Pleasures We Work For

My opening statement yesterday was about being in a rut – and how easy it is to get there. That rut driven life at times is boring – everything is the same. And the suggestion was to try something different… even a banana split. Make a Bsplit for a start.

I need to add the next perspective to yesterday’s “Bsplit Day” – and that is making sure we are “Bfit”. “Bfit” for me is the exercise part or “Be Fit”. Today I need to do something; stretch, move, run, walk, or swim. This part of my life equation is starring my in the face after each tough day of hard work. I am out of shape.

One of my favorite TV programs is sprinkled with advertisements for a product known as a “Bowflex”. It looks a little bit like one of the spiders in my garage – only really big. The one add comes on with a guy that purports to be almost 50 years old. He is doing all things that a dream man that is single would do…music…a good job…a happy life and his “Bowflex” in his front room.

The odd thing about the TV add is that there are no kids around in the shots showing the “happy and fit man”. There is no wife either and apparently he can have his huge “Bowflex” sitting in his living room – likely because he has no wife or social life around his home. Like where do your friends sit if they come over?

I doubt that I will buy a “Bowflex”…but I can do something. A “Bsplit Day” requires breaking out of the ordinary, normal life. What better way to do this than to try a “Bfit Day”. Again do something.

Yesterday I did something. It was a start all over again. Today it hurts a little more but there is hope in that hurt. My muscle sang as they worked with something heavy…today they complain.

The Shock…
As I walked through the hospital lately I have been confronted with some people that are suffering. Some of them had some extra weight – others didn’t. Through heredity they had been given hearts that were not working right anymore.

As I talked with one man he was a little down. He had been told of his personal condition and was facing some serious time to recover. I felt sorry for him and prayed. His wife held his hand. Together they will face this monster of health difficulties.

The problem for me was the walking away from the bed and realizing that he was about my age. He was a little overweight and the time had come with a new heart problem. Now he had to deal with it for sure.

To make my own Bfit Day possible and then to keep them going I have to add some “Intent”. Sprinkling Intent on all that I do starts a new movement around me. Everything starts to change.

Just before Thanksgiving my wife asked me to go downstairs to our extra refrigerator and get “the Bird” – our Thanksgiving Turkey that she was preparing for our family to eat. I opened the fridge and there it was – big, fat and ready to be cooked. Mmmm..!

As I carried it upstairs it was heavy. I knew were having a number of people for our Thanksgiving Dinner together. It needed to be big for sure.

I asked Alida how much it weighed and her answer shocked me, “It is only 25 pounds.” Yikes! I am carrying at least 20 pounds too much right now around my middle. I literally have an extra turkey hanging on my person all the time – AND IT IS HEAVY.

So a new Intent is in place now to begin with more effort each day to make it a “Bfit Day” – move a little more, walk a little more and try a little harder.

But one thing is for sure – I hate doing this alone. Does anyone want to begin to walk with me. Maybe we can just know we will walk at the same time in two different places – but we will walk together.

Well I have to run now. I need to get my walking shoes on and get going. Let me know how you are doing.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Guilty Pleasures

When I think of it… it is a pretty boring life at times. So easy to get in a rut – isn’t it? Who needs same old – same old – and way? It seems that we only delve into the dangerous on a vacation. We try something new and even love it but would never try that at home. I mean it is not normal.

Maybe what we need is a kick start in the middle of a life that is boring? Maybe we could make a difference if we were different.

I asked the individual if they would like to join in an activity… the reply was a little disconcerting in that I thought it was fun to do… “No!” was the flat answer to my question. The answer didn’t make sense – because it seemed like a great idea – fresh and new and without the old trappings of sameness. But the “No” was firm.

To help you today – I offer a “Bsplit”. The exercise is simple. You will need one banana, some cherries, some strawberries, some chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, some chocolate chips, some pineapple pieces, some whipping cream and a bowl. Now this is what it should look like when you get it done.

I can see some of you will actually try this one for size. Others will just say that is nuts – it isn’t for me.

Recently we were in an Ice Cream Shop. Not far from where we sat were two older women with a large tub of ice cream each. They said little to each other. Their spoons were busy taking scoops from their tubs. One giggled and the other smiled. I don’t think they said anything – they were just having fun. They were doing a “Bsplit”

Have you ever “Bsplit” – that is split away from the norm and tried something very new? For some of us that is so far away and in such a remote land that we couldn’t even try it… much too difficult to even try!

Today I want to shock my life. I want to experience something new. I have a new project planned. I have a new book to read. I have a new person that I intend to go see. And – Alida bought some new bananas that may just help us take a huge plunge… hmmm oooiee! This will be fun.

Some will never do it as they would be guilty of trying something new. Everyone knows that they just don’t do that kind of thing….and never will! But… what if…? What if something happened to shake us loose?

Another person that I know has had a death in their family and it has shaken them deeply. The death was close to their age of friends. The person who died was one day going to visit a special place – but health issues came and it never happened. Someday is never.

This person is so shaken and the deep realization is that they must do it now –or it may never happen. So they are taking a trip. The excitement that I heard in the voice was neat.

Pleasure was designed by God. At least he gave us the ability to enjoy it. Some stupid rules at times are applied by people that really were miserable – and the rest were expected to live by it.

Just in case the very disciplined are sitting there wagging their heads and wonder what I am possibly saying this heresy for… imagine a pastor that wants to have fun!? – I want them to know there isn’t a whole lot of time left to let their grandkids know that they really are not an ornery old person. They have giggles and want to do stuff. You are old and don’t do stuff – but you can still giggle. Can’t you?

So today I declare a “Bsplit day”! Today is the day that God made for me… and I will rejoice in it!

Do you have your spoon ready?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Northview's Sunday Bulletin - October 28, 2007

To help our local folk and you to keep up to what our church is doing… we are publishing the following information.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007
10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP
Hearing From The Heart of INDIA...Part II
Guest Speaker: Prasad & Dawn Samson
With their daughters Hannah & Asha
Chennai, India

NORTHVIEW NIGHTS
Our study continues Tonight@:6:00pm
~What God can do through Ordinary YOU!~
LEADER: Pastor Tim Taylor
* held in the Prayer Room* * coffee is served!

This Week…
Men’s Ministry
7:00am Men’s Breakfast @Aviemore!(on McDonnel St.) Start your TUESDAY morning the right way, with some GOOD FELLOWSHIP !

Women’s Ministry
Ladies join us @ the Brookdale Restaurant - Brookdale Plaza – Tuesday morning – 7:00 AM

Helping Hands
HELPING HAND’S - TUESDAY’S AT 9:30AM
*It’s amazing how much these few ladies are
able to knit & sew for missions! The work they do for
‘MISSION PARTNERS INT. is remarkable.
Led by: Monica Church.

Wood Carving
Thursday nights at 925 Western Ave. – a small group is meeting to wood carving class. This class is designed for beginners and advanced carvers alike. Everyone is welcome. Contact Pastor Murray at 760-9389 if you are interested.

Scrap Booking:
Tuesday 6:30-9:30PM at the Church – November dates 6th & 20th
Scrapbook night [Vonda Martin].
Come preserve your memories. Bring a work
in progress or 5-6 photos in a theme. There
are some exciting NEW ideas to explore!
[$5.for supplies]

Prayer Requests: *~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hazel Cunningham: in hospital with a broken foot.
Jean Poole is in the hospital also undergoing tests.
Continue to pray for: Paul Cook, Jack Frizzell, Alex Farnsworth Sharon Haley, Roy MacArthur and Kay Mann.
Thank-you for praying...these are special people.
Prayer Chain Contact: Monica Church @ 876-7920

Special Note from Flora Martin: Thank you for recent prayers during my recent cataract surgery. All went well… PTL !

