have real great command of their content, or don't have any real command at all. So they begin struggling for class control; feel insecure , and begin belittling students as a  way to silence them.

 Coincidentally,  both Roger Greenway and Bob DeVries may have been hired more for "legacy" reasons, or nepotism ( ie sons of professors or pastors)  rather than any real great academic command or proficiency.  I'm not sure about Cal Van Reken. 

The Banner will become independent publication in 2028: no denominational funding

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2024/05/banner-to-lose-ministry-share-funding-after-2027 

Very charitable, but they declined me😢✝️ "Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

 I found the letter from 2003 . Now I remember the exact details: I was asking if they would be willing to donate a copy machine for the Pastoral Care Dept on the  10th floor at the Crystal Cathedral, which, believe it or not, they did not have one at the time.  Any time the 10th floor staff  needed to make copies they had to go down or up on the elevator, etc. I had just finished 4 years at Fuller Seminary & had  started my own ministry and I was occasionally using the 10th floor as well. 

And RIch DeVos had shown appreciation for the positive thinking messages of Robert Schuller on the Hour of Power. I think he also appeared as a guest on one of the Hour of Power episodes - which I can't seem to find on the internet after a brief search-but having personally been there I remember the details. It may have actually been an evening service -, if so, it  wasn't televised for the Hour of Power. 

And I don't remember if it was prior to me sending this letter in 2003 or ex post facto. I remember one detail very clearly: Rich DeVos promised to buy Robert Schuller a new limousine because his old one, which they used to pick him up from the airport, was "bottoming out" . A limousine sounds fancy and rich of course, but I think the  original stretch limo was also donated, and it was nothing special. THe new limousine was a silver mini-Limo thanks to Devos.

 Anyways, they probably assumed that the Crystal Cathedral could afford to buy it's own copy machine for the 10th floor. And in 2003 they were probably right, even though dark clouds would start to gather in the next few years and ultimately the church would declare bankruptcy and close it's doors in 2013. I never knew it would end this way.

 I had no premonition apart from wondering at some point why the chairs in the Cathedral were getting so worn out and not being replaced? Anyways, I was there through it all, even at the court bankruptcy hearings in Santa Ana, CA. 

The Cathedral ministry actually has continued on a much smaller budget, at a few new locations (now in Irvine CA known as Shepherd's Grove) under the leadership of Bobby Schuller (Robert's grandson) and the Hour of Power can still be viewed online & on TV in some locations. 

Nonetheless, I still had my own income & savings from also working as a regular teacher and during seminary as a substitute teacher for the LAUSD and so I decided to buy the copy machine myself. I surprised the 10th floor with a gift. 

The company delivered it, but for some reason the 10th floor staff didn't accept it. They returned it. Maybe I hurt their pride. And a few weeks later they bought their own copy machine.  Whatever.

Interesting thing is we have a lot of common heritage as the DeVos family . Our family is of Dutch ancestory and Christian Reformed affiliations; as well as Grand Rapids Christian High, Holland Christian High, & Calvin College. It's a small world. Doug DeVos was a few years before me at Grand Rapids Christian High.

 Rich & Jay both attended Grand Rapids CHristian and a little bit of Calvin COllege too, I think. The DeVos family attended LaGrave CRC for many years - where my grandfather's family also attended. They had/have a cottage on Lake Michigan by Lake Macatawa as did/does my grandfather (Rest-in-Peace). 

I also worked at Pine Rest Hospital for a year after college as a Mental Health Worker mostly in the adolescent unit, which was named the Van Andel Center after Rich Devos founding partner Jay (who died in 2004; as well as his wife, Betty, Rest-in-Peace). I think the Devos Family has also made contributions to Pine Rest for the sake of Christian mental health treatment. And my father was a chaplain there for many years. 

Since 2003 I've continued to make small strides in doing Christian evangelical ministry in various ways. I've done formal mission trips, such as a summer in the Philippines with a CRC group; as well as disaster relief in Costa Rica with CRWM (world missions) after a giant earthquake caused substantial damage.

 But mostly I've done online E-vangelism (electronic evangelism: blogs, YouTube, Twitter X, etc ) as well as "street evangelism" (Gospel tracts), among many other things. All on a shoestring budget. 

My motto is "I'm not Johnny AppleSeed, but Johnny Mustard Seed" (based on Matt 17.20  which says "… Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...Nothing will be impossible for you." I plant seeds - and hope & pray for good soil. Then I rely upon this Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 6-8

Best wishes to the DeVos family as well as their staff at their Foundation.

Helen died in 2017, Rest-in-Peace

Rich died in 2018, Rest-in-Peace

-----

"Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/richard-and-helen-devos-foundation-sunsets-after-54-years-1-1b-donated 

Some of the people I remember working with at Pine Rest Hospital

Some of The people I remember working with at Pine Rest Hospital include: Johnny King (he played basketball at Calvin as well), Belinda Clark, Frank Sisung ( the drummer who was married to the Boorsma Girl; what a character), Bonnie somebody, Denny somebody, Brent Gates, Matt Wynn (RIP), Kim Kooiker (& Kim's male cousin, former military guy, can't remember his name. He was apparently assigned to approve or not approve if I was good enough for Kim*), Nurse Bass ( i played football with her 2 younger brothers) , Morrie Dielman (attended 1st CRC), Teri Bierling, Jeff Genzink, Randy Herrema  the psychologist . Among others.

