TGIF
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ThoseĀ are the contents of an email I receive when the anti-virus/anti hacker software on the blog detects an attack.
I’ve received thousands of those over the last few weeks.
The hackers are looking for any weakness to exploit to gain control of the site and wreck havoc on it.
When these attacks occur with this kind of intensity, one of three scenarios are in play.
Someone is angry about something you’ve already written.
Someone is concerned about what you may write in the future.
Someone wants to to ruin the blog for the sheer, sick, joy of ruining something.
In all of the above, the hackers are a type of the real enemy.
āBe sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.āĀ (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)
If you’re hearing the roar of the enemy and he’s so close that you can small hell on his breath, consider this.
The enemy has been wounded by something you’ve done.
The enemy knows that you will wound him in the future.
There is such a thing as evil for the sake of evil.
The hackers would like usĀ to quit…to give up in frustration and defeat.
So would the enemy.
He’s been as busy in my life lately as the hackers.
He can go to hell and take the hackers with him.
Don’t give him a foothold…shore up the weak places.
āTherefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.ā
(Hebrews 12:12ā13 ESV)
Never give up…because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
The end of the book says we win…that in reality we’ve won already.
Never give up.
Make your own application…
It might be a good time to switch that account name from admin.. just saying
Personally, I’d skip all the spiritual stuff preceding your “never give up”…but I do agree with that sentiment and Bono said it best, “don’t let the bastards grind you down”. Always better to be the grind-er than the grind-ee.
Don’t let it bother you, just keep moving and it’ll work out. Sorry to hear your blog is under siege. Could be anything, but most likely someone who doesn’t like some of the church reporting you are doing, doubtful they’re hacking you for your cat stories š
Dave,
It’s never been “admin”.
The hackers use a variety of user names and password combos to try to gain entrance.
Michael,
Yeah, be careful to not overspiritualize this.
It’s pretty simple, the person(s) doing this are jerks*.
Jerks populate the blogosphere because they are sissy cowards who only have power because they are anonymous and live in their mother’s basement and know some coding and IT tricks.
Remain cool, calm and collected and don’t give “satan” more credit than it deserves, which is basically none. š
*Disclaimer: (The word “jerks” was substituted for a more colorful epithet which would, no doubt, upset those kind souls who prefer a kinder and gentler PhxP experience)
“Humor & perseverance will wear down any adversary.”
~anonymous
(ok, I just made it up)
G, LOL! Love your disclaimer.
Everything is “spiritual” to me.
Heaven, hell, and earth all intersect in each of our lives as the kingdom has come and the war goes on…
How do I know this thread is not that of a hacker and it really wasn’t Michael who wrote this? š
They’re Lutheran hackers. š
Can’t be Lutherans…it’s too short and doesn’t mention baptism… š
Praying for you Michael on the job front. As you said, “Never give up!”
Hoping for good news soon.
Thank you, Papias!
Michael warned me of spiritual warfare before I started my blog, and as one who has spent some time in some creepy trenches, I didn’t give it much thought. We trucked along for a couple of years with a few easy to shake bumps in the road, but after I published Brent’s docs, CJ stepped down, and I was interacting with their interim prez, I experienced some middle of the night, spooky-tangible stuff. Jesus is always the victor in these little skirmishes, so no scars or limps, just a few weird nights. I don’t know or care about the significance of the timing.
Said all of that to say that Michael isn’t over-spiritualizing anything.
Jim,
I’m working on a story right now that will stir up hell.
I have to remind myself that I’m going to get through it…
My local work environment has 2 open air street preachers. And I’ve heard the most vile responses, including threats of physical violence (including sexual).
It’s a very public display of the spiritual realities at work.
If the early church can thrive in this environment, we got this!
” Michael isnāt over-spiritualizing anything.”
Yes, I agree!!
The genius of the demonic is when they deceive and whisper. When they go full court press, the end result only strengthens our faith. I wish psychopaths were as easy to deal with.
jtk,
On whose part. Last year my wife and I were having breakfast at a small beach cafe, when this “street preacher” jumps up on the 2 ft patio wall and with his feet right next to our table started shouting something out of Jeremiah at everyone.
I pushed him off the wall and told all the folks there – not to mind, he was satan’s mouth piece.
#7 “everything is spiritual to me”. Amen
Hang in there Michael! Praying for you .
Thanks, CK…and we’re doing likewise for you, my friend.
Hal Lindsay said it well…. “satan is alive and well.” Hopefully not for too much longer! God bless you Michael.
Sad…….the internet is like a wild west town,anything goes.
MLD
That’s crazy.
You realize you could’ve gotten arrested, don’t you?
Thousands of hacker messages?
The very few times I have stood up in the faith community, it was the only response, attack, with a holy vengeance. I get that, it keeps the troops in line, and above all maintains the revenue stream, the second of those are by far way more important. I am not saying it is “Christian” opponents doing this, but in my real life experience it always was. In every single event bar none. I have never been able to reach such spiritual maturing and Trust in God as to attack those I disagree with. I am cursed for such emotionalistic nonsense. I tend to look for areas of agreement and try to find an equitable solution, that is not of God and should be condemned out of hand. I get that to.
Really MLD ” he was satanās mouth piece” I beg to differ Satan runs financial institutions and wears ath three piece suit. He is hungry and he will collect. I did find how you dealt with the street “preacher” rather unique and I wished I had the guts to do the same to the many street preachers I have encountered that group handing out their jack chick / ray comfort clap trap and screaming at the top of their lungs. The last time I encountered such sorry people was the Camping crowd who pulled up in their RV and were handing out their tripe at a meeting when I went to see a Joel Olsteen meeting. Funny in his entire meeting he did not ask for a dime for him, he made that clear and he made at least three gospel presentations, he literally begged people to come to Christ. I was moved, not to much because I do not allow myself to be moved to much by anything that even hints at emotionalism. Emotionalism is always of Satan, always, unless it serves some apologetic purpose.
I liked what Pastor Olsteen said, he spoke about holiness and grace and forgiveness. He was rather animated when he spoke about becoming a Christian. It was a moving moment. It should not have moved me, I get that, Olsteen is outside the pail of orthodoxy so he should burn, like most of us, me included if not at the top of the list. Just an aside, honestly Michael, I respect you and I am thankful for this blog, but I dont see any good news here, I never really have. I hope you a nice weekend.
MLD that was crazy.
Sorry to hear about these attacks both material and spiritual. Praying for you.
Id listen to a street preacher quicker than a pulpit preacher. At least they have the guts to get outside the 4 walls to the downtrodden.
Midnight – why are people on the outside assumed to be the downtrodden?
Shouldn’t a street preacher first ask
1) Do you know the Lord?
2.) Would you like to hear about the Lord?
Do you just call random numbers on the telephone and start preaching to them?
Would it bother you if I sat next to you at the movies and pull a Jeremiah on you for the duration of the movie?
MLD,
I know one thing, I wouldn’t push you out of your chair!