Good News - Bad News

I don’t know why the strange feelings have rolled around inside of me all night! Wow what a dream land I traveled to last night. But after thinking about it for the last hour – I know why.

For more than 40 years I have waited for this fast approaching moment… the actual moment of retirement… the moment that your pension arrives! Easy street… the soft life… the joy of sitting back and now collecting oodles of money… as if it falls from trees and covers my driveway like liquid gold.

One the steps took place yesterday. A letter from the company Pension Plan with its official notification arrived. Two pages of info and a letter said it all.

It is good news in a way – there will be a little coming in. The good news also is that if everything holds the way that it is right now… I should make it to April 13th 2009 – “Magic Moment Day” when I hit the monumental 65th year mark.

Now the part that the two sheets of Pension Plan reminded over and over again… “after your death” and “you were receiving when you died”… was stated at least 3 times each before the middle of the sheet fold.

“If you die within 60 months of your pension commencement date, your spouse will be paid the same amount you were receiving at the time or your death of the balance of the 60 months….”

Hokey Mokey – that sounds too serious and a way to close for me at this moment. That starting count down is only 62 days away… I feel like I am sitting on the nose of a Rocket that is headed for Mars… tick… tick… tick… tick

So with this bit of information… should I die within the 60 months of April 13th, 2009 – Alida will get more for the following 60 months from my death.

The word “Incentive” comes to mind immediately. Dead within 60 months – means more money. Death after that 60 month period means that my wife will get only 66.67% of what I am going to receive.

Now here is the forming plan – I need to hang in there for 59 months and 364 days and 23 hours and 59 minutes to MAX OUT. But then I need to check out of “this Hotel” and take up an elongated box. With the new knowledge that I will be being paid something to prepare for my death… for that is what a pension seems to be… is a little unnerving… and it makes you roll around a little at night.

And seeing that the official crowd in a Pension Office somewhere are calculating and have calculated my demise… is really unnerving.

I have come to the realization that I am not looking forward to the next 20162 days with great joy… but rather watch out for what might happen next.

No wonder you can’t get seniors to come out on an Icy Winter Day. No wonder they are at the Doctor’s Office at the slightest whisp of ailment.

But as some of you know me better than that and you know my personality – it likely isn’t going to have much affect on me. It will rather be 20162 days of PARTEEEEEE on DUDE. I think my Mid Life Crisis that I missed because I was too darn busy working – will be my next event.

If Alida will agree to let me do it… I am going to buy one really hot convertible sports car… never wear a neck tie again… unbutton my shirt buttons to about the third one… no chest hair to speak of so I will glue some Bear Fir to my chest on days that I am driving the sports car through the streets of Peterborough… and Scream “ Go Baby GO! WAHOOOOO!”

After that ride I will get on my Harley Davidson and roar down the street. I want that one that is $57,000 – silver and black.

After that I will climb aboard the airplane and we are going to Bali.

Well… maybe not right away. Well it was a great dream… for a few hours.

I was in a Senior’s Home this past weekend to speak to a group. After my talk a lady about my age smiled and asked me a unusual question… “So have you got your SUV?”

“SUV”… huh?... I drive an old 1996 Nissan Quest Van with rusty holes through the sides. “SUV”?

I said, “Nope… I gotta Van”

“No, No” she replied, “Your SUV… Socks, Underwear and Viagra?”

To say that I nearly fell over before I began to laugh is an understatement. This lady’s sense of humor was very good… her timing just right and she got me there. I mean how many times does a congregant ask the minister that kind of thing!!!?

But does that small question ever help relieve the 20162 days of waiting.

Today the PARTEEEE begins. Anybody want to Boogie?

~ Murray Lincoln ~

What if God brought a Law Suit against us?

What if God brought a Law Suit against us?

Strange question? I don’t think so. In Omaha, Nebraska a Senator Ernie Chambers launched a Law Suit against God. It is reported in to have happened around August 2008. For that reason I am not sure of the present state of the Suit and where Ernie is today.