*I met Kim at a required CPR class at the hospital. She also attended Calvin and was still attending Calvin at the time I think. I was already graduated ( The first time.) And we started dating, very slowly. And then her cousin showed up one day and wanted to talk with me and meet me at Denny's for breakfast. It was just sort of a social conversation but he apparently was assigned to make sure I was  an okay person for Kim. And apparently he approved of me because we kept dating for a while.

 However as much as I respected and liked Kim very much, I decided I was I wanted to be a missionary,  or not wanted to be,  but was called to be a missionary. 

It was the hardest thing in my life to leave Kim, &  not only Kim actually -there were other girls in my sphere of influence and potential marriage coming out of Calvin and Grand Rapids. Including Rachel. And others. 

But I finally decided if I'm going to be a missionary. Or If I am going to follow God's call, I should say, I needed to leave Michigan, and none of the girls that I dated I don't believe they were willing to be missionary wives. Even if they were serious about being Christians, or churchgoers. 

Most of them were Michigan girls, meaning they were born there and grew up there and pretty much as far as I could tell part of their identity was being a Michigander, and so the possibility of them leaving Michigan to be a  missionary wife not only somewhere else in the country but in the world was close to zero. 

Very charitable, but declined me😢✝️ "Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

Very charitable, but they declined my request for a startup donation as I was beginning my evangelical Christian ministry ✝️😢, even though i have  extensive Grand Rapids & CRC history, including Calvin & GRC Schools .

I will post the historic denial letter when I re-find it 

"Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation sunsets after 54 years, $1.1B donated"

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/richard-and-helen-devos-foundation-sunsets-after-54-years-1-1b-donated 

🙏🤎✝️Obituary information for Allan Vander Lugt, 2019 ( father of Elliot? )

https://www.zaagman.com/obituaries/Allan-Vander-Lugt?obId=5391605 

I found this old picture from Fort Myers FL ⛱️: my friend Jack Jr with his mother Mae, & late father, Jack Sr (RIP ✝️♥️🙏)

Good family, good friends. Hope all is well . God be with you and bless you. 

RIP ✝️ 💜 🙏 "Rev. Jan Friend (1932-2017) | The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2018/01/rev-jan-friend-1932-2017 

Is this CRC affiliated? 'The Refuge' , Olympics WA

http://www.olympicrefuge.org 

- Raise Up Global Ministries

https://www.raiseupglobal.org 

I met him once at Calvin Seminary. Decent fellow "Gary Bekker '73 | Trinity Christian College

https://www.trnty.edu/alumni-success-story/gary-bekker-73/ 

Do you believe Angels 😇 are protecting you ?

Do you believe Angels 😇 are protecting you ?

(https://x.com/PRAISETRIUNEGOD/status/1781507680273875367?s=03) 

re Wiebe Boer & the Problem with MK's: Missionary Kids as well as Military Kids (

"Along with a $400,000 annual salary, Boer received a $100,000 signing bonus, with annual bonuses of up to $200,000 with the chance to earn additional long-term bonuses, paid college tuition for his children, a car and use of the presidential residence on campus..."

https://religionnews.com/2024/04/15/feud-with-ex-president-wiebe-boer-leads-to-lawsuit-alleged-threats-of-violence-at-calvin-university/

Mr Boer is contesting the allegations against him, so this commentary is not concluding that he has or hasn't done anything inappropriate. We are only discussing, in general, the problem with missionary kids and military kids. And this is not to say that any and all of MK's are a problem in general or that they have problems. It is simply to say that these "American kids" who grow up in other countries, sometimes have no real ROOTS in their home country. Sometimes they feel more affection for the country in which they were born and/or raised, even if they periodically returned to America. Sometimes they even feel more comfortable speaking the language of the country(s) in which they were raised, rather than English itself. Upon returning home for "sabbatical" on a periodic basis, they are often treated like little celebrities (especially the missionary kids as the missionary family goes from church to church to raise support for their mission; showing photos of themselves with the African people, or whatever mission field they are working in, could be Asia, Central America, etc ). And they also never really get tested in the American schools in terms of athletics and the normal ups and downs & rites of passage of American childhood. Sure, they still go to schools in their mission country; often elite schools for American families; and they take many of the same courses you might have in the USA schools; but they don't have the full, normal experience of american childhood. And then suddenly it's time for college and it's almost like they drop in like an alien by parachute with no history attached.  Kind of like the way Obama himself arrived in America - and into the Whitehouse. it was almost as if he was from somewhere else. 