Coming Events…
NEXT YOUTH NIGHT EVENT IS --- THIS FRIDAY NOV 2nd @ 7:30pm at BOWL-ER-RAMA! $6 per person for shoes and games. All youth from grade 5 and up welcome. There’ll even be some ‘college age’ youth. Leaders: Paul & Sherri Munro

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY:

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Oct 30th TUESDAY 7-8:30pm
“DANIEL” by-BETH MOORE has begun!
NOTE: If you have not paid for your study book please see Stephanie Johnston or Josselyn ASAP.
The STUDY is -THIS TUESDAY!
NOTE: NOV- dates. [Nov 6th & Nov 20th]

You Can Help!
Northview S.S. Needs your help...our supply cupboard needs replenishing. We could
really use the following... Crayons/glue stick/brads/pipe cleaners washable markers/sparkles/any craft supplies. A basket will be placed in the foyer. Thank-you from the S.S.

“FPTEF”
For People that Enjoy Fellowship
This is something new for you! Twice
monthly on the 2nd & 4th Thursday.
Come for a relaxed afternoon,
involving games and a time of fellowship.
Led by: Brenda & Winston van Lier.
Open to all who are free /next time is
THIS THURSDAY November 1st 1:30-3:30pm.

39 the Second Time – Fellowship Group
LAST CALL - If you are interested in going to …Frankenmuth, Mich., USA To ‘Bonner’s Christmas Store’ and MORE! Please speak to Terry & Marion Manley 742-7737

NPC COMING EVENTS
“Country Crafts & Tea Room”- Nov 10th 10:00 AM – 2 PM
Sponsored by NPC Women’s Ministry

Keenager’s 50+ - Catered Christmas Dinner – Tuesday 20, 2007 See Marie Olver for tickets - $11.00 each – sign up sheet in the foyer.

“Christmas in the Country” December 8th – 10:00 AM – till Noon – held at the Beamer’s

Northview Family Christmas – December 8th – 6:00 PM – in the Gymnasium

Peterborough Community Chaplaincy – Christmas Supper – Dec 15th 6 PM

“Operation Christmas Child”
Our kiosk is prepared – boxes are ready for you to fill. Please take note at the new guidelines for 2007. The deadline is November 11 – Remembrance Day.

When the Novelty Wears Off - What Then?

While cleaning a shelf the other day I came across “The Thing”. I grinned as I picked it up and turned over in my hands. Odd as it was I had found use for it at one time. It had special ability to accomplish something special in the task that I was doing at that time. More over it cost money, time and energy to purchase it.

But the sad part is that after using “The Thing” for a short time – I no longer needed it. As I held it I remember the place that I used it – so far away and so long ago.

“The Thing” is so much like many other things in our lives. We really needed it for a period of time and then no more. What was very valuable to us is now a garage sale item.

We humans are funny that way. We want something so dearly that we will do anything to get it – even sacrificing something that is very important to our family or life – just to get “The Thing”.

A TV add that I saw recently referred to the other part of “The Thing’s” life span. It said something like… when we want a new job we quit and start another… when we want a new car we buy it… when we want a new wife we get one…. When I saw the photo of the bride smiling and then fading away – it shocked me. My job – my car – my wife are all part of “My Thing”… and the add says that I may change all of them.

How sad – how very sad. Relationships are no more valuable than “The Thing”. Bought at price and taking considerable time to get… then used a few times and then thrown away or simply shelved.

I have watched some very serious people putting an amazing amount of time into what they want… to then throw it all away because something better came along.

A simple question should be asked… “When the novelty wears off… what then?”

Recently I had to make a trip to our local garbage disposal place. It is so well organized – a bin for every kind of thing – all separated from each other. The shocking thing was what people were throwing away. It was good stuff.

Downtown, in our area, we have a new business called simply “Garage Sale”. Everyday he has new stuff. Nothing sits long. It moves fast from his store front. I asked him where he gets all his things. The man told me he gets “The Things” from Storage Units that are not longer being used and people don’t want the junk that they have stored away.

It is good junk – but the owners have moved far away and have no longer any need of the items in storage. The original owners had paid good money to store “The Things” – each month for maybe years – now the owners are gone…or don’t need the stuff any longer. The “Garage Sale” guy cleans out the storage area for free and then sells the stuff. Smart very smart.

The key is that the “Garage Sale” understood that all “The Things” maybe wanted by someone else….

In our world excess is very evident and we get rid of “The Thing” when something new comes along. God help us when we do that with people. How very sad that is.

I am now looking at the shelves with my life. The age probably does that for all of us. In my 60s now everyone has new value. Every conversation may be the most important one that I have ever had. If I could have only done more of this kind of thinking last year… or 10 years ago. I would have known more about what is now lost.

“God help me to slow down and listen to the one that you send today. I appreciate the things that you have provided for me – and more than anything the people that you have sent my way….Help me to be faithful to help them and especially to listen better. Amen”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Plasticine People

Do you remember Gumby? And do you remember his horse Pokey? Small clay animation figures that kept kids(and adults) amused and fixed to their TV screen when ever it is on.

Gumby was able to come apart – the reassemble when needed. He could squeeze through cracks. He had all kinds of adventures. He was an amazing little guy that become famous with his antics.

But – more than anything else Gumby was a figment of someone’s imagination. Not real at all – but loved by all. Not a person that lives next door – but real enough to immediately jump into your memory bank when you recalled him with his name. You likely remembered he was green and his horse pokey was red.

The real part that all of us knew was “Plasticine” that we all had played with over the years. We tried diligently to create something with the plasticine but usually crumpled the creation into a lump and retuned it to the container for another time.

The definition and description of plasticine is as follows….

Plasticine - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plasticine, a brand of modelling clay, is a putty-like modelling material made from calcium salts, petroleum jelly and aliphatic acids. The name is trademarked but tends to be used as a generic description in Britain and the Commonwealth, in Ireland as plasticine or márla, in Chile, Uruguay, Portugal and Brazil as plasticina in many countries of Latin America and Spain as plastilina, in Lithuania as plastelinas, in Estonia plasteliin, in Bulgaria plastilin, but pronounced most of times in the spoken language as plastelin, and Albania as plastelin. In the United States the term modelling clay is much more widely used and, although the Plasticine brand is available, it is not well known.

You probably didn’t need that trivia – but it is a gift now.

It states that Plasticine is made of “calcium salts, petroleum jelly and aliphatic acids”. Not really that attractive when you read it aloud – is it? The most it does is help portrait the unreal world in our imagination.

I have been struggling with my world and some of the things that are portrayed around me. The media and the movies have much to do with this area of struggle. The stuff they tell me to consider is not real… yet it has become fastened in my memory as nearly real… then with time it is real.

One such illustration I can provide is a daytime SOAP – TV program. At the time that this illustration took place “General Hospital” was a popular program on afternoon TV. Much ado was made in the news about the program. It had many faithful followers.

The telephone rang at our church office and a dear lady that I knew was calling for prayer. She was upset that someone she knew was very sick and was dieing. She was absolutely serious with her request as well. She gave the name of the person that she was asking prayer for… I knew her family but did not recognize this name. I asked where the person lived and her response was unsure. She then told me that the person needing prayer was on the TV program “General Hospital”. I didn’t know what to say.

A fictitious person acted by a professional actor was sick with a “story line cancer”. Undoubtedly it was a good story line and the lady from our church was so engrossed that she couldn’t separate reality from the unreal world of “General Hospital”. She pushed me to pray on the phone for her TV “friend”. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it and she left in a huff.

I am sorry – doesn’t anyone else see a problem here? Plasticine People – actors and Hollywood – are not real. Who you see or what you hear about is a figment of someone’s rich imagination.

Recently the news was all a flutter… NEWS Flash…!
“J.K. Rowling has outed one of the main characters of her best-selling Harry Potter series, telling fans in New York that the wizard Albus Dumbledore, head of Hogwarts school, is gay.”

Our national and local news reported on this “story”. They told us that thousands of fans were flocking to the large meeting place in our area to see J.K. Rowling and hear her speak about what she just announced.

I am sorry again – but get a grip – this is all about “plasticine people” – made in someone’s imagination to be later crumpled and put away like all good plasticine should be. It isn’t real. Dumbledore is a character in a book. HE IS NOT REAL… and most people that hear and believe this stuff must be crazy. Get a grip.

In another way out way it is illustrated vibrantly with a TV series that is now a movie entitled “Sex and the City”. In a recent McLean’s magazine article Rosalind Miles made a statement that made me think deeply…
Quote… “And a new archetype? In truth, Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte embody a theme that is both primeval myth and modern male nightmare: women out of the control of men. Trying on lovers and other women's husbands like old clothes and treating men like Kleenex to use and throw away, the freely fornicating four represent the opportunistic, terrifying aspect of the female principal following its own lusts.” Enquote.

