The Blame Game

"When you blame others, you give up your power to change."

Douglas Noel Adams is credited with these words.

Who was he?

1952 - Douglas Adams was born in Cambridge, England on March 11, 1952.

1958 - Adams first attended Primrose Hill Primary School in Brentwood. He took the exams and interviewed for Brentwood School at age six.

1959-1970 - Attended the Preparatory School from 1959 to 1964, then the main school until 1970. He was in the top stream, and specialized in the arts in the sixth form, after which he stayed an extra term in a special seventh form class, customary in the school for those preparing for Oxbridge entrance exams.

1971 - Adams was awarded a place at St John's College, Cambridge to read English. Adams attempted early on to get into the Footlights Dramatic Club, with which several other names in British Comedy had been affiliated. He was, however, turned down, and started to write and perform in revues with Will Adams (no relation) and Martin Smith, forming a group called "Adams-Smith-Adams." Later, on another attempt to join Footlights, Adams was encouraged by Simon Jones and found himself working with Rhys Jones, among others.

1974 - Adams graduated with a B.A. in English literature.

1979 - Adams and John Lloyd wrote the scripts for two half-hour episodes of Doctor Snuggles: "The Remarkable Fidgety River" and "The Great Disappearing Mystery" (episodes seven and twelve). John Lloyd was also co-author of two episodes from the original "Hitchhiker" radio series (Fit the Fifth and Fit the Sixth (also known as Episodes Five and Six, see explanation below)), as well as The Meaning of Liff and The Deeper Meaning of Liff. Lloyd and Adams also collaborated on an SF movie comedy project based on The Guinness Book of World Records, which would have starred John Cleese as the UN Secretary General, and had a race of aliens beating humans in athletic competitions, but the humans winning in all of the "absurd" record categories. This latter project never proceeded past a treatment.

2001 - Adams died of a heart attack at the age of 49 on Friday May 11, 2001, while working out at a private gym in Montecito, California. He suffered a narrowing of the coronary arteries which led to a myocardial infarction and a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

Author of books:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979) The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980) Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish (1984) Mostly Harmless (1992) Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987) The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul (1988) The Salmon of Doubt (2001) The Meaning of Liff (1983, with John Lloyd)

49 Years Old – dead!
His quotes that I discovered again is a kind of for warning for me.
He also stated…
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair."

I am looking at Retirement. And if there is any set of words that makes perfect sense – these are the ones.

But – God is the one that has it all in his hands.

This is going to be one huge adventure! I hope yours is as well today! I am praying and pulling for you.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resource:
http://www.s9.com/Biography/Adams-Douglas-Noel

The Days of Sunshine

As the day opened we received the first hint of what was to come. It is always that way I guess so why were we surprised?

For almost a week we had entertained the clouds and the cold. Along with the heavy overcast days was the unending wind that would not stop. It was cool and miserable. The weather man said that it was 10 degrees cooler than normal.

Then it happened. The wind slowed and the clouds moved away. The weather was changing. Within hours the sky cleared and we had SUNSHINE. In fact we had days of sunshine. A brilliantly clear sky stayed with us for almost three days! What a wonderful relief from the unending overcast conditions of the weeks previous.

As I watched the weather man on television demonstrate what has happened in our area of the world it was amazing. Almost one half of our province was bathed in sunshine…beautiful, bright, brilliant sunshine. The photo showing on the TV screen was taken from outer space many hundreds of miles above us – there was not a cloud to be seen anywhere.

As I pondered this thought and savoured the sunny days I have come to the simple realization again. Far above us there are no clouds. It is only closer to the earth surface where the weather challenges are felt so deeply. The hovering heaviness of the weather, mixed with the violence of the disturbances that come our way affects us deeply.

Yesterday was the beginning of the official Tornado weather for our area of Canada. This announcement means that in the next months our areas could be open to devastating weather with high winds, violent ripping storms and heavy rain.

As we watch the videos from the U.S.A. we see what has happened in the many different parts of their country. One news presenter stated that the USA usually has around 300 reported tornadoes up to this time of year. This year they have already had over 900. It has been a heavy season for violent weather.

But there is sunshine above all of this turbulent weather near the surface of the earth. There is SUNSHINE!

Reflecting…
Yesterday I visited a man by the name of John Greening. Two weeks ago he entered the hospital for an infection in his lungs. As they took X-Rays of his chest they discovered his condition had worsened and that he had pneumonia in his lungs. With antibiotics they treated his condition and then released him from the busy hospital.

John returned to the hospital by the end of the week suffering from great pain and in much discomfort. By Sunday night and on into Monday his condition worsened. On Monday night they made the decision to remove a portion of his Colon. It was not known then if he would live through this crisis.

John had contracted “Clostridium difficile” or “C. difficile”.

C. difficile has also become an acute health concern in Canada, where it was blamed for 260 deaths at seven Ontario hospitals recently, and for 2,000 deaths in Quebec since 2002.

John was very close to death.

We all remember the terrible fright that we lived through in Canada a few years ago when the S.A.R.S. problem hit our people and the health care system.

It seems now that C. difficile has killed more in the last few months than the S.A.R.S. ever did. And it almost killed John.

This posting is not about C. difficile or S.A.R.S. – it is about SUNSHINE.

Yesterday I visited with John in his bed in the I.C.U. at our hospital. They are waiting for a bed in another part of the hospital and then he will be moved. He is sitting up and even walking now – however he is very weak and it will take some time for full recovery.

Yesterday I saw SUNSHINE in John’s life again. It was so far from the days of last week when his body struggled to pull through hour by hour.

Today John is looking toward the next steps and the places that they might move to in order to get the care that he and his wife will need.

John’s story is like others I have received lately. Everything was progressing steadily through their lives…at an everyday rate. Then storms of life moved in very quickly. In John’s case it would be very much like a “Life Tornado” – almost destroying him.

Today there is hope. The storm clouds have moved away. There is SUNSHINE and life to live.

I have had this happen to me as well – and may well have it happen again. The part that I need to grab on to at this moment and fasten it deeply inside of my being – there is SUNSHINE above all of this “storm stuff” and it will come again – after the clouds, the wind, the storm and even the Tornadoes of life blow away.

How can it happen? Well in my child like way I see it as a product of God and what he does. He is far above the storms. He is the author of SUNSHINE. He is the conqueror of every problem. And he loves me…and you.

There is no one that knows this better than he does.

Today I am praying for John as he recovers in the hospital and ask God that he will be able to get out soon.

I am also asking God for a miracle for my friend Harold. Harold is a fellow minister that has just found out that he has cancer through out his bones and in different areas of his body. Together with his wife Yvonne they are facing a “Life Tornado”. I am asking that they will see SUNSHINE today and the clouds will blow away.

And finally – I am asking God for a miracle for you! May the present clouds roll away and the warmth of his love penetrate every part of your life.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resources…
“C. difficile”
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/432546

The Law of the Garbage Truck

A good friend emailed this to me...

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space, right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started Yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and could have sent us to the hospital!'

That is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes, they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short, to wake up in the morning with regrets.

So..... 'Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.'

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Submitted in a hurry this AM - too much to do...

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

PS if a moment comes that you need a lift - take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0zNQ3ZUW0

Old Ladies On Street Cars

It was a Holiday for Alida and me yesterday…trying to use up vacation days before we finish our tasks at Northview. So off to Toronto we went to hear our nephew present his First Recital for his Doctrinal Studies in Music at the U of T.

