Latimer To Take Campaign To Ottawa

Do I dare to write about this issue? I mean it is not funny. It is not something that is nice. It is disturbing and will conjure up sore points in our society. We don’t like conjuring up sore points in our society. We like it to be gone and then we don’t have to deal with it.

Sorry folks – you will have to deal with it and beginning this week it is in your face big time!

The name Latimer can be read about 40,700 times as of this morning in a Google Search using “Freed Latimer” – and 3,240,000 using just “Latimer”. I am sure that everyone that has the name Latimer will be thrilled with this information.

In 1994 Robert Latimer murdered his 12 year old daughter. He has stated over and over again that it was done because he loved her. In 1994 the Province of Saskatchewan Public was gripped by the newest onslaught of dealing with a new issue of “one person’s rights to take another person’s life”.

Does that seem odd to you? It should. Murder is murder. Murder is taking another person’s life. Adding another level to the meaning because you want off is just nuts! Because you think you are above the law – does not give you the right to do what you want to do – especially when it is murder.

But it is NOT MURDER… it is victim assisted suicide or mercy killing. Every farmer knows that better than anyone. Hurt, lame, or sick cows, dogs and cats are put down. They cost too much to keep alive so they are put down. Everyone in Saskatchewan, in 1994, knew that – and had known it since the start of time. But they also know that purposely killing a human is called MURDER.

I cannot tell you the shock that I felt yesterday. When I opened the Globe and Mail Newspaper to read the announcement that Robert Latimer’s appeal for the December 5, 2007 Parole Hearing was successful. In a heart beat a small group of Parole Board People, at the top level by the way, had over turned an age old standard. In an eleven page directive the “Appeal Parole Board folk” stated that you guys and gals at the Parole Board Hearing in December – are all wrong. Robert Latimer should be released and be released immediately.

Now be reminded here – Parole Board People are not elected – they are appointed to powerful positions that dictate what happens to lives of men and women (and their families) that have committed crimes and are about to be released. They make decisions about what and how society is protected from BAD PEOPLE. They are powerful and they are protectors.

Pause here… and take a breath…
Lest you think that I do not know what I am talking about – you know like I am some sort of “whacko Evangelical” that rants about the ‘conservative’ agendas – THINK AGAIN!

I am a pastor that is in court a lot. I work with men coming home from prison – all kinds of them. Many are murderers. Some are sex offenders. Some are robbers. All are guilty and have spent more than a fair share of their time in prison. I visit them inside of prison. I know them well.

I walk with men as they walk toward the parole hearing. I pray with them and hope with them. I hurt with them when they don’t get it. I shudder with them when they get out as they face the continued hatred of a society filled with ‘un-helped victims of crime’.

So what about Latimer?

Latimer is not someone that scares me. It is the world out there that scares me the most. Reading one small but very powerful revelation yesterday was what shocked me the most.

Here is the Editor’s comment in yesterday’s Globe and Mail…February 28, 2008.
~ Quote…
A terrible injustice has been overturned in the case of Robert Latimer. The National Parole Board’s appeal division has tossed out the preposterous ruling of a board panel that denied day parole to Mr. Latimer, a Saskatchewan farmer who killed his severely disabled daughter Tracy in 1994. The initial ruling made the baseless assertion that Mr. Latimer might go out and kill disabled people. As “evidence” they sited his refusal to accept that he was wrong to kill Tracy. If he wished ever to be free, it suggested, he would undertake counselling aimed at changing his mind.

This was a breathtakingly wrong on all counts – on the law, on the way human beings think and feel, and on Mr. Latimer himself. His daughter was 12 but had the mental age of a four-month-old and faced several operations and a great deal of pain; the judge at his murder trial accepted that, wrong as he was, Mr. Latimer killed her out of mercy. Ultimately sentenced to life in prison, he was made subject to the minimum wait for parole described by law for second-degree murder – 10 years (seven year for day parole).

Now the parole board’s appeal division has called the denial of that parole “unreasonable and unsupported,” and said he does not pose a danger to re-offend. Some may twist this decision to say it devalues the lives of the disabled. In fact, the law has punished Mr. Latimer, and the punishment has ended as prescribed by law. ~ End quote.

Here is one of the problems Mr. G&M Editor… you now can start speaking for the dozens of guys inside that are so ready to come out – but are being dreadfully wronged by some silly parole board. In some cases they are wronged over and over again… and you are not writing about them.

I can guarantee that the Appeals division of the National Parole Board are going to have lots of work to do very soon – when the guys inside see how this is done and it is done with such ease. Even Latimer’s lawyer was surprised with the quickness of it all.

I am imagining here also that the Government of Canada (the Conservatives) were not really expecting this one just as they struggle through a new budget, and other possible votes to dethrone them on every side.

Why am I passionate about this issue? For one – I am from Saskatchewan originally. I also lived there when it all happened and knew the local struggles of dealing with these issues. I knew a pastor that helped the family and also people that drove the severely disabled Tracy to and from appointments. They had stood with the family and were broad sided when Robert decided ‘on his own’ to kill Tracy. That little community was rocked to its roots…just like all Saskatchewan-tonians were.

But more than that – things are going to change big time. Mr. Latimer is not going back to his Saskatchewan farming days. He is moving to Ottawa to begin his next career as a lobbyist to change the laws of our country. He is being moved there soon on our dollar to live in a Parole half way house…out during the day to work with politicians and make some changes for all of us.

Why am I passionate? I remember my Uncle Bob who was a quadriplegic. He never fed himself a day in his life. He lived on a farm in southern Saskatchewan 60 miles south west of Regina. He suffered and the family suffered. He didn’t smell good and he hurt lots. My grandparents were told that he wouldn’t likely live past 12 years old. He suffered a huge amount in his life – so did his family. Uncle Bob died at 70 years old after a caregiver in a Senior’s Home, fed him while he was laying on his back. He choked to death slowly.

Uncle Bob looked a lot like Tracy…but he could talk with great difficulty.

But Uncle Bob wasn’t like Tracy – the family loved him too much to take his life.

But things are changing. Someday they will call the new law, ‘Robert’s Law’ or even ‘Tracy’s Law’.

The Bible tells me that Jesus instructed us to pray for those who are in authority over us. Today more than ever I do that. God, how we need your help!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resources:
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=341490

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=0bf4b45b-2af3-41e4-bf6a-75e2637c240c&k=39644

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080228.BCLATIMER28/TPStory/National

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/letters/story.html?id=8d5f5957-ebc3-4cfa-8161-985e38781f52
http://ago.mobile.globeandmail.com/generated/archive/RTGAM/html/20080228/wbclatimer28.html

The Tkday

I feel so ‘cool’ this morning! I learned something totally new. It is like the wildest thing ever…for this week at least. I know something that the guy sitting next to me at the McDonalds Restaurant doesn’t know. I know what ‘Tkday’ is now!