I know what she is writing about – but the part that amazes me is that Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte are more real than the actresses that play them. Oddly the actresses are likely becoming who they play… and people watching are acting the same as Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

This is a ‘plasticine people’ world. We try to imitate what others are doing or saying or thinking or imagining. When will someone pinch someone else and wake everyone up? This is an unreal world… but we believe what we see and hear.

In my pastoral duties I have stumbled into young couple’s lives when marriage is being considered – some have trouble. I have been brought into mature relationships as they work through problems. Old or young folks have basically the same problems in relationships – they try to be something that they are not. The Plasticine People’s world has invaded ours. It is not good. It is unreal and there are no good reference points.

I want to stand up and say – “I want real! Please don’t try to fool me any longer”.

Away back in the Garden of Eden account… the folk living there were fooled by a snake. They bit into a delicious fruit that offered promise. As old as this story is …it is as up to date as the news tonight. People living a lie and missing the reality is a reality.

“God… how we need your help today. If you are not too busy today God… I need to talk to you some more about some really whacky things that some of my fellow Earthlings are doing and thinking and acting out…. For now… I need more of your help than ever before. This world is nuts! Thanks for listening God… catch you later…”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Car-lot-itis - and How to Make It More Fun

Soon we will have to buy another automobile. The days are numbered for our Old Van – with 333,000 kms on it and some rust showing along with some dents and bruises – it is time for “palliative care” in a great car lot some where along a lonely highway. Sorry old girl – you are destined for parts.

It is a 1996 Nissan Quest van. It is only 11 years old but very tired. My guess is it is equivalent to a late 80 year human model. Perhaps the body is really 90+ years old – but the heart is running at about 70+ years old.

Having said that about my old friend the Old Van… I cringe at the idea that I must now brave “car-lot-it is”. I have to brave the walking on to a car lot to talk to guy that I don’t know… about my intimate needs to buy a good car for a reasonable price – cheap but the best he has. This sales person will be some “shirker jerker” that I innately do not trust! He will want as much money from me as he can get to pay his own bills at home. He in turn works under a “Shirker Jerker” that tells him what the lowest amount that he can go on any given price. The bigger “Shirker Jerker” sits in a glass enclosed office and looks at piles of loose papers on his desk top. I suspect that he is actually listening to a cordless mic that the lesser “shirker jerker” has on his body somewhere. Far above these dudes is the really “BIG SHIRKER JERKER” that owns the whole car lot and all the cars on the lot. He dangles possible sales incentives in front or little “shirker jerker” and the middle “Shirker Jerker” to get them to get as much money from me as possible.

“Car-lot-itis” is really bad when the lesser “shirker jerker”, the middle “Shirker Jerker” and the really “BIG SHIRKER JERKER” – are the same guy. On a small “Honest Henry’s Holy Deal of the Week Car Lot” it is likely that way. I actually begin to itch going on to this kind of lot. It is easier to buy from back alley across the city than to go to Honest Henry’s.

But some how we have to get a vehicle… and the question is where do you go? A brand new vehicle isn’t in our picture anymore. Paying for one until I lose my license from old age – just doesn’t make sense. And all the Lottery Tickets left in the church pews by my congregants have already been checked for winners.

Keeping the Old Van for 9 years of the 11 that it has been alive and also having personally rode in it for most of its 333,000 kms – I have simply been avoiding “car-lot-it is”. I know that I am allergic to it and hate the very ground that it occurs on. But I really like the guys that try to sell me the vehicle – I just don’t like the stupid system that tries to peal so much money from me.

Yesterday…
We began the first tenable step on to the first car lot together. It began all over again… I was itchy and twitchy all over again. If I could only do this more often it may not be so bad – but “car-lot-itis” is a real.

We tried out four vehicles and sat in seven.

To make it more fun the guy that was following us with the car keys let us drive one really strange little “Smart Car”. I drove it out and Alida drove it back. It was as I guessed correctly – two motorcycles screwed together and with a top on. This one was a convertible. Actually it wasn’t a motorcycle like vehicle it was a high stepping go-cart. That one will not happen in that Alida cannot put the shopping bags she gets in the back… there is no room.

Maybe this will help…
I came across four points that were offered by someone that working on stage as an actor. When I read these words I thought these would be great for any car sales person. I am gong to offer them here – in case one of these ‘dear friends’ of mine on a care lot are reading…

1. Make it fun: Walk into any room or meeting or onto any stage – or “car lot’ with energy and optimism. Anticipate a positive response. (Put out your stupid cigarette when you see us coming!)

2. Remember — it’s not about you. Shift your attention from yourself to your audience. Don’t ask yourself, Do they like me? How do I look? but rather, What do they need? What can I give them?

3. Love your audience — however big or small — and they’ll love you right back. Let them know you’ll do absolutely anything to get your message across, to give them exactly what they need.

4. Show them your passion. Charisma is passion demonstrated. Don’t hold back. People need to feel your conviction, then they’ll believe in you.

Yikes…with a big pause…
Say… come to think of it… Ministers in churches need to know something about this too… hmmm? Do you suppose that some people coming to church might have “church-itis” too?

Well I have an appointment with a sales guy today again. We are supposed to have a meeting this morning.

If you got nothing to pray about… tuck Alida and me under your prayer. We both are getting uneasy and ‘itchy’

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The Memorial for Dale Cummins

The room was filled with faithful friends. All that lived at the Shepherd Village where Dale completed his ministering days filled the front seats. But loving friends from all over the city of Toronto and from all over Ontario continued to pour through the doors. Many had struggled with miserable traffic coming into the city of Toronto and were late. Then after arriving in a steady stream more chairs were found for each guest. From what I saw there were three waves of chairs needed for unexpected guests. Many hundreds came to see their friend off and support his wife Alberta Cummins and her family.

What an expression of love and a declaration of support by so many. But this was only the small North American, small Canadian, small Toronto, and small community from Shepherd Village representation that came to honour him. If there had been all the people that he had ever touched we would have needed the Skydome(Rogers Centre) in downtown Toronto to accommodate them.

For some of you that never met this unassuming man you will not really understand. Why would so many come to be there for the gentlest man to ever enter their lives? I think that statement alone may describe what we witnessed and knew so well. Through Dale’s peaceful countenance and demeanor he expressed a love that encompassed all. Once you met Dale you wanted more Dale.

Dale was born in Shell Lake, Saskatchewan May 2, 1926 and completed his life journey on October 17, 2007. The life journey took him to University where he would become a school teacher…then to schools where he impacted many, many children. Later he would complete his Theological training where he would then enter ministry as an ordained man. In this role he would continue to impact hundreds upon hundreds wherever he worked. Above all he loved to teach and encourage lives of young men and women coming into their own.

Yesterday we all heard how the drive to help others had taken him many places around the world. I may not get the information completely accurate but here goes. They lived in Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia. They ministered to Aboriginal people of Canada, and I think every possible nationality that our country has ever received. Together, Alberta and Dale went to Kenya with their small family and remained many years as a teacher. Later they lived in Sera Leone, Tanzania, and the Ukraine. Dale lived to pour into others and help anyone.

Yesterday a man by the name of Steve stood beside me to express his love for Dale. I know the story well. Steve had walked into Dale’s office in Scarboro Gospel Temple. As Steve described it, “Every few words I sprinkled my language with the “F” word, but that didn’t phase Dale. Instead when it came close to lunch time Dale invited me to his home for lunch. He loved me no matter what.” Steve had been in trouble with the law when he walked into Dale’s office and in the next few days would be in court to face the music. Dale went along with him. Dale also shared with me later that there wasn’t a dry eye in the court when Steve shared his story.