For one hour and half he and five others in the Jazz Combo played the music that he has written. No small task to say the least! And it was amazing….our “little Jon McCaslin” is an amazing musician and also a composer! We are not just a little bit proud. But his mom and dad sitting with us (and many of their friends) must have been busting at the seams!

To get to the recital we travelled with the public transit – subway first then the street cars. It has been a while. It was busy and it was packed. It is jerky at times and moves at the speed of light – the subway at least… and the old street car is slow and gentle almost like an elephant ride in Thailand.

Now to the fun part. At the busy times on these vehicles there are no seats. They are usually filled with people from the previous stops with sore feet and tired bodies. Many are sleeping or nodding off.

As Alida and I got on to the crowded Street Car we had to push through the crowd. We were able to get to about the first three seats before the crowd was to thick to go further. That took some pushing and grunting to get that far.

It was then that my wife felt the first “wave of old”. A young lady about 25 years old quickly stood up and motioned for her to sit down. Alida said, “No, its okay..” But the young lady insisted. The seat was open with four others eyeing it. Alida sat quietly not saying anything but, “Thank you…”

When we got off the Street Car she turned and said, “I have never had that happen before!” I told her that the grey hair helps!

Then it happened to me. Not so funny! Old ladies on Street Cars are helped– old men don’t need it – not me anyway! The other young lady was kind to me also. Sheesh!

The Street Car Jerked a little and a younger hand reached out for the old codger standing near me to steady him on his feet. Then I felt someone holding my arm as well…so I wouldn’t fall.

I wanted to shout, “The Grey Hair I have is a premature GREY…I am not that old!” but I didn’t. I said thank you. The young person’s smile was kindly.

Old People on the Street Car have an advantage. My feet were sore and my legs were numb from walking. Old is better today than yesterday!

As I watched Jon on stage last night doing an absolutely amazing job as a musician tears came to my eyes. I was there in a Winnipeg hospital just after he arrived. He was a little tiny boy baby that made some noise when he was hungry.

Today he is a refined musician that is turning his world upside down.

When he came over at the end of the concert and gave both of us a big hug… there were big arms around me. As he hugged his aunt Alida – he said, “Thanks for coming!” Two little people in front of him beamed from ear to ear!

I am coming to like being old! And travelling with the older lady on a Street Car has some good advantages.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Dirty Filters

I couldn’t believe it! The colour of the Gasoline was dark yellow – almost a grey yellowish tone. I had collected the fuel spurting from the old fuel filter coming off my automobile. It now filled a drinking glass. No wonder it would not run right! No wonder it was coughing and sputtering when I started to pull away or pull out into traffic. The poor vehicle was starved for fuel.

Now for the non-mechanical type that may look over my shoulder in this Blog I should explain a something important to know.
The fuel filter that is in the gasoline line between your gasoline tank and your motor has all the gasoline pass through it. It filters out the impurities that might have dropped into the tank – or that might have been in the gasoline from the service station where we fill up.

This fuel filter needs to be changed at least once a year some say. Others say that it should be more often to preserve better fuel efficiency.

When I looked at the filter’s contents in the clear glass it was filthy. At the bottom of the glass was a dark sediment. This fuel had run out of the bottom of the filter. In other words the filter had done its best to keep the harmful dirt out of the motor. When the fuel filter was disconnected the bad stuff just fell out into the glass.

The motor was starved for fuel and working ten times harder than it should.

This all happened as I was performing a small amount of service to our vehicle after the winter season was over. It should have been done by March but I was too busy.

But there was more…
The next part to check and replace was the air filter. It provides clean air from the front of the car to the motor. The scoop that allows air into it is lower and on the front of the vehicle. All of the dust and dirt and salt and whatever on the road is scooped into the air passage on the way to the motor. It is vital to the smooth operation of the motor. As I pulled it out the dirt began falling out. The normally white filter paper was almost blackened for more that 80% of the area that I could see.

I had watched the mechanic performing maintenance on the car motors before. They place a light on one side of the filter and look from the other side to see how much light is getting through.

My air filter had little to no light coming through. It was plugged full of dirt and filth from the street and highway.

My chugging and coughing motor of the last few weeks could not get fuel and was starved for air. Without these vital components in the motor – IT WILL NOT RUN. Worse yet it will begin to run but then die on the highway when you most need it.

When I installed the new fuel and air filters then started the vehicle it sputtered a wee bit…then roared to life. The smooth purr under the hood was almost musical. I turned off the motor. As I walked around the vehicle I really think that it smiled at me…maybe even giggled a bit. It can’t wait for the next outing on the highway.

A Reality…
As I read more about the maintenance of the vehicle at the parts store where I bought the filters it was clear now. The two filters being dirty made our gasoline costs soar. The motor needed to work much harder to keep going. It was like having to pull a heavy trailer one person said. Worse yet the motor’s insides were wearing away. The dirty filters eventually fail – the filth gets through to the vital parts inside.

So much like life…
As I pondered this yesterday I thought of own life and body. Without the proper filters in place the dirty stuff can get in and mess up the inside – physically, mentally and emotionally.

The food I eat can be good or not so good for me. We all know more about this now. Too high of this or that will cause my arteries to plug up and my old heart will have an attack – and maybe even die.

The things I take into my eyes and ears go straight to my mind. Allowing bad stuff to come that way messes me up big time.

In the mind I have discovered that when bad stuff comes in…it tends to mess up the thinking process big time. With the “Mind Dirt” comes worry, fear, frustration and foolish thinking. I have found out that perhaps it is even more dangerous to have a “mind attack” than it is to have a “heart attack”. Many people actually have had a real heart attack after months of “mind attacks”.

“Mind Attacks” cause ridiculous stress. No one wants stress. Now one goes to a store to buy stress. Yet we allow it to cover and smother us. And it all comes from some really bad stuff that comes into out system from the “Mind Fuel”.

Man oh man do I ever need a new Food and Mind Filter system.

Personal Reflection…
On Sunday we announced that our position at the church was ended. So were the positions of the rest of the staff. The lay offs/cuts were necessary because of financial problems. There just isn’t enough money to pay the staff. So it was a logical and practical thing to do. It was our churches tune up time.

In these days following there have been some major emotions as one may well expect. You don’t just turn off a life experience that has been rich in content and powerful in problems. These past 3,650 days for me have been loaded with victories and problems that have almost tipped me over at times.

But later yesterday something powerful happened to me. Sitting and thinking about the transformation that I am going through from “Senior Pastor” to a “Person in the Pew” – it has started to settle in…WOW! I am free!

For 10 years I have not had one day that I have not worried about the finances of the church. I have thought of it continually. The good reports at times mixed with the more recent bad reports had grown in my thinking. My mind was filtering all of it. It was MY PROBLEM…my debt…my difficulty…my burden. It was close to my heart.

When I accepted the challenge to become the Senior Pastor of the church – it all became problems in my world. Together with others we addressed the debt that the church had.

For outsiders of Northview you need to know something of the background. The building was erected in 1980 with a debt load of $1,350,000. The interest rate at the time of its opening was 20%. In the first 4 years of operation the church paid out $1,000,000 in interest. Then in the next 5 years they had to pay another $1,000,000 in interest. Yes – that is correct - $2,000,000 out and not one cent on the principal.

10 years ago we started working with the congregation to address that debt. At 18 years into the building it was still $1,350,000 in debt. The pastor that served just before me began by raising the idea to pay down the debt. A plan was made and we began to get rid of the debt.

In the 3,650 days we have paid it down to $775,000. This congregation has been amazing to work with. What troopers! Through thick and thin they have worked tirelessly. I honour them for what they have done.

In the last three years there have been some difficulties for sure. The momentum and ability to address the debt was reduced. We stalled.