Growing up in America, especially the continental USA itself, is more of a test of one's mettle. I had cousins who were military kids- and grew up in various countries, as well as periodically in various USA states. 

Then after dad had retired or they had grown up, they came back to live in Grand Rapids; but they had no history here/there. It was awkward. THey could be critical of everybody and everything without anybody being able to criticize them because we knew nothing of their true history, except what they self-report: how did they do in school ? We don't know beside that they graduated. How did they do in sports ? We don't know, unless they decide to tell us, and possible create fiction, like a fish story. Did they ever get in trouble ?  Bad habits ? No way to know, unless we observe them emerge over time now that they are here to stay. 

MK's have a LOT to OFFER from what they've experienced and learned out in the mission or military field, but too often they decide to return to the country where they are "from" but didn't grow up in and become armchair quarterbacks of it, and of us.

 One of my cousin's (a military kid) could not take any criticism at all. He wasn't used to being disciplined or judged. He could only dish it out. They are used to being celebrities of sorts. And with missionary kids there is often the added fiction of having "roughed it" in Africa or wherever.

 When I first visited a missionary family in Dominican Republic I was actually astonished as to how nice they actually had it. And I visited several missionary families in various countries since then. All of them lived in very nice spacious homes, and the kids were able to attend nice private schools. And there was access to resorts, etc. The myth of missionaries "roughing it" has always added to their celebrity status; but that's all it is in many cases: a myth. 

Does any of this apply to Mr./Dr. Wiebe Boer ? Has he ever been criticized or judged before ? Or has he always been the darling missionary kid ? Or is he being unfairly singled out ? We still don't know. Maybe time will tell. Let us pray for the Calvin community. 

Boer sues. Calvin elaborates. The plot thickens. "Calvin University responds to Wiebe and Joanna Boer's lawsuit"

https://currentpub.com/2024/04/15/calvin-university-responds-to-wiebe-and-joanna-boers-lawsuit/ 

Why did Pastor Marshall Holtvluwer refuse🚫 my correspondence 😞⁉️ not very kind of him

The other CRC college "National Championship for Dordt University Women’s Basketball "

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2024/04/national-championship-for-dordt-university-womens-basketball 

In Christ ✝️

In Christ, new Hope

ignites 🧨 its Flame, 🔥 

Eternal light ☀️ 

no darkness tames

With arms outstretched✝️

His love unfurled,

He brings new life 

 to All the world 🌎 

In every heart, 💓 

 a song 🎶 resounds,

A melody of grace abounds🎵 

From depths of doubt, 

He lifts us high,

On wings of Faith,

we learn to Fly 🕊️ 

In Him, our fears 

find sweet release🎈

In His embrace, 

we find our Peace 🙏

So let us walk

in faith's bright glow 🌄

With Christ, our Savior, 

we shall Grow 🌱

R.U.Growing?✝️ "And we all are being Transformed into the same image from one degree of Glory to another...

"And we all, with unveiled face,

 beholding the Glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the 

Lord who is the Spirit. 

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect

the Glory of the Lord 

                           -2 Cor3.18-

28th & Kalamazoo "Meijer looks to replace CRC HQ with gas station |" WOODTV.com

https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/meijer-looks-to-replace-crc-hq-with-gas-station/ 

Nothing here about gambling "Board releases details about Boer resignation in response to due process concerns "– Calvin University Chimes

"The group who submitted the request does not assert Dr. Boer's innocence; their main request was for transparency and assurance that due process was followed in the complaint process, for the good of both Boer and the individual who reported the allegations...."

https://calvinchimes.org/2024/03/28/board-releases-details-about-boer-resignation-in-response-to-due-process-concerns/ 

Hope college exclusive: Wiebe Boer was sending online gambling referrals “Calvin ex-president speaks on resignation scandal "

Hope college exclusive: Wiebe Boer was sending online gambling referrals "Calvin ex-president speaks on resignation scandal "

"Honestly," said Boer, "I didn't even know that sports betting was against the rules."

Boer loves to follow his favorite teams and "win a little pocket money." you can make more money by referring others."

 The message on his phone read "Learn how to receive $100 in bonuses (up to $2000 per month) with BetMGM's Refer A Friend."

https://anchor.hope.edu/project-archive/the-ranchor/the-job-was-a-gamble-calvin-ex-president-speaks-on-resignation-scandal/ 

Listen: "America's Greatest Need"

https://web.sermonaudio.com/sermons/7307155959 

"Poll Finds Nearly 70% Believe in Christ's Physical Rise from Dead"

https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/03/28/most-believe-jesus-christs-resurrection-new-poll-finds/ 

A Prayer by ChatGPT 🙏✝️ (per my command)

Heavenly Father,

We come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and power over all things, including the forces of darkness led by Satan. We recognize the pervasive influence of evil in our world and the harm it inflicts upon Your creation. We beseech You to protect us from the schemes and temptations of the enemy.