Accounts were given yesterday of people in Africa that Dale had touched. In one account Dale had helped a struggling African man by driving him somewhere with Dale’s mission vehicle. The man wanted to know how he could repay Dale for helping him. Dale had instructed him that some day the African man would have a vehicle as well. At that time he should help other people get to church with his vehicle. It was a simple interaction between a needy man and Dale. Murray Cornelius, the Director for World Missions for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada(PAOC) told how he had met this man in the past year or so. This needy African man has done very well now. He has been a business owner that has made much money. He has sold that business and is now serving in a very influential role helping other Africans. When the African man spoke with Murray he told how Dale had helped him in his time of need…Dale’s instruction… and his eventual purchase of a vehicle. When he had the vehicle he began to help others get to church – just like his teacher had told him to do.

Who knows how many people were helped later in life after Dale’s teaching and instruction was followed?

One account was given of a school that Dale taught in at Prince George, B.C. One of Dale’s former students is now the Principal of that same school now. When that was shared the whole audience of his friends nodded in approval. That summed up Dale’s work so well. He gave with hope and belief in big and little people he taught… so that some day they would become capable people that would help others.

Oh – I almost forgot… this Steve… that I mentioned earlier… is about to start a small church to reach out to “Bikers” in the Toronto area – broken men and women that desperately need help – people just like Steve used to be.

The stories would take too long to relate here… and possibly make sense of…God only knows how much one man’s life has accomplished.

Before I complete this account I have to share the most important tribute given. It came in four parts. One was given by Murray, the next by Andrea, the next by Cara and finally by Ian. The four of them are Dale’s grand kids. Even though Dale was a man that shared with a huge world out there… he never was too busy for to take time with each of his grand kids. He poured into their lives through walks and talks. He was there for them all the time. It wasn’t until they began to share what Grandpa meant to them – that I got that big lump in my throat and began to cry quietly. As I glanced around I wasn’t the only one. The audience was touched very deeply as they caught a glimpse of a man they loved so much… being loved so much by his own grandchildren.

Not every Memorial service is like this one. I have seen children, at funerals, hold their parent in contempt for their own lives and what the parent has done to them. I have heard grandkids laugh with disgust when the old man is now gone – they didn’t have any relationship with the old guy they are burring at all. I wish they all could have seen and felt what we did yesterday.

Finally… Dale loved wood working. It is not the kind that I do…but more detailed. At the service yesterday they had his work on display. It was every bit like what Dale did through out his life – careful and accomplished with great grace. The photos will not likely catch what the true work is like.

One of the intricate works shown here is the “Lord’s Prayer”. You can see the relative size when you look at the photo of the grandkids speaking. Then look closer at the other shots.

One more thing you need to know… there was no power machines used at all… only the simple tools laid on the table… a small drill… a sanding device… one file and a fret saw.

“Thank you God for letting Dale be in my own life when I most needed him… God I AM REALLY GOING TO MISS HIM…. REALLY MISS HIM… When he came to see how we were doing in Peterborough two months ago… I wish we had spent more time together. God help me to be more like Dale’s example today and with your help I will be….”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln – through many tears today… ~

Ode To Our Lost Memories

I am in the last few hours of preparation of my thoughts to honor a dear friend who has passed away. My part is small in the memorial service today – but my involvement has stirred a huge swell of memories that have left me smiling at times and then crying at other times. I suppose it is part of the grieving process. Most of all it is the tragedy of death that has stirred up memories. My friend’s life intermingled with my life at a juncture when we both needed each other has been brought to the forefront of my thinking.

It is timely that I found the article in the National Geographic Magazine this week as well. It is entitled “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”. I recommend that you take time to read it. The URL is at the end of this posting.

Let’s test you memory. Facebook is stretching mine (and yours). When one of your friends asks in that intro email – “Do you remember me?” the memories kicked in again.

Try this… When you read these words – what happens? Read each word then wait about five seconds…

• Rose…
• Snow…
• Rock…
• Dry Grass under your foot…
• A cool stream…
• Milk pouring into a glass…

An image came immediately to your memory when you read each word. The first three produced a different sensation than the last three for me. The first three had colour and some feeling. The last three had all of that plus sound. How about you?

Now add the words Mom and Dad – wait for a bit after you think of each of these words. If your parents are gone now… there will be a flood of memories now rushing to get attention. Some are good and some are not so good is my guess.

That has happened with me in Facebook as people have asked certain questions. Each question or suggestion about a time and place has made the rush of memories flood back. Then I dwell on the memory over and over again. The time that Facebook has gobbled up has been the stirring of my memories that have flooded back.

If I never am reminded of the memories – I never take the time to think of these things. I use that time in another way. However the stirred memory will not allow me to move on to the next task. Some of these memories cripple us for a while. Today at the memorial service for my friend I will have this happen again – all of us will.

For you that knew “Dale Cummins” – my friend that passed away last week – his very name will stir your memory. For you that do not know him you will read on without pausing and thinking about him.

Our cemeteries are filled with grave stones to help us remember our dead loved ones. Standing at the graveside will produce floods of memories of ones that have gone before.

Facebook has disturbed me in other ways as well. Younger people have asked me if I remember when I met them. They have asked if I can remember what we did together. Sometimes I can’t remember. They kindly type out how I touched their lives when I was their youth leader and friend – 40 years ago. Seeing me on Facebook has delighted them with many memories of our interaction. I smile as I read what they have said and slowly savour what they wrote….but sometimes I can’t remember.

I think some one should erect a memorial to all those lost memories. It can serve as a place where a person can go to touch the monument and all memories that you have lost will flood back.

God has created an amazing thing within me. It is called my brain – but it is far more than just a soft organ – it is my complete storage unit carefully mounted in a protected place. I need to protect it better.

I encourage you to read this amazing article about our memory in the National Geographic Magazine. It is available to buy or read online. The address is for that article is below.

Now go make some great memories today. Stir some memories up with some one else. And finally take some time find the ones that you have lost.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Article “Remember This – In the archives of the brain – our lives linger or disappear”
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/foer-text.html

Mapping Memories
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-11/memory/brain-interactive.html

Refelections on Facebook

I am now three months into a new adventure. It is something like being on a long holiday with new discoveries each day – new tombs of kings, new tourist traps, new sideshows and all the trappings of a new country to discover. I have been on Facebook now for three whole months. Wow! It seems like a life time already.

In a recent Time Magazine commentary, Joel Stein stated the following….
“In the pre-internet days, neither of us would have even thought of calling each other friends. We'd have called ourselves friends of friends who met once and yet, for some reason, kept sending each other grammatically challenged, inappropriately flirty letters with photos of ourselves attached. Police might have gotten involved.”

The commentary is entitled “You are not my friend.” When I read the title my first reaction was – ‘That is a little harsh…’ But when I read all of it I had to agree with most of what he said.

Joel states again…
“This is hard to say to a friend, but our relationship is starting to take up too much of my time. It's weird that I know more about you than I do about actual friends I hang out with in person--whom I propose we distinguish by calling "non-metafriends." In fact, I know more about you than I know about myself. I have no idea what my favorite movie or song or TV show is. Last I checked, they all involved Muppets.”

Now I believe in Evolution….Facebook has spawned two new categories – “non-metafriends” vs “metafriends”. The Facebook friends are different from my “non-metafriends”. I agree – I now can no more about people that I don’t know than people that I do know personally – but don’t really know. I can know them better by not knowing them personally and feel good about not knowing them even though I know more about them if I had met them personally.

I have taken a great deal of time reading over other people’s list of friends. I can listen in to their conversations and read what someone I have never known writes on their Wall…by doing that I have met two new friends that I do not know… and still do not know after reading what they have said to each other…yet they can be my friends.

In the old days if I walked into a “party” like this… it would take me less than fifteen minutes to declare that this is the biggest bunch of “flakes” that I have ever met. Everyone in those old party scenes were smiling, drinking and saying nothing. In Facebook I am not sure if they are smiling, drinking or doing whatever… I am not even sure if it is their real photo because there are no rules on that one… yet that is like the old party scene too… you were never sure of the real person that was on the inside of the person that was talking.

It seems we have come so far from the Garden of Eden experience…where everything was perfect and wonderful. The people that God placed there were perfect and were instructed by God to enjoy it all. Then the lady deceived her hubby into trying some cool new fruit… because of a deception… and they ate some together. The rest is history as they say. The “Fall of Mankind” as we know it was based on a deception and some bad decisions mixed with disobedience. “People that had too much time on their hands can get into trouble…” – is another way to look at it all.