Maybe the best way to put it was – “our filters were dirty or plugged” and we sputtered and coughed.

The staff reduction was our tune up time.

Yesterday…
In a wonderful moment yesterday I realized that the debt was no longer mine. With the transformation to the “Person in the Pew” – the worry, the concern, the fret, the frustration of fighting for debt reduction is not mine anymore.

I am free! And God…does it ever feel good!

So if you see me smiling – I AM NOT NUTS – I am free. Wah Hooo!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Fear and Friends

I hate not knowing!

Not knowing what will happen down the road is okay when you are on a holiday in a new place is okay. It is what we usually set ourselves up for when we take the adventure.

But not knowing what will happen in real life is uncomfortable. In fact it is scary. From scary it builds to the next level where fear sets in and begins its slow smothering of the vibrancy of life.

I have found that there is one major help for the Fear Factor in life and that is the Friend Factor. When you are up against odds that make no sense – friends make a difference. Oh what a difference that is. I learned that very early in my life and then in my ministry.

Let me illustrate this for you.

When a family lost their child because of a horrible accident – the couple that stood beside them were their friends. We were in the cafeteria of the hospital waiting for the transfer of their only child’s body to the hospital. She had died on the ski hill.

I’ll never forget the words of that poor mom as she sobbed. She fell into the arms of her friend and said, “I couldn’t do this if you hadn’t been here.” The words that the other lady spoke were powerful, “I am here because I am your friend.”

In the darkest moments any person could face God gives friends. They were fashioned by him as he led them through problem upon problem. He fired them in his furnace burning away the dross of their lives. He shaped them through difficulties. Then when they were completely ready – he made them my friends – or your friends.

In another situation I faced a young dad was about to lose everything that he had. He was filled with fear. His relationship with his family had soured over the few years that he had not tried to be who he should have been. He had been less than the person he had said he would be. Things were tough and he was scared stiff.

Together we faced some issues that were eventually dealt with. He started to improve and there was a new daylight. As we set together after many months he looked at me and said some powerful words, “Thanks of being my friend. All the other friends I had gave up on me but you have stuck with me. Thanks.”
It is an honour to be a friend. It comes with the fact that you are prepared by God to do something special.

When Fear Came Knocking
For some that know me better and are closer physically to us they will already have picked up on what I am writing about today. I have faced fear again. For the last few weeks I have written about it in one form or another. Then in the last few days I faced up with it.

It has been necessary to let myself go. I have been freed from the church as the Senior Pastor that I serve in over the last 10 years. The reason is simple, the finances are not there to pay the bills that have been incurred. So together we had to let the staff go…and with that I let myself go as well.

In my case it is kind of an early retirement. In fact it is now 320 days earlier than I thought it would be. For others involved it has been a shock as they will not retire so soon. I have been responsible for their lives and this fact alone adds weight to what we have done.

The odd thing is that we look forward to retirement and what it might bring – even with the unknown. It is just that when it comes this way it is scary. I hate not knowing so fast.

When Friends Come
When the crunch came so did friends. Three people were there when we most needed them. Each had come into our lives when they were facing the tough issues. Each had come with their own complicated life problems. Each had moved from the casual encounter with me to become something very special. Each knew what to say and how to be there.

There were dozens of others that came along side as well.

The one thing that I have slowly recognized is – friends are giving by God until he is ready to personally appear on the scene with the full answer to remove most of the fear.

Yesterday I was surrounded with many friends and much love. Oh how that made a difference. They loved me and my wife.

I took a step yesterday that was gigantic – I let a friend love me when I most needed it. Man did that hug feel good at that moment. In fact there was more than one hug…there were hundreds.

Some came in person. Some came as a smile. Others came with an email. Some came with a FaceBook smile. In the end of the day God had shone his love all over me by friends.

Today I Am Excited…
When the sun rose today I peeked outside again. The air was filled with the smell of the Lilac Tree next door. It was a new day. And guess who was there again? Mr. Robin was singing his heart out.

It is a new day… Praise the Lord!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

PS - Today is a Day Off – guess where I am going? In a wonderful way I am back in the Hasty Carpenter’s Shop of 1843 in Lang Pioneer Village. I am a re-enacting the role as a carpenter. I am a friend today with about 200 school kids that will come to hear me talk about wood. It is my new job of the day.

Is this what retirement will be…?

If it is… as my Granddaughter Emma says so well… “Oh Yes, Oh Yes, Oh Yes!”

Does God Take Gift Cards?

The thirteen year old is lanky and growing longer each day. He is all boy and quickly turning into a man. These are the “budding man years” as he stretches monthly to a new height. Meet Clifford Ross Lindsay – my oldest grandson.

Recently I was treated to a unique opportunity of attending his 13th Birthday Party with most of his friends and some of their dads. It was a “man thing” – kind of a special day of initiation to manhood. After school on a Thursday night we travelled to Marmora, a town to the east of our city, to take part in a Paint Ball War.

The expression “Paint Ball War” is mine and needs some explanation. Growing boys and men are given a compressed air driven Paint Ball Gun loaded with hundreds of gelatine covered, hard, round and coloured paint capsules – each is ¾ inch in diameter. Aiming this “gun” at some one and pulling the trigger will eject a ball at 200 feet per second. The target is of course another person - your friend!

I am sure that your first question must be something to do with pain. Yes it hurts when you are hit. It is equivalent to someone using two knuckles on their hand and then hitting you solidly on an unsuspecting muscle. If you can also call it a “Pain Ball War” – it hurts and it leaves welts.

“Soldiers” in this Paint Ball War wear layers of old clothes that protect their bodies from the impact of a shot. Added to these layers is a face helmet that allows easy breathing and all round good eye protection. There is a throat shield as well as a chest and back protection. The rest of the body is not protected other than with the layers of cloth.

At the end of the evening the guys all gathered around a picnic table to enjoy hot dogs and pop. Along with the food is the laughter and bragging of who was hit the most. The gales of boy laughter and the bragging was a delight to hear. The Big Boys and the Smaller Boys all mixed to a bounding moment.

I can’t really find the right words to tell you what it was really like. You would have to have been there. There is a video link at the end of this posting that will take you to “YouTube” where his Paint Ball War Party has been uploaded.

13 year old boys are amazing to watch.
I remember what it was like. The years are formative. The fact that so much influences them tells you that they are extremely teachable. But they are also becoming opinionated and strong willed. They may not yet have the best judgement yet.

13 year old boys will listen to coaches on Baseball Teams. They listen to coaches on Football Teams as well…but maybe not so much to their mothers and dads.

At this point it is where my story of Clifford turns.

At the party Clifford’s friends gave him their cards and gifts. It was amazing to watch him be poured upon by his friends. Each card had a gift of money or an actual “gift card” inside. The gift cards could be used in a store to buy what you want later. The total blessing of this Birthday Party was $200 total. Clifford was rich! (My how things changed in 51 years – that didn’t happen at my 13th B-Day!)

Clifford’s mom and dad believe in giving back to their community from whatever they receive. Simply put – they believe in a Tithe. They Tithe on their time and their money. For those who do not understand the term “Tithe” – it means to give 10% away.

In Clifford’s parents case they give at least 10% of their money to our church. I can’t tell you how much that is – but I can tell you that it is a great blessing to the church.

They are teaching their children the most important thing in their lives at this time – “Tithing”.

“Tithing” on $5.00 is a good mathematical exercise for a child. And taking 50 Cents of $5.00 is not hard.