The ‘Tkday’ is…from the Urban Dictionary….
“It is your 10,000th day alive. You'll reach your Tkday when you're about 27 years, 3 months and 15 days. It's a big day. You've finally moved from being a four figure day person to a five figure day person and you'll always now be a five figure day person.On you're Tkday you actually become an adult. Forget 16th, 18th or 21st birthdays - you don't actually know anything then. But on your Tkday you should really have worked out that life's a bit tricky and things aren't going to work out exactly as you'd hoped but that you do have a couple of good friends.”
It marks your rite of passage…specially if in 2008 you are a ‘20 something’.

In the good old days of my youth a right of passage happened at a couple of special year markers.

I can remember the 13th Birthday – now I was officially a teenager. Wow – I could do all the things that a teenager did. I think that was when I stopped playing “Cowboys and Indians” and graduated to “Cops and Robbers” – but if any one else that was a teen showed up I dropped the gun in a bush nearby and stood there trying to look cool. When the redheaded Jo-Anne, who was 15 years old, from across the way – I carefully put the gun down – then picked it up when she went away.

I can remember the turning point at 16 years old too. That was ‘drivers license day’. The guys that turned 16 on a weekend were behind those of us that turned during the week. On your 16th birthday you were able to get your driving license. You moved from driving with your dad in the car to all the privilege and strength of cruising alone down a big empty street in a Big Powerful Car. For months your dad had helped you try out driving in the field nearby – or on the farm. Most of us had been behind the wheel a number of times before the 16th birthday.

Then there was the 21st birthday. That meant voting and being able to drink booze legally. A number of my friends did just that. That wasn’t too important to me as I was busy preparing for an exam that nearly killed me at the University I was attending. The 21st was kind of a fizzle as I remember – alone in a residence with a bunch of guys that could care less.

My Tkday began in an apartment in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. I was the father of two little girls that were at home with their mom. The pay was reasonable as a Computer Technician. I had lots of customers that wanted service now… minutes after their machine broke down…but would get in line in waiting for me. Oh the power of that position.

My Tkday was close to the time that I met Tim Horton – a famous hockey player in the USA and Canada. He and some partners opened a Coffee Shop in Oakville along with two others in the Hamilton area. I installed and maintained their business machines. I got to meet him in his Board Room – the dining room of the old house next door to the first Coffee Shop – Corporate Headquarters for the Tim Horton’s Coffee chain.

This Tkday and its odd idea that you “should really have worked out that life's a bit tricky and things aren't going to work out exactly as you'd hoped but that you do have a couple of good friends”… is important to a 27 year in 2008.

In 1971 when I went through it as a very late “Builder” married to a “Baby Boomer” – we knew we had to live/work another 13,740 before we would get a pension of some sort. Now in 2008 – in the shocking reality for me that means 409 more days for now… Oh boy!

Tkday is the new lingo and description for the “Gen Y’ people that are two groups behind the Baby Boomers.

But just knowing that Tkday is a term and has great meaning makes me as an older gentleman – feel ‘cool’…or ‘hip’…or not so dumb.

But hey… I am more progressive than just Tkday, I know that the following too…

Tjotjotjol – means ‘something is cool’ – usage…
“OMG. I own U. Tjotjotjol”

Tjamls - A mistyped form of "thanks" originating on the World of Warcraft Cenarius server – usage… Tjamls for helping me with that mob; Tjamls for the rez.

O Lawd - Kinda like saying "Oh lord". Obviously, "Oh" = "o", and "Lord" = "LAWD". Saying LAWD instead of LORD is like saying LAWL instead of LOL. Usage…
I HAX U
O LAWD! WHAT AM I GONA DO NOW?

Hax - Something deemed unfair or unexpectedly unfavorable. Could be used to accuse someone of using cheating/hacking/some sort of trickery to accomplish something, usually jokingly.
Usage…
Ceren: too bad you didnt defend the rear of your base Guardel has been eliminated.
Guardel: that is such hax.TriviaBot: Who is the mana element?
Guardel: driad
Guardel: dryda
Ceren: dryad
TriviaBot: Ceren has the correct answer -- Dryad!
Guardel: dryad
Guardel: hax!

The lesson of Tkday… in 2008… for anyone over 27… they aren’t looking at you with disgust or irreverence… they just “dunno what to say”

But “what” is a country – i.e. Do they speak English in "what"?

And “say” is like a word meaning "hey!" or "you there!" To get someone's attention, often in anger or when one is on crack. Say playa! why do yo lie to me man! I ain't seen no money!

Perhaps today – February 28 – is a new day for you too…

Happy New Day! Have a Great One and Remember – God Luvs U

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resources:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tkday
Notice… this site is amazing – put almost any word in the ‘Search’ and it will give you an answer. Great help for us oldies. Punch the Word - "God" in and see what you get...

Announcing the Formation of FOG

I laugh out loud when I read the stories. I smile when I see the word painted illustrations of this interesting old guy Mark Twain.

So who was Mark Twain? He was born in 1835 and died in 1910. But who was he?

Most of us will know that he is the one that wrote the story of “Huckleberry Finn” and set a standard for everyone from that minute on…most of us that are older now.

Some of his quotes are listed below. I think there are few people that have been quoted as much as he has been over many years. However some of his work is now dated in light of TV and modern movies and the hundreds of quotes that now float from these. “Go ahead – Make my day!” – “Asta Lavista Baby!”

Some of Mark Twain’s ideas…
“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”

“Do something every day that you don't want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.”

“Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.”

“Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge.”

“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.”

“Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.”

“A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.”

So who was he? Here is a description that I found in a search of his life…
“Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) was born in Florida, Missouri, of a Virginian family. The family soon moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain was brought up. At school, according to his own words, he "excelled only in spelling". After his father's death in 1847, Twain was apprenticed to a printer. Her also started his career as a journalist by writing for the Hannibal Journal. Later Twain worked as a licensed Mississippi river-boat pilot (1857-61). His famous penname Twain adopted from the call ('Mark twain!' - meaning by the mark of two fathoms) used when sounding river shallows. But this isn't the full story: he had also satirized an older writer, Isaiah Sellers, who called himself Mark Twain. In 1861 Twain served briefly as a confederate irregular. The Civil War put an end to the steamboat traffic, and during a period when Twain was out of work, he lived in a primitive cabin on Jackass Hill and tried his luck as a gold-miner. "I would have been more or less than human if I had not gone mad like the rest," he confessed.” (you can read more of his life with the links below)

The part of his story that never ceases to amaze me is… he wasn’t Mark Twain but really ‘Samuel Langhorne Clemens’ but that wasn’t true either because he was actually Mark Twain married to Olivia Clemens(Langdon). Talk about an identity crisis. When he woke up each morning – who was he? “Who am I today?” may have been his first question each day.

