ITC can be a nuisance

A recent inaccurate statistical statement in a national newspaper, repeated on the internet, has been copied on via the internet and reproduced or quoted in other places.  The newspaper printed a correction, but once the wrong information was out there - and seemed authoritative - it has been copied on, and on.  I am unsure how serious the consequences might be.

Today, I have been the victim of inaccurate statements in an email that has then led to a small spiral of assumptions based on that false information - largely because it originated from an authoritative source.

You don't need to know what it is all about, but I do value your prayers if you are reading this on or soon after the day on which it was published.  Strangely, an exacerbating factor is that someone also involved has not returned a phone call as I had hoped despite picking up on at least one message.  One short phone call last night would have saved much pain and waste of time! (Pause to pull out more hair!)

The irony is that this is all based on steps I took to be helpful and supportive in a matter, but another misinterpreted it and so it goes on.

I understand that John Wesley and George Whitfield also suffered a similar problem in their day in the 1700s.  There was disagreement between the two on doctrinal matters.  This may have led to some disputes.  The story goes that even after they had settled a matter of disagreement, another clergyman, Augustus Toplady, having only half the story, passed on information and inflamed the matter.  Now the only problem in my telling you that is that I was told it and have not read it in any original document, so I might be doing Toplady a disservice, so perhaps you should ignore that!

The good news is that God knows the truth of a matter and his love embraces all concerned then and now.  So there is reason to be hopeful!