Taking a Tithe of $200 is not only a mathematical challenge of separating out the $20 but it is a moral issue. From deep within it challenges is the basic greed and desire to keep what you have! 50 Cents was easy - $20 is impossible.

Clifford’s mom and dad listened and watched as he made his mind up about what he would do. It took some time…I think over a week of struggling with the idea.

Last week Clifford emerged from his room with a newly found solution to his Tithing problem. The solution was brilliant from anyone’s point of view…almost. It was logical question that Clifford asked. Listen closely… his words were… “Does God take Gifts Cards?”
As his dad and mom told me the story they described the feelings of suppressing their gales of laughter as he asked his question.

Clifford was earnest and honest with his question. It was formed in the heart of a newly minted 13 year old that was struggling with his new life issues of giving himself away…and even some of his birthday gift. He is making the life turning point questions now. And this perhaps is the greatest one ever. The question was not about his money or his Tithe – it was all about being selfless – or another way to put it – unselfish.

If you know boys…it is not easy for them to give their stuff away. Even as a 64 year old boy I find this hard to do.

Unselfish boys that have learned to give themselves away become Great Husbands and Great Dads….because that is what those jobs are all about.

Let me put this another way. Men that have learned early to give away themselves away are amazing employees and super community members. They are the guys that earn trophies and gain awards by the bundles. They are the coaches of all the teams and support for their own kids. They are at events whether rain or shine. They stick through changes in their family’s life. They are there when their wife needs them the most. They are amazing!

I am far too long with this posting…but you see Clifford has impressed me deeply. He has shown me my own struggles all over again. And I need him to know – Grandpa Lincoln had the same problems that you do. But when I learned that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive my life changed completely.

Now can I ask you as the reader of this long post something important? Would you please fine someone or some group to bless? Then when you find them give something important to you away.

Have a Great Giving Day – a GGD! May God bless you richly!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Special Note: This is number 600 post in this Blog! It is one of my places I have learned to give it all away!

YouTube posting
Clifford’s 13th Birthday Party – Paint Ball War http://youtube.com/watch?v=EhjG3vhXzuM

When the Robin Sings Its Okay

Seventeen days ago I was standing in the foyer of a large hotel in Toronto, Ontario. It was at a large conference where many men and women met together to be encouraged and also do business for the organization we all belong to. There were over 1000 delegates and a total of almost 2000 people attending. It was like a small city to describe it simply.

In front of me was an old friend of mine. His name is Harold. He and I are about the same age. We do the same work as ministers. And we work not that far away from each other. I have known him since 1976 – 32 years of friendship. His father followed me as Pastor of a church in Walkerton, Ontario. I respect this man greatly.

He asked me how it was going. My answer was light as we began to speak. I told him that I had about 331 days left before I was able to collect money from the government – referring to my now possible retirement. He laughed and told me that he thought I would never retire. The banter between us went back and forth for a while as we talked.

Then he said, “I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.” My reply was, “God bless you my friend!”

This week a darkness settled on me when I heard a report shared with me about my friend.

Last week he suffered a terrible pain in his chest. It came rather quickly. He was taken to the hospital early on May 16 – 9 days after we spoke in the hotel foyer.

Rather than trying to weave the story for you in my words… I am letting Harold share his words with you….

Quote from Harold’s email…
“Friday morning I awoke early with pain on the left side of my chest. It didn’t go away and got worse so we called 911. I then had my first trip in an ambulance. At the end of the day tests showed I had blood clots in both my lungs and that was the source of my pain. So here I am (Tuesday) on blood thinners. I have had four CAT scans as the medical people try to determine the source of the clots. They have been up front with us and have indicated that one of the possible sources is cancer. We are trusting the Lord for whatever outcome. I would prefer not to have cancer and whatever that would entail for us, but it is not my will but HIS will that must prevail. Both Yvonne and I are confident that God who has called us will sustain us as He has done again and again through our lives. He told the Apostle Paul – “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”

Thank you for all your prayers for us during this time of challenge. The medical staff here is quite impressed with all the support I have and I trust that one of the outcomes of this time of testing will be people brought into the Kingdom by the Spirit’s witness through my life.

In my devotional reading yesterday these verses from The Message – Psalm 116:10 & 11 stood out to me: “I said to myself, ‘Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling. I’m striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living!’”

HALLELUJAH! I’m writing this from the hospital, but in spirit “I’m striding in the presence of God”. He never leaves us or forsakes us! Both Yvonne and I are at peace with whatever outcome He determines for us.” ~ end quote.

Then another email arrived from his son… It stated – quote…
“At this point our main message is: "Harold has cancer in his bones but they will be doing further tests to determine if it has spread from another area, possibly his lungs."”

I was almost numb as I read the emails sent my way. Suddenly my friend is stricken with a terrible and possibly life threatening disease. His vibrancy and ability is seemingly gone in one stroke of time. His words rang clear in my ears…
“I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.”

The word ‘cancer’ is a frightening one our world. Along with it comes dark nights and terrible days of fear. That happens for the person that has been diagnosed as well as the family around them. As a minister I see it all too often. So has my friend Harold.

Personally as I have tried to process the information about my friend Harold it has not been easy. A darkness has covered the thoughts. Senses of uncertainty and feelings of fear are there inside my own thoughts. What if it was me? What if…?

This morning early I went out on our deck to just listen. It was still dark. There was only a hint of daylight coming. The moon shone brightly in the dark sky. The sky being clear had hundreds of stars twinkling. It is amazing at 4:30 AM what is going on outside.

From the tree in our yard at top branch there came a crystal clear message of hope for me. There at the top of his lung power was a Robin. I couldn’t see him – but I HEARD HIM! He was singing his little heart out – making music for all he was worth. It was amazing to listen to…I stood still and savoured the sound.

Though it was still very dark…and the world was far away…here he was shouting loudly – “THERE IS A NEW DAY COMING – WAKE UP EVERYBODY – WAKE UP!”

I began to smile as I listened. He had a personal message to deliver and no one would be able to silence him. No one would tell him that its still dark outside – “Go back to bed you silly Robin!” He had a job to do.

When you study a Robin’s life cycle and ways you find some interesting things about this beautiful little bird. It is the ‘Daddy’ Robin that sings his heart felt song. He does this as his mate is sitting on a nest. She has laid the eggs which will become their new family soon. There she sits on the four small, blue eggs somewhere high in our tree – waiting for four little ones to come along. He is not far away and is telling the world ~ “Hey, I am going to be a father soon…wake up…wake up…I AM HAPPY!”

A study was done a while ago on a Robin’s song. It was found that his song is for a purpose. That purpose is to let his new babies know that he is there. Even before they are born they hear the song and voice of their daddy. Some one actually tracked this song with some hi-tech equipment. They found that the song of a Daddy Robin is duplicated in his kids. From the very beginning he is stating he is there and they should know his voice.

Another simple factor is that the Mommy Robin is in need of food and support. While she is on the nest she waits and waits. His song is not only happy – it is supportive! When the babies arrive in a few weeks it will take both Daddy and Mommy to feed these starving offspring. Every waking moment they will be busy supporting their kids.

For now…early this morning when it was the darkest….Mommy Robin was reassured by her Daddy – I am still here and I am supporting you through every thing that will happen today.

I have noticed each morning this week that he has been at work early – even through that last darkness of the night. Supportive. Encouraging. Strengthening. Not seen but heard and very close by.

As I stood this morning and listened these thoughts drifted around me.

God is like this Robin. He sings out his best when we need it the most. His song is louder than the darkness and much, much stronger than fear.

God is singing outside my life’s door today. He is doing the same for Harold.