As funny and as sharp as he was as a ‘Humorist’, it would not last until the end. In 1904 his life took a sharp turn for the worse. Olivia Clemens passed away along with their second daughter. Olivia was his wife since February 1870. She was only 59 years old – he was 69.

His last years of writing and living were anything but funny. The Humorist had moved out and the sad old man, that was still known as ‘Mark Twain’ collecting the accolades and royalties, moved in.

One sharp thing that I discovered was Mark Twain didn’t think much of Christians of his day. He wrote of ‘His Heavenly Father’ in a somewhat kinder way but his words about Christians stung. A churchman…? No way…anything but.

His account and life has made me reflect over these days. What happens when old men lose it?

This past week I have witnessed the sad transformations of old men that have lost it. They don’t laugh much anymore. They can’t even squeak a giggle out of the old heart that beats deep in their chest.

I have made a decision…
To avoid becoming old and unhappy, I have decided to hang out with young folk from now on. No not the 20 and 30 somethings – they have too many hang ups. I want to be with 6 – 7 – 8 – even up to 13 year olds.

I watch my grandsons and they are just plain FUN to be with. They are nutty to the core. The moment that all my Grandkids come together they start laughing, telling stories and just have a ball. From 6 to 13 there are few problems now ….that will all come later.

Music to my ears…
“Grandpa, will you play a game with me?”
“Grandpa, can we play in your garage?”
“I love coming to your house because we can have fun here!”

I have decided to start a new group. The name is simple to remember. It is FOG. Kind of a good one to say the least in that it may well describe what many of us walk around in most of the time. It actually stands for… “Funny Old Guys”. FOGs are married to FOGs too… that is “Funny Old Gals”.

After thoughts….from Mark...
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resources:
http://quotationspage.com/quotes/Mark_Twain/
To read some of Mark Twain’s works On Line…
http://www.literaturepage.com/authors/Mark-Twain.html
Valuable info about Mark Twain
http://www.twainquotes.com/Bradley/bradley.html
More About Mark Twain
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mtwain.htm
The Twain/Clemens Family
http://www.geocities.com/swaisman/wife-kids.htm

Eye Gazing Parties

I think if I step through this slowly it might be understood. It will be a challenge to get this concept across but I will try.

First take two people and put them in the same room together. They must listen to the instructions that you give them. There is no talking to begin with. They are quiet – just listening. Each may be a little nervous and have the jitters at some point. But they have agreed to join in to this – their own little experiment.

Actually you need more people than just two. For example, 10 men and 10 women to carry the whole idea through would be good. The 10 men and 10 women are given instructions together with all the above rules in place. Everyone is quiet.

Now begin…
The men sit across from the women. When given the signal to start they begin to look closely at each other’s eyes. Not staring – but just looking. No words are spoken. This goes on for 3 minutes…then a signal is given and the men each move to the next woman in the line. Again 3 minutes of looking closely at the eyes of the new person in front of you.

This continues until you have looked at each person’s eyes. 30 minutes will have passed. If there are more people more time is needed.

Next – the party begins with all the normal party stuff happening, music, mixing, talking and interacting. Of the 10 people you looked into the eyes of… you pursue and engage the one(s) that you found interesting.

By this stage some of you have placed yourself in the mental picture provided and you were there…at least you tried to be there. Some broke out in a cold sweat and said I could never do that with a complete stranger! Others are maybe able to do it. Most of my audience would be ineligible to do even try…in that they are married…and if they did try they would attend the next party with two black eyes.

It is like the “speed dating party” idea I suppose when looking as a critic from the sideline. People that can’t meet people for what ever reason come together with a new idea and hopefully meet someone at the party.

For older, more serious readers there likely is a huge level of scorn rising with a, “Can you believe that?” comment flowing from the lips.

For these dear people, I say the need is real and there are dozens of people that I know that have no one. Their jobs and life style make meeting people impossible. They could sail through life alone and the thought is very difficult to handle. An eye gazing party makes sense for the late 20 or 30 something.

I have yet to get my thoughts around a 60 and 70 something party of single, widowed, unattached people. Push it a bit further and add the 80 year olds. A grin will be on your face by this time.

Shift Gears…
What would happen if a couple, married for a number of years, would try this. Now cut out the idea of many people in the room…and just keep the couple there. Now – let them sit and just look into each other’s eyes for 3 minutes…seriously…looking into each other. No words just looking.

I will guarantee that much will be learned about each other.

The eye is the open door…
Now to the eye assessments, something you need to know.

• Eyes diverted to the left or right and looking up and away are telling you that they are thinking of an answer, considering a thought.


• Eyes looking left and right at the horizontal plane are considering a quick answer or a quick thought.


• Eyes diverted down to the left and right are wishing they weren’t there… are dashing for a quick answer to justify something that shouldn’t have been done.


• Eyes that are looking down in the centre are just plain guilty and can find no answer.

A lot of couples that I have encountered in my office as a pastor – cannot look at each other at all. Guilt and anger have a solid control and the eyes would confess it in a heart beet.

Some other couples that I have met could well have spent more time looking into each other’s eyes before they found more receptive eyes and left their first love for strange meat.

As odd as the idea of eye gazing seems, I think that the dude that started all this may well have something here.

3 minutes is a long time. I challenge you to try this with your spouse tonight. In fact I think the challenge to find 3 minutes together and alone may well be the greatest part of the exercise.

Here’s looking at you.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln along with Alida

Resources;
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/11/entertainment/main1115920.shtml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c58OpUR8ym0

‘Giggles’ the Lost Teddy Bear

It was the oddest thing…one of the fondest Teddy Bears that my wife has adopted… had up and left home. He was no where to be found. Both my wife and I had looked high and low for the little creature.

His physical description is as follows. He is brown in colour. He sits about 8 inches high – stands at 12 inches. He is normally quiet until you squeeze some part of his body…at which he begins to speak to you…asking a question of the ‘squeezer’. He giggles and asks the ‘squeezer’, “Can you find my…hand?” or “Can you find my…foot?” or some other parts of his little body.

For over 5 years now he has been part of the ‘Bedroom Collection’ of adopted Teddy Bears. That part of the Teddy Bear family has grown into the bedroom we share with them. There wasn’t enough room for them in other parts of the house so they moved into our room.

I call this little guy, “Giggles.” When grandkids have come to stay he has been a favourite of the youngest ones. Early in the morning they slip into Grandma’s bed and snuggle cold toes. Then Grandma will reach over for “Giggles” and he will begin his interaction. Grandma listens for the next fifteen minutes or so, “Can you find my…?” Then if the correct limb or body part is squeezed Giggles says, “You’re so smart!” or if the squeezer gets the wrong body part, Giggles says, “No silly, that’s my…” and he then he names the correct body part that the squeezer tried.

Giggles is smart and never misses. His wisdom makes small boys with cold toes in Grandma’s bed, giggle and sometime assert, “My turn, my turn… Grandma it’s my turn… he won’t let me have a turn…” New squeezers take turns and the giggling starts all over.

