super

🙏🏈"Chris Pratt: Seahawks Thanking God After Winning the Super Bowl 'The Best'"

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/03/17/chris-pratt-seahawks-thanking-god-after-winning-the-super-bowl-the-best/ 

"Tuesday on NBC's "Today," actor Chris Pratt said watching the Seattle Seahawks pray after winning the Super Bowl was the "best."

Host Craig Melvin said, "Folks who don't know you were born and raised in Washington State. Lifelong Seahawks fan. So much so that they invited you to do this, I want to show folks Chris Pratt at the Super Bowl."

In Loving Memory: Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok 1935-2026

In Loving Memory: Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok 1935-2026

Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)

for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades).   (His wife's name is Linda). 

 (I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)  

Later in the day, all are also welcome at a  formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc) 

here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy: 

Blessed are those who mourn,

 for they shall be comforted." 

— Matthew 5:4

Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok 

(1935–2026)

James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim, passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness. In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.

Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota, Jim was the second of five children: Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents,Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School & served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.

The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School. Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.

 During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship  & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema (future  president of Calvin College) at Holland Christian High, & later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location) & winning multiple MIAA championships.

Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's, he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners, & even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time  (Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area). 

Later, still growing up,  in Holland (MI) he also worked as a  "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts. 

As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood. 

After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc. After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia &  then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the Christian Reformed Church. 

His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)  supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling. 

He also started the annual  International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral.During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms. Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.

Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.

Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community. The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission: to model & promote Christ-centered kindness & care for all.

Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.

Jim would be "tickled pink" if you commit a "Simple Act of Care & Kindness" (SACK) in his memory, for the sake of our Savior Jesus. 

Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness, will continue to bless the lives of many. 

***************************

Subject: Invitation to Contribute a Final Farewell  

(must be received by Thursday, March 5, 2026 per funeral home deadline)

 (or if they are received later, maybe we can try to make special arrangements to include them)

Dear Family & Friends

As we prepare to honor and celebrate the life of our beloved father James R. Kok, we would like to invite each of you to contribute a final farewell to be placed with his casket for the March 21 burial. This can be a letter, a card, a favorite photo, or any fond sentiment you wish to express.

• If your contribution can be typed or is a digital photo: Please email it to jkokccc@gmail.com. 

• One of us will take care of printing it.

• If it is a card or other physical item: Please mail it  (or deliver to):
  16828 Chicago Ave
  Bellflower, CA 90706
  Be sure to mark the envelope "For the Casket" so it is handled appropriately.

We hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share memories, love, & gratitude, creating a lasting tribute that will accompany our beloved father (& grandfather, uncle, friend etc) in their final rest.

Thank you for taking part in this meaningful gesture. Your words, pictures, and sentiments will provide comfort & a lasting memory for all of us.

With love & remembrance,

The Kok Family

******

note: The formal term for items like notes, letters, cards, or small keepsakes placed in a casket "in loving memory" is generally funeral or burial memorabilia, but more specifically in mortuary and archival contexts they are often called casket or burial offerings. Other accepted terms include:

• Casket letters – usually personal letters placed inside the casket.

• Funeral keepsakes – more general term for cards, notes, or small mementos.

• Memorial tributes – can include any written or symbolic items left with the deceased.

• Interment items – a formal term in funeral service documents for things placed in the casket before burial.

👍"The Super Bowl without EVs tells you everything * "

https://www.wnd.com/2026/02/super-bowl-without-evs-tells-you-everything/ 

"

For the first time in years, there was no Super Bowl advertisement featuring an EV in a starring role. No celebrity endorsements, no sweeping promises about the "future of driving," and no multimillion-dollar attempts to convince Americans that electric cars are inevitable..."

EV is okay IF it can be done responsibly and IF it actually does make things better, but if not coal is  still perfect and good

"Breaking Down California's Insane "Super Bowl Tax" | ZeroHedge

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/breaking-down-californias-insane-super-bowl-tax 

"

Instead, the state will go back in time, all the way to the start of the NFL season in September, and take their 'fair share' of the players' ENTIRE salaries over the entire season..."

✝️👍" Kid Rock Asks Millions of TPUSA All-America Halftime Show Viewers to Read the Bible and Give Their Lives to Jesus"

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/02/09/watch-kid-rock-asks-millions-of-tpusa-all-america-halftime-show-viewers-to-read-the-bible-and-give-their-lives-to-jesus/ 

"

There's a book a'sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off," Rock said as his segment. "There's a man who died for all our sins a'hanging from the cross," he continued breaking out n song. "You can give your life to Jesus and he'll give you a second chance, till you can't," Kid Rock sang.."