Lord, we declare the wickedness of Satan and his minions, who seek to deceive, destroy, and sow chaos in our lives and communities. We ask for Your divine intervention to thwart their plans and expose their lies.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we command every demon and evil spirit to flee from every sphere of influence—be it our homes, workplaces, schools, governments, or any other realm. We proclaim Your authority over all principalities and powers, knowing that nothing can stand against Your might.

Grant us discernment to recognize the tactics of the enemy and the strength to resist them. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in righteousness and truth, shining as beacons of Your love and grace in a darkened world.

May Your light dispel the darkness, and Your peace reign supreme in every heart. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

Amen.

"In Memoriam: Rev. Anthony (Tony) Schweitzer |" The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2024/03/in-memoriam-rev-anthony-tony-schweitzer 

2017 : Calvin College's Steve Honderd voted the BEST college BB player in ALL of Michigan after Magic Johnson

He was an Eagle too, by the way.

Amazing "not even the hard-nosed tenacity of Scotty Skiles could slow the momentum of the former Calvin star. Our readers voted for Honderd, 2,202 to 1,186 — 64.99 percent of the vote — to be declared the BEST COLLEGE PLAYER in Michigan since magic Johnson. .."

https://eu.freep.com/story/sports/college/2017/11/17/calvin-colleges-steve-honderd-improbably-wins/876215001/ 

Prayers 🙏 "Sudanese Christians introduce desperate people to Jesus as war rages on - "

https://www.mnnonline.org/news/sudanese-christians-introduce-desperate-people-to-jesus-as-war-rages-on/ 

Get your #AmeriBible ✝️ Are they all signed by him as well? "Trump is now selling... 📖BIBLES🇺🇲— for $59.95. ..

#AmeriBible
Are they all signed by
him as well?
"Trump has announced that he's now selling... ✝️BIBLES🇺🇲— for $59.95. ..The Trump-endorsed Bible is bundled with America's founding documents & a lyrics sheet for Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA"

https://redstate.com/mike_miller/2024/03/27/smug-cnn-gang-laughs-it-up-over-trump-bible-before-warning-its-proof-of-coming-trump-theocracy-n2171988 

"CRC Chaplains Honor Pioneers of the Past " | The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2017/06/crc-chaplains-honor-pioneers-of-the-past 

We 🙏 Pray for Muslims during Ramadan to come to Christ ✝️

https://www.mnnonline.org/news/how-to-pray-for-muslims-during-ramadan/ 

Congrats 🎉 🏆"Western Christian Wins Iowa 2A Title in Boys Basketball " The Banner

https://www.thebanner.org/news/2024/03/western-christian-wins-iowa-2a-title-in-boys-basketball 

photos: Lake Michigan shoreline & nearby (incl some Dutch immigration & CRC history)

https://LakeMichiganHolland.blogspot.com/

correction, listen: "The Theology of John Calvin" by RC Sproul podcast ( narrated by Godfrey)

https://castbox.fm/episode/The-Theology-of-John-Calvin-id1304342-id682020082?utm_source=website&utm_medium=dlink&utm_campaign=web_share&utm_content=The%20Theology%20of%20John%20Calvin-CastBox_FM

listen: "The Theology of John Calvin" by RC Sproul

https://castbox.fm/episode/The-Theology-of-John-Calvin-id1304342-id682020082?utm_source=website&utm_medium=dlink&utm_campaign=web_share&utm_content=The%20Theology%20of%20John%20Calvin-CastBox_FM

re the Mystery of Wiebe Boer Resignation

3/11/24 

The resignation of President Boer makes no sense because we do not know any details; giving rise to a wide variety of speculation amongst the Calvin people in my community. All we know is that it was "not sexual or physical" in nature; only that it was "unwanted" by the recipient. 

So what was it ? We're all big boys and girls (aka adults). We need to know the details because we are the Calvin Community & Body of Christ. The Calvin administration does not "own" Calvin, and are not dictators. They need to be held accountable too!

People around me are speculating: 

1)Did he threaten somebody with bodily harm?

2) Did he belittle somebody? 

3) Did he violate PC or woke standards of the larger secular community, (needless to say, not all of such standards necessarily, & arguably, are in agreement with our Christian community)

4) Is this a false allegation by a begrudged person? (reports I read say President Boer partially denied it.)

5) And also disturbingly whether this is a "coup" by a person or persons in the administration in collaboration with the alleged "victim" of the unwanted communication to remove President Boer, due to their own self-serving reasons? 

6) Among other things 

I speak for myself and others in my nearby Calvin community who want to encourage the Chimes to do some investigative reporting on this matter for the sake of the entire large Calvin Community. 

Thanks

Stan Van, Alum

Wow! "List of Reformed denominations "- Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Reformed_denominations 

Christian Reformed Churches of Netherlands is NOT same as CRCNA even tho wiki lists it simply as CRC

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Reformed_Churches 

☝️"Christian Reformed Churches of Netherlands" is not the same as CRCNA even tho wiki lists it simply as CRC . 