Did I tell you that my wife likes Teddy Bears? You may guess that is so when you see our fully loaded bathroom…loaded with just under two hundred little and medium sized Teddy Bears.

But out of all the Teddy Bears only “Giggles” can talk and interact with early morning grandsons and with one fun loving granddaughter.

Giggles was gone. Sheesh…it was not a good day. Somewhere, somehow he had slipped away. Before the day was over, Alida had checked and double checked ever nook and cranny of the favourite spots that Giggles might be found.

All six grandkids were now suspects in a major, growing, possible Teddy Bear kidnapping ring. Even some adult friends that had attended party functions at our home were added to the possible suspects… but neither of us voiced it out loud…ahem.

The UNTHINKABLE was beginning to creep into our thoughts… It was not a possible Teddy Bear picnic capper that had taken Giggles…it was our own memory problems that were taking a toll. Not just one of us had forgotten where Giggles was placed or who might have re-arranged his person…both of us had forgotten at the same time.

Yikes… TWO GROWING OLD PEOPLE… with “slip slidin’ away” memory issues, living in the same house together. TWO GROWING OLD PEOPLE…entering the stage that each day becomes a possible Christmas time…discovering gifts that we bought last month and had forgotten where we put them…or that we had bought them. TWO GROWING OLD PEOPLE…always looking for their car keys which hide in different coat pockets or on different shelves…or in the door lock outside. Yikes TWO GROWING OLD PEOPLE… Oh Boy…

If that dumb T Bear had just stayed in the same place he was last month…we wouldn’t be facing this predicament now.

Alida had slipped in under the covers. Since mid afternoon she had looked for Giggles everywhere. Now she was just too tired to care. Her memory was not what it had been early in the day…the “slip slidin’ away” memory.

Without Alida knowing I had been looking for the little guy as well. Quietly I had scanned the whole room and the bathroom and the laundry room and even my garage! Sometime Teddy Bears need to be fixed and they will come to Grandpa’s Workshop for different internal major surgeries. Sometimes grandkids will smuggle them out to play with when grandma isn’t looking. I had squeezed paw after paw for the last hour….but no luck.

It was 12:45 AM and Alida had faded already. I reached up and took the little paw of the small, brown Teddy Bear. He was sitting on top of the old book case/desk in the bedroom. I squeezed and immediately he giggled and asked, “Can you find my paw?” I squeezed again and he giggled again, “You’re so smart, can you find my nose?”

Alida sat bolt upright from her sleep and asked, “Where is he?” I squeezed one more time …this time his nose… and Giggles responded, “Can you find my foot?” and I did and then he said…”You’re so smart…can you find my tummy?”

We laughed until 1:00 AM. I looked up and told the Bear to go to sleep.

Now this is nuts… you have spent time reading 853 words to this point of the Blog… WHY?

I have shared one simple, marital secret that has held us closely together for 40 years and six months – “a happy heart is good medicine”. For these year together we have laughed, we have cried and we have sat quietly wondering where the dickens the Teddy Bear has gone…but through it all we are happy…so very happy.

Around us at times there is usually a swirl of pain and deadly human, toxic, attitudinal waste. This weekend another couple we know have witnessed their deep love for each other be blown out the window of despair. What was to be a deep and heart felt marriage this next summer is a smudge of bad memories. Really bad attitudes surfaced and selfishness was made King and Queen… and it was over.

God… I hate these moments of despair and deluge that takes such a toll on life.

Here is the “mini devotional thought” for today… when was the last time you and your wife/husband/partner/significant other – laughed together? Are you in love? If you are, have you told the one that you love… that you really love them?

I grabbed the Teddy Bear’s paw one more time and he asked me this morning, “Can you find my ear?” I did. He giggled and told me, “You’re so smart…! Can you find my foot?”

I am going to hang a few more thoughts on the fact that TWO GROWING OLD PEOPLE…are having their last years of fun together… soon enough it will be over for one of us… but for now…”You’re so smart…. Can you find me?”

~ Pastor Murray and Alida Lincoln ~

Northview's February 24th Bulletin Info For You

Northview

Where Everyone is Welcome!

Fairbairn Street & Towerhill Road 748-4573

Sunday
10:30 AM - Morning Service

Sunday School Program for the Junior Congregation up to Grade Eight during the Sermon Time

Today we celebrate Communion with each other - a Time to Remember the First Member of our church - Jesus.

Pastor Murray Lincoln begin his series of messages on "Along the Road to Calvary" as we prepare for Easter 2008

6:00 PM – Joint Service tonight at Causeway Christian Assembly with Northview & Lakefield joining togther
The meetings with Evangelist Bob Winters began on Friday Evening and will be complete with tonight’s meeting. God has been stirring the hearts of people that have attended.

Join us for a time of healing and revival.

Tuesday
7:00 AM
Men's Breakfast at Aviemore Restaurant - McDonnel St. and Park Street
Ladies Breakfast at Brookdale Restaurant - Brookdale Plaza - it is reported that the Fruit Cup Breakfast is WONDERFUL! and the fellowship with the laughs mixed in are GREAT!!!

9:00 AM
Helping Hands - a Sewing and Knitting Ministry Group for "Mission Partners International"

6:00 PM – TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS
Power Walking at the Church - see how many times you can make it around – everyone is welcome…

7:00 PM
Peterborough Community Chaplaincy – Volunteer Training and Information Update… See Dan Haley for more information. This important session is held at the church - in the larger prayer room.

EFT – Electronic Funds Transfer – Please call Josselyn Armstrong, our Church Secretary at 705-748-4573 to learn more about this convenient way to take care of your support of our church – “tithing electronically” – the ET Factor helps us greatly!

Thursday
7:00 PM
Wood Carving with Pastor Murray – in his workshop – reserve a place so he can make a space…

Friday
7:30 PM
Youth Fun-Night – Call Cameron for more Information - 749-9551

Ladies Retreat at “Joy Bible Camp” May 23 - 25
Northview Ladies & Friends will join together at Joy Bible Camp (near Bancroft) for a great Retreat. Entitled “Men-On-Pause” – says it all….
Cost is only $130 for A GREAT WEEKEND together with other women that love to have fun… Brochures are available from Alida or Stephanie.

39 the Second Time – “Discovery Saturdays” – 3rd Saturday of each month
We are an active group that loves fellowship and great food. We meet for Breakfasts or Brunches or Lunches in many different places. An upcoming trip is to the Heart of Canada’s Asian Village – for Dim Sum. Imagine a Trip to Asian without a Pass Port… and no long airplane ride!

We have plans for Brunch Breakfast in Belleville and a whole loy of other places. Then there is the Breakfast Hike….WOW!

