Monday Morning Insights

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    Not Everyone Thinks You’re Funny, Pastor

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    Police were given a partial tag number and a description of the car the group left in Monday. That led them Tuesday afternoon to Lowell Preston Stiltner, 31, of Gaylesville, who was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of rendering a false alarm.

    Stiltner, a pastor at a church in Cherokee County and father of three, said the note was a joke left for his wife when she was in the restroom and two of their young children started acting up.

    "Never in my wildest dreams did I figure something like this would happen," he told the Times-Journal of Fort Payne on Thursday. "I want to apologize to everyone involved and say this was just a big misunderstanding.

    His wife, Vicki, said she got the joke when she returned to the table. "I saw the napkin and wadded it up, pushing it under at least four plates, thinking no one would find it," she said.

    But a waitress found it and Cracker Barrel employees, trained to be on the lookout for suspicious situations, called police.

    "We do not think it was funny," said Police Chief David Walker.

    "Our department wasted valuable time and resources investigating the possible kidnapping as did other surrounding agencies watching for the vehicle and assisting in locating" the person who left the note, he said. "In situations like this, one never knows when it could be a real emergency."

    Stiltner, who was released on $500 bond, has a court date July 25 on the misdemeanor charge.

    He said he had no idea anyone was looking for him and that he went straight to the Police Department to turn himself in after being told of the warrant.

    "I do not think kidnapping is funny, and it was never my intention for something like this to happen," he said.

    I bet he wishes he could take a 'redo' on that one.  smile

    This in from the "oops" file… Employees at the local Cracker Barrel alerted authorities when they found a note left behind at a table where a few children and two adults had eaten. "Help me, I have been kidnapped," it read.

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    1. BeHim on Sat, June 25, 2005

      A testimony to the world we live in.


      Police can no longer assume the best and individuals are no longer safe to banter.


      Blaming the pastor is treating the symptom.


      Changing assumptions is curing the disease.

    2. Mark Simpson on Tue, June 28, 2005

      Forgive this poor guy and let’s get on with our ministry for the Lord Jesus!  Mark Simpson

    3. Todd Rhoades on Tue, June 28, 2005

      Mark,


      This was just a “boy, I’m glad I didn’t do this” story.  (Cause it’s probably something I would do)  http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif

      Meant to be light-hearted.


      Todd

       

    4. Jeff Arp on Tue, June 28, 2005

      His motive was not evil and his judgement was probably skewed by misbehaving children. I think he should plead the temporary insanity cause when he goes before the judge. Kids in restaurants can do that to parents. Guess I’ll drop my rock now. Keep looking up my fellow servants!

    5. James on Sun, July 10, 2005

      I have met this fine pastor, and I think this is a pathetic situation blown way out of porportion. It is sad in this word today that child molesters run free, and someone who is joking with his wife and family gets arrested. I know that the police dept’s time was tied up. When police do road blocks my time is tied up! When police work the scene of an accident, my time is tied up. It would be selfish and foolish for me to request that the police dept. reimburse me for my time “wasted”. They should be thankful that this situation was just a misunderstanding, and not a real kisnapping.

    6. BeHim on Sun, July 10, 2005

      The only prisoner I’ve ever known to be rehabilitated was sentenced to 24 months in a Military Prison.  When he returned, he said he would never go to prison again as long as he lived (meaning, he was going to walk the straight and narrow).

      There were no gangs, no prison rapes, no “black market” cigarrets, etc.


      There was only work, work and more work.


      Up at 4:30a.m. PT, chow, Police up area and off to work, busting rocks all day.  Get in at 6:00 chow at 6:30 (bathing MUST take place before chow so quick and slick) lights out at 8 and do it 6 days a week.


      They used real bullets that would kill on the spot.  They had surprise inspections and additional infractions either added time, took away priviledges or put you in isolation or all three.

       

      YET.  An innocent man is made to feel criminal.  Where is accepting this man’s apology for simply writing a note to his wife (as oppossed to one offered up for not even coming close to presenting The Gospel on national TV).  Where are Christian voices when you need them.


      Is it right?  Is it wrong?

       

      We’ll argue about forgiving the pastor of the largest church in america and yet, here’s a man who was JOKING with his wife.  Maybe the pastor who made the national apology could help this pastor and pay off this debt.


      I won’t hold my breath, James, send me an email with this Pastor’s email address and I’ll send him my donation (here is a pastor who can really use it).

       

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