For the CRC in America, and also Canada, that most of us are more familiar with, you need to search for "CRC in North America. " 👇

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Reformed_Church_in_North_America

about Paul Schrader's movie Hardcore, that begins in Grand Rapids and ends in Hollywood (which is not Bellflower)

prefix: anybody from the Reformed tradition, and especially the Christian Reformed tradition (CRC), should at least be aware of the legacy of Paul Schrader (a calvin alumnus, maybe or maybe not graduated); and the 1979 movie Hardcore (even if it is not recommended for young people; nor would I recommend it in general except for the purpose of knowing the significance of it for the reformed community) ; and also there's a reference to Bellflower in it (which is where the Christian Reformed settled in southern California back in the day, and to this day there remains a few CRC's as well as the K-12 Christian school founded by the CRC, and still in association with the CRC. Furthermore, many Valley students go on to Calvin College; another reason for being aware of who is Paul Schrader and in particular this film entitled "Hardcore". 

Above: my pic of Paul Schrader when I saw him at the UCLA Hammer Museum in Los Angeles years ago. 

 Ironically I grew up in GR (Grand Rapids, MI)  but our family moved to Bellflower when I was in high school. Paul Schrader begins his movie "Hardcore" (original title was "The Pilgrim" in GR ..and the kids are headed to a young calvinist convention (something the Christian Reformed Church used to do, maybe still do, for adolescents of the CRC)  with a big sign on a bus that says "Bellflower" on it. But before I recap the movie for those of you who haven't seen it (by the way, it is available, or was, on Tubi for free now, finally; & not for children by the way. See https://tubitv.com/movies/670431/hardcore ; by the way, last time I checked it is no longer available on Tubi ; maybe they mistakenly released it for free temporarily. Maybe I got lucky). 

I guess I didn't see it because I hadn't made a point of it, and it hasn't been free until now. I'm not a "fan boy" of Paul Schrader just because of our similar backgrounds. If he creates good material I will applaud it. Otherwise, not.  But when it popped up as a "new free movie" on Tubi I took the time to critically view it. You can also view the opening scenes on YouTube at   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3x46EkgGfc or https://rb.gy/29yjho

So this film was released in 1979 when I was 12 years old, and of course when I was a kid in the 70's in Grand Rapids it would not have been a movie my parents would have approved of, even if it was a Paul Schrader movie- or maybe especially because it was a Schrader movie. He was considered a rebel back then by the CRC- and may still be in some parts. 

My parents never mentioned him, either intentionally or because he simply wasn't in their sphere. I only knew of him because of little things I heard or read here & there- maybe at my Christian school (GRCH) or later at Calvin College.  I haven't gone back to research this aspect of Paul Schrader's life, but as best as I can recall there was some sort of controversy about Schrader when he was on the Chimes staff, and something about  the college chaplain, and something about the code of counseling confidentiality etc etc, … ; and something happened that  I won't speculate any further .. some say he got kicked out of Calvin; others say he graduated. Numerous stories abound and maybe we will never know for sure. Schrader himself may have started some of the rumors to add to his "rebel image". At this point, it doesn't really matter. 

 Even when our family moved from GR to Bellflower when I was in high school I didn't know anything specific about the movie Hardcore or any of his other movies. I don't even remember when I saw Taxi Driver, the movie he is best known for (probably, as he himself says; but some make an argument for "American Gigolo") . 

Here's one quote I come across re Taxi Driver: 

"In 1973, only five years out of Calvin College, Schrader wrote a near-perfect first screenplay, including revision, in ten days while living in his car following the demise of his first marriage, drinking heavily and attracted to pornography, guns, and suicide. No surprise, then, that Taxi Driver (1974) is not a cheerful work, displaying at length the badly tangled psyche of marine-vet Travis Bickle (De Niro), a New York cabbie who drives the night shift because he can't sleep anyway." https://www.booksandculture.com/articles/1999/julaug/9b4020.html

And of course I had never seen him in person nor even a picture of him. I mention this because much later in life when I was a young adult working in Los Angeles & exploring different parts, I started going to the UCLA Hammer Museum on a periodic basis (by the way, I also worked for a short time at UCLA as a chaplain in the medical center, and completed CPE there (Clinical Pastoral Education). Even though the museum is far too lefty for my taste, I would go there as a Christian evangelist and try to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior- if nothing else- leaving little Bible tracts underneath windshield wipers. My code of honor as an evangelist is that if a person rejects the gospel I can at least try to be influence or inspire them to be a good citizen. 

And one day I noticed the Hammer Museum calendar saying that Paul Schrader was going to be there in person- so I made sure to mark the date to attend the free event. Of course, Schrader attended the UCLA for cinematography (or whatever they call it now)- and for this event he was showing a film and having a conversation with a museum person (& I think he was donating some of his "historic" materials to the UCLA archive).

So I arrived a little early and entered the lobby of the Hammer Museum, and there was an elderly chap sitting alone on a bench waiting for the event to begin and I just passed him by to find a seat in the auditorium. What I didn't know until the show started was that it was Paul Schrader himself sitting there.