"🚨 Fan on the field! Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams helped take down the Super Bowl streaker.

https://x.com/nypost/status/2020694569046745557 

That's one way to get your money's worth when the games a super BORE . That fan will have a memory for a lifetime and some pictures too. And a great story to tell. 😄😁😆

https://t.co/LQ79bl01Us" / X

⚠️ warning: graphic language 👎"Calls 4 FCC to Take Action After Bad Bunny's Vulgar Halftime Lyrics shown in English

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/lawmaker-calls-fcc-take-action-after-bad-bunnys/

And we call on bad Bunny to Repent and be Baptized and Accept Jesus ✝️ Christ as a savior,  otherwise imprec prayer.  

🎸 🎵About Kid Rock (Robert Ritchie)

Proverbs 22:6 — "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Robert James Ritchie (Kid Rock) was born in Romeo, Michigan, a small town north of Detroit in 1971. Despite later cultivating a rough-edged Detroit rock persona, he actually grew up in a relatively stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class household.

His father, William "Bill" Ritchie, owned several successful car dealerships in Michigan. The family lived on a fairly large property that included land where they raised horses and grew apples🍎 🍏.

As a kid, Robert helped with chores on the property—picking apples and doing yard work—and also spent time around his father's auto business. His mother, Susan Ritchie, was involved in raising the children and maintaining the home.

He has three siblings: 

• Jill Ritchie – a former actress

• Carol Ritchie

• William Ritchie Jr.

By most accounts, he had a structured upbringing with financial stability, though he gravitated strongly toward Detroit's urban music scene as a teenager. He became interested in hip-hop culture in the 1980s—DJing, breakdancing, and rapping—despite coming from a suburban environment. That contrast between background and musical influence shaped much of his early identity.

So, in short: he did not grow up in poverty or chaos. He came from a solid, working business family with siblings and a stable home environment, then carved his own musical path in Detroit's scene.

His sister 

Proverbs 31:26 — "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

Jill Susanne Ritchie (born March 5, 1974) is an American former actress and the younger sister of Robert Ritchie (Kid Rock). She appeared in a variety of film and television roles primarily from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s. 

🎬 Notable Film Roles

Here are some of her most recognizable movie appearances: 

D.E.B.S. (2004) — Janet — A comedic action film where she had a starring role. 

Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) — Charisma — A Disney family comedy starring Lindsay Lohan and Michael Keaton. 

Breakin' All the Rules (2004) — Amy — A romantic comedy featuring Jamie Foxx. 

Ready to Rumble (2000) — Brittany — A sports comedy featuring David Arquette. 

Best of the Best 4: Without Warning (1998) — Mickey — An action video sequel she appeared in early in her career. 

100 Women (2002) and Seeing Other People (2004) — Supporting roles in ensemble films. 

Southland Tales (2006) — Shoshana Kapowski — A satirical sci-fi film with an ensemble cast. 

📺 Television Work

She also had several television appearances: 

Arrested Development — Guest role as Jessie, a publicist for the Bluth family. 

I Hate My 30's (2007) — Co-starred as Mandy in this VH1 comedy series. 

Earlier guest roles on shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, Nash Bridges, Boston Public, Nancy Drew (TV film) and more. 

🎭 Background

Jill studied theatre in college — first at DePaul University's Theatre School, then transferring and graduating with a B.A. in theatre from the University of Southern California (USC). She transitioned out of acting after the 2000s and is now known as a former actress.

"New Media Victory: Kid Rock Tops Bad Bunny on iTunes Chart After Halftime Show Face-Off"

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/02/09/new-media-victory-kid-rock-tops-bad-bunny-on-itunes-chart-after-halftime-show-face-off/ 

"

On the day after TPUSA's "All America Halftime Show," Kid Rock has zoomed to the #1 spot on iTunes with his rendition of "'Til You Can't," knocking Bad Bunny out of the top spot despite the Puerto Rican rapper's appearance as the star of the NFL's Super Bowl Halftime Show.."

"The NFL's stranglehold on American culture was just shattered... -" Revolver News

https://revolver.news/2026/02/the-nfls-stranglehold-on-american-culture-was-just-shattered/ 

🎵this was the first time Kid Rock ever performed “’Til You Can’t” live 👍& he added a unique verse ✝️

AI GENERATED 

Yes — based on all reporting and coverage of the TPUSA halftime show, this was the first time Kid Rock ever performed "'Til You Can't" live. ✅

And the added religious verse about giving your life to Jesus and having a second chance was also unique to that performance — it does not exist in Cody Johnson's original song, and there's no record of Kid Rock singing it elsewhere before.