It is the thought/concept that has captured interest… only reversing that and wondering if God could sue us.

A quote from Josh Funk’s article states…
“Chambers said God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."

The court told Chambers last week that his lawsuit may be dismissed because he had failed to serve notice on God. Chambers acknowledged that failure in court Tuesday while sitting a few feet away from an empty table reserved for God and God's attorney.

"Despite my most sincere, zealous efforts, I could not find a location to serve the defendant," Chambers said.

But Chambers asked Polk to take official notice of God, and the Almighty's omniscience and omnipresence.”

As I searched for more info on Ernie Chambers I found that he lost his job in the Senate of Nebraska in April 17, 2008. There was a State limit put on how long a person could serve in the Senate. Ernie was ousted.

So in the same summer he launched his Law Suit.

One thing that I can deduce from this is that Old Men that have time of their hands need something to do with that time. It is likely why God gives Old Men their wives – so when they retire the have something to do. (And the fact that Women outlive most men by about 15 years is again God’s provision… He gives them an extra 15 to 20 years of freedom after doing a good job – but that is another story.)

What would the wording look like if God sued us?

I suggest the following…
“God said ‘John Doe’(representing the general public as a whole) has made terroristic threats against God and inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants because of the way that John Doe has treated his fellow earthlings."

The court told God last week that His lawsuit may be dismissed because He had failed to serve notice on John Doe. God acknowledged that failure in court Tuesday while sitting a few feet away from an empty table reserved for John Doe and John's attorney.

"Despite my most sincere, zealous efforts, I could not find a location to serve the defendant," God said. “He was no where to be found – kind of like the first man that I made.”

But God asked Judge Polk to take official notice of God’s ability noting that His omniscience and omnipresence would be working diligently to secure John Doe’s presence – by whatever means. He needed an extension of this Law Suit to get the attention of John Doe.”

My question today is… “Would you be named along with John Doe for the way that you treat you neighbor, fellow citizens, fellow church members, and those around you in general?”

My general take on the situation that I have viewed around me is – a lot of people may be in court with some heavy questions to be answered someday… if God sued us.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5519887&page=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Chambers

August 5, 2008—
Senator Suing God Urges Judge to Proceed
by By JOSH FUNK Associated Press Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) --State Sen. Ernie Chambers says his lawsuit against God might seem funny but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a serious point.

Chambers asked Douglas County District Judge Marlon Polk on Tuesday to let his lawsuit proceed. Chambers said he wants to make the point that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they are poor or have the means of billionaire Warren Buffett of Omaha.

"What brought me to the point of filing this lawsuit was the ill-advised attempts by certain legislators to prevent the filing of certain lawsuits," Chambers said.

Polk said he would consider the issue and rule later.

Chambers acknowledges using wit and humor in the lawsuit he filed last September seeking a permanent injunction against God. Chambers said God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."

The court told Chambers last week that his lawsuit may be dismissed because he had failed to serve notice on God. Chambers acknowledged that failure in court Tuesday while sitting a few feet away from an empty table reserved for God and God's attorney.

"Despite my most sincere, zealous efforts, I could not find a location to serve the defendant," Chambers said.

But Chambers asked Polk to take official notice of God, and the Almighty's omniscience and omnipresence.

Chambers argued that courts and the U.S. government already routinely take notice of God. Courts swear in witnesses with an oath that includes the phrase "so help me God." Plus, the pledge of allegiance describes "one nation, under God," and U.S. currency proclaims "In God We Trust."

And the senator said that if the court recognizes God, the deity wouldn't need formal notice of the lawsuit because he knows everything. And God would be at every hearing because he's everywhere always.

A senator for 38 years, Chambers skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians. He is being pushed out of the Legislature by term limits.

Chambers said he appreciates the difficult position Judge Polk is in because of the unique nature of the case, but he hopes the lawsuit will be allowed to proceed.

"Your honor, I do not envy your position," Chambers said.