You name it we will try it…. Guaranteed to be a time of laughter and great connections! Call Marion at 742-7737 or Alida at 760-9389 with your ideas – or to pick up on the next idea of Discovery with “39 the Second Time”.

Pastor Murray and Alida Lincoln

Happy Birthday Northviewchurch Blogspot

Happy Birthday
Northview Church Blogspot

2 Years Old Today!

Over 16,518 visits have been made to the Blog in two years time. Today is Number 529 posting and 23,843 pages have been viewed over these two years.

Is it worth it all? You betcha! The comments and feed back we get have made it worth it all. The contributing and budding authors have added a whole new emphasis to what we do.

Send your comments to murray.lincoln@gmail.com - or just click below - we will endeavor to add your comments to this post today! Thanks a Million for the Support!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

~ From Jessika ~
Thank you so much for starting this site!! I love it, as even when I am not near home,I can stil feel like I am. What a great and inspirational site it has been, not only for some soul laughter, but for some soul reflection!!

Congrats on 2 years, and may God continue to bless the eyes and minds of those sitting infront of their computers reading your inspirational tales.

~ From Arthur ~
I read Northview Church Blogspot regularly, smiling at the humour, meditating on the "allegories" drawn from real life people and situations. My hope is that it will continue for a long time. Blessings to you, Pastor Murray as the originator and the chief contributor, and to all others who contribute from time to time.It must not be easy to come up with something interesting and instructive on a daily basis.

In closing, I wish Northview Church Blogspot a very happy second birthday.

Arthur Wilkin.

Passing of an Old Friend

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense has served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary - Common Sense - Born a Long Time Ago - Passed Peacefully, Recently.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their spoiled and self-important children. It declined even further when schools were required to get written parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a Band-Aid to students, but were restricted from informing parents when their child became pregnant and skipped class to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses, schools were forbidden to fail students who couldn't read and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a severe beating when home owners were forbidden from using force against an attacker in their own home but the burglar was legally allowed to sue a home owner if he was injured on their property during the commission of the crime.

Common Sense finally died after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was actually hot and, when spilled in her lap while she was trying to drink and drive at the same time, was burned and promptly awarded a huge financial settlement in court.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Submitted to me by a friend
Strongly supported by all the Friends of Common Sense, May he rest in peace. Some of us will try to live by what he taught us in a nutty world that is filled with other stuff.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

A Point of Reflection

The old books made me sneeze. The dust had accumulated over the past years and the books had not been used. One book stood out as I lifted it from the pile. Dark blue in colour and generally uninteresting would best describe it. There on the cover in gold lettering were the words, “Democratic Government in Canada”.

Inside the fly leaf were four names. Each name had extra information with it, the class, an address, and a very old telephone number. The names were Andy Pinik, Tom Bradley, Barrie Armstrong and Murray Lincoln. The names indicated the fact that all of us had sat through a hugely boring class called “Poliec 101” (Political Economy 101). The book was published/copyrighted in 1947 and then again in 1957.

Under the “Preface” I re-read these words…
“This small book has been written to meet an obvious need in Canada and elsewhere – a short, descriptive account of Canadian government, national, provincial and municipal. Many people have not the time nor, perhaps, the desire to read long and detailed discussions on what may at first appear to be an uninspiring subject; yet a substantial number are frequently to know more about the fundamental ideas and structure of their government if it can be given reasonably concise form. This book is designed to supply some of this information and understanding.”

Yawn and stretch. Oh that hurt. The 1965 class was filled with over 450 really bored University students that wanted to be anywhere but in that class. Even as I held the book this morning and re-read the words I could feel the same feelings again… “Why would anyone knowingly study this and enjoy it!?” I know there were a few Economists that came out that class and a few of my friends become Lawyers and later on Politicians…BUT WE ALL DETESTED THE CLASS!

(Note the Graphic used of the front cover(above) is much more interesting than the front cover of my old book…..BUT the Contents are the same - it has been republished 5 more times since..."Arghhhh - the pain of it all"....! )

I held the book this morning and then I sneezed…and remembered.

Today I know the political system as well as the next Canadian beside me…not from the “Democratic Government in Canada” – but from living in it…being a part of it. Kind of like osmosis I think…the words entered through my skin cells – or something.

Wikipedia sums up a part of the “Democratic Government in Canada” when it makes the following statement…about The GNP

“It is Measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate the value of goods and services produced in an economy. They use a system of national accounts or national accounting first developed during the 1940s. Some of the more common measures are Gross National Product (GNP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Income (GNI), Net National Product (NNP), and Net National Income (NNI).”

If I haven’t lost you yet…
In Bhutan they have a very different way that they talk about their country. As far as I know they do not have a GNP, GDP, GNI, NNP or a NNI.

They have the GNH – Gross National Happiness. It is actually a goal set by its national government and leadership. They concentrate on GNH for everyone. Now – you will likely know that this kind of a Buddhist thought – at least strongly influenced by their line of thinking.

I am sure that many of my fellow students were close to being Bhutan Buddhists. Their personal pursuit was that of happiness. Some succeeded at that pursuit and some didn’t.

When you read more about the Bhutan idea of GNH – they endeavor to live with what they have – simply and then enjoy it. But without a doubt, nothing is easy in Bhutan – situated just north of India and under China – perched on huge mountains – they work hard to just stay alive.

Can you imagine no computers, not telephones, no television – HDTV or otherwise? As simple world.

Oddly enough as I approach my easier days I am tossing more and more away. I am cleaning my “Man Cave” and moving easier in it.

I think I have kept the old blue book as a reference point for my life.

My life is so different now. I think of the Four Factors that John Maxwell spoke about when looking at the early church growth….. These factors appeared in the lives of each leader.

1.) Obedience
2.) Commitment
3.) Healthy relationships
4.) and Faith

No man can do anything on his own. Wow…that is what “Democratic Government in Canada” was really all about…hmmm?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Democratic Government in Canada

“We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.”

The advertisement is a mind/eye catcher. It has been a long time since I have felt or witnessed this kind of ad. What it says is powerful and seems to make the product they are presenting even more credible. But then after you hear it – you stop and say to yourself… “Now just a minute… what are you talking about?!?”

The statement is… “We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.”

The first ad I saw is a for a weight loss product that is being touted as the best. A person that looks like a doctor in a white lab coat comes on just as the announcer is making the “truth” statement. Looks credible…yes…sounds great.

The when I check out who and what is being advertised I found the following…about Akavar (weight loss drug)

Akavar 20/50
A possible class-action lawsuit is being investigated for this drug and is under investigation by the media and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for unsubstantiated medical claims. Also the high amount of caffeine in Akavar 20/50 can cause sever nausea. According to customer feedback, this is considered to be one of the biggest scams ever. (Weight Loss Research.net Reference URL below)

Then with a further Internet Google Search I did, I found an actual site that someone has placed that says it all… “wecouldntsayitontvifitwasnttrue.com” The site does not say a thing. The person that did this knew that a million people or so might drop by to see if it was true. And like me… they did a search for an answer to the claim. All that moves on this site is the blinking ‘period’ at the end of the line. Brilliant absolutely brilliant! But something else happened when I went there….

