Friday, November 29, 2013

Thanks Sea Foam and thanks to the dude at Canadian Tire that helped me

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Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
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Thanks Sea Foam and thanks to the dude at Canadian Tire that helped me
The snow was deep and heavy by the time that I got outside to begin shoveling.  I knew that I had to get the snow blower ready now. This kind of snow is too heavy for someone my age to shovel… and the driveway somehow got bigger since last year!
So the next job was to get the snow blower ready to go, moving it from the storage area to the accessible area in the yard.  That was supposed to be easy… start it up and run it over to the area of the yard near the garden shed.
Poof that good idea evaporated quickly when the snow blower would not start.
It is a new snow blower that was purchased last year when the big sales were on.  What a bargain that was!  But now it wouldn’t start at all… no matter what I tried.
I took out the spark plug and saw that there was way too much liquid in the cylinder area – flooded it – darn it!  But even cleaning the brand new plug off didn’t help.
It seemed to be getting gasoline – but it would not fire up at all.
Could it be a gas line freeze up? Nope – the liquid was shooting through way too fast to even fire up.  It has to be the gas itself… maybe it goes bad or something.
So off to Canadian Tire (our Canadian super hardware and fix anything kind of store) I headed to see what was available.
There was the counter shelves full of answers to people’s problems.  There had to be a thousand answers all lined up for the buyer.
I was genuinely puzzled when a voice beside me asked me, “So what are you looking for – what’s the problem?”
I told the questioner what I was facing with the snow blower not starting.  He pointed to a white can on the shelf that had the name, “Sea Foam” on it.
“This is exactly what you need. I swear by it.” he stated adamantly.
I looked more closely at the dude. He was dressed in old clothes and no red shirt showing – meaning he was from outside of the store… a regular ‘Joe’ that looked like a mechanic of some sort – maybe a ‘hobby-mechanic’.
“I use this stuff in all my machines, lawnmower, outboard motor, snowmobile, and snow blower - you name it I add this stuff to the gasoline. I do this specially after the machine has sat for a few months. The gasoline they have made now has ‘ethanol’ in it. Ethanol reduces the Octane count and makes the gas hard to ignite.  Sea Foam changes all that the minute you put it into the tank and it will fire up right away” he stated with confidence.
“Try it and you will be selling this stuff to other guys the way I do!” he said with a big grin.
I bought a can of Sea Foam.
At home I poured in the recommended amount… then tried to turn the snow blower over. Whoa… it roared to life… lots of smoke at first… then it evened out… coughing a little and then finally purring like a kitten – a loud kitten!
Sea Foam works and is worth the $12 Canadian dollars they charged for it!!!
So like the guy predicted I am now telling others about the wonders of Sea Foam by this Blog… and by telling the next guy at the coffee shop table… Sea Foam works!
By the way it is not a ‘foam’ – it is a clear liquid. The name comes from the guys that first used it on their boats to get their motors running and keep their motors going strong... and if the boat moves you get ‘sea foam’ at the side and behind the boat meaning you are getting somewhere!
Thanks Sea Foam and thanks to the dude at Canadian Tire – the fellow shopper.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Digital Image from Misty Hollow

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Pleasant distractions

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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.
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Pleasant distractions
There are days when you simply need some relief.  I find that relief on news clips, YouTube, and a number of different places. One click and I am gone for a long while.
Today I offer you some of my favorite places or unusual videos for my Blog Post. Enjoy.
For the days you feel Bloated and somewhat like a beached whale… this one is for you…
That was fun – wasn’t it?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Monday, November 25, 2013

“Sir, do you use drugs and have you used drugs in the last week?”