GO – GO – GO- POTENTIAL

Chris called his mom on her cell phone to ask a question. Simple enough it seems. He was staying home with his brother and he was bored. Mom was at a meeting. Chris needed something to do.

“Mom can I do a chore?” was the question. “Sure – why not…” and mom gave him a suggestion.

The cell phone rang again, “Mom I did that chore, what else can I do… can I unload the dishwasher?” Mom was a little puzzled at this stage, “Sure, you are my big helper.” Thinking to herself there should be no problem with that and I will be home soon.

The cell phone rang again, “Mom I got that done, can I load the dishwasher with the dirty dishes in the sink?” There was a pause and mom answered, “Okay, just be careful” thinking to herself again, not much could go wrong with that request either and I will be home soon.

The cell phone rang one more time. “Mom can I set the table for dinner?” Mom paused a little before answering trying to think of what might be happening at home. “Okay, thank you. See you in a few minutes.”

When Mom arrived home Chris had put the clean dishes away. He had loaded the dishwasher with some effort – not perfect but it was done. And the big thing – the best chore – the table was set ready for dinner… with everything in place. Each person had a plate – the right size for each of them…big for adults, smaller for the kids… cups and cutlery… and in front of each person was their name. Two hot pads were on the table with casserole dishes sitting on them - empty. Some names were made from Wood (that had been made in Grandpa’s Garage). For the people that did not have names – Chris had cut out a hand crafted name from paper with his own writing on it.

The table was perfect.

Chris is 7 years old. And Chris is MY grandson! Whoa! Am I proud when I heard that story yesterday – or what???!! Chris is all boy, mischievous, moving, sweating, giggling and full of life. His teacher told him this past few weeks that he doesn’t always have to be the class clown. She gave him a book to read called, “Class Clown”. Chris is also the youngest of four sons – and number six on our grandkid list.

Yesterday, we traveled to Whitby, Ont. to watch our grandsons play hockey in a very large arena. Chris’ brother, Thomas, had his birthday yesterday turning eleven years old.

I stood at the safety glass that surrounds the ice rink holding a large PINK SIGN that screamed (along with me)… “Yeah Thomas. Happy Birthday!” I know that it helped in that he had two goals and his team won!!!! You want to believe that this grandpa is proud!!!
Following Thomas’s game, Chris’ team hit the ice on another pad of ice. Chris plays forward and is fast. Just a few years ago at 5 years old it was a ball to watch him and all his fellow players just to stand up on ice and then chase the puck a few feet without falling. Chris now at 7 is a bullet… and I think a potential NHL Hockey Star in the making. His name is really, Christopher “ZOOMER” Rourke ( I renamed him) and he flies down the ice. He had four breakaways and four good shots on goal. Chris told me later that he is working on making his shots hit the goal now! He missed by an inch each time!!!

His brother Michael was practicing at another arena at the time Chris and Thomas were playing in Whitby. His dad was with Michael.

Michael is something else. In class he is brilliant. There is nothing hard about school – except maybe that it isn’t enough for his brain. In class he is almost perfect…a joy to have… always getting his work done on time… does well in Math, Languages, Science…yadda yadda… and is a leader in Gym… yadda.. yadda…wow! Now this is at least Canada’s next astronaut, top scientist and did I tell you an excellent hockey player and baseball player?

The last game that we attended yesterday was their oldest son Jonathan’s. Tall and ready. Handsome. Good at defense and playing a solid position each time his shift was on the ice. What grace and ability this young man shows at 12 years old. At home he is the number one son and carries out his responsibility with an ability of a much older boy. With three siblings he is the best and the big brother to the other three.

What do I see outside of the pride that I have? I see POTENTIAL! I see unbelievable POTENTIAL.

The only thing that stinks is that I am aging as fast as they are growing up. At the end of aging there is a slowness that comes and a final long sleep. That end means that I may not see all the POTENTIAL… yet there may be hope still.