FYI On this side…
When you visit a Web Site your computer leaves a trail behind. One of the things that happens is the Web Host or Web Site owner can see if you were there and when, etc. You leave a “Unique I.P. address” behind. The “Unique I.P. address” is the EXACT NAME of your computer which is connected to an EXACT ADDRESS (your house/home). If you would like to check that out…scroll down to the very bottom of this Blog…click on the ‘Sitemeter’ button…which will take you to another page…then click on the “World Map” button to the left side of the stats shown….see the little red button…that is you… see the little green buttons…they are about the last ten people that visited this Blog…see the line below the map… where 10…up to 100 is shown…click on 100… and the map will change showing the last 100 visitors to the Blog… now put your mouse over one of the white dots anywhere in the world… hold still…now it tells you where the person was when they clicked in to read the Blog…click the same white, or green, or red dot again…another screen opens… and tells you the “Unique I.P. address” of the computer(less the last three possible numbers), plus the kind of operating system the computer is using, the size of the screen resolution, and a whole lot more about the visitor that is amazing. Using the ‘sitemeter’ program is free and it is entertaining to say the least.

Now back to “We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.”
But then the statement is not only used in this weight loss ad – but also a floor cleaning product and then in a new commercial about a program to buy real-estate that is up for sale because of back taxes not being paid… where they claim that you can buy a $350,000 house for a mere $1,125… then stated “We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.”

It may be the biggest “tongue in cheek” statement ever. I am expecting a host of producers to insert this claim in with whatever they offer.

Now put this thought over to the ads for a ‘lawyer’, a ‘politician’, or a ‘lawyer politician’….? Oh boy. Or how about a CAR SALESMAN? Would you believe it then? More or less? How about a rich and greasy hamburger that makes the statement, “Mmmm so good for you…! The kids will love it!”

Think of any other product or idea or person or whatever that this statement might be suspect… and a grin will come to your face.

Some people that see TV Evangelists making their statements and promises feel the same about them as well. I have to agree with them on that point as well. I don’t trust ‘some’ of the TV Evangelists – and I am a minister!

But if it is said on TV…it has to be true…it absolutely has to be TRUE!

Let me ask you this… "Where in God’s name is the credibility that once existed?"

You know… when some one said you can trust me…and meant it?
You know…when some one said “I love you” and you knew they meant it?
You know…when some one said “You can trust me for the rest of your life”…. “Until death do us part…” ?????

The statement, “We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.” -points brilliantly to a blatant fact in our society – all credibility has been changed to a new norm.

Telling a little or a big fib is simply okay. A lie is normal and even acceptable. Cheating is fun.

My one visit to a Casino let me see the hundreds of security people that were present to make sure that no one was cheating at the games they were playing… so the Casino could better cheat the people out of their own money…but then most of the Casinos are run by the government that is taking a huge amount of our tax money and doing little with it… and that is done by ‘politicians’ that we are suppose to trust… that make claims that are not right or down right lies…but then they are mostly lawyers that make statements on TV… and “We couldn't say it on TV if it wasn't true.”

Let me make another wild and almost weird, off the wall statement…

Truth starts between two people. When each of them know that what the other said is true – truth starts. Then truth is maintained when these two find two more that they can be truthful with and trust what the others say.

Watching and Listening….

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

http://www.weightlossresearch.net/akavar.php
http://wecouldntsayitontvifitwasnttrue.com/

My Old Brogans and the Brogan Maker

By Bruce Lindsay

One of my hobbies is Re-enacting of the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. I head to a battlefield along with a few car loads of friends from my Unit – the 10th Louisiana (Confederate) or the 49th of Foot (British). We camp out 18th century style, leaving all the modern-day conveniences behind. My kids have both taken to this hobby. I don’t dare go away without them now.

My son, Clifford is turning 13 soon and his feet are already as big as mine. This presented a problem. Last year he kept waking up earlier than I did and putting on my old brogans (that’s what the typical work-boot was called back 200 years ago). I only had one pair, so I would go barefoot, or wear my Indian moccasins – both historically accurate alternatives.

The problem is that I work with the artillery. Neither moccasins, nor bare feet offer much protection from the next guy (and his brogans) stepping on my feet, nor a lumbered canon on wagon wheels rolling over my toes. Needless to say, I’ve been considering buying a new pair of brogans for Clifford for his upcoming birthday (please keep it a secret and don’t say anything to him).

There is one and only one person in Ontario – even Canada – who makes authentic 18th Century footwear. He works out of Guelph. His name is Rob. He is the one I purchased the first pair from, and they have been excellent shoes. The brogans have stood up to over 10 years of abuse and fit my feet comfortably – or at least comfortably as thick raw-hide and hobnails can. I have had them repaired a couple of times, they have a hole in one toe and they let in the water a bit, but I would never get rid of them. I actually love those old brogans.

I talked about ordering another pair and some of the guys in my Unit warned me not to use Rob. They told me that he is unreliable. The orders will take 6 months or more. The shoes won’t fit right.

“Nonsense,” I thought, “Rob makes the best brogans money can buy! He’s an old friend too. Of course I would order from him.” Still, hearing warnings from people I trust made me a little bit cautious about dealing with Rob.

I called Rob and ordered a pair of size 12 brogans back in August. I think Clifford’s feet will continue to grow for a while so size 12 should do (mine are 11s). He told me they couldn’t be ready for that weekend – there was a big event about 4 days from the day I spoke to him. I assured him that it was not a rush order. He said they’d be a few weeks then. I sent him a cheque. I didn’t give it another thought.

In our busy lives, little things like this get moved from the front burner to the back burner very often. It was not until January that I got to thinking, “Hey! I never did receive the brogans I was promised.” I sent an e-mail to Rob reminding him that the new re-enacting season was just around the corner and I needed the brogans soon.
No response.

I called 2 weeks later and spoke to him. He said he received my letter. He also received my e-mail and sent a reply. ‘The shoes are in the mail.’ I thought that was great. I waited.

Now 3 more weeks later, I have given up on him. I doubt the shoes are ever coming. I never did receive a reply to my e-mail. I think Rob is a ‘bad tooth’.

I ordered the brogans from a shoemaker in Tennessee.

Don’t get me wrong. I forgive Rob. I have nothing against him. I still think of him as a friend – all be it a useless friend. What bugs me is that I know he could do wonderful work, but he doesn’t do it. The whole experience has left me feeling hurt.

It’s our nature to give up on people.

Proverbs 25:19 “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.”