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“Sir, do you use drugs and have you used drugs in the last week?”
Here is something that I did not know.  And I really don’t need to be involved in this debate other than discussing it here.  The issue is the “smoking of pot”.
Nope I have never smoked pot – nor do I desire to do so. Unlike some politicians who have admitted to smoking pot during the time they have been an MPs for Canada – I have never done so.  Not in my adult life, not in my young adult life, not in my teen years nor my childhood days.
In reading the article that was posted by the CBC, “Pot Smokers warned: think twice before you cross the USA border” it is evident that the USA border agency folk are not interested in entertaining you if you are a Pot Smoker.
Colorado and Washington State have now changed their laws to make it possible to smoke pot in their states – legally.  After a certain date next year a person will be able to buy (and certain people sell) marijuana – and smoke it without a fine or potential conviction.
The article is pointing to Canadians that head south to these states with the intent to smoking dope while they are there.  It is showing if you ‘confess to having used MJ’ at the border you may well be not allowed into the USA.  In fact in the article a few people have been shown to be turned away and may never get back into the USA because of their admission.  If they smoke pot in Canada and admit it, they can and will be turned away at the border.  Their names are entered into the data base and each time they try to cross the will be turned back.
Good article – good warning.
But it has made me do some further thinking about this whole issue of ‘celebrity honesty’… and possibly getting into the USA.
Mayor Rob Ford immediately comes to my mind. He has finally openly admitted to having smoked Crack.  His friends have suggested that he get help for his addiction to alcohol in a place like the Betty Ford Clinic in California – which is in the good old USA.  Robby aint going to be allowed to cross – and specially when they know he is the so called Mayor of Toronto – and a Crack head.
The Liberal Leader, Justin Trudeau, and potentially the next Prime Minister of Canada if his party wins the election will not be allowed to enter the USA either.  He has admitted to doing the smokies while an MP. Whoa!
And it is no wonder that most of the MPs in Ottawa and the MPPs in Ontario – as well as the other City of Toronto Counselors become suddenly quiet when Robby Ford started challenging all of them to step up to the drug testing area and show what they have in their systems.
Now Justin Trudeau has offered his opinion on the fact that he believes that the Canadian Laws should be changed to allow the legal use of MJ, pot, and certain drugs.
Can you imagine what will happen if that was actually to happen. Every Canadian would be and could be considered a ‘druggie’at the border by the USA Border agency officers.
Now fast forward in my thinking… and my wife and I are attempting to drive across the border for a day of shopping… and the sharp border guard looks us over… sizes us up… then asks if we take any drugs. Oh boy!  Here goes an interesting scenario.
I will describe the handful of pills that I take each morning… six all told… and two more at night… and if I need another ‘fix up’ during the day I can usually pop up to four more to keep me going.
I am openly admitting that as a Canadian Senior Citizen – I am addicted to drugs and the use of drugs.  In fact I joked with my friends at coffee recently if I die tomorrow they will not need to embalm me – I am already partially pickled with the drugs that I take. Oh Boy.
I will never be able to look the border guards squarely in the eye again and say, “No I do not take drugs!” – because I do and I have to in order to stay alive… or moving… or going to the bathroom… or doing all the other small and normal tasks that need to be done to stay alive.
Without even doing anything I am close to being kept at home because I am a druggie, a pill pusher, a potential criminal that is among the worst in the world.
Okay – Okay – it is not quite that bad for the old goats like me.  But heaven help our politicians and their confessions.  Mayor Ford tried to be smart – but they caught him on video. Justin was trying to impress people – now he will not get his invite to the White House after he is elected… unless Obama makes a concession… or is smoking too.
Hmmm?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Friday, November 22, 2013

Women with accordions scared me

Murv and Dorothy Thom
Women with accordions scared me
I am a Grandpa now – in my 70th year. I have Grandkids that are now in High School. And that is where my story starts concerning Dorothy Thom.
In 1969 when I moved to Oakville with my wife and daughter I had a history of not liking church or church people. In fact I had a genuine dislike for people like that. That dislike was based on past experiences with weird people that attended churches… and I had met plenty of them as a boy growing up. To say I was turned off would put it mildly.
In High School there were cool kids and athletic kids.  There were the academic and geek kind of kids.  Then there were the kind of normal ones, ordinary kids that were in the middle.  I was one of the ordinary… shy and never one to stand out.
One day some of my friends asked me to come with them to one of the class rooms for a meeting sponsored by a Christian Group.  With my strong Christian heritage I agreed to take a look as to what might be happening in the room.  I might have been “ordinary” but the last thing I wanted was to have some of my “cool friends” see me with religious nuts.
As we walked through the door there was the older lady that was leading sitting in the middle with an accordion… which she was about to begin playing.  She pulled the accordion wide open and then with the first strains of sound coming from it she broke into a loud and long Christian song… that filled the room and flooded the hallways… with all the cool kids looking at the lady inside.
I nearly died of embarrassment at that moment.  The lady sitting there had a dress on and had never ever shaved her legs!  “Oh God let me out of here now” – I whispered to myself.
As a teenager and then later as an adult that lady was kind of the focus of my escape from religious nutcases.  And every time I heard an accordion play I wanted to run.  Bad memories of people playing accordions to say the least.
In 1969 the image of the hairy legged, older lady playing that accordion had not left me.
When I walked into Evangel Pentecostal Church as a very turned off young man, with his wife and little girl a man greeted me at the door.  His name was Murv Thom.  The music was familiar from old days of my attending church.  People were friendly and loved me the way I was.
Then go figure… what happened next.  A lady came forward to do a special number with her friend.  She walked over to the front pew and picked up her accordion… and my mouth dropped open.  Murv later told me that the lady was his wife Dorothy.
I learned to love the accordion – because Dorothy loved us. She and Murv became like parents to Alida and me. They loved us all the time.  There are many, many stories to tell.
On November 2, Alida and I stopped to see our friend Dorothy one last time.  I asked her that day if she was still playing her accordion, “She grinned and said, not anymore, it is too heavy…” We had prayer together and will always remember that day of blessing.
Thanks to the Thom kids for sharing Dorothy and Murv with us.  We loved you all.