In the stands yesterday was the OLDEST FAN. I checked out every face and every person that I could see. The very oldest might have been my age…or maybe just a touch older. There was NO ONE there that was over 87 years old…except GREAT GRANDMA LINCOLN, my mom who is now 88.
When we came out of the arena between games we settled down around a box of donuts. Ravishing boys plowed through their share. Great Grandma picked out the ones that she liked. They savored the moment together.

As the boys ate on, Great Grandma leaned over to me and said, “I am warm, I am full and I am watching my great grandsons play hockey – what more could I wish for. This is great!”

Great Grandma Lincoln has watched all her grandkids come along. I think that she and Grandpa Lincoln were at every grandchild’s birth week – if not right there, they looked after the siblings. Now she is watching her Grandkids fulfill their parenting skills.

I look at the Grandkids and see potential for them. I look at my mom and see potential for me.

Yeah Christopher, Michael, Emma, Thomas, Jonathan and Clifford. Grandpa is rooting for you. Go… Go… GO… GO… !!!! And as long as I get at least one Tim Bit(small donut) I am happy – what more could I ask for?

~ Murray Lincoln ~ This is a HOCKEY MOM! - My daughter Anda... mother of four... still a class clown...

And her son... when doing Homework KILLS him...

Are You Listening To Me – Can I Speak Now?

Since publishing yesterday’s post I have had a number of discussions with others about the uniqueness of what happened on Thursday at the “New Friends” group that we attended. The very first thing that each one saw was the close proximity of the group to each other. In fact it is amazing the number of people that noticed this factor.

The second powerful factor was that the seniors in the photos were animated in their engagement with each other. Each one was connected with another and then responding.

The norm in conducting many of the Senior Groups is to have one big circle with every one sitting side by side. The other way with very large groups is to sit in rows – “churchy style”.

AND we need to realize that people like this have always sat in rows or have been placed in large circles for activities. The “large circle” was so radically different from the norm of rows when it started out – that it attracted people.

But there is a problem with seniors and large circles. Can you guess what that might be?

What if your vision is very poor after all these years of living – and you can only see things up close. Placing the person in a very large circle will be equivalent to stranding blind person downtown… or in a busy room with no one to help.

Try it yourself. Sit in a larger room in your chair. Take some plastic wrap and wrap your head so that it will cover your eyes. With at least four levels making it possible for you to still see light but lose all understanding of form.

On Thursday afternoon one of my New Friends did something quite odd. At the end she stood and walked toward me, then came quite close. She reached out her hand and shook my hand, thanking me for coming with the others. Then she stood still for a moment, holding my hand as I talked with her. She stated, “Wow, so that is what you look like. You don’t look like the way that you sound!”

I felt at that moment like a Radio Announcer being discovered for the first time. He has voice that makes a mental image – big, deep and husky… yet he is only 135 pounds in weight.

Now add to the whole setting of a large circle – the fact that you cannot hear what is said when some one is so far away. You can’t hear because you can’t read their lips the way that you unconsciously have learned to do all of your life. And even with the best hearing aids they will leave you alone and out of it when you are in a large group.

On a personal side one other factor rises…
In a large circle or a large row sitting room – how do you know who the other people are? How will you know if you say something that might offend others? I hate speaking up about an issue when I don’t know the politics of the people beside me. I hate contributing anything when I might be shot down – just because I am “stupid”.

When my father was alive and very active he traveled with me. On one such trip he traveled with me to the Maritimes and Newfoundland. He always was meeting new people. I have mentioned that in another post – the Newfoundlanders that he met were very kind, nicknaming him “Skipper”. Everyone was open to him speaking with them.

But there was something that I knew about my dad, he hated large groups… and he would stay quiet in any setting that had a discussion in it. I just figured my dad was the quiet kind – yet in a way the fact that he said nothing made little or no sense when he interacted with people he met so well.

One evening as I was conducting the seminar that I was doing, I taught on “communication… encouragement… and support” for the children that we all worked with. The setting was a large one with many leaders of children’s group from that area. I talked and then we did an activity that required each person to tell a story to the whole group. Frightened and shaky they came to the front to speak. It was fun and easy to do – I thought.