I have found that in my third month, growing my friendship list in Facebook… I need time to search for old friends, answer messages from old friends and “talk to” my new friends. It takes about double the time to checking my emails. First I get an email that tells me that my friend in Facebook has sent me a message… then I click out of my email to enter Facebook… where I now sort through my new Inbox in Facebook where my new messages are waiting for me to respond to….

Facebook has doubled my time if not tripled my time on the computer. And I am not on it near as much as others are… but I get up an hour earlier to check who wants to be my friend and if any or my friends want to talk to me…. It is a bad day when no one clicks into my metalife…. I am getting depressed just thinking that no one will be there today for me.

I gotta get a life back….

What is really funny… I think it is anyway… I have discovered that husbands and wives each have their own Facebook profile and are communicating to each other via this mode. They are commenting on their photographs that they each have sent independently to each other… from the same computer… or another computer in the same house! It is good that they are on each other’s Facebook list of friends… but come on…. A Facebook relationship in a marriage…. I can understand if it is across the country and after many years… but if you have slept in the same bed last night… why not talk in the morning – one to one – to each other over breakfast?

But we seem to have a great need to talk to each other so others will hear what we say to people that we haven’t seen for years – have just met – or really don’t know.

It is one great big flaky party from the 1960s.

I have discovered some of the following as I use Facebook…

• Relatives that I have been together with for years are now my friends…wow too cool – that is way cheaper than a long airplane trip to a remote place with a mosquito infested family reunion…


• Old guys like me with or without their hair… without or with hair colouring in…


• Old guys don’t have as many “Facebook friends” as young guys do…. where can I get more friends at 63 years old?


• Most of your 63 year old friends from the past do not yet know how to use a silly computer…or are scared spitless to try…


• There is a status thingie to having more friends for some of my new friends on Facebook…


• I have a status thing growing in me to have more friends… this is really like the old days of DXing radio call signals from old Ham Radio operators. After you connected to the Radio person… they would send you a DXer card which you kept on your wall to declare how efficient and lucky you were to have gotten the signal….


• You guys and gals about 20 something have lots of friends… but not as many as 40 something guys and gals…


• Guys usually have more “friends” than gals do…


• What guys are saying is usually less profound and caring than what they girls are saying on Facebook…


• Girls are more perceptive that others may be “listening” to what is being said… guys don’t care and will “talk louder” to let others hear…


• I have heard some wonderful stories that are supportive and encouraging to each person involved…good things are happening in some small places…It is a wonderful tool to do some great things…


• I am learning something new each day….

Now I have to go outside and rake some leaves, cut some grass and maybe do something to help my neighbour – who is my new friend. If I get time today to check my emails and Facebook I will… but I gotta get a life.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Time Magazine Commentary Article... You are not my friend” by Joel Stein http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1668441,00.html

To help our local folk keep up to what our church is doing… we are publishing the following information.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007
10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP
Hearing From The Heart of INDIA...Part I
Guest Speaker: Stella Bogi
President of Trinity Christian College
Hyderabad, India

NORTHVIEW NIGHTS
Our study continues Tonight@:6:00pm
~What God can do through Ordinary YOU!~
LEADER: Pastor Tim Taylor
* held in the Prayer Room* * coffee is served!

This Week…
Men’s Ministry
7:00am Men’s Breakfast @Aviemore!(on McDonnel St.) Start your TUESDAY morning the right way, with some GOOD FELLOWSHIP !

Women’s Ministry
Ladies join us @ the Brookdale Restaurant - Brookdale Plaza – Tuesday morning – 7:00 AM

Helping Hands
HELPING HAND’S - TUESDAY’S AT 9:30AM
*It’s amazing how much these few ladies are
able to knit & sew for missions! The work they do for
‘MISSION PARTNERS INT. is remarkable.
Led by: Monica Church.

Wood Carving
Thursday nights at 925 Western Ave. – a small group is meeting to wood carving class. This class is designed for beginners and advanced carvers alike. Everyone is welcome. Contact Pastor Murray at 760-9389 if you are interested.

Scrap Booking:
2nd Tuesday 6:30-9:30PM at the Church
Scrapbook night [Vonda Martin].
Come preserve your memories. Bring a work
in progress or 5-6 photos in a theme. There
are some exciting NEW ideas to explore!
[$5.for supplies]

Prayer Requests: *~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jack Frizzell: this Wed./scope & cauterizing of the stomach. Please remember Jack and Thelma today. Hazel Cunningham: in hospital with a broken foot.
Continue to pray for: Paul Cook, Alex Farnsworth Sharon Haley, Roy MacArthur and Kay Mann.
Thank-you for praying...these are special people.
Prayer Chain Contact: Monica Church @ 876-7920

Passing of an Old Friend
Rev. Dale Cummings went home to Jesus this week. Please lift up Alberta, Glenna, Bruce their families. Funeral service is this Tuesday 10:00 am at Shepherd Village in Toronto.

Coming Events…
NEXT YOUTH NIGHT EVENT IS --- FRIDAY NOV 2nd @ 7:30pm at BOWL-ER-RAMA! $6 per person for shoes and games. All youth from grade 5 and up welcome. There’ll even be some ‘college age’ youth. Leaders: Paul & Sherri Munro

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY:

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Oct 30th TUESDAY 7-8:30pm
“DANIEL” by-BETH MOORE has begun!
NOTE: If you have not paid for your study book please see Stephanie Johnston or Josselyn ASAP.
The STUDY is -THIS TUESDAY!
NOTE: NOV- dates. [Nov 6th & Nov 20th]

REPORT
ON SEPT WORKDAY..APPROX 12
LADIES MADE 29 PIES!!! WOW. Also 12 shells are
ready for fresh cream pies on November 10th, all the
ingredients were supplied none had to be purchased!
OCTOBER WOMEN’S MINISTRY MEETING...
Notice: OCTOBER 27 is the next’ Work Bee’
for the CRAFT DAY & SALE / NOVEMBER 10TH.
*USE THE INSERT TO INVITE A FRIEND/VENDOR
we’ll have a sign-up sheet at the Oct mtg. if you can
bake muffins/cookies etc for the ‘TEA ROOM’
Thank-you SO MUCH faithful ladies.

You Can Help!
Northview S.S. Needs your help...our supply cupboard needs replenishing. We could
really use the following... Crayons/glue stick/brads/pipe cleaners washable markers/sparkles/any craft supplies. A basket will be placed in the foyer. Thank-you from the S.S.

Seniors:
This is something new for you! Twice
monthly on the 2nd & 4th Thursday.
Come for a relaxed afternoon,
involving games and a time of fellowship.
Led by: Brenda & Winston van Lier.
Open to all who are free /next time is
THIS THURSDAY OCT 25th 1:30-3:30pm.

39 the Second Time – Fellowship Group
LAST CALL - If you are interested in going to …Frankenmuth, Mich., USA To ‘Bonner’s Christmas Store’ and MORE! Please speak to Terry & Marion Manley 742-7737

NPC COMING EVENTS
“Country Crafts & Tea Room”- Nov 10th 10:00 AM – 2 PM
Sponsored by NPC Women’s Ministry

“Christmas in the Country” December 8th – 10:00 AM – till Noon – held at the Beamer’s

Northview Family Christmas – December 8th – 6:00 PM – in the Gymnasium

“Operation Christmas Child”
Our kiosk is prepared – boxes are ready for you to fill. Please take note at the new guidelines for 2007. The deadline is November 11 – Remembrance Day.

The World Clock and More People

Yesterday I was in shock as I walked through the local hospital. Originally I had stopped in to visit an older lady that had broken her foot in a fall. Next I walked through the Emergency Department to find one more person. Emerge is where today’s serious cases and problems come for help. My shock came from the number of people sitting and waiting for help. The place was way passed packed. We had an epidemic of problems and sickness. Where had all the people come from?

For the folks from the Peterborough area – you will know the old hospital’s layout and especially the Emerge. For outsiders I will try to explain what we have now. In only about a year we will have a sparkling new hospital – just a short distance from the old one. They are building it now.