Do you need a new song? Do you need help? Are you in serious trouble? The answer is likely a solid and hearty “YES”!

The good news is – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I have found this so very true.

My prayer for you is…
Heavenly Father, I am asking at this time that you would encourage the people that read this. When they are worried, sad, frustrated, frightened, and feel they can go no further… sing a song for them. Lord may they hear all the different ways that you encourage me. May they not only hear but also see. Father I ask that they will be greatly blessed today in their most difficult time. And you now Father…I am asking you to do this because there is no one else, no other God that will do it the way that you can… Oh boy am I excited for my friends that have read this far!

And Lord today I ask for my friend Harold… he and his wife need a special gift of healing to be delivered to their home this week.

Finally Lord…thanks for the tremendous feeling of joy that you have let me have! What a wonderful gift it was. When I unwrapped it yesterday I laughed a for a long time. It was absolutely perfect! Thank you for that GIFT – it will look good in our home.

And Lord if it is okay with you… I am going to give most of that gift away today. I have met some people that really need it.

Thanks.

Your friend,
Murray

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO

Contributed by Jessika...
One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And
again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo.. I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Author Unknown

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks Jessika… this one was for me!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Hidden Stuff In LIFE

“Who would have known?” uttered the exasperated man, “If I had known that I would have done something about the problem weeks ago.”

The old vehicle sat at the edge of the road and a tow truck was hosting it for transport assistance to the garage. However from all evidence that was available at that point – even a good mechanic would not help the situation now. The old car was dead. Now with no money extra the situation had darkened more. They were looking at more debt or maybe no car at all.

This family’s predicament is not all that unusual. Any one of us has been caught with the unknown burying us.

As I write this I know that my old vehicle in the driveway could die of old age at any time. At 12 years old and much rust showing on all sides, a few weird noises being emitted from the running stuff in the working parts…it could happen anytime.

If only I could find quite a few thousands of dollars extra…If only.

If only that situation would turn around I would be able to do something different. In fact, if only those involved would see what was happening I am sure that they would take evasive actions.

If only I had made a different decision at that one point in my life and taken a different road – I certainly wouldn’t be here in this mess!

If only!

The above “if only” list is but a starting point for more muttering on my part. It actually isn’t only my “if only” list – it is a compilation of the “if only” lists of others mixed with mine. The fact is that I can “if only” myself to death – or into a real good lather and then sink into “stinking thinking” so fast that it is scary.

How about you? Any “if only” thinking getting you down today?

This is a simple thought that is amazing. Life is filed with “if only”. Take “if” out of Life and you have only L--e. Life is 50% “if”.

Absolutely no one knows what their “IF” is in their LIFE.

The young couple with their new baby has dreams. The middle age couple has plans for their money and travel. The senior couple has long term plans where they will retire and where they will live. But all know nothing of the “IF” that they face.

“IF” so often is in thinking of the past. But “IF” is also in a future that is uncertain. “IF” is also in the most positive of forces as well…leading to tremendous possibilities. Acted upon at the right time will produce a powerful moment and opportunity.

Mix a little “KNOWING” with “IF” and you could see success.

But then in the middle of “KNOWING” is the word “NOW”. If we paid attention to the NOW and made some better decisions and better choices our “IF ONLY” list may be different up ahead.

But there is another word in “KNOWING” or “KNOW” that you can easily see… “NO”. Being able to use it properly is super important to create a better LIFE.

One person that I have worked with bought a car as a young lady. Add to that she had debt from school – lots of it. But she needed a car. Her ability to pay for the car at the beginning was not good. She had only other debt and low ability to purchase anything. But in order to get to work she needed a vehicle. The beautiful NEW automobile was what she needed – she was sure of it!

When we met to discuss the issues that had brought her down, I heard her sad story. The automobile was now 6 years old and was suffering from many new problems. It was not worth much money now in its old problem stages of life as a vehicle. But because of the “FINE PRINT” in the contract she had signed she still owed way more than the car was worth. “If only I had known then what I know now…I would have said NO to the wonderful offer the man had presented to me.” The regret in her words was very evident.

Now at this point in this article, with half my audience regretting yesterday and the other wondering what might happen…I have likely succeeded in pulling everyone back into their hidden “IF ONLY” list. The possibility for depression to sink in around your ears is great.

Pause….
Take a look at LIFE again. Do you see “I” in it? That “I” could be me or you. If it is, “I” can do something about what I face now. “I” also can refer to a bigger “I” than me. That “I” in my life is God.

A long time ago when Moses was unsure of what to do and not understanding the magnitude of God’s calling him to lead the People of Israel, he hesitated and pulled a “what IF”. “What IF the people do not believe me and the story of my meeting you? What IF…”

God’s answer was to tell them that “I AM” has done this. I love that story. “I AM” is in everything. No problem is too big for “I AM” – there is no problem too impossible for “I AM”.

If my LIFE will include a whole lot more of “I AM” – things will be easier. I have learned that HE has my best interests at heart.

What IF “I AM” were here to help me? He is… WOW!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Exodus 3:13-15 (New International Version)
13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

The Professor and The Student

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students,

"Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!"

He considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him.

You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't,
does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in
this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer.

"Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.

"Who created them?" There is still no answer.

Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom.

The class is mesmerized.

"Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own.
"Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The
room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain.

"You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that.

There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains.

"You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?"

The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain?

No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God.

God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE from PML....
I felt this was an excellent example of Christian Apologetics. As it has been passed around and forwarded so many times it takes for ever to read as an email and is often discarded for that reason.

I trust that it will encourage the Christians to stand up for what you beleive.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Sweeping Away Great Intentions

The wave of relief that swept over me after each day was done was amazing! It was like having a great weight lifted. Something was actually accomplished!

My wife and I entered a wonderful holiday weekend(just past) intent upon getting a clean up done and a number of odd jobs cleaned up. It began Thursday PM and finished Monday late evening.

I fixed, I sorted, I tore apart, I painted, I completed a promised job and then I collapsed.

Where did all this stuff come from? I know that one came from “D” when she could couldn’t use it any more. It had been too good to through out – so we took it home. “D’s” place was cleaner mine added clutter. Yesterday I dealt with “D’s” stuff.

Then there was “M’s” stuff…a whole lot of it. It almost blocked the entrance of the garage over the winter because it was everywhere. Yesterday it was sorted – keepers here – ‘Value Village’ stuff there. “V.V.’s” pile of stuff is bigger than ours now.

The “old furniture pile” – with things that might be good, things that we intend to use some day, and things that must be done now – grows all the time. Maybe the originally empty garage just attracts this kind of pile.

Add to all of this was the “I didn’t even know I had that stuff” pile…with a whole lot of “so that’s where it went” mixed in.

“How does one collect all this stuff?” Or should it be asked, “How does it get attracted to me and my garage?” I kind of look away when some one asks that kind of question…embarrassed I think the answer, “I dunno… I think it all came from China….”

A huge burden lifted…
Last evening I felt it again… a burden was lifted. A weight was gone. So were a whole lot of tasks that were accomplished, furniture repaired, and stuff gone.

I am not done yet. This week will be another powerful time I anticipate. Tonight more will be done. That is my promise to my garage. It smiled when I made it – I am sure.

Pausing again…
My garage is so much like life – my life – not yours. Stuff collects after months of living. There is a desperate need to sort and clean some of the stuff that has gathered. Some was piled up because things happened quickly. Others were added when problems came our way. All of it needs to be cleaned thoroughly.