Thom: Dorothy Isabel (nee Green)
In His time the Lord called into glory Dorothy Isabel Thom in her 88th year on Thursday, November 21, 2013. Dorothy was pre deceased by her loving husband Murville and her brother Jim Green.  She is survived by brother Rev Richard Green (Wanda). Continuing on with her memories are daughters Wendy, Brenda, Gwen ,Dodie (Eric), and son Tim (Candy).  She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren Becky, Graydon, Cheri Ann, Brandon (Allison), Lauren (Bob), Ryan, Chanelle and Michael.
Dorothy was a credential holder in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada for many years and dedicated her life to her ministry and family. Dorothy and her husband Murville are one of the original founders of Evangel Pentecostal Church in Oakville.  Dorothy continued to play an active roll in the church as the pianist, teaching Sunday school and a member of the choir. During her retirement years she ministered to the senior community, visiting retirement homes conducting services, singing and playing her accordion. Visitation will take place at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600) from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2013. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Evangel Pentecostal Church, 1450 Rebecca St., Oakville. Interment at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Society. Condolences throughwww.koprivataylor.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Take a look at the World’s Largest and Most Intricate Woodcarving

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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
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Take a look at the World’s Largest and Most Intricate Woodcarving
I really needed a break from “Ford-itis”(that is listening and being bombarded with all things about Mayor Rob Ford). It had developed into a severe case of almost running for the remote to turn off the TV – whenever he came on again.
Well I got the break that I needed in a delightful article supplied by “The Daily Mail” of the UK… in their article about “A whittle goes a long way! Chinese wood art breaks record for longest carving out of single piece of timber”
Zheng Chunhui, a famous woodcarver, has carved one of the biggest woodcarvings ever. Guinness Book of Records has granted him a place in their records after he took four years to carve this piece.
The photo tells the story.
To a fellow woodcarver it is amazing to say the least.  To stay connected to one piece of wood for that long – and intensely connected to say the least – it is nothing less than the greatest accomplishment ever done.
I have some pieces that I am carving for over four years as well. But my time is simply happening because I get bored with the piece and need a break.
I can only imagine how many times Zheng might have wanted to give up and simply walk away – or make himself a huge pile of fire wood!
Take a look at the detail that is shown in these following photos.  Amazing simply amazing!
This is a definite cure for “Ford-itis” – what a relief!
Enjoy…




~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Try to Sing a New Song and you will hear about it – Ouch!

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Try to Sing a New Song and you will hear about it – Ouch!
I sang a New Song on Sunday… in the message that I preached.  I thought I did a good job and according to many that spoke to me afterwards – I did.
My message that was printed in this Blog tried to encourage people that no matter what they faced God would help them.
Ouch!
I mentioned a friend of mine that is a Community Chaplain as an illustration of a New Song.  Ouch!  A woman in the audience was very angry at the Chaplain for something she perceived him having done, and she let me know after the service was over. Ouch! Ouch! 
I blew it on Sunday morning also when I mentioned that Rob Ford’s troubles in Toronto were an example of a song that wasn’t so good… that he might need help and that I felt deeply for the man – Mr. Ford.
One man listened to every word he wanted to hear – not every word that I spoke, then he blasted me when we shook hands at the door – announcing with a very strong opinion that, “Rob Ford has never been charged with a Crime!” The moment he stated his opinion he pushed by me and left me standing there with my mouth open… Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
He slapped his calling card in my hand and stormed out of the building. Oh Boy!
I was the guest minister for a poor pastor that was vacationing.  I think I have caused a small war for the poor minister to deal with when he gets back.
Pause… take a deep breath…
Wait a minute I didn’t say anything wrong.  Hold on here… I have been in this spot before when I was a full time Pastor as well.  Some “dear folk” kind of felt that their ‘God Given job’ was to let the minister have it whenever they got the chance…. And they did – regularly.  But in my case I always knew who and guessed at the possible when.  The “Ouch!” was smaller but always wearing away at my sanity.
Take a deep breath… I don’t have to deal with this stuff anymore. One or two “Ouches” on an occasional Sunday are okay… I can take a bath when I get home.
A funny thought… I am not the spouse of - or a relative of either of these ‘dear christians’ – I was only there once and happy to not have to listen to this all the time.
Rob Ford however did invade my thinking a lot yesterday as Toronto City Counselors dealt with the issues they had to deal with.  Ouch! – for them.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Singing a New Song – but what is your Song?

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Singing a New Song – but what is your Song?
What song are you singing today?
No not the kind from the local radio stations.  Not the kind from your youth – although that may help you and the ones around you a whole lot.
It is the song that depicts your life.  The kind that shows what is inside of you just bursting to get out. The kind that will make you dance – or maybe make you cry for joy.
It is the song that comes from knowing God has done something spectacular and you want to shout about it….
Yes there are happy songs and sad songs – very sad songs that make everyone else sad when they hear you sing it – or live it.

Psalm 98


Sing a new song to the Lord telling about his mighty deeds! For he has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness. 2-3 He has announced this victory and revealed it to every nation by fulfilling his promise to be kind to Israel. The whole earth has seen God’s salvation of his people. That is why the earth breaks out in praise to God and sings for utter joy!
Sing your praise accompanied by music from the harp. Let the cornets and trumpets shout! Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea in all its vastness roar with praise! Let the earth and all those living on it shout, “Glory to the Lord.”
8-9 Let the waves clap their hands in glee and the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the world with perfect justice.

Psalm 98

Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.
God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.
He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God’s work of salvation!
Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
Round up an orchestra to play for God,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.
Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King God.
Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.
Let ocean breakers call out, “Encore!”
And mountains harmonize the finale—
A tribute to God when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.
He’ll straighten out the whole world,
He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.

BUT – and it is a BIG BUT – not everyone wants to sing a new song – or rather is singing a new song. Their lives are messed up by addictions, by sin, by excesses, by selfishness, and they cannot sing a new song. Their song is old and tired and bitter and wasted. They have lost the joy their childhood once declared.

Sometimes it is age that robs people of that once vibrant self.
Sometimes it is disease that robs the family of the joy of life.
Sometimes it is an addiction to whatever that robs the family, a street, a community and maybe even a city of its joy.

Swiss Chalet
A few Years Back… we were sitting in Swiss Chalet in Whitby… my grandsons were sitting with me at my table – four boys and me… It was Father’s Day – the restaurant was full… it was slow… the boys were hungry and so was I…. Together we coloured the place mats… the food should come soon… but it didn’t.  Then I turned the place mat over and started folding… bingo… there was a beautiful paper airplane… to my Grandsons delight….  But it wouldn’t fly well while we sat there.  I immediately stood up on my seat… and launched the sleek aircraft across the restaurant ---- WOW! DID it every GO!
My daughter was mortified… and my grandsons were delighted.  She said to me, “Sit Down DAD! I know lots of these people here and you are embarrassing me! SIT DOWN!!!  And don’t you guys even think of trying what Grandpa does!!!! Don’t!!!”
I looked at my daughter and said… “If I die tomorrow these grandsons will remember me as a Grandpa that is FUN TO BE WITH – not the miserable old toad that most of the other guys are!!!”

Old can take away your song and make you sing one that no one wants to hear!

This week…
Consider the Rob Ford Family of Toronto… in my humble opinion we have watched one of the classic disasters of all time taking place just a few short miles away.  Rob Ford is addicted to himself, power and the delusion that what he is infallible – when truthfully it is anything but the case. He thinks saying, “I am profoundly sorry.” Without a change in his life and addictions will make it okay
This past week as he paraded his wife in front of the world I felt so sorry – this family needs a new song.

Recently I took part in the closing of the Kingston Penitentiary – 175 years of misery, of hatred, of anger, of violence took place in that horrific place.
Young men and old men left their homes after crimes were committed – and in that first year or so cried themselves to sleep each night… until there were no more tears.
My soul hurt after walking the walls inside – the anguish – the torment – the no song sung… or no song left because of imprisonment.

In The Message – again…
Sing to God a brand-new song.
He’s made a world of wonders!
He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.

Every man and woman that I have met in Prison needs a New Song…
Flash back – to KP again… on one of visits to meet a hardened sex offender before he was released to our community…. The Chapel next door was in session… and the choir of men’s voices singing, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound..” was amazing.  A NEW SONG…. Even though they are hated by society – God loves every last one of them.

What about Your Song?  Have you discovered the New Joy that you need?

God wants to give you a New Song – because he has given you the Victory!
Jesus has promised that he will never leave you not forsake you!
Now take a hold of the knowledge that God loves you so much…

Have you thought much about Heaven?  Do you realize that for Eternity we will be together in Heaven singing New Songs of praise to God the Heavenly Father?

WOW!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Avoiding Dead Air Time – from John Maxwell –

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Avoiding Dead Air Time – from John Maxwell –
(see Source)
Connecting is the leadership ability to identify with and relate to people in such a way that it increases your influence with them. Connecting demands constant attention on the part of the leader so that people stay tuned in to the vision, values, and priorities of the organization. The trick is to keep the connection going no matter what transpires.
KEEPING OTHERS TUNED IN
Before baseball games were televised, radio stations across the country competed against one another for market shares of the listening audience. Watching the game on-site from the grandstands, a correspondent hammered out its happenings in Morse code and sent real-time updates via telegraph to radio stations across the country. At the receiving end, a telegraph operator translated the encoded reports for a broadcaster, who then announced the play-by-play action as if watching the game live.
One young announcer faced a sticky situation when his telegraph machine momentarily malfunctioned during the middle of a ballgame between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. Knowing his listeners would switch to another radio station if he stopped broadcasting, the young man improvised to buy time. He acted as if the current batter was fouling off pitch after pitch after pitch. He described one foul ball as nearly being a home run—flying over the fence only a foot wide of fair territory. He elaborately fabricated another story about two boys tussling over a foul ball hit into their section of the stands. After ad-libbing for a few minutes, the announcer started to sweat. He knew the charade would have to end soon. Just as he was on the verge of confessing to having lost communications, the telegraph wire came back to life. Relieved, the young broadcaster resumed the broadcast—finally able to relay the game’s actual proceedings.
The quick-witted young announcer was none other than Ronald Reagan, future president of the United States. Reagan’s aptitude for connecting with audiences garnered him the nickname of The Great Communicator. This simple illustration from his days as a radio broadcaster is packed with insights on connecting with people.
1) Be Creative
Ronald Reagan cleverly used his imagination to keep his audience tuned in to the broadcast of the ballgame. He found an inventive solution to an unforeseen difficulty. Communication without creativity quickly ends in disconnection. As a leader, your challenge is not merely to disseminate information but to capture the imagination of your people.
2) Tell Stories
Foul ball. Another foul ball. Yet another foul ball. That was the basic content of Reagan’s improvised announcing. However, Reagan succeeded in extending the radio broadcast because he turned each pretend foul ball into a colorful story. A player narrowly missed a home run, two kids got in a scuffle fighting over a souvenir, etc.
Packing information in a story extends its shelf life. In other words, principles fade but stories stick. If you want people to remember what you say, convey it in a narrative way.
3) Give Frequent Updates
The worst outcome for any radio network is to have dead air time. People listen long when all they hear is silence. Reagan knew that to keep his audience engaged he had to give frequent updates.
In any workplace, people want to be in the loop. They like to be informed about what is expected of them, about how they are performing, and about any changes on the horizon. When they feel stonewalled by leadership, or simply neglected by those in charge, they rapidly lose motivation.
4) Don’t Be Afraid of Repetition
Ronald Reagan described one foul ball after another while waiting for an incoming telegraph with news about the baseball game. He was not reluctant to repeat the same thing again and again. As leaders, we get in such a hurry to push forward that we sometimes forget that it’s okay restate our vision. Indeed, repeating it is never a waste of time. On the contrary, retelling the vision is crucial because 1) your organization experiences turnover and newcomers need to know the vision, 2) people are easily lose sight of the big picture, and 3) an enlivened vision energizes an organization.
Thought to Ponder
Who is the best connector/communicator you know? What specific qualities make him or her so captivating?
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Impossible odds, Creative faith by Brian Stiller

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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
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Impossible odds, Creative faith by Brian Stiller
(My friend Brian Stiller - Global Ambassador)

It seems unlikely that an imposing former professional British football (soccer) player would end up as a social worker. And even more unlikely, is that he would be appointed by the Chinese government to help solve one of their most pressing problems – over a million orphans left on streets or languishing in countless orphanages. Not only has Robert Glover led in placing 250,000 Chinese orphans in Chinese homes in the last few years, he has signed an agreement with the King of Thailand to do the same there. This story tells of the mystical and sure guidance of the Holy Spirit in building out of personal gifting and skill to solve a seemingly intractable problem in places where we assume the name of Christ is unknown.

Signing up as a professional footballer with Portsmouth and Norwich City, Rob eventually ended up studying social work, taking one of his first jobs in Guernsey. A visiting speaker at the church they attended said “Robert, I sense you will be father to children like the stars in the sky.” Thinking it rather over the edge, he continued in his social work, focusing on orphans and their needs.

In 1996 while in China studying the problems of orphans, he was given tickets to the Chinese Special Olympics. Sitting next to him was a member of the Chinese Politburo. When he asked Robert why he cared for children he replied, “What I do for children, I do for the Father. God made the family for creation. When you warehouse children, they die.” The Politburo member said, “Meet me at 8 AM tomorrow. There is someone I want you to meet.”

Surprised by the invitation, the next morning Robert walked into a room of representatives of international organizations serving the needs of children. He sat and listened to accusations of the government’s failings. They finally turned to him and asked him what he would do. Quite simple he said, “You integrate them into Chinese families and train those families how to care for children, helping them deal with those often traumatized by being left destitute.” The minister asked, “Would you help us?”

Back in England the British Foreign Office called him to a meeting. In bilateral discussions, the Chinese had asked for help and the Foreign Office said, “Robert if you will go, we will fund it.”

Selling everything he, his wife Elizabeth and six children moved to China.

They began constructing a radically different model of caring for orphans in Shanghai, one he had refined as a social worker in England, under the name Care for Children, incorporated by John Langlois from Guernsey. At that time, Britain bid for and won the competition to host the Olympic Games and the Special Olympics. Rob’s life’s work was soon to expand as he sponsored North Koreans to compete in the Special Olympics in London.

Behind this scene are stories of political leaders that simply can’t yet be told. But within the senior lines of authority, Robert had his “Cyrus.” (If you recall, it was Old Testament King Cyrus who covered Nehemiah with authority, clearance and resources to leave Persia and rebuild the Jerusalem walls.) Robert had his benefactor. Doors were opened. Red tape cut through.

In time, Robert’s Care for Children became larger, placing in the first five years some 5,000 children and in the coming years up to 250,000 orphans: 60% with disabilities and 84% girls. In working with 300 orphanages, 4,000 orphanage workers have been trained in post-placement care, for each child and their receiving family. Orphanages became a centre for social servicing of a variety of needs. Today they have taken on five cities in China to provide models of best practice.

Families of any or no religion are invited to adopt. One day the government asked Robert to initiate his model in an area where he was warned, there were no Christians. Thirty couples wanting to adopt, showed up for orientation. The government official tried a little humor: “You know this man Robert is a Christian.” No one laughed. So he tried it again. Again no laughter. Finally a woman put up her hand and said, “Yes, but I’m a Christian.” The person next to her did the same. They went around the room and everyone there confessed to Christian faith.

On the way home the official noted his surprise and asked, “Why would Christians want to do this?” Robert took out his small Bible and showed where Jesus said it was our calling to care for the little ones.

In time government sponsored media picked up his story.

One story was all that some needed to convince them of Robert’s motivation and means. A little girl emaciated and dying of a hole in her heart, yet too weak to sustain an operation, had been placed in a home. Three years later she was the picture of health. The doctor then decided she was healthy enough to sustain the operation. The specialist examined her and with tears spilling down his cheeks said, “But there is no hole there any more.” Media picked it up calling her “The Miracle Baby, Healed by the love of a Mother.”

Story upon story layers this incredible journey. Flown in by helicopter to the summer palace of the King of Thailand, Robert was asked to set up his NGO there, and today is helping in the placement of children left alone on the streets or stashed in human warehouses.

Working with the most senior of government officials, free to be explicit in prayer and Bible study in their programs, a social worker, prophetically called was sent and obeyed. Armed with learned skills in social work, toughened by years on the soccer field, he took on an intractable problem of those thought least important. His vision and practical solutions brought hope to a society whose recent history is rooted in atheism. Doors were opened and by the witness of the Gospel and power of the Spirit, many places are experiencing social transformation and lives are entering into spiritual wellbeing.

In 2005 Robert was awarded the OBE from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Little ones…for such is the kingdom.

Brian C. Stiller
Global Ambassador
The World Evangelical Alliance
November, 2013

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