As you pull up to the front door you will find the Emerge entrance on the right. As you walk through the large glass doors the entrance conducts your steps to the left into the first waiting room. Straight ahead of you is the Triage Nurse that takes your information. To the left of her are the two secretaries that prepare your wrist band and charts for the present visit. To the left of this area there is a large, locked door that allows you to enter the back area of the Emerge – first with a long hall way to a back corridor and then with different rooms for different problems. It is a maze of hurting and sick people that are on rolling beds of all kinds.

The first waiting room yesterday was so full that they had to add many extra chairs. There were twice as many people waiting for their turn “to be seen” by a doctor. They had all been seen by the Triage Nurse, had their charts prepared and were now watching and waiting for their name to be called. My guess is there were 30 people waiting here – normally you can see 10 to 15 sitting for the name call.

The line up to the Triage nurse had another 8 and more were coming through the door every few minutes.

The normal place was full and running over. But this was not the end of it.

I walked through the large doors to go back through the main hospital to the parking lot at the rear. There on my right were many more people sitting and waiting. They now had another dozen chairs with people on each one. Some of the people had their family members standing beside them. This hallway leads to the Xray room. Normally in busy times it is also full of beds with waiting people in hospital gowns. Normally this is the overflow from the deeper Emerge beds. This hall way had three beds plus all the extra chairs now.

One man about my age sat with his shoe and sock off – and one very big, swollen right foot.

Back to the large, locked door in Emerge… Just inside that door were more chairs for people to sit on – I counted six and they were all full. Past these chairs in the hallway were beds everywhere. The bed that I was in for my Kidney Stone problem was full as were all the others down that hallway. The people that were really sick and needed the wires and tubes connected were in the deeper areas of Emerge still.

What is going on? Why so many people in Emerge? This is not even Flu season yet? This is “fall off the roof when you are on weak ladders” kind of season. This is “cut your hand” season or “headache” season – not “FULL EMERGE” season!

Some one asked me last week if I had gone to the hospital for the Emerge People to look at my sore left leg (after I fell off the ladder). “No” – was my reply. Now I saw the reason for my own doctoring of my own pain. I walked on through Emerge with my leg feeling great. If I had come in last Tuesday with my pain I would have just made it to the back hallway to sit beside the other guy with his shoe and sock off. These people were not waiting for hours now – they seemed to be waiting for days.

Where do they all come from?

Our Health Care system is not just stretched – it well past strained to the point of breaking. There are no more waiting rooms to allow people to sit. There are no more waiting hallways… after being created – they are now full. Unless they provide a kind of bunk or a double layer seat arrangement – THERE IS NO MORE ROOM – anywhere!

But it is not just the hospital Emerge… it is everywhere. The population has increased and this place that we live in is full of people…. And getting fuller everyday.

In two hours time the large street that our small one connects to will be too busy to drive on to – without a light. It is a main artery for shopping and getting somewhere. All people coming to our city use it and all people getting to a shopping mall, restaurant or whatever also use it. On Saturdays and rush hour we avoid it altogether. Even in our little city it is too tight and too many.

I had to use the huge 401 Highway once last week. It was nuts. For more than 30 miles we were packed in automobile vehicle clutter between thousands of slow moving trucks. At times we were “walled in” between semi-trailers with heavy loads. For this 30 miles stretch it was stop and go, stop and go, then wait. Something was wrong away up ahead and we were all going nowhere. Did I mention that this was three and four lanes across. Looking up ahead of us you could see cars and trucks that were lined up forever.

Where do all the people come from? Where are they going? Where do they live?

Our planet is filling up with people – there is no more room! I would never have thought that 50 years ago as a 13 year old boy living in southern Saskatchewan – where you are surrounded by absolutely nothingness – or a prairie that goes forever and when you finally get to the place called forever – you have just started on your journey.

Even empty little towns in Saskatchewan are now refilling as houses are no longer available in cities. I heard recently of a new pastor in Regina that now lives 30 miles from the city because he cannot find a house in the city. As I grew up in that area – it was unheard of to travel farther than a half hour to your home from work. In fact there was no place in the city of Regina that you need a half hour to get to… not then – but maybe now.

A Discovery…
I discovered through a friend an amazing and frightening clock on the Internet. It tells the time accurately for you the moment that you click on to it. But at the left of the actual clock is startling – it shows population growth. Below all that it shows all the other factors that we are now facing as problems in our old world. It also shows all the reasons that a lot of people are in the hospital now… wow!

My simple study getting ready for this posting is as follows… I copied the exact population at 8:09 AM yesterday and then a 6:59 AM today. In 23 hours and 50 minutes our world population has increased by 200,716 people. That is scary for me! How about for you? By the middle of this next week we will be One Million plus – more people.

At 8:09 AM October 19, 2007
World Population 6,628,360,717
.
At 6:59 AM October 20, 2007
World Population 6,628,561,433

Now what do I do with this information? I know that it is crowded in the Emerge and getting worse every day. It is busy on our roads – all the time. Housing is hard to get in some places. I live in a crowded world.

I have choices. The choice may include many things for me.

• One choice is to sit and mull it over then get depressed.
• Or – do nothing…
• Or maybe today to help one or more of those six billion, six hundred and twenty eight million, five hundred and sixty one million, four hundred and thirty three people as of 6:59 AM this morning.

I think my choice is made for me already. I have to help someone today. For me that may be back at the hospital again. What will it be for you? Can you imagine if only 30% of all these people helped 2 others today – what might happen? Wow!

One startling thought for me is… God loves people. Today I am surrounded by more of God’s love than I have ever been before. Today I am also happy that I live where I do and can reach out to people when I have the opportunity.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Amazing Real Time World Clock http://dalesdesigns.net/world_clock.htm

The Amazing Real Time World Clock is now part of our "Links" as well

The Death of a Friend

As a boy the thought of death had little hold on me. It was a short, sad time when adults around you acted differently. They dressed differently and seemed to not be the way they were before. Some of them cried and their faces were red.

I can remember one situation when a family member had passed away and we all gathered in one place. My brother and I played outside having a great time. Whatever was happening inside the house was not really our business – it was the adult’s business. I can’t remember who was chasing who – but when we ran inside it upset my parents and we were quickly guided outside. There was a clash of feelings and emotions as they grieved and we played. Children don’t understand the loss that adults feel.

Today I am an adult and I grieve deeply for my friends that have passed away. My thoughts are rambling. The feeling of play and interest in things that are normal – have gone when grieving takes over. There is a period of grief that hurts so deeply that we can’t even describe it. We are numb and unable to do much of anything.

Grief does something else as well. It comes and goes – popping in and out of our lives when we least expect it. It is then that we sob deeply and breath seems to leave our own bodies. When someone is very close to me, they are a friend; grief is even harder to handle for me. There are moments that memories of what you have done together as friends flood back to the forefront of your thoughts – but then you know the friend is gone. Grief overwhelms me at that moment.

Yesterday I began the eternal dance again with grief again. We received a phone call that our friend Dale Cummins had passed away. The moment that it arrived the feelings were overwhelming again. Grief took over every aspect of my being. I was numb again.

The conflict is deep within my soul.

I knew Dale was older at 81 years of age. He had a heart problem and a recent stroke had placed him in the hospital. His eye sight had failed over the last few years leaving him with only a small peripheral vision. His love for reading and doing the intricate things he loved to do was taken away. When we visited him last week in the hospital he was struggling. His speech was slower.

But having said all that I remembered him as my friend that used to walk with me. We laughed together and shared many personal things as all friends do. His insights of the Bible and his ability to teach were amazing. Without a doubt he was the man that could teach you more about the Apostle Paul than any minister that I had met. Yet he was so humble. Never once would he promote his own person – but instead would step back to allow others the place of importance. In fact he shied of any self promotion. Dale was the most humble man I have ever met.

Having served as a school teacher in Canada and later as a Bible College teacher both in Africa and Canada, his life experience was rich. When we came to know each other well both of us were pastors in the same large church, living a short distance apart – in the two church houses near the old Scarboro Gospel Temple church in Scarborough, Ontario. I served as the Youth Pastor and he was the Pastor in charge of Christian Education and did some of the visitation for the church. Dales was the best at what he did. Always available and yet never pushing himself to the front. He served people – all of us.