Over in this corner of my experience is “stinky thinking”. In the opposite corner is clouded attitude. In the middle are desperate aspirations that were never accomplished. Scattered between the piles is the dust bunnies of exasperated hope, that roles from one pile to the next. Then there is my stool of numbness where I sit and look at the piles.

Oh boy… I gotta run. I have to get started on another day of possibility. Only 10 hours of work at a cluttered office…then back to the garage! The anticipation is over whelming at this stage.

The one favorite Confucius statement is mine again. I found it under a pile in my life experience. It states, “The start of any 1000 mile journey is the first step.”

The battle is on…
I discovered a great web site after beginning this work of cleaning up. It offers some good description of “me”. In fact it tells me that I have five parts… or five voices telling me stuff. They are…

• The Hoarder: "This might come in handy someday!
  
• The Deferrer: "I'll think about that tomorrow!"


• The Rebel: "I don't wanna and you can't make me!"


• The Perfectionist: "Next week, I'll organize everything--perfectly!"


• The Sentimentalist: "Oh, the little darling!"

No wonder I talk to myself!
Oh Boy!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
PS - the Mask shown above is the "Clutter God" face mask....

R4M - Resources 4 Me
http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/organizing101/a/4cntnrmthdclttr.htm
The Clutter Within: What's Your Clutter Personality?
http://www.organizedhome.com/clutterer-within-whats-your-clutter-personality

Proverbs 6
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

GP Works

In my part of Canada now we are being warned about the West Nile Virus. It is spread to human beings by a mosquito that has traveled from a bird that has the West Nile Virus to a human – injecting its stinger into both bodies.

According to Wikipedia…
West Nile virus (or WNV) is a virus of the family Flaviviridae; part of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito.

When you do some reading on this miserable disease you may never go out of doors again. It is extremely serious for many people. Death has occurred in some cases – but for the most part it is a long and disabling disease.

One small bite, from one extremely small proboscis of a mosquito being inserted into the body of a bird...that becomes host for the “amplification” of the virus – which is then transferred by the next mosquito to a human.

Wikipedia again says…
Transmission - The virus is transmitted through mosquito vectors, which bite and infect birds. The birds are amplifying hosts, developing sufficient viral levels to transmit the infection to other biting mosquitoes which go on to infect other birds (in the Western hemisphere the American robin and the American crow are the most common carriers) and also humans. The infected mosquito species vary according to geographical area; in the US Culex pipiens (Eastern US), Culex tarsalis (Midwest and West), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Southeast) are the main sources.

In mammals the virus does not multiply as readily (i.e. does not develop high viremia during infection), and it is believed that mosquitoes biting infected mammals do not ingest sufficient virus to become infected, making mammals so-called dead-end infections.

So what…
The reason I point to the WNV today is to get your attention about an even more serious V. It can show up at the same time that WMV is present in the community. But it is evident when mosquitoes are not there and there is no WNV. It is even more deadly than WMV in that the person that it attacks is at risk of very serious debilitating actions.

This very ancient virus affects the brain. It causes untold heart ache and family damage. It is the FV…or the “Fear Virus”.

Wikipedia states of Fear…
Fear is an emotional response to tangible and realistic dangers. Fear should be distinguished from anxiety, an emotion that often arises out of proportion to the actual threat or danger involved, and can be subjectively experienced without any specific attention to the threatening object.

Most fear is usually connected to pain (i.e., some fear heights because if they fall, they may suffer severe injury or even die upon landing). Behavioral theorists, like Watson and Ekman, have suggested that fear is one of several very basic emotions (e.g., joy and anger). Fear is a survival mechanism, and usually occurs in response to a specific negative stimulus.

Did you catch the last sentence in the above description? “…usually occurs in response to a specific negative stimulus.”

None of us will avoid the FV. A few of us will be exposed to the WNV – but 100% will be exposed to the FV at one of many points in our life.

As a minister I see more people that are taking down by FV than any other problems that people encounter. Worse yet – real problems that they encounter are almost always added to when the FV sets in. As you can see it is “an emotional response to tangible and realistic dangers”

Every single one of us have this FV in one shape or another. No one escapes this – EVER!

I have only been in one setting where there is only one person in the room that does not have the FV. This is guaranteed to be true every time. Can you guess where that might be?

It is at a Funeral – and the person is in the casket. You know dead people don’t worry any longer. Dead people don not have Fear. They are dead!

That simple revelation should help us to understand that everyone of us will experience FV in our life time. Sometimes it will be so great that it will paralyze our whole being.

Can anything be done for FV?

Yes…I believe there can be something done.

The Bible makes this clear with Paul’s words…in his letter to the Roman people…Romans 8:15
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Or in my language…when I asked God to become my father and recognized that he was in charge… I became his son…then all the stuff that took me down before and produced FEAR – are gone.

But Pastor Murray… I am a follower of God and I still FEAR. Yes I know you do…BUT WHY BOTHER. Give it up. Let God take over.

Unlike the WNV that cannot be stopped…FV can be…when God steps in.

I am normal – I FEAR. In fact at times I am scared silly. I am not normal in that I stand still and with all the power that I have in me I give it over to God.

I think that I pray one of the shortest prayers ever at that moment, “HELP! God HELP!” Then I sit still and wait a few seconds, concentrating on what HE is about to do…not what I can’t…and then something happens. FV lifts and GP descends. GP? Oh I forgot to tell you… that is God’s Power.

Try GP as an antidote to FV and WNV and any other plague of problems you might catch today. GP works!
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Resources:
WNV - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Nile_virus
FV - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear

A Season of Promise

“God never closes one door without opening another.”
A quote that I find tossed about like a panacea to all things not understood by people that really don’t know what the dickens you are going through.

I know it is true – for most people. But for some in the Mire and Muck of their life situation – it is a platitude that rubs the wrong way. “Sure you can say that easily – but you don’t live where I live and who I live with!” is a quick answer.

If you have thought that out loud or have felt that deep inside – I can relate.

The Life that I live is not that easy. There are some times that the door has shut and the other four that exit this little box are not unlocked...or the door knobs are not easily accessible. Ever been there – in that little room of nothingness?

When I described my plight to an older man he told me that it was a good place to be and that there was nothing wrong with testing the door knobs as long as I didn’t try to pry open a door that was firmly shut.

Good advice for me at the time.

There is a special Psalm that rings true in so many ways. In the Mire and the Muck – it sounds like a sweet bird singing outside my bedroom door in the morning. It says simply…"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10).

But it is important to see the verse just before number 10 and then just after it…here is the whole quote…
Psalm 46:9-11
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Did you get the part about ‘making wars cease’?

In the middle of Mire and Muck thinking there is a war going on inside me at times. It would be so nice to escape the battlefield of my own mind.

The Psalmist asks me to consider that a stillness will accomplish the absolute impossibility of my situation.

This morning the sun is spilling into our living room as I write. This is the most peaceful moment in my day. With the sun comes the gentle but powerful knowledge that God is here. WOW!

After most storms there is this wonderful peace when the clouds move away and the sun breaks through. It is the same in our lives. His peace spills and splashes all over the area that I sit in.

After most storms there is a rainbow. It only comes when there is sunshine…and that happens when the clouds roll away.

My wish for you today is a place that you can find the peace you so desperately desire. I asked my Heavenly Dad today that he would roll your clouds away… starting now.

Have a great big peaceful day with the Father!

BTW - have you guessed what kind of flower the top photo is? It is a tulip just after an angry rain storm. Look closely at the tear drop....

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Middle of the Mire Thinking

As we walked along we knew were in trouble. The soil below our feet was softer than the rest that we had just walked over. It was also wet and our feet were going deeper with the running shoe being covered more and more in the Mire and Muck around it. Further steps into the area meant only more Mire and Muck. We were bogged down quickly.