This verse has always been a favourite of mine. It illustrates the fact that in our human nature, we won’t rely on things if we know they are going to hurt us. When you have a bad tooth or a toothache, you will try to chew your food on the other side of your mouth. This might make your jaw tired and it’s sometimes difficult to do, but it’s better than trying to chew with the bad tooth and getting the painful reminder that the tooth is useless. Likewise with a lame foot, you try not to put any weight on it. This makes it harder for the other foot but experience has taught you that it’s still better than counting on a lame foot to take some weight and being disappointed again, and falling on your face. This holds true any time – but like the verse reads, especially in “times of trouble.”

I think about Rob’s business. He won’t get any more business from me, and he’s obviously hurt many others in my unit. How many other people have been disappointed and hurt by this bad tooth? The re-enacting community is rather small. Having a bad reputation might mean the end for his business – despite his having the ability to make a great pair of shoes.

Think again about your jaw. It will slowly get stronger on one side as you use only that one side. Think about your good foot. It will get stronger as you depend on it to hold all your weight. I think the same will hold true for any reliable business. People will depend on it and the business will grow if it proves reliable over time.

Inside each business are people. Each of us as workers must strive to be dependable and reliable daily. If I am unreliable, my manager will move responsibilities away from me and give them to someone else – he’ll learn to chew on the other side of his mouth. I’m proud to say that where I work I have more responsibilities than anyone else, except the manager.

Now think about our Boss, the Great Boss. God is looking for us to be faithful servants. He calls us and expects us to answer. He guides and directs us and expects us to walk with Him and follow Him. As we prove reliable, God will ask us to do more for Him. I think you know this is true. Look at the lives of David, Joseph, and most any other Bible character. Read Matthew chapter 24.

Matthew 24:23 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

My prayer today is that God will find me faithful and reliable. He has paid a great price for my work. I owe Him my best. Despite past failures, and being a bad tooth and a lame foot, I ask that God continue to use me and not give up on me. I want God to find me to be an obedient servant. I want to make Him happy, and share my Master's happiness!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks Bruce… Great thoughts…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Northview update…
About a year ago Michael and Kristina Catania moved from Peterborough to Calgary for work and to begin a new life. Stuff happened personally making the future not so bright. Life choices were poor and Michael fell backwards with his personal decisions causing pain for his wife and son.

Not long ago Michael and Kristina returned to Ontario. Michael made a huge decision to begin the “turn around” of his life. For his own sake and as he puts it, “For the sake of my family and son….” He entered the program at Teen Challenge in Lambeth Ontario.

On Sunday, my wife and I traveled to London, Ontario to take part in a celebration for a number of young men. In a beautiful service filled with excitement and support of their friends, 12 people were Baptized in Water. They were making a declaration of the transformation that has taken place on the inside and confirming what people were seeing on the outside. Deep personal commitments had been made and lives have been changed.

Please take a look at a small portion on the events of last Sunday night via this YouTube video. Just click on this link or Copy it to your Browser - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhzvuB_2RZA

The Teen Challenge ministry that Michael is now a part of…is powerful and has a great history. Please check out http://www.tcfarm.org/history

They have a great program to help you support their work. One of the programs that they work with is “Automobile repairs and sales”. Good people like you donate their used and perhaps tired vehicles. Together with a great, qualified mechanic’s help they refurbish the vehicles and then sell them. Looking for a good car….have we got a deal for you!

~Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Angels and Other Stuff

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying ' don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety o n the road.. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, especially for the months in 2008 , and I picked you.

Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.

Here is the prayer:

'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'

I know I picked more than four -- you can, too.

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say,
'Jesus, could You please get that for me?

The Old Man and the Dog

The following story, attributed to Catherine Moore, was sent to me by my friend Tim Thom. You may already had this in an email. Because I am a strong believer that my friends, Dogs, have a ministry given by God, I have to republish this today. ~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

The Old Man and the Dog
by Catherine Moore

“Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car!” My father yelled at me.

“Can't you do anything right?”

Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

“I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.” My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had revelled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered gruelling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived.

But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counselling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered, in vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, “I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.” I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odour of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs and spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of grey. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. “Can you tell me about him?” The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement.

“He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.” He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. “You mean you're going to kill him?”

“Ma'am,” he said gently, “that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.”

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. “I'll take him,” I said.

I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when dad shuffled onto the front porch.

“Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!” I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. “If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it.” Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples.

“You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!” Dad ignored me. “Did you hear me, Dad?” I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duellists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.

Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favourite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog, who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.'

“I've often thanked God for sending that angel,” he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article...

Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter... His calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father... And the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly.

Live While You Are Alive.

Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.

The BIG E WORDS that Travel

Just recently I completed my Football Season watching the Super Bowl. I am ready for a pause this season until the next. Now I can catch other less stimulating sports like Curling.

I AM NOT against Curling – it is just not something that makes sense for me – screaming at people that are sweeping to make them work harder after you have thrown a bad rock…. well it just seems dumb! But if they are screaming, “SWEEP” to the Rock… it is a ROCK and it can’t hear you…duh?! Or – better yet, “TURN! TURN! TURN YOU STUPID ROCK TURN!”

I have heard all that said and watched it done.

Football TV makes more sense… you can yell, “Come on… Come on… YES!” and your player or Team makes the crucial play. But you don’t see or hear Football Players screaming, “SWEEP!” – “RUUUUUUN!” No quarterback in Football would say that kind of thing after he throws the ball. Can you imagine what he would look like if he did?

Now pick your favourite sport or game. There will be two “E Words” present in your life if you enjoy what you are watching (or participating in).

Here they are… EXCITEMENT and ENCOURAGEMENT. The Big “E Words”.

I admit that even Curling has the qualities in it that allow the two Big “E Words”. Football certainly does.

Curling for the most part is kind of boring as a spectator sport. Men with brooms stand looking at non moving rocks on a sheet of ice….well it is just slow… kind of really slow…until some one throws a gently gliding rock down the long thin sheet of ice… and it excitedly nudges another dormant rock sitting quietly by itself at the other end not bothering anyone…. Then all the curlers wake up and Scream – “SWEEEEEEP!” That has to be the ultimate Big E Word – “Encouragement” at that moment.

On the side…Curling fans in the stands…never yell…. “SWEEEEEEEP!” – but put a football fan watching in the Curling Rink and he will likely yell louder than the guy screaming at the rock sliding quietly down the ice. He will also have his shirt off and his belly painted green – because he has EXCITEMENT”.

People watching Curling do clap their hands at the right moment… and even cheer a little bit. But I have yet to see one take off his shirt and paint his belly the colour of his team.

Silly and simple comparisons – I know. But isn’t that a lot like life for you and me?

I will do something that is impossible if someone is cheering me on. I will step into dangerous places and take on impossible tasks – if some one yells, “SWEEP!” or “Run!” or “Keep going we believe in you!”