I wished I had known what he looked like so I could have said hello and mention to him our similar pathways- ie we both grew up in GR, both attended GRCH & Calvin, both grew up in the CRC, etc. He originally intended to go into Christian ministry, while I actually did so; but also dabbled in show business myself (more about that later).  It would have been a fun conversation.

Also, by the way, his late brother Len was involved in Hollywood film making, mainly as a writer- best known for his film entitled "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" - another film which I did not see until late in life- and for that matter- I didn't find it very compelling- and never actually finished watching it. It had a lefty agenda which I don't necessarily agree with- or find very entertaining either. But it did win an Oscar, for what it's worth. It stars the late William Hurt- and I noticed that Paul is currently married to Mary Beth Hurt- who as best as I can tell was originally married to William Hurt- but it ended in divorce (I think). 

Another connection to the Schraders is that Len attended the University of Iowa writing program in Iowa City (coincidentally,  I was born at the University of Iowa Medical Center when my dad was working his first full-time job as a CRC pastor- and my parents had interacted with Len on a few occasions). 

 Anyways, I attended the Hammer Museum event -watched his film about "Mishima" - listened to the interview- nothing particular memorable about any of it. Never got a chance to talk to him. With all of this as a prelude, let's get back to the Hardcore movie- as mentioned it begins in GR with kids sledding on a hill - like I did when I was a child - I think they show "Richmond Park" for the sledding scene (where I never went sledding- we would usually go to Brookside or Tower Park on the SE side).

They also show at least one Christian Reformed Church in the opening scene- I think it is Leonard Street CRC. This is the west side of GR- opposite of where I grew up. I would rarely come over this way on my own or even with my family - except for a few times when we might go to John Ball Zoo. I remember playing against "Westside" school in basketball when I was playing for Millbrook on the southeast side (I remember Bill Sall was their best player. Now he's the Calvin Coach. Small world). That's about it. Anyways, the point is that Paul Schrader was a "west sider." 

Later in life I've explored the west side of GR a bit more, but we never attended the Christian Reformed churches on that side of town (our family attended 1st CRC, also known as Bates Street). Of course we had west side kids in our class at GRCH- all the Christian junior high students (from Ada, Millbrook, Sylvan, East Paris, Westside, Creston, etc ) eventually meet at the one main high school (some of these junior highs no longer exist, including mine). The opening scene also apparently shows Paul's dad shoveling snow and Paul's actual house (lots of actual real snow- makes me wonder if they filmed this after the famous blizzard of '78? I was living there at the time and remember it well. And it fits with the timing of the release a year later).

There's also a scene at a factory, and also at a home that says in fading paint "Van Dorn's Celery"-  (apparently, celery farming was a thing in west Michigan for some time. See https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/celery-in-western-michigan )  where they show some of the elderly folk talking about Reformed theology- all familiar topics to me

Later, there's even a scene where the main character - the father in search of his daughter in Los Angeles (played by George C. Scott) has a conversation with a young lady about "TULIP" - the reformed acronym for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistable Grace, & Perseverance of the Saints - to which the female character responds "Wow, you're more messed up than me", or something like that. 

 Why is the father searching for his daughter? Because somewhere after reaching Los Angeles, the daughter disappeared. And nobody knows what happened. So after hiring a private investigator who is only partially successful or honest with the father, the father decides to go to L.A. on his own to find his beloved daughter. 

And here is where I need to mention some particulars about the movie that are misleading. Of course the bus says they are going to a convention in Bellflower which is indeed in Los Angeles county- but Bellflower is one of MANY suburbs & incorporated cities (88 in total) of L.A. county -and it is not necessarily in a "seedy" area as depicted in the movie.

From Bellflower to downtown is 18 miles.  If a young person was going to L.A. to be LED ASTRAY (no pun intended, but it works well ie LA= Led Astray), Bellflower would not necessarily be the place to go. Bellflower was originally mostly Dutch farmers- in fact my dad, as the son of a CRC pastor,  partially grew up there in the 1930's before moving to Holland Michigan. 

He has photo album pics of wide open fields- dirt roads, lots of open space etc. Of course by the 70's it had become much more established,  but still then and today is not near Hollywood nor the lefty craziness you might think (of) (sorry to end with a preposition). In the 70's and even still today it is a relatively mundane community - not a lot of exciting night life or theatres, etc. 

For entertainment, people might go to Cerritos Mall; or venture all the way downtown or to Hollywood for special shows etc. Belfllower is surrounded by other suburbs such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Norwalk, Downey, Paramount, and the list goes on.  For sports, there's Angels Stadium in Anaheim, and Dodger Stadium near downtown, and all the other sports teams, but none are near Bellflower. 

Perhaps Bellflower's biggest claim to fame today is the football team at Bosco Catholic High School. They are a regular top seed in the entire nation for high school football, and high prospects will travel or move to the area to attend Bosco- with high hopes of a college career and maybe even the NFL. 