In other words, the TPUSA performance combined:

1. Kid Rock's first live rendition of "'Til You Can't"

2. A never-before-heard faith-focused verse added specifically for that event

This made the performance both a debut of the song by Kid Rock and a one-time religious adaptation.

?

✝️🎵Watch "Kid Rock Super Bowl halftime show - “Till You Can’t” ✞ Full Performance" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/gla0TfJtT3Q?si=VwcNhO4WV30f2OH6 

👍"CONGRATS! Early #'s Show TPUSA Super Bowl Halftime Pulled In At Least 25 Million Viewers on YouTube & Rumble "

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/congratulations-turning-point-usa-early-numbers-show-your/ 

"

Some reports and TPUSA spokespeople claim that when you add all platforms — YouTube, Rumble, partner channels, and replays — the total viewership has climbed into the 20–25 million range ..."

🏆Seahawks smother Patriots 29-13, Superbowl 60 🏟️🏈

https://patch.com/california/eaglerock/s/k0kqz/dark-day-for-new-england-as-seahawks-defense-smothers-patriots-in-super-bowl-lx

"The Seahawks sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forcing the MVP runner-up to fumble in the final seconds of the third quarter in their 29-13 victory over New England.."

"WAYNE ROOT: It’s Super Bowl Sunday and the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is a Pathetic, Woke, Liberal Schmuck- Just Like His Father. I’m a Witness to the Real Story. "

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/wayne-root-its-super-bowl-sunday-nfl-commissioner/ 

"WAYNE ROOT: It's Super Bowl Sunday and the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is a Pathetic, Woke, Liberal Schmuck- Just Like His Father. I'm a Witness to the Real Story. "

👍"Powerful Super Bowl Ad Will Have the Pro-Abortion Crowd Throwing Their Shoes at the Television" – RedState

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/02/06/powerful-super-bowl-ad-will-have-the-pro-abortion-crowd-throwing-their-shoes-at-the-tvv-n2198922 

"

The group behind the spot, Adoption Is, posted to their website about the message they wanted to convey:

Adoption is not giving up. It is choosing hope and life-giving love.

Learn more about adoption at https://www.Adoption.Is.

👍*Powerful Pro-life Ad Set to Air During Super Bowl 'Adoption is an Option' ''

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/powerful-pro-life-ad-set-air-during-super/ 

"

The commercial, promoted by the pro-life organization Live Action, was previewed on social media on Friday.

The commercial appeals to young women who face unexpected pregnancies and urges them to do what's best for themselves and their unborn child by choosing life..."

"Ellsworth B-1 Lancers to Flyover Super Bowl

https://share.newsbreak.com/h6tyvdpp 

Remembering Sports Illustrated article re Superbowl 2013 🏈🏟️: "Does God Care who wins the Super Bowl " ⁉️

*****

In the February 4, 2013, cover story of Sports Illustrated titled "Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?", writer S.L. Price quotes Dr. James (Jim) Kok.

At the time, Dr. Kok was the pastor of Care Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. 

He provided a theological perspective on whether the Creator of the universe is invested in the outcome of a football game.

The Quote and Context

In the article, which centered largely on the intense faith of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, Dr. Kok is quoted offering a grounded counterpoint to the idea of divine intervention in sports.

He suggested that God is NOT 

a "micro-manager" of athletic events, stating: "The idea that God is helping one side win over the other is a very primitive way of looking at God. It's like a child's view."

Key Takeaways from the Article:

 * The Conflict: The piece explored the tension between players who believe God grants them victory as a reward for faith (like Ray Lewis) and theologians who find that idea problematic.

 * Kok's Perspective: Dr. Kok argued that while God cares deeply about the people playing—their character, their safety, and their hearts—He does not care about the point spread or which team raises the Lombardi Trophy.

 * Ray Lewis vs. Theology: The article contrasted Lewis's belief that "God has a plan" for his specific victory with the views of leaders like Kok, who believe that human effort and physics determine the game, while faith determines how one handles the result"

The result 

The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII (47) in 2013, defeating the San Francisco 49ers with a final score of

 34–31

Ray Lewis's Final Ride: This was the final career game for legendary linebacker Ray Lewis, who retired immediately after the win

 The "Effort and Performance" Factor

Despite his public religious comments, Lewis clarified his stance during the Super Bowl Media Day. When asked if he believed God actually picks a winner in a football game, he said:

"No, I don't believe He picks a winner or not." He explained that faith provided the mindset, but the performance came from the players: "If you come out and give everything you got, that's all you have to do. Whatever happens after that, it happens."