Back to Football…
Look at the guy that usually gets the ball and then runs with it. He is almost always much smaller than the guys that are trying to stop him. Many times they out weigh him by over 75 to 100 pounds. They are taller, they are bigger and they are very strong. They itch to catch the little guy that is running so fast. When they do – they will smash the dude from his flying feet and take him down. From a flat out run to an instant stop – ‘BAM, CRASH, OUCH, Oooo that one hurt’ instant stop.

You have to have the BIG E WORD – “EXCITEMENT” to get up and do it again. In fact you needed it to do it the first time. Consider that the guy running knows that he will be hit by at least 200 pounds of muscle if not 400 or 600 or even 800. In some piles on the field there is a half a ton laying on the guy that was flying through them all at a break neck pace seconds before.

The other Big E Word was given to the little guy many times before…”You can do it! We believe in you.” “We are with you” works real well too. It encourages little men to do ridiculous things and then get up and do it again.

It encourages a team of six to travel around the world and throw stupid and dumb rocks down unknown sheets of ice – with a world watching them potentially blow it. Then they have screamed, “SWEEEP!” to boot for the whole world to hear.

Hey I admire Curlers as much as Football Players. It takes guts to do what they both do. But more than that they both must have two BIG E WORDS – EXCITEMENT and ENCOURAGEMENT…given by someone watching.

In a recent football game in a large, inside kind of stadium…the noise was so loud that the opposing team couldn’t hear the call by their quarterback – the man getting the ball to throw. The home team players stopped and looked at the crowd that was watching. They moved their arms up and down to encourage the crowd to yell louder…. And the crowd went nuts. They screamed so loud that the opposing team quarterback and his team fumbled their play and lost the ball.

There is nothing like a home team advantage – the Crowd loves you! Big E Words are everywhere. Big E Words make you do something that you are not able to normally do.

I stood by the bed of a man that was very weak. They had told him that they weren’t sure that he would be able to walk again. A therapist came into his room and got him out of bed. “Come on John, lets try a few steps today” were her words. John pushed and pulled until he was up on his feet… then John took a step.

John is walking today – slowly but he is walking.

I stood with a family that has been crushed by the worst nightmare that anyone has ever faced. Just being there was encouragement. Not much was said – but the Big E Words were there – by action.

However there is one word that will kill the Big E Words – that is REJECTION.

REJECTION is a bull dozer in a crystal glass shop of “Faint Hope”.

I met a boy that no one loved. He had potential and possibility…but every time he tried everyone said no.

He walked into my office with great difficulty. His condition as a paraplegic was evident. He has no voice and his hands struggled with the bag at his side. He retrieved a well worn typing communicator…kind of like a laptop computer… with a keyboard. His distended fingers tapped on the key board and a ticker tape was produced from the side of the machine… then he tore if off and gave it to me. It read, “I am an author and a writer. I have many stories to publish. I need someone to help me publish them. Do you need some one to write for you?”

I choked and almost cried. Here he was with so many impossibilities that held him back. He needed help… just two words “excitement” and “encouragement”.
Shish… today I have to find a Curler and scream,”SWEEEEP!”

How about you? Got any BIG, BIG E WORDS TO GIVE AWAY?

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
“SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP”

My Magical Memory in 2007

My Magical Memory in 2007
By Marion Manley

My most magical memory came just recently in 2007. My Mom has suffered from Alzheimer’s for 15 years. Recent years have consisted of her physical presence only, at our family functions as she is almost unable to speak or to articulate her thought process.

While Mom stayed overnight with us Christmas eve, I tried to make her comfortable in our living room by sitting her in the recliner, tea in hand, watching the lights of the Christmas tree and putting on the Christmas carols.

While, usually unable to speak, except in garbled whispers, I heard her quiet voice clearly singing the carols, one after the other. They sparked a memory deep in her brain, not yet taken from her. What a magical, special time for me to sit there and sing along with her.
Mom, with an insatiable sweet tooth, whispered with amazing clarity "Those candy canes look digestible".

I suspect this may be our last Christmas together in a fairly normal sense of the word. That evening will be a cherished, magical memory for me, when for a short time I had my Mom back and

As far as I'm concerned, Mom can eat all the candy canes she wants.

Love Marion

Okay, Okay, I admit it… I love Dogs

Okay, Okay, I admit it… I love Dogs. They are my best friends. Some of them bark at me, some yelp, some wiggle incessantly and others jump all over the place. They are my friends!

Last evening we watched some of the Westminster Dog Show from Madison Square Gardens in New York. And “Uno”, the Beagle, won top honours – he was the Best of the Show.

One of the reports today quotes his handler saying, “Snoopy would be proud.”

“Uno” had lots of competition in the ring last night. Some of their faces are included at the end of this Blog today.

As “Uno” did his stuff for the different judges he acted perfectly normal for a Beagle. “Uno” barked at his handler, bayed at the crowd, tried to grab his leash and took a flying leap at a piece of filet mignon… the treat that is used to keep his attention.

“Uno” reminded me that dogs are fun and want to have fun. “Uno” showed me that life is too short to take it so serious that you miss a treat that is accidentally dropped.

Meet Moses…
Moses came to live with us in 1974. He was a Beagle that loved life. Being that he came to a Minister’s house to live, we thought that he should have a good Bible name. Right about then Dana and Anda, our daughters, had heard of Moses in Sunday School and together we agreed that “Moses” was a great name for the spunky little Beagle that loved to eat.

He grew into our family. He was part of us. Our chair rungs bear record of his teething as he gnawed the wood when we were out. Shoes got chewed well when left at his level.

One day after church Sunday morning, my wife let Moses out to meet me in the driveway to do his business and run a little before lunchtime. Just at that moment our neighbours that we had not yet met, stopped to introduce themselves. As I was shaking his hand, Moses walked behind him, raised his leg and relieved his full bladder on my neighbour’s trousers. That was one great impression left by one not so smart dog.

In the end our neighbours became close friends.
We know Beagles and love them for what they are.

I guess that is why the dogs are man’s best friends. They accept us for what we are at the moment. Then they us accept them.

We loved them when they are rascals, when they are obedient and not so obedient. We love them when they are ill and when they are lightning fast. One big lick from their wet tongue confirms a friendship.

I wonder…
I think sometimes of my human friendships and wonder. If each of the people that I meet were treated with the same love that a dog has for others – how would they respond? I think it might be different.

I have witnessed some pretty discouraging people stuff. People have hurt others and move right along. I won’t dwell on that very long, but it happens and it hurts. They snap and run.

I have so much to learn from my small fuzzy friends.

Today I want to be…
Have you ever thought that funny thought, “If I could be a dog, what would I like to be?” I did. I am sure that I would like to be a Beagle. They can howl at the crowds when everyone is too serious. They get the treats – because they are stomach and noise related. And they are happy all the time. Come to think of it…maybe I am related to a Beagle?

Today I vow to treat some one with as much love as my best friends have given me.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~