Originally, however,  Bellflower (originally called Somerset) was a stronghold for the CRC- including Valley Christian Schools- associated with the CRC- which my grandfather (also a CRC pastor) co-founded back in the 30's. So the Bellflower sign on the bus is misleading. 

If this CRC father's daughter went to Bellflower- to get "led astray" into pornography she would have had to travel on her own or be picked up by somebody - to the other side of L.A. (county, not city)  - most likely San Fernando Valley (about 40 miles from Bellflower) - which is known to be more of a pornography -producing area. I am now imagining the snarky hyper-sexual punk out there reading this sarcastically saying suggestively, "How does he know it's a porno area? "

And the answer is: I study and read, and learn. Not from personal involvement in it. I also worked as a substitute teacher for the LAUSD for many years while going thru seminary and so I got to know the area from working at the many LAUSD schools in the area, and you learn as you go. San Fernando valley (not to be confused with the City of San Fernando in SF Valley) is comprised of many cities, from Glendale out to Thousand Oaks, and everything in between. Of course, there's also Burbank, Tarzana, Studio City, North Hollywood, etc

There's also the mainstream film industry in this area, including Warner Bros, Disney, as well as numerous other smaller film production companies. When I was still in seminary I bought a used station wagon a few decades ago- a beautiful Mercury Colony Park- & it just happened to be from a fellow who was a film producer living in Studio City and had used it to transport "suits" (ie film studio executives around the lot).

To put all of this into context: Grand Rapids to Holland MI (or Grand Haven if you prefer) (a drive I took millions of times to "grandpa's cottage" growing up in West Michigan) is about 30 to 35 miles, closer than Bellflower is to San Fernando. Basically, "the valley" is the other side of "the hill" – which Mulholland Highway traverses from the Bel Air area towards the Hollywood Bowl area ( I recently drove it with my elderly parents & my sister who was visiting from Michigan- showing them the sights-

Anyways, this leads me to another point: After my family moved to Bellflower, I still went back and forth to Grand Rapids as I attended Calvin College, and two of my siblings remained in West Michigan. And my grandfather on my mother's side still resided in GR - and ran a profitable butter business. 

Anybody who knows a little bit of Dutch American and CRC history can easily figure out who I am from all the clues I've given.  And people who knew our family -and made the association of us with my successful businessman grandfather (& his "mansion" in East Grand Rapids) -- assumed when we moved to southern Cal we were moving to a place like Beverly Hills - like a mansion or something. Because they also knew my dad was moving back to California to work for a successful televangelist Christian ministry- which evoked images of financial well-being, in the minds of some people.

However, Bellflower is NOT Beverly Hills. It's not a "bad neighborhood" necessarily but it's just basic middle-class houses - some areas nicer and more spacious than other- but some parts very close together- including lots of apartments. Our family moved to a nice 2-story home: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, big backyard, near a park, etc - also in an equestrian area- where some people had horses- and they would ride them on the nearby riverbed and on the streets as well. But it was NOT a fancy area that you might see in Sunset Magazine etc. 

I say this because over time- we would have CRC friends visit from west Michigan (some of them "Eagle Knights" -ie who attended GRCH & Calvin like myself)  and often they would come with certain pre-conceptions as mentioned only to find out we lived in an "ordinary" middle class neighborhood. 

Some with less class would return to Michigan and tell snarky stories about where we live as if we ever pretended to be rich Beverly Hills people. WE never did. And still don't to this day (although I don't live in Bellflower anymore, my parents still do in the same house).

We are not and never were a "flashy" family, nor was my wealthy Grand Rapids grandfather (apart from the mansion, of course). My wealthy grandfather drove station wagons his whole life, and kept his Lake Michigan cottage fairly primitive. Even today the driveway remains unpaved. His son who took over the business is more of a flashy type- in terms of cars and boats. But those of us who moved to Bellflower were never the flashy types.

There were also a few "friends" who assumed I was going to be in the movie business myself because of the images and associations they had in their minds of me and my family (as mentioned my dad also worked for a televised ministry that periodically interviewed famous guests as part of the church service; including the occasional Hollywood celebrity who had at least a little bit of Christian conviction). And some thought I had "Hollywood looks" whatever that means. But I never had any dreams or ambitions of becoming a so-called "movie star". 

One of these people I knew from Calvin showed up by surprise one day when I was still in Bellflower and she was shocked that it was nowhere near Hollywood and the film industry. And disappointed for that matter. She mistakenly thought I was part of that crowd. Sorry Audrey (& Eric). I never said I was, nor pretended to be (but that's another story for another time). Later, I did become a little involved in show business – but mostly for the sake of my Christian ministry- and trying to reach people in those circles with the good news of Jesus Christ (yes, I am an evangelical!)

CRC kids & families all over USA know about other CRC communities all over the USA from missionaries who visit their parish, & from reading The Banner, and for those who go on to Calvin, they meet fellow CRC kids (young adults). However, unless you're a rare bird, like me (or one of those CRC pastors who bounced around, or a family member of such a pastor) you probably don't personally know much of anything about that other CRC community.