The Mire and the Muck was all over the previously clean shoes – the only shoes we had with us at the time.

The place was Saskatchewan – just on the edge of Regina – while we were walking with our friend Joanne. I had forgotten about the “gumbo clay” that is unique to this area of the world. There is nothing like “gumbo clay” to slow you down.

A longtime ago….
When I was a boy our family was traveling over roads made out of this clay during a rain storm. As our car went along its wheels become covered with the clay and then a build up started. The wheels actually became bigger and then the wheel wells filled with the sticky Mire and Muck. After nearly three hours of trying to go further over the road we were stranded in the sea of Mire and Muck. What usually took less than a half hour to cross was now over four hours long. We were badly stuck and could go no further. The best we could do was to walk into a farm house that was up the road, wake the family, and stay the night.

The “gumbo clay” makes Mire and Muck that will even stop a giant machine when it falls into a pit of it in the middle of a field. The “gumbo clay” is dangerous.

Recently…
I have been pulled down and held back by another one of my hidden problems. Have you ever had this happen to you? You won’t know about it until I reveal it…so here goes.

I have been stopped by my Mire and Muck thinking patterns. My thought life is held back, stopped dead, and even forced me to abandon my travel plans through life because of it. The “gumbo clay” thoughts of my whole experience has crippled me at times. Then I can go no further.

The last posting by Bruce Lindsay on this Blog was brilliant. He struck a chord with my thoughts and I took a personal survey of my own life and thinking. As I was doing so my “gumbo clay” thoughts were close by…then the problem rain fell all around me – and the Mire and the Muck appeared. Everywhere I stepped my path was in Mire and Muck. Then I stalled and finally stopped dead. I could go no further.

Negative thoughts filled me up. Horrible “what ifs” stunned me and stopped me cold. The “worst case scenario” crept from the ugly thinking to a reality. The bitter rain fell and so did I.

There was a point that I simply rolled over and quit. I could go no further. Like my family travels long ago – we could go no further. We were done!

“Gumbo clay” thoughts are always there – in the dry state or good state of affairs it can be traveled on easily. Add a bit of problem rain and mix it with an all night storm of fear – and you will STOP DEAD!

Mire and Muck thinking will kill you…or maybe just paralyze you…whatever is your case at the time – you will go not further.
Back to the stranded family…
We spent the whole night sleeping on the floor of the farm house about 45 miles south of Regina. In the morning the kind lady gave us something to eat. Our clothes had dried some and we walked to the door…to find our mud caked shoes. What had been a shoe was actually a huge black ball with a hole in it where our feet had been. It was a great reminder of what we had been through.

The car was still on the country road about a quarter mile away from the farm.

The farmer had a huge tractor running and told us to get on. My dad and I climbed aboard. Within a half hour he had hooked a chain on the undercarriage of the car and the giant of the tractor was pulling our car through the Mire and Muck. All four wheels were frozen solid and would not turn. The car slid along behind the tugging giant tractor that would not be stopped. Our family boarded at the farm house and then the farmer pulled us all the way to a better gravel road.

We were free and arrived home safely later that day…but not before taking a lot of time at the side of the gravel road to dig out the Mire and Muck around the car’s wheels.

So much like me…
This week as the “gumbo clay” of my mind produced the Mire and Muck of my thinking – I stopped. Then a miracle began to happen – someone stepped in to help me.

Who is that someone? His name is Mr. God. He is B-I-G and he has a “powerful tractor” that pulled me out of my Mire and Muck thinking. He did it by reminding me of all the stuff that he has brought us through so far…and that he has always been there for us. And then he helped me to remember that he will always be there to help – “Just call me… I will help you.” Were his words this week.

Today…
Today I am cleaning off the Mire and Muck from my traveling boots. They are almost clean. But just dirty enough to remind me of where I had been – but clean enough to get on with the job to be done.

Hey – I AM FREE of Mire and Muck today. Does it ever feel better!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Mental Toughness

By Bruce Lindsay

For many years now I’ve been a soccer coach, first with Clifford (4 years) and now with Emma (this will be year #5). A few years back, Clifford switched to Baseball and I’ve been a baseball coach too, since then. Hey! I was Soccer Coach of the Year back in 2006!

I love team sports and I think it’s important for children to learn and play team sports especially when they are young. Learning about teamwork helps in a family setting for sure. Learning about setting goals, working hard and achieving them is something that if learned at a young age, I believe, will carry on as a good habit through all a child’s life, building confidence through past experience.

I think it’s good to be competitive, but to be a good sport about winning and losing. I think being accountable for what you do is good. I think some pressure to do your best is good. All these things are easy to learn through sports. Besides all these important life skills, children learn some sport skills, stay in shape, make new friends and have fun.

Recently I’ve been learning about a different aspect of sports: The mental game. I’ve heard people say that the mental preparation is every bit as important as the physical preparation, but I’m only beginning to understand what that means.

Clifford recently tried out for the Peterborough Tigers. He made the team too. Since then, in the few practices I’ve had time to attend, I’ve heard the coach talking about the mental game.

All these boys are good. By 13 years old, they can all hit, catch and throw. They all know the rules and they know how to get you out. They are getting into excellent physical shape. Clifford says the workouts are even tougher than football. The coach knows that it’s the mental game that makes a difference between winning and losing.

But how do you teach mental toughness? How do you teach a boy that he should hold his head up high and keep a stiff upper lip when someone has just belted a 3 run home run off him?

I was on a canoe trip with 3 younger guys in their early twenties recently. I learned a lot about myself. On this particular trip, there was one portage that was nearly 2 km long. I think it was the longest portage of my life. I wouldn’t have tried it, except that I figured with these 3 strong guys I wouldn’t have to carry too much. Oh how wrong I was.

I had my old fiberglass canoe and borrowed a second – a light Kevlar canoe - from Mr. Van Lier at church. For the first few portages I was carrying my canoe showing the guys how to do it. On the big one, I left it up to them. I walked half the portage carrying some packs, looked back and found I was alone. I left my packs at the top of the mountain and walked back to find these 3 struggling with the 2 canoes. Walking 40 yards and then putting the canoe down, ‘taking a break’. I tried explaining how much better it is to just carry it and take a break at the end, but the message wasn’t getting through. I ended up carrying my heavy canoe the whole way. I didn’t think I could – they didn’t think I could, but I did. I demonstrated mental toughness to them. I learned that at 40, I’m still a big strong guy who can do anything I set my mind to. Who knew?

Mental toughness is not giving up when your body tells you that you can’t go on. I’ve found when each step hurts, and you are so exhausted that you don’t think you can take another step, YOU CAN!

Another aspect of the mental game I’m only learning about is muscle memory. By repeating a movement over and over your muscles learn to do it without you having to think about it. That’s how I’ve learned to play songs on the banjo faster and faster – by practicing slowly, being sure to play it perfectly, then over and over. Soon I can play faster than I can possibly read the music. I explain to Clifford that is how he plays computer games so well. He doesn’t need to think about the controller at all, I do. So he whips me in every game. This is also the reason why he spends at least 30 minutes of every baseball practice playing catch and picking up ground-balls. Soon it will be second-nature. He won’t even have to think about it.

But muscles can learn from the brain too. If you rehearse something in your brain perfectly, over and over, your muscles will respond as if you have been teaching them physically. Listen to Chandra Crawford – Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist, 2006 Torino Italy, 1.1 km cross-country ski sprint.