After it was over my dad came up to me when I was packing up and made a statement that shook me.

“That was close to home tonight. Murray, what you talked about tonight sure hit home. You know that I don’t speak very well in a larger group. I have never done well speaking in front of people. What you said tonight made so much sense. Kids need to be encouraged. I am 62 years old and I am still afraid of speaking in front of people. When I was about 8 years old I was attending a small school in southern Saskatchewan. We were told that we each had to stand in front of the class and say the poem that we were to have memorized as homework. When my turn came I stood and walked to the front and tried to say my Poem. I was very embarrassed and faltered as I spoke. I started again and again but each time lost my words and kind of stuttered. I just couldn’t get it out…”

“The teacher looked at me with the rest of the students and in frustration she said, “Awe sit down… you will never be any good at that kind of thing anyway. I stumbled back to my small desk in that country school believing what she said… and I just never spoke in front of anyone again.”

It was 54 years later and my dad had relived the whole terrible scene about that terrible day.

On Thursday afternoon at the “New Friends” group I met another guy like my dad. He came in later than everyone else and sat toward the edge of the group. Then when I suggested the talking and story telling activity he was gone like a shot. He sat 35 feet away reading a newspaper – looking over it once in a while to see what we were still doing. Engaged from a distance – but watching carefully what he would be asked to do. Just like my dad…just like my dad.

Yesterday I spoke with a friend of mine that works for a government organization in Yorkton Saskatchewan. Her name is Lauretta. She shared how she took part in a special series of meetings that were held across the province. The facilitator had people sit in groups of no more than six people to discuss the topic and to give feed back. He trusted each small group to come up with an idea and share it. He was a wise facilitator.

Most government leaders and people of great importance – have a lot to say. It is a one way kind of process. “I am smarter on this topic than you are so you will listen.” is the usual understatement being made.

This person listened by getting people to talk.

The odd thing is that we rush through our lives watching people like my dad… knowing what they are like… but never hearing what they have to say…specially in large groups.

Then when they die we fuss and stew and sort and strain to find things about dad that we can say at his funeral…but we get some of it all mixed up when we say it.

What an odd statement on our highly developed society. We say we love them, yet we never hear them. We say we care, but we never talk to them. We appreciate them but never allow them a place to speak about what they know. What a strange world we live in… and I don’t really want that to happen to me.

Last Thursday afternoon… some one listened to 20 other someone-s and loved it….and they laughed and laughed and were animated and loved every minute of it.

One very simple thought... when no one else can hear me - or will talk to me - the cat loves me.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

"New Friends" and the Power of Together

The room was a buzz with the voices of happy people. The dynamic that was taking place was simply amazing. ‘People with people’, ‘people meeting people’, and ‘people talking with each other’ were the flavors of the day.

This is the “New Friends” group meeting for the very first time. For over a month now the folks that we have shared the idea with have pressed me to find out what the “program” will be like. I couldn’t answer until we first met – now we can shout it out – “It is plain and simple fun to be together. The program is not the central part – it is all about the people that attend and their time together.”

The only place you will hear this kind of buzz may be at a high school dance. The difference would be that you might have music in the background at the high school.
It has been 65 to 75 years since these folks were in high school. This is a dynamic group of very alive seniors. The group is designed to invite and accept people from the community “outside” and the community “inside”. It is designed to encourage lonely people to meet.

On Feb 5th together we met these goals. People came together. What an amazing time together.

It has taken me 39 years to recognize what is happening around me and for me.

First - for almost 4 decades I have witnessed this amazing phenomena but was powerless to do much about it. The phenomena is people love to simply be with each other. Young or old this is always true.

Second – we conduct programs to bring people together.

Third – programs feature people talking to people, or program rules that must be kept to make the program go forward. Program becomes and is all powerful.