 I'm such a rare CRC bird that over time I searched out all the CRC locations in California – attending a few- but mostly just taking pictures of them for a blog. Later, I did the same in the Chicago area- primarily for the purpose of getting to know the physical locations of these Christian Reformed neighborhoods. Even as late as 2023 I'm still doing this- most recently around the greater Grand Rapids area- wow -so many CRC's and RCA's and even Protestant Reformed Churches- it's mind boggling. I sometimes ponder how much more we could do as the Body of Christ if we could find a way to unite!

As best as I can tell, the only reason Paul Schrader used Bellflower as a prop on the bus was apparently because he knew of it as a Christian Reformed stronghold. I wonder if he has actually ever been to Bellflower? And as far as I know they never filmed any of the California scenes actually in Bellflower, nor even in L.A. County. From what I hear, many, if not all, of the risque CA scenes are actually filmed in San Diego County.    

New Hope In CHRIST, by cgpt

In the darkest night, a glimmer bright, ☀️

A beacon of hope, a guiding light.

In CHRIST we find a love profound,

A grace that lifts us when we're down.

With every dawn 🌅, a fresh start,

A chance to mend a broken heart 💔❤️

In His embrace, we find our way,

With strength 💪 to face another day.

Through trials deep & valleys low,

In CHRIST, we find the strength to grow.

With faith ✝️as our compass 🧭, we boldly roam,For in His love ❤️, we find our home.

So let us sing with joyful voice, 🎶🎵

In CHRIST, we find our true rejoice.

With every step, our souls align,

In Him, New hope & peace 🕊️ we find.

An actual voice recording of the great DL Moody preaching, 1898

https://web.sermonaudio.com/sermons/513041886 

Shouldn't Calvin University president Wiebe Boer be given a chance for Repentance ?

Should Calvin University president Wiebe Boer be given a chance for Repentance-Grace-Redemption before being forced to resign for some alleged "inappropriate communications" ?

(https://x.com/PRAISETRIUNEGOD/status/1762604993562206620?t=NpNGLhnPdXQqEPkNUFG0tQ&s=03) 

How sad. No chance for Repentance & forgiveness? "Calvin President Resigns Over Inappropriate Messages "

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2024/february/calvin-president-wiebe-boer-resign-messages-university-boar.html 

Is Dan DeKam doing a good job leading the CRCNA (Christian Reformed Church, North America) ⁉️

Is Dan DeKam
doing a good job
leading the CRCNA
(Christian Reformed
Church, North America) ⁉️

(https://x.com/PRAISETRIUNEGOD/status/1761592805674365076?t=zcXZGuxP1dQDW-lNRCTh4g&s=03) 

Surgeon Sermon 👂 audio

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wY3ItcnNzLnN0cmVhbWd1eXMxLmNvbS9TcHVyZ2Vvbi9zcHVyZ2Vvbi1zZXJtb25zLnhtbA/episode/NzJmYzg2ODAtOGFlZi0xMWVlLTlkOGUtNTVlMmNhNjE5NDkz?ep=14 

Shame on UPS & CEO Carol Tomé for creating an anti-Christian atmosphere 👎😠

https://stream.org/christian-ups-driver-takes-on-the-corporation-over-extreme-lgbt-and-anti-christian-work-environment/ 

RIP, Mary Elaine Vanden Bosch Zwaanstra, (Grand Rapids, Mi)

I remember their kids, Matthew, Kerrie, & Karl 

condolences. 

"She counted among her closest friends the "Purplehood," a group of women who pledged to enjoy life together and always support one another, which included Ruth Stubbs, Dottie
Wiersma, Essie Yff-Prins, and the late Andi Dekker. Also, a special friend and colleague to Rodger Rice, for whom she provided spiritual direction. Mary treasured the words of another Mary (Oliver) To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, let it go..."

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mary-zwaanstra-obituary?id=54366339

Marshall Holtvluwer is now a CRC pastor in Grand Haven Michigan

https://covenantlifechurch.net/go/israel-2024

Famous Calvin alum quoted by SI "Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl? " (oldie Goldie, sports illustrated , Jan 1998

"Come Super Bowl Sunday, says Kok, the Lord will not be out there
throwing or deflecting passes. Nor opening holes in the line.
Nor kicking field goals. "The outcome is dependent on human
beings, not on God," Kok says. "He'll inspire players to do
their best, but the outcome is up to them."

https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/01/26/does-god-care-who-wins-the-super-bowl-many-packers-and-broncos-think-the-lord-will-decide-the-outcome-theologians-beg-to-differ 

The Truth re Paul Schrader and his film "Hardcore" movie based on a Young Calvinist going to Bellflower L.A. from Grand Rapids (fiction, 1979).

                     re Paul Schrader and                                                   his film "Hardcore" based on a               Young Calvinist from Grand Rapids                 (fiction, 1979). 

click below for:

My thoughts and reflections.