“That's right, I'm on the line, Sandstorm is back and its go time, baby! People line the stadium cheering, and the "sun is shining, weather is sweet" like in the dance remix of Bob Marley's song. To my right is German Nicole Fessel (who will later become second in the world in this race), with two fast looking girls from France and Austria right next to her. I feel amazing! The gun goes off and I shoot out of the starting gate in a sandstorm of excitement and energy! Just 100 meters out of the start, the French girl goes down right in front of me and I lean onto my left ski to just miss going down with her. I tuck in right behind the German on the downhill and come out right beside her, then Austria passes me and I stay right behind them up the climb. The German makes some time pushing up and over the hill and I get stoked for the final stretch; here comes the kick, I'm making a move! I push right past the German, beside the Austrian all the way to the finish, and in the end I get her by a little less than a ski length. Wow!
At this point all I want to do is keep going.

What a race and an amazing experience!”

What’s most amazing about this interview is that Chandra is not talking about the gold medal race. She is talking about how she envisioned the race in her mind before it ever started. Wow! All that detail, from which other athletes are on her right and left, to the song in her head, the crowds, right down to the weather! Once she arrived at the Olympic venue she was seen walking the race course over and over. Playing the race over and over in her mind, until on the race day, her muscles responded not like she was racing this race for the first time, but like she had already done it 1000 times, and this was number 1001. Amazing.

As I learn about this stuff, I’ll try to pass it on to my children. Imagine Clifford being so comfortable hitting in a clutch situation that there is simply no doubt that he will hit that ball hard into a gap and drive home the winning run. Imagine him being so confident in the outfield that he is hoping that the ball is hit his way so he can make that last out.

I know it’s only part of it and it doesn’t make up for lack of fitness or preparation, but the mental game, the toughness, the confidence is what I want from my team and my children and myself.

Resources:

Chandra Crawford - http://www.cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=3087
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Additions by Pastor Murray Lincoln
Thanks Bruce – great words and ideas… what if we also applied this to our spiritual lives?

Take from “The Message” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (Amplified Bible)
23And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you].
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.
25Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

General Conference 2008 – Long Lasting Impact

Today as we return home and back to the real world of work I am smiling from ear to ear. There is a gentle and quiet happiness that has warmed my whole being. I have experienced satisfaction at its best…

In order to share it with you I need you to meet three men. Their names are Allan Waine, Ron Baker, and Adrian Thomas. There are amazing men that are doing exceptional things all over the world. Their leadership is far reaching – even to every corner of the earth. Amazing!

If you have been reading this Blog over this past week, you will know that Alida and I have been in Toronto, Ontario attending our church’s National Conference of Pastors. Men and women had come from all over Canada and many parts of the world to meet with each other over fellowship, worship and business. This conference happens every two years somewhere in Canada.

The powerful impact on me this year was the knowledge that our national church is now being led by so many young and vibrant leaders. The three fellows that you meet here are some of the new leaders.

Flash Back #1…
It is 1977 and I am sitting on the front steps of the old Wingham Pentecostal Church with a very young and new Minister. His name is Ron Baker. He and his wife Sue live in the parsonage that is joined to the church. Their home provides the church extra facilities when needed as well as a place to meet people.

I had been serving as the Presbyter(a Section Leader) for a group of churches in that area. I think I had leadership of about ten churches if my memory is correct.

I was leaving this leadership role soon as I had been called to serve in a new role at the Headquarters of the PAOC.

Ron had been nominated and/or suggested to become the new Presbyter with my leaving. Or perhaps I was shoving him a little at the moment – seeing the potential that he had and also needing to have some one in place soon – for the next meetings that were scheduled.

This week Ron related this account to me. He reminded me about our meeting on the front steps that day. We laughed and talked of the old days.

Ron Baker is an amazing leader today. His work is today is the same as that very first Presbyter job that I “handed over” to him. Only today his work is so much bigger.

Today he provides supervision and care for 99 churches and 244 credential holders(ministers), supervises six Regional Presbyters, 32 Regional Coaches and oversees pastoral changes.

Ron Baker is amazing. He was amazing the day that I sat with him on the front steps of that little church and also today as a humble but very powerful leader. Ron I highly respect you – and will pray for you too!

Flash Back #2
It is a very hot day in Hong Kong. It is the summer time and a group of teenagers have come from Canada. They are not mature. They have little of NO IDEA of any other culture than their own little corner of the earth – way back in Canada. They don’t even know each other. They have come to help me in my work for two weeks. I am now receiving them as new guests to our Hong Kong culture.

Oh boy! I am reliving that moment again as I write this… whoa…what a flash back.

The boys slept at our apartment. They were big and they hot and they were full of fun! Also they were mid to late teens in age – so they brought that teenage stuff with them. One needed his mother to travel with him, another was quiet and the last one was interested in everything. He was full of questions – all the time. His name was Allan Waine…18 years old, he is big, he is a football player at high school in Ottawa – and this was his first trip out of Canada.

When we returned home in the evening the boys were hot and wet. Their clothing stuck to their bodies. The temperature outside was about 100 - 110 degrees F. with about 98% to 100% humidity – but no rain!

Many evenings we returned to our apartment by walking up hill. It was cooler to do this than to take a hot taxi where we would all rub against each other – yuk!
The coolest place in our apartment was the front room floor that was a dark hardwood.

Allan came in a spread out on the floor – flat on his back. He was soaked. When he got off the floor there was a MAN’S BODY PRINT on the hardwood floor. It looked like someone had spilled water.

My daughters didn’t have any brothers. So having BIG SWEATY GUYS in their home was a novelty to say the least. They had moved from their own beds to sleep in our room. Now these big guys were sleeping in their beds. Oh boy that was fun!

Moving forward more… Allan Waine stayed in touch with us. He graduated from High School and then University. Then he launched into his Master’s Degree program in Toronto. He asked us to help him find a place to live in…but the places were pretty bad.

So Allan came to live with us. He was bigger…he was like a brother to our daughters… and he was part of our family. He graduated with his Masters degree. He married our College and Careers president, Ingrid, and took her with him.

Today Allan is a University/College Professor. And he is one of the top leaders and experts in training young adults for overseas appointments and work.

It all started when one 18 year old, that was big, that was a football player at high school in Ottawa – on his first trip out of Canada came to stay with us in Hong Kong. WOW!

Flash Back #3
Adrian Thomas came into my life as young man. He was the son of Missionary. His dad was a friend of mine. He is known a part of the unique group called MKs…that is “Missionary Kids”.

When we returned from Asia we witnessed a sad thing happening to the children of Missionary personnel serving overseas. When they came back to Canada they were struggling. They struggled with our Canadian culture – it was their parents culture – not theirs.

College and University stretched their values. The things of Canada mixed with temptations made for some terrible stuff happening in their lives.

Four of us formed a team to help these MKs by having a retreat for them and then built relationships with each one. The story is long and wonderful.

Adrian joined with a team of us that started helping MKs to adjust to what the new life would be. Adrian went on to help many, many more.

Adrian has helped hundreds of teens and young adults to get help and steady themselves since that time.

At one point Adrian was the youth pastor in our church, Northview.

Today Adrian is doing some amazing things in Dominican Republic working with some amazing projects. Today Adrian does this same kind of ministry in the D.R. as they call it.

This week Adrian and I talked about the old days of working together. What an amazing guy he is!

Deep Reflection…
I am blowing away by the hugs and hand shakes that have been given by all these young guys(and sometimes gals) – that are from our long lasting past and impact.

Like I said… “There is a gentle and quiet happiness that has warmed my whole being. I have experienced satisfaction at its best…”

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~