Today is a quiet day as we wait to hear from the family when the funeral will be. Plans are not yet set in order as they wait for all the family members to get home. There is more time to reflect deeply and remember.

As a minister I ask you to pray for Alberta, Dale’s wife. She will need encouragement but she will be an encouragement to so many others as well. Together all these years she has done that right along with Dale. Now my own thoughts are rambling again. We all need prayer.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

This Is Going To Hurt!

“This is going to hurt!” – was my first thought. I distinctly remember that. It shot through my brain in a split second. It was so fast that I can’t remember seeing anything… really… except the ladder and the cement that came within inches of my face. Actually the first thought was “OH NO not now… I haven’t got time for this to happen!”

Whatever… the thought order was… I knew as I lay there that the next movements would determine if I continued the job that I was doing – or not.

A split second before I was about to climb down a wet ladder, just over the edge of a wet roof. I had placed my right foot on the second rung of the ladder and then brought the left foot to join the right one. I had a firm hold on the ladder. Everyone knows that you hang on when you are going down. Then it happened… a slow motion kind of movie scene. The ladder started to slip down. The bottom of the ladder on the slippery, wet cement was moving away from the house – and the top of the ladder with me on it was following slowly…but picking up speed rapidly as it left the roof’s edge. After the top end of the ladder with me on it cleared the edge of the roof – the decent was very quick. It was then that the thought I mentioned earlier came - “This is going to hurt!” – in fact I said it out loud after I hit the ground… “This is really going to hurt!”

Thank God for the fact that you instantly go into shock when you get hurt. Things that should hurt desperately – don’t. The body is amazing in this way. There is little or no pain at all. There is a bit of numbness where the greatest blow happened. There is a tiny bit of indication that this is the place that you should be aware of NOW! But there is little or no pain.

What I have described is a scene of a 63 year old man(me) having fallen 8 feet through the air riding a ladder to the ground to break his fall. The intention to do this was not there at the beginning of this short trip moments earlier. The intention was to get this roof top task done before more rain came…and before the darkness came.

Alida, my wife, came running when she heard the ladder clamor against the cement. My friend Doug, who was on the roof with me, and scared stiff( he hates heights), came quickly to the edge of the roof to see what had happened. By the time they arrived at the scene to look in on me I was up and checking body parts by poking and prodding the possible injured points.

Thank God for shock… I was okay at that moment. Nothing I could see or feel was broken. The limbs and my back were working okay. I could move both legs as I walked a short distance in the yard. The knees worked slowly up and down. The neck was okay as well. Both arms and hands were in tact. I could reach down to touch my left knee. Slowly the numbness was coming away from the left knee and a wee bit of pain was seeping through to my numb brain. “This is going to hurt a little tomorrow…” was my first statement to Alida, as she asked if I was okay.

At the moment of writing this, it is early “tomorrow” – and it does hurt a little. But not what I thought it would. Puffy and stiff – but moving okay. A wee bit of swelling but not broken (that I know of…).

I thank God today for his protection and the ‘break fall’ that he provided along the journey downwards. My head had been toward the house and the edge of the roof at the start of the journey downwards – and then ended completely away from the house facing the yard. I had done a 180 degree flip in that 8 foot journey. I don’t know how it happened – or the details… but I have the distinct sense now that an angel, that was much bigger than me, swooped in to flip me over the other way.

The landing made lots of noise – but my glasses never even came off. I was okay.

Early this morning a scripture verse came to my mind as I was waking up. This scripture verse comes from the Psalms 91:9-12… it says… “If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge--then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (NIV)

There is some comedy mixed with deeper truth in all that happens to me… most of you that read this Blog will know that by now. I just read these words over again. I didn’t strike my foot against a stone – just like it promised. I hit my left knee on the edge to the flower garden that helped break the fall completely.

The serious and deeply moving part for me personally is the first part of the promise. “If you make the Most High your dwelling --- even the LORD….” I have made the LORD my dwelling – I am tucked a way in under his great and powerful arms – or maybe in his shadow… and he looks after me…all the time.

Yesterday as we drove along the busiest highway in Canada – the 401 – moving easily with the flow of traffic, we sailed through the city of Toronto without one slow down at all. Thousands upon thousands of cars and trucks sped along with us. Huge trucks changed lanes with ease at over 120 kms per hour(70 miles per hour) I was traveling at a steady 110 kph (65 miles per hour) and they were passing me – left and right. At one point I was in a tunnel of high moving steel and rubber with two semi-trailers on one side and two on the other. The entire trip took over 2 hours and 30 minutes one way. Add to this there was thousands upon thousands of vehicles coming at us in the other direction on the other side of this busy highway.

Today I am aware that the same angel that broke my fall – was likely flying with ease above our car for over two hours. After we arrived he stood and waited for me in the back yard – right near the ladder. Then the rest of it all happened.

The completion of the story is simple. My friend Doug, who is a little older than me, was able to get his two feet over the top of the ladder and got to the ground un-phased. We stayed on the roof for another hour after my fall, worked well together and getting the task done.

Before I finish this short description of God’s intervention and my thankfulness for his help… I have to pray this prayer…

God, thank you so much for the angel’s care yesterday. I recognize your help and protection. I know where I made the mistake yesterday too. I forgot to check the ladder’s stability first. That won’t happen again…I promise. When we tried the first ladder and that one rung broke in the middle – I had a sense that I needed to check the other one too. But in my hurry to get done – I kind of blew it. Forgive me…for the hurry. Lord I want to thank you too – for my limbs and all of me is working pretty good today. You were there when I so desperately needed you. I thank you again.

And God… as you know I have to go back up the roof again today. I need the angel one more time if you can spare him. It won’t take long and I will be careful. I promise. Alida told me she would come and hold the ladder when I go up… but the angel’s help would be good too – just one more time. Thanks a million! - I ask it in your name….Amen.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

What You Do Lasts Forever

By Bruce Lindsay

It was a beautiful sunny calm day and I had a day off. I finished all my housework by about 11 am so I went outside in the backyard with my banjo and practiced. I played for an hour or so and then noticed a good number of people were coming into my neighbour’s back yard for a lunch. They didn’t ask me to be quiet and there were so many people talking, I expected my music would fade into the background. So I kept playing. I played for another couple of hours until my fingers were sore. By then the lunch party was over too.

A month or so later, my neighbour Stephanie came over. She said, “Thank you very much for playing for us during our reception. My father would have really loved it. You played all his favourite hymns. You must have seen the death notice in the paper and planned to play for us when we needed it most.”

I said, “I didn’t know it was your father’s funeral. I didn’t know you were having people over at all. I just went outside to play because it was such a nice day.”

She said, “We thought you were playing just for us. We’ve never heard you play better. It really meant so much, you’ll never know.”

You never know what impact you are going to have by doing your best at what you do.

About 3 months later she and her husband came over with a new baby. They had adopted a baby and were excited to show us. The baby was bundled up in a blanket so all I could see was a bald little head. She said, “Guess what we named the baby?”
I said, “Bruce?”

She said, “No… it’s a girl. Can’t you tell by the pink blanket?
“We named her Emma. After your daughter.”

What a great gift! What an honour!

There is a story I’ve heard about a man who was suicidal and was walking out of the city to some woods so he could hang himself in a place no one would find him. As he walked, he heard a piper on a hill playing “Amazing Grace”. From way back in the corners of his mind that he didn’t visit often, the words sprang up into his memory. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” He turned around and walked back into town. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous and turned his life around.

The man asked around, and found where the piper lived. He knocked on the door and the piper asked him in. He told him his story and thanked him. The piper was surprised. He had wanted to practice the pipes, but his wife didn’t like the noise, and so told him to drive off and play out of town somewhere that wouldn’t bother anybody. He played and practiced many songs and had since then, become quite good at the bagpipes. But that day he was playing Amazing Grace.

You never know what impact you are going to have by doing your best at what you do.

Northview's Sunday Bulletin - October 14, 2007

To help our local folk keep up to what our church is doing… We are publishing the following information.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007
10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP
Pastor Tim’s Message...
“The Presence of Christ In Today’s Church!”
I Corinthians 12

NORTHVIEW NIGHTS
Our study continues Tonight@:6:00pm
~What God can do through Ordinary YOU!~
LEADER: Pastor Tim Taylor
* held in the Prayer Room* * coffee is served!

