Crystal Cathedral : Care Ministry

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Kok's Korner

More About Care Ministry

July
Malari Barber, a Crystal Cathedral Academy alumnus, graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 20. Pastor Jim Kok was there to congratulate her and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his graduation. He said, "The highpoint was witnessing Malari's achievement. "Carol Barber, her mother, is the Principal of Crystal Cathedral Academy Elementary School.

Smiling Subtracts Depression
People who can only frown are deprived of an easy-to-use-medicine to lessen depressed feelings. The medicine is smiling.

When someone is not able to frown, because of treatments that paralyze the frown muscles, surprisingly they report that they start to feel better in general.

Research has discovered that even a forced smile works against melancholy. The smile does not have to be genuine, that is, triggered by pleasant feelings or thoughts. Even smiling because someone asks, or insists, seems to change the body chemistry in a positive direction.

The research that makes these claims is new and needs further development but common sense suggests they are on to something important. In the meantime, I plan to smile more and keep myself feeling chipper.

"She's Still There!"
Over a year ago I wrote in The Miracle of Kindness book about the inspiring clerk working at a newsstand at LAX airport. A week ago at 6:00 a.m., I passed through again. Once more she brightened my life as she took my 54 cents for the LA Times.

I was surprised to find here still there in the little shop near Gate 74. She glowed like it was midday, not early morning. Every customer she served left smiling. I watched, to witness her loving kindness lifting the spirits of the travelers who stopped to buy something.

When someone approaches her cash register here's what they receive in addition to their change, receipt, and the item they are buying:

A warm greeting.
A broad smile.
Eye contact.
Brisk efficiency.
Cheerful "Is there anything else"."
A farewell wish that you have a wonderful day.

When I thanked her for her pleasantness and told her she had brightened my day she replied "Thank God". So she is likely to be a young Christian living out her faith.

Anyone can do and give what she offers. It is so simple, so good, so needed, so rare.

A Special Poem
The following poem was memorized by millions of high school youth in the 40's and 50's. It is surprising, and it's punch line perfectly fits out Care and Kindness campaign on love toward those around.

About Ben Adam
About Ben Adam (may his tribe increase!)
awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
an angel, writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adam bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said:
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?"said Abou, "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still, and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again, with a great awakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adam's name led all the rest.

- Leigh Hunt

June

Simple Acts of Care and Kindness
Simple acts of care and kindness Put the actions of the world behind us Call on a friend Open a door Smile when you meet me walking on the Street Let your love show through me.

A lot of my friends are lonely
A lot of my friends need someone to care
A simple act of care and kindness
Is my wish and I make it my prayer

Oh, Lord, when I meet a lost one
I ask for the words to get them there
A simple act of care and kindness
Is my wish and I make it my prayer

- By Bev Michielson
Composed and sung at Care and Kindness Conferences

Glenn DeMaster Anecdote from "The Miracle of Kindness" by Jim Kok
Glenn DeMaster lives in a nice neighborhood where a few of those around him lack fluency in the English language.

One morning, as Glenn stood by his car, a woman walked by, so intent that she didn't seem to notice him. He said, "Good morning", but there was no noticeable response. Another day as he backed out of the driveway, she looked at him as she was walking by. He greeted her, but there was still no reaction. He attributed it to her apparent newness in this country and a lack of English skills.

A few days later, she was standing on the corner where he turns, so Glenn opened the window and waved, but there was no response. The next morning, as he approached, he noticed his "friend" sitting there on the curb, so he waved to her once more, and then noticed from his rearview mirror that she got up and walked away after he had waved and turned.

From that day on, he would often see her sitting there on the curb, as if waiting for him to come by and bless her with a wave. After the wave, he would see her get up and continue walking.

Reflection: There is no kind action so minor that it can be discounted. The loneliness in this world is so common and widespread that the mere wave of a hand could be the warmest gift in another's day.

Judy Possnac - Elder/M.O.D. of the Month
Coye Brown has friends all over the world. So it was not surprising when her friend, Shirley Trotter, from Canada came to visit her for several weeks. Shirley came to church with Coye, they spent time together, and she stayed at her house. After a couple of weeks Jane got sick. Very sick; with what seemed like a bad cold and Bronchitis. But Shirley deferred getting medical care, insisting she would get medical help once she returned home to Canada.

Coye's grandson climbed the stairs several times a day to make sure Shirley was properly supplied with food and drink and whatever else she needed in her illness. Then the unbelievable happened. One morning he mounted the stairs to bid Shirley"good morning" and got no response. She had died!

Of course panic set in, and Coye, after her 911 call, phoned Pastor Kok's house. He was not available but Linda promptly notified the Care Ministry people at the Crystal Cathedral. Someone needed to go there! The Elder on duty, serving as Minister of the Day, was Judi Possnack. She quickly agreed to go to Coye's house.

Judi Possnack spent most of the day with Coye and family. She met the Sheriff and the Coroner and others. With each, Coye asked that Judi pray. So, Judi prayed with the Sheriff, she prayed with the Coroner, and whoever else came to help. Judi contacted a business that cleans up after messy deaths - as this one was. They came and trucked away the soiled mattress. But mostly Judi was there - a ministry of Presence.

For this extraordinary volunteer service, Judi Possnack is our Elder-of-the-Month.

Thank you, Judi.

Controversial Care and Kindness CD Available
"What Do You Say When Your Child Says ‘I'm Gay'?" by Dr. Mel Hugen
There was strong support for Dr. Hugen's presentation, but not unanimous. The recordings have sold well as many found the Professor's thesis extraordinarily valuable and wanted to share his ideas back home.

Other CD's you might be interested are: