The "Voluntolds" vs The "Volunteers"

The Seminar looked like a great idea. The topic was interesting and the actual reason behind it all was very important. What I have just stated could be said about dozens of meetings that I have attended over these last years.

The seminar was about forming networks of people and organizations that work towards preventing and eliminating Elder Abuse or Older Adult Abuse in the community. I was part of this seminar yesterday… at least for half the day and half the speakers. (I had to leave after lunch for another call… :) This seminar took place at the St. Josephs at Flemming Senior’s residence – in Peterborough.

This seminar, however, had some of the lop-sided features that other seminars I have attended have had. It was hard to put my finger on – all the times before – and also yesterday. The attendees were from all over the central areas of Ontario. They came from a variety of agencies and groups. There were about 50+ attendees. Nice people with great abilities. But something was wrong…or maybe I should say something was “different” for me. I couldn’t put my finger on it except to say that as I looked around I couldn’t find anyone that I could identify with. There was no one like me. (some think that may be good... :)

At first I thought it may have been because there were only four men out of the 50+ people in the room. Believe me that can make you edgy as a man! But that wasn’t it. Then I wondered if it was because I didn’t know more than 4 people as well. No, that wasn’t it either. People are easy to meet. People were dressed roughly the same. There were some racial differences but for the most part we were the average, ordinary Ontario kind of people that would attend a seminar on a day when others were working.

What was it that I was feeling odd about?

The first notable thing was that – there were only maybe six people that were over 60 years of age. The majority of the crowd was under 45 to 50 years of age. Hey at 63 you begin noticing this kind of thing. Grey hairs stand out – yes… but some younger than me also had grey hairs. It was a younger crowd.

The second notable thing is that the participants all worked in some sort of organization that worked with seniors. Other than the 3 police officers that attended the others were specifically connected to jobs that had “the senior business” at heart. Seniors are their target audience. There were no seniors in the audience. The only one that I could identify sat across the table from me – and she was my age. Another was a University Prof that spoke to us – but as a Senior she still worked. By senior I mean – people that are older and people that do not work any more…probably retired.

At our table the “Ahhaaah!” moment took place for me. The one that I could identify and sat across the table from me – about my age- stated a new term for me. She asked if the group we worked with consisted of “Volunteers” or “Voluntolds”. It was like a light came on for me. Every committee meeting, every organizational meeting and perhaps even the main meeting of the local group dealing with the Elder Abuse or Older Adult Abuse is made up of a majority of “Voluntolds” – not “Volunteers”.

Take a look at these definitions…
Definition of voluntold :.
(vŏl'ən-tōld)
1. (v.) When one has been volunteered for something by another person. Often against their wishes or desires.
Example: My mom voluntold me to help at Aunt Muriel's wedding.

Definition of Voluntold [v.]
Volunteered for something by a superior, when there was really no choice in the matter. Submitted by Leesy.

The room yesterday was filled with a majority of people that were told to come. What’s more they were paid to be there… and their companies were making sure they stayed the whole day. More than that – perhaps 1/3 the audience comprised of presenters – people that were there to share their expertise with rest of us “experts” – a majority of Voluntolds.

I know that this may not make sense to some reading today. Let me try to explain…

• Voluntolds are there because of the interests of their own group.
• Voluntolds will not want to be there…often they do it as part of their jobs – a job description.
• Voluntolds hardly ever go out at night “on their own time” to help with a group that works with seniors… they do that all day long.
• Voluntolds are powerful – with their own group’s power behind them.
• Volunteers are there because they are interested.
• Volunteers want to be there. It is not part of their job.
• Volunteers are always out at night for their cause, or in the afternoon, or in the morning – but it is on their own time –LOTS OF IT.
• Volunteers are powerful beyond their imagination – way outside their own group’s.

There is a remarkable difference between a Voluntold and a Volunteer.

I left the meeting at 1:30 PM. The Voluntolds were more than the rest of us. I know now why I do not attend the monthly “Voluntold’s meeting” in our area. I have been uncomfortable there and walk away from each meeting wishing I had not said “Yes – I will be there.” But remember that Volunteers in fact always say “Yes” before they consider the while picture.

Reflection…
Over the years church has been like that as well. There are Voluntolds and Volunteers. The Voluntolds come for very different reasons than Volunteers.

The Christian faith is in fact about Volunteers that give every thing they are and have to make their faith come alive. Unfortunately there are way too many Voluntolds…but should they ever take over a group – the Volunteers all leave.

I am mulling over this contrast today. Love to hear from you on this one.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Sources…
http://www.unwords.com/unword/voluntold.html
http://www.theofficelife.com/business-jargon-dictionary-V.html

So Sorry....

Grrrrr. Humph! You gotta be kidding! Okay I can do this - but how? Yippeee that one works... oh no I can't even find the disk for that one!!! What will I do?

I could go on line after line... with the thoughts that run through my head now.

I am making the and taking the leap from one computer to the next - a newer model - with VISTA - the new operating system that is now on all new computers. I am leaving the familiar XP - something that I know - for something that is great ... except that I do not understand. Oh so much -so fast - so unknown....?!?!

Then add to that some major crisis in a few people's life, some great vitcories to celebrate in another few, and some meetings that I have to attend - drawing me away from the norm.

I wish the world would stop turning so fast.

Now plunk the challenge of VISTA into my life... oh boy. Last night I went to bed with a new Bing-a-Ling in my ears... and wondering where two important programs are.... Oh boy!

Then I met a man that is losing his leg in one week's time. I met another with some major adjustments in his safety issues... and will have to leave his own home... another is coming out of jail and will need some help soon. Death is advancing in another's life.

Bing-a-Ling - is not that bad after all.

Oh boy I have to run... the first meeting is in 20 minutes - the next is one hour from now...

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The "S & A Factor"

Bob was 26 years old. As he sat beside me he shook his head. “I can’t do this. You don’t know how hard this is. I mean – I can’t do it!” His voice shook. Bob was my friend and had come off a major Heroin addiction . Add to that a few other street drugs that he had used – he had been a mess. Now he was almost 10 months clean. In fact he was clean enough to be able to get a job.

The era was in the early 1970s. The jobs available were low paying. My own salary as a computer technician averaged about $125 per week… which was good back then. Basic entrance jobs like the new McDonalds was very low – likely about $2.00 per hour. That was the all that Bob could do – or would be accepted to do.

His statements about not being able to do this – was all about a job. He couldn’t find himself working for the pittance that the entrance level jobs offered. There was a reason.

Bob had become addicted to Heroin while he did the run from Windsor, Ontario to Toronto in the borrowed car. “They” gave him a car to drive and he did it with ease. In the car there was well over $250,000 of drugs that were smuggled into Canada and then transported to the Toronto area. Each of his runs paid him well over $2000 per week. He had money to burn.

Bob was from a good family. But the family failed in one major area. That area was the “S & A Factor” His dad was a dentist. The family was well off. Bob was the only child and Bob was an addict. One major thing that Bob needed – Bob would not get. He needed “Support & Accountability”. Most of the time he received silence. When his dad did talk to him – it was to threaten him. Or the final times that Dad talked with him was to promise that he would never help him again. So Bob made his own way… and $2000 a week was almost as much as the old man was making.

The S & A Factor in a kid’s life is huge. For over four decades I have watched as kids have screamed silent screams to parents that were just too busy. The parents offered a kind of accountability – “You do it or else!” But they were too busy – or were never there. Oh they were good parents – but they were absent – and the one major factor that really would have made it special was support – and it was missing. That is the S Factor. But the S Factor without the A Factor –accountability is not good either.

Jameel lived in a different era. He was black and fatherless. His mom dropped him off at our youth group and asked if I could help him. Now at fourteen he was growing rapidly. His baggy clothes and style was most important. The era was 1987 through to the mid 1990s. Jameel was doing stuff and the stuff he was doing was not good. Older guys like Jameel had shown him he ropes… they were his new “dads”. He was into drugs and big money.

When the police busted him he had $750,000 in his front hall closet. Actually when they had busted him – the money was gone. His friends, a fourteen and a fifteen year old had stolen the bag after school. When the police came however there was some damming evidence. Where the brown paper bag of money had been stored there was now two sawed off guns. One was a shot gun and the other a high caliber rifle. Jameel’s new “dads” had used him to stash the drugs, the money and the guns. They held him accountable and his support were threats that normal 14 year old boys would not be able to sleep with.

Justin is different than Jameel. He lives in Peterborough and is white. His dad has a fantastic job and makes huge money. Justin was pushed at my staff and told – fix him please. The over bearing mother felt that we should and could do something with this kid. Even with the huge amounts of time that my staff offered – Justin wasn’t fixable. Justin was a drug addict already at 15. He was stealing money from mom’s purse. He stole things from people’s garages on his street. He had now graduated to stealing from nearby neighbourhoods.

When Justin’s mom called in a tearful rage, she said, “I thought you were going to do something for my son. He has been taken into custody. They say he stole a car last night and that they found drugs in the car when they caught him. I don’t believe it!”

Justin couldn’t get the support he needed and the only accountability was, “You do this or else. The pastor will be with you tonight – mom and I have a special thing we have to go to. I want you in that youth program – it will be good for you.”

It hasn’t changed much in 50 years. The last era I will mention is the one that had a huge group of boys in it. The one group that I know so well numbered about a half dozen. There was little S & A Factors in their lives. They found it among themselves. They found it in booze – quite a few became alcoholics. Then at the edge of their group were the druggies. They started on pot and hash, then graduated to Heroin and Cocaine.

Two boys that I know better than all the rest were close to me. One was named Glen. He did the pot and hash thing first in grade nine. He quit school in grade ten. He tried to return to school two more times but the drugs together with the sale of the drugs required all of his time. His dealing and business of drug trafficking took over. Without an education he did well. His new dads were the largest Bike Gang on the west coast working out of Vancouver.

Glen was my brother. I conducted his funeral in January 1992 – he died in the last days of 1991. The hardest part of my ministry was going home to tell mom – that her son was dead. His death was not related to the drugs. Glen was clean. I loved that guy so much. But not near as much as his wife and kids did.

The best part he was a good dad.

I said that there were two boys – the other one was Murray – that’s me. The ordained minister – that was once a rising computer technician/programmer. Well he needed the S & A Factor just like Glen did. But it wasn’t there. Dad was like others in the post war years – very busy making money to just support the family in the post war days. And Murray found comfort in a bottle and booze. I have been clean for 41 years now.

With these reflective years of life now… I look back and think.

• What if there was more time and effort placed into the “S & A Factor” of a family.


• What if we concentrated more on Support for our kids… by attending their hockey, baseball and soccer games – even though we are very busy?


• What if we were the single most important person in their life – and when there we told them how great they were and how much we loved them?


• What would happen if we were really the best and only dad that they needed – just by being there with them?




• What if we spent time telling our kids of what we have seen and making it clear what drugs will do to them?


• What if we spent some time at Youth Court and make ourselves aware of the things that are happening with teens in our community?


• What if we sat with our kids and taught them what it was all about – by first becoming aware and then sharing what we know about drug addiction?


• What if we paid more attention about where they go and who the people they are involved with?
  Please remember the “S & A Factor” requires one top thing – and that is... you are the parent and they are the child… you are responsible for many things… and your kids are at the top of that list.
  
  God help us to be more active in early intervention. God help us to “S & A People”.
  
  ~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Weekend Bits and Bites

It is Monday. The start of another week is upon us… the weekend is over – now work begins for most of the western world. One question that I heard last week and I am sure that it may be asked today sometime – “So what did you do over the weekend?”

One person had asked me that question and my reply was simple – I was in church all weekend. And I worked on Sunday too. Their puzzled looked was funny – almost a feeling of pity for me. “It’s okay.” I responded, “I am a minister.” His reply was odd but understandable, “Oh, I thought you were like the rest of us…” I had a number of quick to response ideas that were there…but I didn’t let them slip. Like – ‘No I am a dinosaur’ – or – ‘Naw, I walk on water a lot and do the odd miracle the way my boss does…’ I can actually think of a dozen off the wall comments that could spring quickly to my lips.

Why not take a look inside a Pastors life – through me? Here is what this last weekend was like…

We began on Friday – after working all day – with our First Weekend adventure. We, Alida and I, attended and conducted the rehearsal for a Wedding that would take place on Saturday night. That was over by about 9:45 PM.

Saturday was full with a volunteer luncheon to honour volunteers in a certain aspect of the community. Then we were home for an hour or so, change clothes again and head to the church to make the last minute preparations for the wedding at 6:00 PM. By 7:30 PM the last wedding guest left the building and it is lock down time…struggling with some doors that don’t work right. We got home at 9:30 PM…too tired to do much more.

Sunday – my best day at work – is something to look forward to… It began early with my first check in with ‘my boss’ at about 5:00 AM. Reading, writing, praying, thinking all mixed together top up to my starting point. It takes me about 5 hours to get ready for church – at least that is how long I wait till we can get there. I am stirred with the content inside of me…. I can’t wait – but I have to.

If I am preaching on Sunday morning the excitement and fear is mixed tightly together. Butterflies mixed with Bullfrogs are inside me – making my stomach twitch at times. What I am about to have to say will encourage some folk, make others stare blankly and still others will fold their arms and want none of what I will say. There will be from HOT to COLD reactions all over the building.

In fact as I share this part of the story of yesterday, I bet you would like to try to speak some Sunday as well. Right?

Yesterday our congregational mix was amazing as usual. There were ‘saints’ and ‘sinners’ mixed together. There were artists, writers, carpenters, medical personnel, school teachers, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, and all different ages.
There was…

• the ‘arms folded’ type people (“Not going to tell me anything new”),
• the ‘Ho Hum’ people (“must be something better to do”),
• the ‘I Can’t Believe It – Wow!’ people (“new Christians and so interested”),
• the sit off to the Edge and look at other people - people(“are these other people real”)
• the bored silly and wanting back to the computer game people (their fingers are twitching on imaginary controls)
• add a few angry people (their husband or wife has crossed them a few hours ago)
• and a few more just plain angry (we never know why – but are glad we are not married to them…)

What do you preach about? Should you get excited about what you are saying – or keep it monotone all the way to the bitter end – and then make the end come early and let them go after 12 minutes flat.

NOTE: Another pastoral friend of mine has orders that his sermons need not be longer than that. It is their expressed concern for their congregation “That their congregation need not be kept sitting longer than that.” Quite a few of his people hold their watches checking the timing.

I apologize to our congregation – I tend to weave six – five minute ideas together and then the odd time get way to excited about it all and then add another 7 minutes – too much.

The results are kind of predictable…

• 15% will never respond… they were quiet when they came in and quiet when they go out…
• 40% - smile… and sometimes even nod… one or two of these are people who might even say “Amen” – "Preach it brother!"
• 15% - respond deeply, listen closely and make some huge decisions to change…
• 20% - nod off… and doze a wee bit getting ready for lunch…
• 10% - still have their arms crossed and stare at me… not sure why… they are alive but not happy…(but I don’t have to go home with them!)

The actual sitting group ranged in age from about 12 years old up to 90. Each had a variety of outside interests – making their personal interests at the moment of my preaching so large that one kind of message is very difficult to keep everyone’s attention.

The preaching message that I share has buried itself deep inside of me and is ready to come out. I am excited about the scripture that I will preach on…but some folk have never heard about the scripture that I will read. Others listening, hold on every word to see if I make a mistake – so they can tell me later. Some will fall asleep and nod off… when the wake up I am at a different place in the message… The typical person is able to stay with me for about a maximum of 7 minutes. It is equivalent to an average TV show in between commercials.

I still bet you would like to try to speak some Sunday as well. Right?

Don’t get me wrong… I love what I do – but there is a wee bit of stress by the time 12:00 PM gets there.

The Foyer Church…
The really rewarding part comes in the Foyer after the service. In our setting the Foyer is large and accommodates many people laughing, giggling and interacting with each other. This happens before and after the actual service. I call this the “Foyer Church” – the best part about the morning…interaction with friends…. and sometimes it goes on for about an hour… ending just before 1:00 PM.

The “arms crossed” and the “never responds” never hang around to talk, or laugh, or giggle – they are gone to restaurant to stare at each other with no smiles….

There are too many stories to tell about the “Foyer Church” to get it all out.

One story I will share is about “Izzy”. Izzy is a short little lady that is from all appearances frail. She comes to church alone – no family. A lady in our church goes to pick her up, helping her to get dressed so that she can come.

Izzy is a great story teller and a talker. She speaks her mind openly. Her 4 foot 6 inch frame is slight and not at all strong – and does not match her spirit – which may well be 7 foot 10 inches tall.

Two Sundays ago Izzy engaged three other women in a story. She began, “I was sitting in my doctor’s office and telling him what I had been experiencing. He looked at me and said, “You’re a liar…” I became very angry and said… “Nobody calls me a liar! I tell the truth!” – So I DECKED HIM!” As she spoke her spirited words she waived her tiny fist in the air. Laughter spilled all over the floor.

At the same time Izzy is speaking - in another area of the Foyer.. three men are joking with each other… their laughter is loud and fun. You gotta grin with them…

In a number of spots people are hugging each other and laughing… one is crying…

Encouragement is applied heavily in the Foyer Church. Laughter and love go a long ways in this area.

This has become way too long –like a really long sermon for some. I close by adding..
We would love to see you come to church sometime.

• 55% of our church might try to shake your hand and will definitely talk with you…they will likely be talking to someone when you see them… and then come over to talk with you…
• 15% may not say much – I think they are shy…
• 20% will be trying to wake up after their nap…
• 10% will still have their arms crossed and may not shake your hand…we apologize…

I love my job!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

SPECIAL NOTE: None of the photos shown are of our congregation... all are borrowed from other sources to protect our identities and prevent any potential law suits.

Northview's Sunday Bulletin - November 25, 2007

Quote: “When you stop having dreams and ideals – well, you might as well stop altogether..” Marion Anderson, 1902 – 1993 American Concert and Opera Singer

An older man looked at the people in the senior’s home where he was visiting. He saw them in various states of waiting… waiting for a Nurse, waiting for a program… waiting for their meals… or just waiting for the end. His comment was, “I don’t want to ever be like… I am not that old!”

It is true we will all likely slow down a lot… we may even lose some of our faculties… but we don’t need to stop dreaming and having an ideal. There is a huge difference between “just waiting for something” and “you can’t wait for tomorrow”.

The vibrancy that we have when we were young – can still be there when we get older – it is a state of mind – or another way to say it is – a mindset. The problem is that some have a poor “set mind” – in place of a “good mindset”.

Have you noticed that no one can change your mind… you are the one that is responsible for the mind that you have.

Finally – a big man by the name of Muhammad Ali said, “The man who has no imagination has not wings.”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~


SUNDAY, November 25, 2007
10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP
‘Pastor Lincoln’s Message’
“The Gift That Will...
Never-Stop Giving!”

NORTHVIEW NIGHTS
Our study continues Tonight@:6:00pm
~From Pit to Pinnacle~
“Remembered and Promoted by God”
A new study on the Life of Joseph
Tonight: “Imprisoned and Forgotten By Man”
LEADER: Pastor Tim Taylor
* held in the Prayer Room* * coffee is served!

This Week…
Men’s Ministry
Usually Meeting at 7:00am Men’s Breakfast @Aviemore!(on McDonnel St.)
The Men’s ‘Breakfast Club’ is invited to a Free Breakfast hosted by Toastmasters 7-8:30am at The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, 175 George Street
(across from No Frills and beside Tim Hortons)

This week is special…we are joining the Toastmasters Breakfast: Information
Bruce Lindsay is the initiator of this event. He will moderate a panel of three speakers addressing drug & alcohol abuse in our community.
>>They Are<<<
Staff Sgt. Ted Boynton: A detective with many years experience in Drugs and Intelligence cases with the Peterborough Lakefield Police Dept. & RCMP.

Chaplain Dan Haley: A chaplain with over 20 years experience in the prison system.

Pastor Murray Lincoln: Chair/Citizens Advisory Committee to the Parole Office, & first-hand experience on how drugs and alcohol affect families.

Women’s Ministry
Ladies join us @ the Brookdale Restaurant - Brookdale Plaza – Tuesday morning – 7:00 AM Note: Ladies – you are also invited to the Toastmaster Breakfast – see above…

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
– NOW WORKING ON A CHRISTMAS 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:
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In Hospital this week: Hazel Cunningham(severely fractured leg) Evelyn Monaghan (gall bladder procedure) Arthur Wilkin: (hemorrhage). Kay Mann: needs our prayer/ not doing well. Continue to pray for: Jack Frizzell, Alex Farnsworth, Sharon Haley, Roy MacArthur and Lila Warren {who is doing much better}. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank-you for praying...these are special people. Prayer Chain Contact: Monica Church @ 876-7920 Coming Events…

We have a treat for you!
For the Sundays in December we have some special speakers.

• Sunday December 2nd Mrs. Helen MacLeod
• Sunday December 9th Rev. Arthur Wilkin
• Sunday December 16th Mrs. Cathy Taylor
• Sunday December 23rd Pastor Lincoln’s Christmas Message

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY:
Next study Tues. Dec. 4th[7-8:30pm] We continue with session five of “DANIEL...Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy” by Beth Moore. The 20 ladies involved with this study all agree...It is well worth the time!

YOUTH THIS FRIDAY - NOV 30TH - YOUTH-FUN NIGHT STARTING @ 6:55 PM Meeting this week at the St. Stephenson’s Presbyterian Church – 1140 St. Paul’s Street – to attend a Christmas Drama where our own youth are involved. We have an active and vibrant youth group thanks to two faithful couples, Paul & Sherri Munro and the Shoemakers along with young adults who give of their time.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY DEC 8TH 10AM-NOON
Held at the Beamers’ beautiful home in the Country.
1.Please take note of the sign up sheet in the foyer with a list of choices on what to bring.
2. Please come prepared to exchange a Christmas Tree ornament.
3.Please come ready for the “Christmas Gift Offering for our Missionaries” Marilyn Bush, The Rob Heyman family & Gloria Swift. [Sorry guys this is a Ladies only event]

NORTHVIEW FAMILY CHRISTMAS
DEC 8TH 5:00PM in the Gym *
Please see Grant or Nancy Calberry in the foyer
for your ticket{$5 each to $15 family maximum]

>> ALSO: we are looking for Talent from
among our church family. {It could be Music/Singing
Reading/ A Family Skit or a number of other things}
Please contact Josselyn at the church office 748-4573
with your ideas. *We want this to be a great night, with
‘just family’ enjoying each other...but we’re counting
on you to make it a success!

PETERBOROUGH COMMUNITY
CHAPLAINCY CHRISTMAS SUPPER
DEC 15TH 6:00PM “Speaker: CSC National H.Q.
Canada Federal Prison Chaplaincy”
This is a night we set aside to honor all those who
have helped and supported our ministry though-out
the year, Please let Dan Haley know if you plan to come.

Secretary’s Notes:
Church Directory: it has been brought
to my attention that it’s necessary to have a
form (giving permission) to print information
in a directory from all who will appear in it.
I have a DRAFT copy of the proposed
directory in the foyer. Please check it
out and fill out an information slip [if you
have not already done so] This will give us
permission for printing.

With that said I will not be able to print a
new directory until Jan 08 as I am on
holiday for the first two weeks of Dec.
Sorry to make you wait..[Josselyn]

NPC COMING EVENTS

Ladies – “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

Ponder Points:
Dream a Dream – words and music by Jonny Olsen

Dim the lights
Come to bed
Fluff your pillow
Rest your head

We're all the same
Know what I mean
Close your eyes
Dream a dream

Close your eyes and dream
I want you to dream a dream

Hear the birds
Sing a song
Climb a tree
Sing along

See the fish
Swim the stream
Take a plunge
Dream a dream

Take a plunge and dream
I want you to dream a dream

See the sun
Pierce the glass
Soak in it
While it lasts

Now that it's day
How do you feel
Did you take your dream
And make it real
Take your dream and make it real
I want you to make it real

Bullying For All Its Worth

I am writing this on the days following another tragic death of a young man that has taken his own life. His name is “Shaquille Wisdom” and was a grade 7 student in the school in Ajax, Ontario – just a short distance from our city. Shaquille is black . He was not in the big city of Toronto – not from the Jane Finch Area that is notorious for killings and gang violence. Ajax is a quiet and beautiful little community. Ajax is nice.

Shaquille, I am so sorry that I couldn’t do something more to prevent this from happening. I join in a chorus of voices to remember you. I join others in making the strong statement against the reality if “Bullying” in our communities.

Shaquille’s story broke this week as this horrible blight of bullying is highlighted across Canada. National Bullying Awareness Week this year is November 19 – 25, 2007.

Further east…Smithfield public school is in Brighton, Ontario. Brighton is also nice. It is even further from the Jane Finch gang areas of Toronto. Here you will find Bullying too. Students here were the target of a “K-unit” – a small group of 4 other 12 year olds. In fact from what has come to light – they purportedly had presented a “kill list” on September 26 with 10 Grade 7 student’s names on it.

When the “kill list” was discovered the 4 students were suspended from school for 6.5 days. When they(the “K-unit”) returned to school some of the 10 students that had their name on the “kill list” didn’t attend.

It seems that a map of the school yard was uncovered and it showed the school yard mapped off and each of the “K-unit” had a specific area to control – to look after the bullying in that area.

I can say this with confidence today. We live in a really sick world. No one will refute that I am sure. I stand up and shout today – something is wrong! Something is broken! Someone needs to do something!

A Good Movie to watch…
The other evening I watched a powerful movie about bullying. It is called “Mean Girls”. The story is about a young lady that was raised in Africa and then moved back to the United States with her parents taking up new jobs back home. They are a white family and have home schooled their daughter in the country that they lived in Africa. She arrives in her new town and new school experience having never attended High School before – or any class in a school. Few of us could realize the tensions that the teen would have.

In the school there were three girls that were the center of everything that was to do with bullying. Well dressed and well off – not the kind of people that one would think of as tough characters. The rest of the students knew them as “The Plastics”. None wanted anything to do with them – but all were affected by them.

In the movie the girls had created a “Burn Book” – where everything nasty, hurtful and mean that they knew about all the school was recorded with a picture of the target people.

The movie’s “Burn Book” sounds amazingly like the “killing list” of the Brighton area. You gotta watch it!

SO… what has that to do with a church… Northview in particular?
Well let me tell you a little secret – churches have Bullies too. And Bullies in churches are even more dangerous – they dress nice and even look like Christians… they sing like Christians and you might not believe it…. hold your breath….they PRAY to God like a Christian does.

When I began pastoring in Ontario, 33 years ago… I began my work in a town called Walkerton. The church that I worked in had a record – a not so good record. I was told later that if a Pastor survived this church and continued in the ministry – he would go somewhere… if he didn’t he would quit. The records that were shared verbally were fairly accurate.

The church had two fairly well off families. One man in particular had more money and property than the others did. When the Pastor at the church would preach or do something that displeased the “Old Man R” – “Old Man R” would stop giving his money. The problem was that “Old Man R” had money – in fact he was one of the main givers in the church. If “Old Man R” stopped giving – the pastor could not be paid – and the Pastor would likely leave going to another church where “Old Man R” was not attending.

“Old Man R” had starved out at least three pastors and their families that I heard about. “Old Man R” was a BULLY. A Christian BULLY mind you… that is the better kind of BULLY. Because these kinds of Christian BULLIES think they are going to heaven.

I hate to tell you that Christian BULLIES – the good kind of Bullies are likely going to HELL – with all the BAD BULLIES. Now if I am too harsh… I will state simply THEY WILL HAVE A LOT ANSWER FOR BEFORE GOD LETS THEM INTO HIS HEAVEN!

For 33 years of ministry I have watched powerful people in powerful positions take advantage of others. That is called BULLYING – and it stinks.

One thing that I have witnessed is… bullies will back down when exposed for what they are. Once people find out who they are and what they do to manipulate – they move on to another school, to another job, to another hockey parent group, to another baseball league – and HOLD YOUR BREATH AGAIN - they will leave you as well.

I am tired of Bullying. At this older age I don’t need to see it any more. Neither do any of my older friends. BUT HANG ON you “oldies” out there… now we are seeing the next major SOCIETAL SICKNESS – “Elder Abuse” – Older Adult Abuse.

The young guys and gals that took advantage of others on the school grounds when we were young are now taking their new roles as Care Givers for their parents. Guess what they are? – they are now nice, respected community members that BULLY and BOSS and ABUSE their parents?!

HANG ON AGAIN… in the Peterborough area – and the Peterborough County region there are estimated now to be at least 1400 and upwards to 3500 older adults being abused.

But go figure… their parent’s bosses at the factory they worked in Bullied them. They in turn came home and bullied their kids… who in turn bully their classmates… and the classmates return home to kick the dog and their little brothers and sisters… who in turn grow up to get factory jobs – where they become bosses and yadda, yadda, yadda….

One the Canadian Safe Schools web site I found the following great suggestions…
The vision behind Bullying Awareness Week:

• Bullying Awareness Week is about working at preventing bullying through education and awareness
• Bullying Awareness Week is NOT about what others could or should be doing, but rather what WE can do!
• Bullying is a community issue. Schools are a critically important part of the solution, but bullying should not be defined solely as a "school problem".
• Addressing bullying is best done with a wholistic, community approach.
• Everyone can play a role in addressing bullying in their community.
• Bullying also needs to be understood as a health issue. The impact of bullying on personal health and wellness can last a lifetime. This also financial implications for our society with lessened productivity, lost man hours due to illness or personal days off work.


• Bullying is a serious issue, at it’s worst, bullying can kill.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resource
Canadian Safe Schools http://www.canadiansafeschools.com/news/currentNews/awareness.htm
The Mean Girls http://www.meangirls.com/indexflash.html
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/bpaw/index.asp
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/cnw/article.jsp?content=20071123_074506_0_cnw_cnw
http://www.astral.com/en/media/press/news1194.idigit

Buried Treasure

The tears well up when he thinks of what he has lost. How could he be so silly, so stupid, so not able to notice what he was about to lose? The despair is overwhelming and it almost sinks his boat at times.

The relationship is over and he can do nothing about it.

The young teen’s first love is gone. Ouch!

I watched a movie the other night and was shocked again to feel the pain of the characters being portrayed…it was my teen years all over again. My memories of the loss of a girl friend was still there. I was embarrassed as I thought of those old days, my reactions, and the way it was handled.

If I would have stopped living in those teen years – just think of what I would have missed. A wonderful wife, great kids and now wonderful grandkids – would have never happened.

The tragedy is that many people will not wish to go on after a broken relationship. After the horrible loss that some face – it seems as if they cannot face another day. Some I know are in that place now.

That place is known as “despair”. If you could build a physical model of the “despair” I imagine it would not be a pleasant place to be. It would not be a white sandy beach – but rather a cluttered junk yard with dozens of old vehicles in different modes of wreckage.

A statement I ran across says, “Joy runs deeper than despair.” Corrie Ten Boom said this.

Corrie lived through the Second World War in Holland. The story is well worth reading again. As the war came to her country of Holland she witnessed the firsthand atrocities of the cruel German army – and especially of the leadership as they were bent on wiping out the Jewish people. Corrie and her family hid Jews in their home and then assisted them to leave the country. She certainly witnessed first hand what “despair” was.

When the statement came my way “Joy runs deeper than despair” I have had to reconsider my own feelings. I have known despair and there has been times that it has nearly killed me. I have personally felt the immediacy of despair as well. When it takes over – there is little that be felt around it. You go numb with fear and hopelessness.

But Corrie is right. After the despair slowly moved on like a thick Fog… new life appeared. The pain of the despair moved away and the world was brighter.

What I remember was the fact that Joy bubbled through my life again like a small refreshing brook running through my personal property.

Not long ago I needed a part for our old van. The best place to get old parts for an old van is in an old car wrecking yard. The place is not far from the edge of our city. I went to the salvage yard out back of the office. Getting there you needed to walk over a small brook that runs through the yard. It babbled and danced its way across the wrecking yard. On each side was the evidence of death with the vehicles piled on each like dead carcasses. But the brook was alive. It was happy and alive.

At times our situations are a little like this wrecking yard – not a nice place to be or live. Yet through it runs a brook of Joy…bubbling, skipping, dancing, gurgling, sparkling and alive through our lives.

Last night as I shovelled the driveway I was dwelling on some heavy stuff from the daytime. It had made my brow furloughed and I felt a head ache coming on. As I pushed the snow to the side with the shovel the snow flakes danced about like tiny people. Each snow flake seemed happy. The millions of flakes rushed in all directions. I smiled at the sight. There was that joy just under the surface. It was still running even though the heavy stuff had tried to deposit the despair.

“Joy runs deeper than despair.”

You were so right Corrie.

Question – in the middle of your muddle… can you hear Joy bubbling, skipping, dancing, gurgling, sparkling and alive through our life?

I believe that God wants you to know a new freedom today. Maybe it will be a beautiful snow flake or some dancing sun beams… or maybe a kind word… or just a hug from some one that cares… God is about to do something in you life, that even if he told you what it was, you likely wouldn’t believe it. Watch out… Joy is coming.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Impossible - Not Really

How in the world will I ever do this? The impossible has risen in front of me and the hopeless is surrounding me like a wet blanket. There is no wiggle room left to move either right or left. How can I go on?

I am sure that some of you have been there as well. It seems utterly impossible to do anything about “the problem”.

If you aren’t there yet – you may arrive after you add up what you will spend on Christmas presents in the New Year. It is the one crisis period for many people that will nearly sink their boats.

But it may not be Christmas – it can be a mortgage payments, lines of credit or the need to replace an old vehicle. It may be a sickness or a loss. It could be anything that defeats us.

These are the life Objects that clutter our smooth run or steady walk. They come when we cannot afford it and stop us when we least expect it. How in the world will we survive and move on?

TV shows that have ordinary people winning big take us past our Obstacles for the half hour they are broadcast. The “Deal or No Deal” gives us respite for our load of the impossible. The “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” sooth the pain for a few minutes then we can go to sleep dreaming – “Maybe that will be me someday…”

For myself I have come away a wee bit frustrated with the reaction I have when I realize that the other guy won – and I didn’t. On “Jeopardy” I couldn’t push the button fast enough – I was just as frustrated as the guy that won yesterday – getting beat today. On “Survivor” I couldn’t eat the stuff that they tried to cook on the beach and I wouldn’t trust that woman with the attitude problem – I was voted off with the Geek. On the “Wheel of Fortune” – the stupid wheel went to the Bankrupt spot just when I was ahead. Then I solved the problem but no one heard me shout out the answer! Shish!

Michael Jordan is credit with the saying, “Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

I pause to think of that. My whole life I have been doing that. I think/know that I got it by example. My dad lived that way after the World War 2. His invincible spirit kept him going until he carved out and existence for our family. All four kids were able to make it because of what we saw. Away back - my great grandfathers did this as well. They worked hard and steady and offered their families a future when they were gone.

Sprinkled through out the year are sporting activities that keep the example in front of us. This next Sunday in Canada we have a football game that has two teams playing for the Grey Cup. Both teams have worked hard all season – this week they are working even harder trying plays and programs to get ready to win. Both teams are trying hard.
In the USA there is a similar gigantic effort taking place that will place their many different teams in the supreme challenge to be Number 1.

All of us have witnessed these efforts.

Today I have faced another one of those efforts too. I got out of bed and began to face another day. Many of you have done the same. We will not likely win a Game Show jackpot – but we will be able “to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” We have done it before and will do it again. I know that I can do it.

How?
There is one hidden factor that is real in my life. No Game Show, no Sports Team or Sports Hero has the same help available… to my knowledge. No organization has the same kind of coaching ready in one call – to help with understanding. My help comes from God.

He has promised me that he will never leave me or forsake me.

Today looks good… in fact it is better than yesterday. The obstacles are pretty great – but the possibilities are greater. I am going “to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

How about you? If you need a little help – call on God – the number is simply “#1- GOD – I NEEDHELP” – BTW you need not dial it – just say it.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~



HAPPY
AMERICAN
THANKSGIVING

Great Discoveries

Two statements caught my attention as I read about this old fellow, Henry Ford. Everyone knows him as one of the fathers of automobiles – especially the Ford family of cars. He is noted to have said…

“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.”
“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

Oddly enough in my life I started with a Ford – and these two statements were something that I lived before ever hearing or reading them.

The year was 1960 – I was sixteen and everyone that was sixteen had one passion – GET YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE! That job was completed in early May about two weeks after my 16th birthday. Nothing was more important than your freedom that came with your Drivers License.

Next to getting a license was to be able to buy a car. The costs were high for someone with no money and no job. At sixteen I had neither. My dad and I talked about it. He had been thinking about an idea that might get me a car. He knew of a man that had an old car that might be for sale.

Now I should explain here that Dad had bought his first car when he was young. I believe that he had bought it as a “kit” and had assembled it. He called it his “bug”. It was an early model Ford – somewhere in the 1920s – with no top and lots of room for people to sit wherever.

Dad suggested that I may be able to buy a car similar to the one that he bought as his first car. When I look back now I can see that he likely was planning this for some time. He knew where it was and hoped that we could get it…but it was to be my own car and I needed to buy it myself.

We traveled to Truax, Saskatchewan – the home of my mother. We went west of where the old farm was climbing up some low hills to the Ed James Farm. Ed was a classic of his time…a farmer/inventor that always did things a little different. He was odd or different from others around him. As we drove into the farm yard we were welcomed by a barking dog.

I think that Dad had called about the old car were going to look at that day. I just followed along as we walked out behind the barn to the old rusty car. There it was…with the roof caved in to a pile of sticks and old fabric that was now completely gone except for a small sample around the edge of the roof. The seats were now nothing but coil springs with all the fabric and upholstery gone. Everything was rusty and brown. The glass windows were okay but inoperable. It was sitting up on blocks with no rubber tires on. All that was below each fender was the old wooden spokes that the rubber tire was to be fastened to.
There in front of me was a 1925 Model “T” Ford. A “one owner” vehicle. Ed James had bought this car in 1923, in Detroit, Michigan from Henry Ford’s show room and factory. Then he had driven it home to Saskatchewan. However in 1923 it had been a “Touring Car Body” – which in modern day’s terms meant that it was a convertible. With the top down it would allow the air to whish through your hair around your face – along with the bugs etc.

It was cold in Saskatchewan and also dusty – an open car – the “Touring Car Body” was not comfortable and definitely not too clean for the ladies to sit in. In Detroit it would have been different.

Henry Ford had an offer made to all his Ford Owners – “If you drive your vehicle back to the factory in Detroit you will qualify for a body upgrade.” For a very small price you could have the body changed from a “Touring Car Body” to a “Tudor Body” – which simply was an enclosed vehicle with two doors and a semi soft/hard top made of wooden slats covered with a black canvass and then insulated below.

Ed James had driven this vehicle over 1500 miles to Detroit and had the body changed and then drove it home again. In a modern vehicle on very good roads you need at least three days to drive that distance – there were no stories how long it took Ed to drive that distance.

I stood beside Dad and in front of Ed James… Then Dad said to me, “It will be your car, you make the deal.” I stumbled a little and then asked Ed how much it was. He looked at me and simply said, “Well I don’t want to charge too much… how does $10 sound to you?” A big grin spread across my face. I can still feel the burst of excitement when Dad looked at me and said. “You can afford that much I am sure… good we will take it.”

Ed had the rubber tires in the tool shed – hanging all those years on separate hooks. They just needed to be pumped up. Dad and I took them to town to the garage that had an air pump.

I sat on an old empty fuel pail in my “new car” steering it all the way back to Regina – 60 miles… with my dad towing me with his 1950 Pontiac. I grinned from ear to ear for well over the two hours that it took to get the car back to the city.

When we got home I am not sure who was more excited me – or dad. We placed the spark coils in the box that held them, then we added gas to the old and very dry tank that had been empty for more than 20 years. I grabbed the crank and cranked the motor. It coughed once or twice and then roared to life. Dust came out of everywhere – rusty dust – but it was running. No top, no seats, and no life before but now it rumbled away just the way that it had done way back in 1923 and 1925. I think that the old car was smiling as much as I was that day.

For the next year I cleaned and sanded every part of the old car. I applied body putty and then sanded the new application over and over again. Then we had it painted. The top would come in the next year. I had a car and was able to drive it whenever the weather was good.

Old Henry Ford had said… many years before that…
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.”
“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

Nostalgia… yes…
I look back now and know that these words were what Dad had ingrained into me. Now the old car stood as a testament to what can happen all over again.

Sadly I sold that “old girl” for a whopping $150 two years later. I figured that I had made a killing. I had bought a newer old car – a 1937 Dodge Roadster Coup with silver wire spoked wheels and a rumble seat on the outside. It was only $75 and it also needed very little work on it. After one year with both cars there was no more room on the property.

As I write this today I kind of shudder at the thought of how much they might have been worth today… Oh boy…

Reflecting on Old Henry Ford today….
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

PS - Yes this is my old car shown here... sniff... sniff...

Tough Jobs As A Challenge

The following statement is a powerful one in so many ways.

“When we accept tough jobs as a challenge and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen.” (Author: Arland Gilbert)

Whether it is a task around the house or a major one in the community, it all begins with a challenge. Accepting the challenge is the first step. Wading into it is the second. Mixing in joy and enthusiasm is an added blessing.

So long ago the young couple stood beside each other at the front of the church. They held hands as the minister asked questions of them. The groom’s hand was hot and wet. He didn’t fare well in a suit. The bride’s hand was cool and firm. She knew that they could make it together.

Now it is 57 years later and they are still married. They are in their 80s now and very much slowed down. Wow! So much has happened to this couple. They have taken on challenges that few people would. They have experienced problems that would shake most people to their roots. Each time they took on a new task – it was together. Marriages made in the late 1940s were made of tough stuff…and climbed out of sometimes nothingness to eventually be the best there could ever be…

Somehow accepting tough jobs was the norm. Wading into it with a lifetime ahead was the next norm. Joy and enthusiasm was just there as a part of your Bank Account. It was drawn on whenever it was needed.

Oh how we need a touch of this DNA from these older couples! How we need to see and then consider the example. And if we did – could we change just enough to include the effort that would be needed to make the difference.

2007 may have even more problems than 1947 did. There are far more pressures on the same kind of young couple as they begin.

One clear difference is that the couple married in 1947 dreamed of someday being able to buy something better. The couple of 2007 buys something better and then dreams of someday paying for it. The couple of 1947 wears out the things that they have before ever buying something new. The couple of 2007 throws out anything that is wearing out and replaces it before they ever need to – just because it is “High Definition”, bigger, better and brighter – so the kids won’t have to suffer and they will have what others don’t yet have.

Instant “Getification” is a blight today that creeps up on our life tree and kill us. We want it so we deserve it. We need it because it is there. We get it to make us feel better.

The quote from Author Arland Gilbert, “When we accept tough jobs as a challenge and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen.” This is so far from the real world of so many today – it is a tragedy.
For the couple of 1947 they can claim “a miracle”. For the couple of 2007 it is miracle if they will ever pay for it all before it is too old or obsolete.

“The Brick” is a place that you can get it before you ever have the money. Then after using it for a year you have to pay for it. Guess what happens when you don’t pay for it after 12 months – they take it back and you get a black eye on your credit. I saw a huge TV this week that will likely be going back to the store soon – it is only 9 months old now and there is no money to pay for it.

Today I looked at The Brick advertisement again – it proclaims, “Biggest Sale of the Year – Sale prices throughout the store – Plus do no pay for 15 months!”

That means that about 12 months from now the new HD TV that someone buys will likely be coming back.

So what is a tough job? Tough jobs I see every day include relationships. Tough jobs are my jobs that require a commitment to stay interested and going steady all the time.

So much to ponder… hmmmm?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The young man had “every right” to be completely turned off in his world. His brothers had turned on him and his dad had forgotten him. There he was in is his early teen years left alone. There are few modern stories that could convey the anguish that was possible for this kid. Sure he was opinionated, he bragged a little and was the favorite son – so it seemed. But this kid was in trouble – big time.

More of the story so you can understand…

At home he had a dream and in the dream he was the main man – with everyone bowing before him…even his brothers and his parents. Not only does he have the dream but he explains the meaning of the dream with clarity to his brothers that were older than he was. He was already in a favored spot within his family –his dad loved him more than the other kids and had shown that by giving him special gifts – one in particular was a coat that was to die for. It was bright and colourful so much better than anyone else’s coat.

You might have guessed the story – it is the story of Joseph – one the great leaders of Israel – the saviour of their people. Many will know only of a Broadway production(or a Movie) of the guy with the coat of many colours. Whatever way you have heard about him – he was a real person that went through some difficult times to then come out in the end – blessed and able to bless others as well.

A little background that you need to know will help you. He was grabbed by his brothers and stripped of his colourful coat… which was ripped up and covered in blood before being returned to his dad as a testimonial of his fate. Then he was thrown in a pit. From there he was sold as a slave to slave traders and then transported a long ways from home – to a completely different country with a completely different language. He fell from being a favourite son to a then take a place as an accused slave in a very dirty prison – with no hope of ever getting out. Worse yet the accusations and charges laid on him were not true and had no basis – they were a complete lie! How unfair can it be? How hopeless can it possibly get?

In our Sunday evening sessions we have been looking closely at Joseph in a study that is entitled “From Pit to Pinnacle”. My partner, Pastor Tim Taylor, has done a great job of leading this. To say that I have enjoyed this study is an under statement – IT IS GREAT!

I draw your attention to Joseph today because of the realities of his life and how different he lived. In 2007 the example we see so often is so unlike Joseph’s life. The one major factor we see today is the “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor”.

The “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor”? Yes it means “Disillusioned, Discouraged and Cynical Factor”

First “Disillusioned” – stuff happens in life and things seem to fall apart. Everything we hoped for is evaporated and crushed. The natural reaction is to be disillusioned with all that has taken place. Any number of us have had this happened. A good friend drops us like a bomb by doing something that destroys the friendship. A husband leaves a family for a younger model of a mother. The favorite toy we have accumulated, maybe a car, or a stereo, and “thing” fails us. The result is that we are “Disillusioned” – the illusion of what we thought it should be is blown to bits.

Next “Discouraged” happens. The Courage is “Dis-ed” out of us. The courage in what we were doing or who we were doing it with – things like living, loving, laughter are gone… are maybe not needed or wanted anymore. People can discourage us – their actions can blow away our courage until we feel that there is no need to go on living. People or things that we have trusted break or leave us and we can hardly go on.

Finally we face the “Cyn Factor” or the Cynical in our lives. It is the natural self preserving factor. We never want to go there again and never want that kind of danger in or around us. It is part of the “fight” of our “fight or flight” ability to stay alive. Who in his right mind would want that kind of experience again? To protect ourselves we place our defense in a solid place around us…. Cynical. After the bad experience you need only have the name brand or the name of the person mentioned and the Cynical Protection will snap into place – and the first statement or reaction from us is Cynical.

Very few people can avoid this pattern. The “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” is real.

But Joseph didn’t show it. If he did his chronicler did not catch it. He rose to greatness because of avoiding the trap that most people get sucked into. “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” was not part of his life.

Today’s Traps…
I have witnessed lately the newest trap where the “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” has shown up. You may not even know what it is all about – but believe me the trap is there. It is “e-harmony.com” “e-harmony.com” is advertised all the time on television and in magazines. It is a dating service that will help the unconnected/not yet connected find a special friend or partner for life.

In one setting the individuals met online. They then communicated via email. Then they met. The “e-chemistry” was one thing… the “real-meeting” wasn’t so good. Disillusioned, Discouraged and Cynical could now be seen by the buckets.

In fact it has happened so often that there is now several new groups that have sprung up to offer better deals than e-harmony. If you just click on to their Web Sites you will be able to get happiness and a great relationship.

I have watched majority of TV adds that now project this idea – buy this or that because we understand that the “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” is something you want to avoid.

“Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” is so common today that we have an entire economy fed by the need to avoid it.

Back to the original story and how amazing it really is… Joseph was not caught up in the “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” – he avoided it from what we see. With his avoidance he came out on the other side and was ready for what would happen next.

WOW! How many relationships would we have made better – or maybe avoided better – if we had just not allowed the “Dis-Dis-Cyn Factor” to control our lives? How much money would we have saved if this factor had not ruled our thinking?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Reference Genesis 38 – 46 from Gateway Bible

Northview’s Sunday Bulletin November 18, 2007

Bitter or Better

“Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.” This Quote from Henry Ward Beecher – 1813 0 1887, American Preacher, Orator and Writer – caught my attention. Have you ever considered that what you are going through right now is God’s work of making you better? The trick is not to be bitter. It is a choice. At a special moment we come to a fork in life’s road – “Bitter” goes one way and “Better” goes another. It is a choice.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

SUNDAY, November 18, 2007
10:30 AM MORNING WORSHIP
We Have a Special Guest
with us Today from’
LIFE 100.3 Christian Radio
“Mr. Ben Davey”

NORTHVIEW NIGHTS
Our study continues Tonight@:6:00pm
~From Pit to Pinnacle~
“A Dysfunctional Family”
A new study on the Life of Joseph
Tonight: “Imprisoned and Forgotten By Man”
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

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 13th
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: *~*~*~*~*~*~*
Important: Hazel Cunningham returned home from
The hospital to her Applewood Residence
earlier in the week. In the day following she fell
and broke her leg and is now back in the hospital.

Kay Mann: is not doing well and wishing to go Home
with the Lord continue to lift her up.
Lila Warren: in much pain and stress (respite needed)
Continue to pray for: Jack Frizzell, Alex Farnsworth
Sharon Haley, Roy MacArthur and Jean Poole. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank-you for praying...these are special people.
Prayer Chain Contact: Monica Church @ 876-7920

Coming Events…
THIS WEEK…
Catered Christmas Dinner – Tuesday November 20, 2007 See Marie Olver for tickets - $11.00 each – sign up sheet in the foyer. – Special Music – Rex and Par Warr
Note: Tickets must be purchased by Nov 12th

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY:

THIS WEEK: November 20th TUESDAY 7-8:30pm
“DANIEL” by-BETH MOORE has begun!
The 20 ladies involved with this study
all agree...It is well worth the time!

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY
DEC 8TH 10AM-NOON
Held at the Beamers’ beautiful home in the Country.
1.Please take note of the sign up sheet in the foyer with
a list of choices on what to bring.

2. Please come prepared to exchange a Christmas Tree ornament.
3.Please come ready for the “Christmas Gift Offering
for our Missionaries” Marilyn Bush, The Rob Heyman family
& Gloria Swift. [Sorry guys this is a Ladies only event]

NORTHVIEW FAMILY CHRISTMAS
DEC 8TH 5:00PM in the Gym
* Please see Grant or Nancy Calberry in the foyer for
your ticket. ALSO: we are looking for Talent from
among our church family. {It could be Music/Singing
Reading/ A Family Skit or a number of other things}
Please contact Josselyn at the church office 748-4573
with your ideas. *We want this to be a great night, with
‘just family’ enjoying each other...but we’re counting
on you to make it a success!

PETERBOROUGH COMMUNITY
CHAPLAINCY CHRISTMAS SUPPER
DEC 15TH 6:00PM “Guest Speaker”
This is a night we set aside to honor all those who
have helped and supported our ministry though-out
the year, Please let Dan Haley know if you

plan to come 741-4172.

Secretary’s Notes:
Church Directory: it is all but ready
for print but I decided to wait one more
week and insert the forms one more
time with a new twist...If you want to
have your E.MAIL address published
in the directory please fill out
a form TODAY!
(Some of the previous forms did not have a
space for this information) Please keep
in mind this portion is optional.
Thank-you. [Josselyn]


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

Ladies – “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

Ponder Points:
When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad that they have to get better. Author: Malcolm Forbes

When we accept tough jobs as a challenge and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen. Author: Arland Gilbert

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration. Author: Robert Bresson

When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind, and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. Author: Phyllis Bottome

When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself. Author: Fortune Cookie

Deceived

As I look back now it is funny. At the time that it happened it wasn’t one bit funny. I can remember the rage that I felt when I realized that I had been had. I had been deceived – worse yet I had deceived myself. I became a part of my own trap.

Let me explain this better. I was about16 or 17 years old. We lived at 2350 Cameron St. in Regina, Saskatchewan. There were four kids with mom and dad living in a full house with one bathroom…which was the central area of all the things that took place from the house and in the house. You can just imagine what happened when we had guests stay over night – say a family of six or eight or maybe even more at times. It was one busy home and very busy bathroom.

One more thing that needs to be pointed out – you were always in a hurry to make use of the bathroom. No sooner would you get in than someone would be trying the door knob to see if it was free. Staying longer than you should would have someone else yelling at you, “COME ON… get the lead out!” I think you get the picture.

Another thing to point out is that when you are in a hurry the caps on tooth paste, shampoo, and other products used hardly ever were screwed back on. An open tooth paste tube was no big deal… even the next guy appreciated the fact that the slow moving, half awake person ahead of them didn’t have to waste time screwing off and screwing on the tooth paste cap.

One particular day the tooth paste was already on my tooth brush as I entered the bathroom. There lying close to the loaded tooth brush was an already open tube – indicating that the job was done for me – or that I had forgotten that I had already loaded the tooth brush with tooth paste. With no thought at all I brushed vigorously and quickly. Job done… out of the way and move on…next person please….

The next day I entered the bathroom when it was free to quickly repeat the regular brushing of my teeth…before I was off for school. I grabbed my tooth brush and the already opened tube that was lying close to where it was yesterday. I applied a thick and heavy application of tooth paste. Water was added to the mixture and then I inserted it into my mouth and began the rapid action of brushing…. I mean – fast brushing – because someone else was waiting…

I had covered every tooth, the sides and top and bottom, and worked hard to get the familiar lather and suds that usually came. That day there was none. The brush glided in and out easily. The other noticeable thing was there was an unfamiliar taste… it wasn’t tooth paste either. It was oily. It was slippery. It was the most gross thing I had ever had in my mouth.

As I realized that something was wrong I pulled the tooth paste brush out of my mouth to look at it… then quickly spat into the sink…over and over again. Nothing would come out. Spit would not even come now. I rinsed my mouth and nothing would come out. My mouth felt weird and even oily. The tooth brush was the colour of the tooth paste but it wouldn’t even wash off now.

It was then that I looked at the tooth paste tube that I had squeezed the tooth paste from. It was “Brylcream” – a full load of Brylcream squeezed on my tooth paste and rapidly and completely applied to all my teeth.

Few people under 60 will know what I am even talking about at this stage. You had to live through the Happy Days of Rock and Roll and slicked back, shiny hair that was created by a thick layer of “Brylcream”

To really understand Wikipedia describes it this way… quote…
Brylcreem (pronounced brill-cream) is a brand name of a men's hair grooming product. It was created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England. County Chemicals is also noted for 'Chemico' – a very popular abrasive kitchen cleaner.

Brylcreem's purpose is to keep combed hair in place while giving it a deep shine or gloss. It is essentially an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax. Other ingredients are fragrance, calcium hydroxide, BHT, dimethyl oxazolidine, magnesium sulfate, and stearic acid.

End quote….(full story below)

How in the name of all things sane – would a teenage boy insert something so gross into his own mouth just before he was on his way out the door to cope with another day at school when you had to be cool in all that you did? THIS WAS NOT A COOL THING TO DO! THIS WAS STUPID – AND I HAD PUT IT ON THE TOOTH BRUSH…!

Even two applications of the real tooth paste would not take it away. Spitting profusely was not enough. My mouth was full of oily, slippery Brylcream!

I was mad when I came downstairs. My mom saw it and asked what had happened – real compassion. My sister Pat looked up - worried. She had been waiting on me so we could walk to school together. Both were compassionate people.

As I rapidly described what had happened with the stupid thing I did… they looked at each other and began to grin… then outright laughed. How cruel could they be… her son and HER brother was dying… and they laughed!

In fact Pat laughed so hard she had to sit down. Then she said, “This was supposed to happen yesterday! You weren’t supposed to put the Brylcream on your tooth brush – but rather “think that someone had done it to your tooth brush” – which I knew would make you mad. I had placed tooth paste on your tooth brush and then placed the open Brylcream over it.” Peals of laughter poured out of the room.

I can’t remember much after that – except that I spit all the way to school that day and each time I did my sister laughed.

I was deceived. Worse yet I had deceived myself… and that part had hurt worse than anything that had ever happened up to that time.

Oh boy… this little story is so much like real life. So easily fooled and worse yet so easily trapped into bad situations. In real life however you don’t just spit it out. The after taste is lingering so long that it sometimes becomes a habit.

I think it was about that day that I stopped using Brylcream. I started placing the cap back on the tube of tooth paste – fanatically. And above all I always looked closely at what I put on my tooth brush.

I learned one really valuable lesson – look closer and you will never have to spit again!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

FYI – all those under 60 years of age…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brylcreem
Brylcreem (pronounced brill-cream) is a brand name of a men's hair grooming product. It was created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England. County Chemicals is also noted for 'Chemico' – a very popular abrasive kitchen cleaner.

Brylcreem's purpose is to keep combed hair in place while giving it a deep shine or gloss. It is essentially an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax. Other ingredients are fragrance, calcium hydroxide, BHT, dimethyl oxazolidine, magnesium sulfate, and stearic acid.

Brylcreem is sold in a tube in the US, and both tube and pot in Europe and Canada. The two formulations are slightly different. It is marketed in the US by Combe Incorporated; in Europe, by the Sara Lee Corporation.

The shiny "wet" look it gave to the hair was de rigueur for men's hair styles for many years in the 20th century. Other substances, including macassar oil and petroleum jelly, had been in use for this purpose earlier and made popular by such figures as Rudolph Valentino of silent film fame.

Brylcreem's use declined during the 1960s as men's hair fashions changed to favor the "dry look" over the "wet look". However, it has seen a comeback since the late 1990s. It is remarketed in Europe under a Ministry of Hair banner alongside companion gel and wax products in squeeze bottles, rarely sold directly alongside the traditional Brylcreem. In the US, the traditional Original Brylcreem has undergone a resurgence as a new generation discovers it. This appears to be a response to market pressures and a trend to get away from the "helmet hair" that is common with gels, with a new generation of men, including many in a number of subcultures, returning to using pomades and creams. Most hair care manufacturers now offer similar petrolatum, wax, or oil based hair products that give hair a sleek and pliable look while maintaining control for styles such as DA, "bed-head" and "Princeton".

Instructions on the use of the product state that "a little dab will do ya." What constitutes "a little dab" is subject to interpretation and desired effect. Hair length and bulk will also play into how much product to use.

In Europe, the footballer David Beckham signed up to a promotional deal with Brylcreem, until he shaved his head.

Being Almost Honest

I see it all the time… dishonest people in honest clothes. I am sure that you have also.

Now I am not getting all “sermony” here and begin railing on everyone about their truth factor – but the dishonesty that I view it startling. In fact it drives me nuts at times.

I am often in Pastoral settings where I am with other Pastors – you know... ordained guys and gals that are Holy Examples of God. Together we come to share ideas and share our lives. One would think that this would be the ultimate of all honest situations. Not true. I am afraid that is a serious misnomer to think that is where we are all the greatest examples of honesty.

Let me explain this harsh statement.

One pastor enters the room and another asks, “So how is it going?” The second Pastor replies quickly, “Great, great – just great!” Then he proceeds to tell the amazing things that have taken place around him. Personally he is dieing inside and wants to quit – but for the sake of image he is a LIAR. GREAT is not how he feels. But Pastors in front of other pastors – SHOULD BE GREAT.

We are afraid to open up and tell what we feel about what is happening. It is easier to leave a meeting and having lied a lot… then later get forgiveness from God…than to share how we are really feeling.

I see it all the time at church – people lie. Imagine – lying in church. Sure – it happens. We dress up like nice people and act like we think people in church should act – yet we die on the inside and will not be honest with each other. Why? Well because we learned it from a whole lot of other people that have stated it is okay to do so…in fact it is good to do so… even your Pastor does it on a regular basis… so you should too.

It is acceptable to lie today. TV advertisements do it all the time. Actors get paid to lie. Politicians – well everyone knows that they are liars and we vote them in if we think that their lying is better than the other liars on the stage with him. Oh – by the way – that is called a Debate in our times….

I want to tell the truth today. My leg hurts, my side hurts, and I am not in good shape. But I will be hanged if I am going to tell anyone that I am in trouble. No way I would rather lie…than die telling someone that I am in trouble. If I tell the doctor he will scold me and tell me it is my fault anyway… so rather than discuss it with this guy… I will tell him I am okay when he does the next Annual Physical.

A funny but sad fact is that I have attended more than one funeral with a dude laying in the casket – that simply refused to tell anyone that he was hurting or in trouble. That is the ultimate illustration of DUMB. As he lays there he got his wish – he has not one problem today. He is dead.

So my rant today is all about being honest. Okay… my test is coming in about two hours. I am walking into to another Pastoral Meeting with my cohorts to strut my stuff. The inevitable question will be asked… “So Murray how is it going at Northview?” Oh boy… I have about 120 minutes to get a good answer ready…..

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~