This Week…
Men’s Ministry
7:00am Men’s Breakfast @Aviemore!(on McDonnel St.) Start your TUESDAY morning the right way, with some GOOD FELLOWSHIP !

Women’s Ministry
Ladies join us @ the Brookdale Restaurant - Brookdale Plaza – Tuesday morning – 7:00 AM

Keenagers 50+:
Our next pot luck is noon, THIS TUES. OCT. 16th Please bring a hot dish OR salad OR dessert and come for a time of worship & fellowshipand of course good food.

Scrap Booking:
2nd Tuesday 6:30-9:30PM at the Church
Scrapbook night [Vonda Martin].
Come preserve your memories. Bring a work
in progress or 5-6 photos in a theme. There
are some exciting NEW ideas to explore!
[$5.for supplies] THIS TUES. OCTOBER 9th

Wood Carving
Thursday nights at 925 Western Ave. – a small group is meeting to wood carving class. This class is designed for beginners and advanced carvers alike. Everyone is welcome. Contact Pastor Murray at 760-9389 if you are interested.

Prayer Requests: *~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jack Frizzell: next Wed./scope & cauterizing of the stomach. Please remember Jack and Thelma today - it’s been a very long haul. Sharon Haley: needs a hip replacement Pray for speedy surgery/relief from pain. Continue to pray for: Paul Cook, Alex Farnsworth
Roy MacArthur and Kay Mann. Thank-you for praying...these are special people. Prayer Chain Contact: Monica Church @ 876-7920

Special Today:
*We welcome George & Jessika Van Spronsen as new members of Northview Pentecostal Church!
(Anyone wishing to pursue membership, speak to Pastor Lincoln or secretary Josselyn...for a Membership packet.)

Coming Events…
NEXT YOUTH NIGHT EVENT IS --- FRIDAY NOV 2nd @ 7:30pm at BOWL-ER-RAMA! $6 per person for shoes and games. All youth from grade 5 and up welcome. There’ll even be some ‘college age’ youth. Leaders: Paul & Sherri Munro

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY:
3rd & 5th TUESDAY 7-8:30pm
“DANIEL” a POWERFUL-BETH MOORE
study on the Prophet Daniel with Life application.
>study books cost $18 WE HAVE ONE LEFT if we
need to order more tell us ASAP! [We are
working on CHILD Care IF NEEDED! Please tell
us if we can help you in any way...so you can
come. Led by: Stephanie Johnston.

NOTE: The First Study is Oct 16th this week– then in November we are back to the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

REPORT ON SEPT WORK DAY...APPROX 12
LADIES MADE 29 PIES!!! WOW. Also 12 shells are
ready for fresh cream pies on November 10th, all the
ingredients were supplied none had to be purchased!
Notice: OCTOBER 27 is the next’ Work Bee’
for the CRAFT DAY & SALE / NOVEMBER 10TH.
Thank-you ladies for your faithfulness.

You Can Help!
Northview S.S. Needs your help...our supply cupboard needs replenishing. We could
really use the following... Crayons/glue stick/brads/pipe cleaners washable markers/sparkles/any craft supplies. A basket will be placed in the foyer. Thank-you from the S.S.

Seniors:
This is something new for you! Twice
monthly on the 2nd & 4th Thursday.
Come for a relaxed afternoon,
involving games and a time of fellowship.
Led by: Brenda & Winston van Lier.
Open to all who are free /next time is
THIS THURSDAY OCT 11th 1:30-3:30pm.

39 the Second Time – Fellowship Group
If you are interested in going to …Frankenmuth, Mich., USA To ‘Bonner’s Christmas Store’ and MORE! Please speak to Terry & Marion Manley 742-7737

NPC COMING EVENTS
“Country Crafts & Tea Room”- Nov 10th 10:00 AM – 2 PM
Sponsored by NPC Women’s Ministry

“Christmas in the Country” December 8th – 10:00 AM – till Noon – held at the Beamer’s

Northview Family Christmas – December 8th – 6:00 PM – in the Gymnasium

“Operation Christmas Child”
Our kiosk is prepared – boxes are ready for you to fill. Please take note at the new guidelines for 2007. The deadline is November 11 – Remembrance Day.

Escape of the Elephants

By Bruce Lindsay

There was a funny incident last summer (July, 2007) when 2 elephants escaped from the circus in Newmarket in the middle of the night. Neighbourhood residents called the police claiming they’d seen an elephant, and it didn’t take long for police to find them. The elephants kept leaving their calling cards all over the front lawns they visited. That poop requires a pretty big scoop!

It was a harmless incident but there are some things about the story that we can all learn from. Sometimes we need to make like an elephant and escape!

The Garden Bros. Circus actually had three Asian elephants “Susie”, “Bunny” & “”Minnie”. They had been trained using the ‘invisible fence’. It works with a cable set up for a barrier and a collar on each elephant. At first, you set up white flags around the perimeter. As young elephants approach the perimeter flags the collar sends out warning noises that increase in noise until they reach the cable. At that point they get an electric shock. The elephants quickly learn to stay away from the white flags. Soon the flags can be taken away and the cable is enough. That’s the stage these elephants were at. Eventually, the cable can be turned off. The elephants just stop trying to wander. A friend of mine is using the same technique to train his golden lab puppy.

It was 2:30 am and somehow the power went out. Susie and Bunny made a break for it. Poor Minnie was fast asleep. I feel bad that Minnie missed out on the adventure. I often wonder if elephants have dreams. I think they do. Susie was found eating grass in the middle of a nearby field. I like to think that was her dream-come-true, standing alone in a big field full of grass. A whole field to herself!

But Bunny had different dreams. She wanted to explore!

A York Region Police dispatcher told patrol cars to be on the lookout for "one outstanding elephant . . . last seen heading north on Crossland Blvd."

A lady in the neighbourhood woke up thinking some kids were making some noise. It’s one thing to wake up and smell the coffee. It’s something else entirely to wake up and smell elephant droppings on your front lawn. Bunny had eaten her lilies and left her a large gift.

Soon an officer radioed in that he had the "outstanding elephant" in view. "It's just eating someone's tree."

Our minds are not all that much different than elephants. As children we are sometimes told we can’t do something and we learn that it is true. Sometimes it’s for our own good. I was taught not to steal. I remember that it was a tough lesson for me to learn.

But we are sometimes told things that do nothing but trap us and cage us in. Being told “You are no good. You’ll never amount to anything. You are useless. You are stupid.” Being told things like that, especially as children, mentally puts people in chains. They soon learn to stop trying, and believe inside that there is no use in trying.

I coached a boy on my son’s baseball team like that. He tried to pitch for one inning. I helped him get warmed up and I believed he would do quite well. In the game, he walked three batters and never threw a single strike. I walked out to him and asked, “How are you doing?”

He just broke down in tears. He said, “I suck!” He pulled his hat down over his face and marched to the bench.

I looked around for his parents to help me. But nobody came to help. Another mom said that his case worker just drops him off for the games and picks him up later. This boy is in foster care. He never sees his parents anymore. His mind is in chains.

I put my arm around his shoulders and picked him up. I told him he doesn’t have to pitch anymore but we need him to play. I couldn’t let him quit. He took over at first base with tears still streaming down his face. We still ended up winning the game and this boy was a valuable part of our team. But he never believed he was, and he never tried to pitch again.

Some of us are like that boy. We’ve been told we are worthless so often we believe it. We don’t dream any further than the small invisible fence in our minds. We’re like Minnie, ignoring our big chance, sleeping through it. I hope you aren’t like that.

I hope you are like, Suzie and Bunny, and haven’t given up on your dreams. I hope you are just like Suzie and Bunny, waiting for the opportunity to come to make your dreams come true. The power is off! Run for it! Make your dream come true today!

Photo by RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

Trainer Billy Morris hoses down Susie and Bunny after they escaped from their compound and went for a late night stroll in Newmarket. Elephant Minnie (left) slept through the excitement.

Resource
http://www.thestar.com/article/235562