Fourth – most people come to a program so that they can talk to each other. More talking happens before the program and after the program – and that is what people look forward to. People meet at programs so they can gain a friend they can talk to after the program.
Check it out…Church….Some people love going to church. If they are honest about it the part that they love is meeting people in the foyer, close to their pew and when leaving their pew then heading back to the foyer. And – get this – they tolerate the interruption of the minister and the people at the front for the one hour or so doing the program – where program is all powerful – so they can capture that few minutes with one person (or more) that might talk with them.

Most experiences at church offer about 10 minutes of interaction with others. If you know someone you will get more interaction. If you don’t you will get less. New people get about 4 minutes flat out – with six people shaking their hands and some of these asking about them. Now if the church is not a “hand shaking” kind – or there is a fright about the Flu Season and Germs – kill the 4 minutes – make that 2.

Now consider the fact that an average person spends over 2 hours(maybe even 3 hours) of their time getting ready for church, traveling to the church, standing-sitting-listening in church, and the small part of talking to someone in church.

Experienced and known people in church get on average 8 percent of their time talking with each other. Brand New people get less than 4 percent of their time talking with some one.

Now I am not knocking church – we come to talk to God… or have him talk to us – right? Why is it then that someone like me did most of the talking using up at least 75 percent of the time that a person has Sunday AM? The answer is simple – program is important and powerful.
Seniors groups…
I spoke to one senior about attending the card games offered at the one senior’s center. This person told me “I will play cards if some one will talk to me… but most people like playing cards that there is “bidding” involved – and they won’t talk except to bid. It is no fun.”

Another person told me of their senior group experience that it is most unsatisfying and they will not return unless “so and so” gets out of the way. “She is so bossy and she won’t let anyone talk – all she wants to do is her business and hear herself talk. I don’t want to go back.”

For “so and so” program is all she has ever known and her program is run like a tight ship.

Over the past years I have attended a lot of seniors groups. My function has been to be “the speaker”. While waiting to speak they have often been conducting some business or their regular business… and again program is all important. Then I stand up to chirp away… and everyone listens.

High Schoolers are the interesting ones to watch. They spend most of their days listening to someone in their program talk to them. If you talk to the kids you find out that the best part about school is the people they meet. And in school the very best part of everything is the group(s) you belong to. And guess what? Friends and talking to friends is simply the Number One thing to do. Cell phones, Text Messaging, Facebooking, and the dozens of other things that they are able to do now – connect them with friends all the time.

65 to 75 years later teenagers are still the same. They have bodies that are 80 to 90 years old – but they are lively teenagers inside. But on the outside/inside they are so darn lonely they won’t talk about it to anyone… and they can’t because their best friend from school is gone and dead. Their world has shrunk to on average 4 percent contact with anybody… even family is too busy to talk to them.
Nope I don’t have all the answers yet. I definitely don’t have “program” that I can share. If anything at this stage I could say… invite people then get out of the way.

And if you know someone that might enjoy a great afternoon together with “New Friends.  And as they say “talk is cheap” – in this case that is so true - there is NO COST at all! You are welcome.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

Morning Exercise

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StopBadware.Org

Over the weekend something weird happened to the Web places that I go to… and even to some of my own Web Stuff. Things like the Blogspot places that I deal with suddenly were flashing warnings… something about “Badware” BAM – we were hit by some pretty weird stuff. Everything dealing with Google was affected. And Google being the very big, if not the biggest, search engine on the Internet – it pretty much affected everyone!

To get some idea of what happened consider this. A program was launched by Google to help people consider the site they were looking for – as they searched for something – or as they opened the potential problematic Web Site. There are bad sites that are trying bad things as you come to visit their site. Google had a plan to help stop that.

The problem was the action that they took zapped every site – good or bad with a warning. Google’s warning flashed that this Site has potential Malware… whether it did or not. To solve this – or get by this message – you need to go to another site.

Well it wasn’t every Web Site – just 170,000 Sites all across the great spectrum of servers that were affected the worst. But for a half hour – every Site was tagged that way.

It has been fascinating to read about. The problem is far reaching. The “techie type” persons will understand but the average person will be affected deeply by a “scare” like this. One little error on the part of perhaps one small group – or even one small person – actually one click of a mouse – before all things were considered… messed up a whole lot of people. WOW! And potentially it has affected millions of dollars in revenue for some people – in that so much is done on the Internet.

As I have been mulling over this recent event I have thought about my small world.

I know a couple that have endured horrible things at the hands of good Christians. On one occasion some one called and shared something about the wife of this couple. It was first very untrue. Secondly it was deeply damaging. Third it was so powerful that they moved from the place they lived in and relocated to another community entirely – forced to start over.

One wagging tongue by a dear sister destroyed the whole family. Yes I said “dear sister” because it happened in the church world. Someone inside of church made some personal calculations and then shared their take on what she felt about it all. Only trouble was the “busy body” knew nothing of what this lady was about. In one wag of her tongue she destroyed potentially four lives.
There should be a place in the community where you can hang up “dear sisters” and “busy bodies” for everyone to see. In the old days they placed the bad people in the Stocks at the center of the city for everyone to pelt with rotten vegetables. Today we use too much frozen food – so that won’t work… but…?

In another more recent situation that I was faced with it unnerved me deeply. The attack was on me. When it comes that close it can drive you insane! You really don’t want to go back – because of what people might say, might have said, or have actually said about you. You want to put as much space between you and them as fast as you can.

The whole confusing effort falls under a title I give as “Human Malware” You can also call it Gossip, Sharing, Lies, Inflammatory, and downright Destructive Attitudes.

10 years ago this month a horrible man started a rumor that Pastor Murray(that’s me) teaches from the Satanic Bible. No kidding! That really happened. It spread like wild fire across the religious community that I served in. Within days other pastors in our community called to ask what was going on. The rumor was all across each church. The pastors realized how defaming the rumor was and called to offer help.

For the next year in every one of our church Board Meetings I had to answer questions as to what really happened, what was said, what was done, why the questioner thought this insinuation was hurting our church.

It all started with one man that was a control freak. His intent was to control me. First he was my best buddy. Next his wife tried to be my wife’s best buddy. Then together they tried to force us to make certain decisions. The very first Sunday we were at the church they began by taking us out for lunch.

We should and noticed then what was happening. They talked about every person in the church… told all kinds of stories to “help” us know the way it really was.

Both my wife and I felt very uncomfortable with what they had said and the way they had done this. So we quietly started pulling away. Within two months from the initial lunch together he started to smear us. The Satanic Bible issue was only one of the many rotten stuff that he threw our way. He openly tried everything he could to “kill us”.

In one circumstance in his own work place his own hatred surfaced to a perfectly innocent person. This little dude was a Cable TV installer. While he was visiting one home to install the Cable Service he stopped his work and asked the lady a point blank question. His words were, “What church do you attend?” She gave a faltering answer and asked him “Why do you ask?”

He then proceeded to rant how she should never consider attending Northview Church(the church that I pastored) because of what the minister does – yadda, yadda, yadda. The dear lady called our church and spoke with a staff person, “I don’t know what is going at your church but this is what has happened….” She proceeded to tell everything that the bad little Malware Dude has said and done.

She also called his employer… who then acted accordingly – he was demoted… disciplined and then later got his final “promotion”. He called it early retirement and moved far, far away.
I have personally witnessed what Human Malware can do – and felt it too.

Google’s problem happened when one person clicked it through – launched it to fire through the whole of the Cyber World. We see that they simply had not been careful.

Murray’s problem was worse and so was the problem of the whole church that I served in. One man started a terrible destructive path that eventually would be felt even today – 10 years later. And the church still goes on feeling it.

Murray’s problem is even worse – in that he cannot undo the damage. Neither can Google.

Suggestion? Watch out for miserable little Malwares that can destroy everything.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

Source:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10155028-83.html

Check out my first post of my VLOGING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ywN8ZlcxE