"Musings" on a Face-Book Hack Attack

On Monday night, August 24, 2009 I painfully discovered that someone had hacked into my Face-Book account. They used the opportunity to post the most vile, blasphemous, and pornographic smut once can hardly imagine. Yet it appeared that "I" had made these horrible posts. Needless to say, I was immediately informed by a horde of emails and phone calls that a hacker had indeed taken control of my Face-Book account. Needless to say, I was devastated--to the point of tears. While numerous FB friends 'reported' the hacker, I didn't know what to do except to de-activate my FB account. And since FB does not have a phone number one can call, my only option was to send them an email asking the following questions:
(1) Can they track the person who hacked my account?
(2) Can this hacker be exposed and prosecuted to the full extend of the law?
(3) Can I find out how this person was able to hack into my account?
(4) And how were they able to do so?

Note: I have still received no reply from Face-Book whatsoever.

I have since learned that Face-Book has NO security system. The only advise I received from other users is to change my pass-word frequently (at least every other week). I DO give praise to the Lord that an army of my Christians friends came to my aid. One even engaged in conversation with the hacker asking him questions that only the REAL Steve Spencer would know. He could answer none of the questions--and thus it became evident to all that I truly was the victim of a Face-Book hack attack.

I want to take this opportunity to inform anyone who reads this post of the potential threats one can be subjected to by a Face-Book hacker. One person told me that there are software programs on the market that instruct people "how to hack into a Face-Book account." I have no concrete evidence to validate that this claim is true. But I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever.

I, of course, experienced an entire range of emotions due to all of this--total shock, outrage and anger, and sadness that there are people who would do something so evil. Particularly since it was our Lord Jesus Christ Himself who was so utterly blasphemed. And quite honestly, grace has not filled my heart with this person. I was so grieved that some of my best friends--going back many, many years were exposed to this blasphemous and pornographic smut. While many of my FB friends are 'praying for the person who did this vile thing"...I have more of a mind-set that God will take matters into His own hands and deal with this person most severely. Yet a part of me feels compassion for a person who has such a dark and evil heart that he would do such an evil and vile thing. I devoted much time to contacting FB friends and informing them what had occurred...and that they were exposed to the most horrible and blasphemous posts that one can hardly imagine.

Due to this incident, I de-activated my account (and have no plans to ever re-activate it). I simply cannot risk this happening again. And so, to those who use Face-Book, realize that if this happened to a "low profile"--even a "no profile" Christian such as myself, it can happen to anyone.

I want to thank my Face-Book friends who came quickly to my aid and support. This is a good reminder that while computer technology can be used for great good, it can also be used for great evil. And even though I don't 'feel' like praying for the person who did this...I know that the right thing to do IS to pray that God will both convict him of his sin and ultimately bring him (or her) to a saving knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ. In the grand scheme of things, I view this as an attack inspired and directed by Satan. He is, after all, "the accuser of the brethren." Again, I thank all my friends who came to my support and defense. It's always the power of the Spirit and "the love of the brethren" that enables one to walk through such trials victoriously. Blessings and protection upon all my FB friends, and all users of Face-Book.

Musings on my recent Hospitalization

It was early Thursday morning (Aug. 13, 2009)...I had just finished doing some work on my lap-top, when I picked up my Bible to read. I suddenly noticed that something seemed out of focus. I closed my right eye and just read with my left eye when I noticed that I had a "blind-spot" just left of dead-center. Entire words and phrases were blocked out--as if someone had placed some light gray "white-out" over the words. Having never experienced anything quite like this, I called an ophthalmologist friend back in Texas. Long story short: he told me to get to a local ophthalmologist asap. I did so. And after he did his examination, my ophthalmologist referred me to a retina specialist. After performing tests and taking a series of hi-tech photographs of my left eye, in a rather matter-of-fact manner, this specialist informed me that I had had a stroke--that a piece of plaque had broken away from somewhere and actually lodged in my left retina. He advised me to go to the emergency room at a local hospital. A friend drove me to the hospital. And even though the emergency room was wildly crowded, they immediately wheeled me into an examination room. After running a series of tests (EKG, X rays, brain-scan, etc.) I was immediately admitted into the hospital.

Now mind you, at age 57 this was the first time I had ever been admitted as a patient in a hospital. They continued doing tests, taking blood, and hooked me up to every kind of monitor imaginable. I have to admit it was a scary experience. I was kept in the hospital for 2 nights and released later in the afternoon on the 3rd day. The Doctors said they could find no physical reason for what had occurred. They told me to begin eating a "heart-healthy" diet, get more exercise, and do whatever I could to reduce the stress in my life (yeah, right)!

In all of this, I am extremely grateful and thankful to God that this stroke did such minimal damage. Had the plaque gone into my brain, well, who knows what kind of condition I would be in right now--perhaps partially or totally paralyzed or worse.

The greatest blessing of all was the outpouring of visits, cards, emails, and prayers from people all over the country. The people who showed and expressed love to me during this frightening time proved to be the best "medicine" of all!

Now, some 8 days later, I am doing and feeling well. I will be back in my pulpit this Sunday. Dear readers, never underestimate the healing impact YOU can have when you take the time to show and express love to someone in the hospital. A simple visit, card, letter and even postings from friends on FaceBook can do wonders to lift a frail and frightened spirit.

"Musings"--An Introduction to my Blog

"Musings" . . .

I've always loved the word. I just like the sound . . . the 'ring' of it. I intend to use this blog to simply make public the "musings" of a man who loves the Word of God (and tries his best to both 'learn' and 'live' this Book of Books).

As the grandson of a highly educated Presbyterian preacher (a most Christ-like man whom God used to plant the gospel seeds that ultimately blossomed to my coming to life in Christ), I remember that during the last conversation we would have in this world--my Grandfather said to me: "Steve, I have studied the Bible now for some 70 years...and I feel that I have only scratched the surface of the riches of God's word." At the time, I thought that my Grandfather was being typically humble. But now, having diligently studied the Scriptures for 30 years, I now realize that my Grandfather was not being "humble". . . He was simply speaking "truth." I now know that one could live a thousand life-times, and still not master the Bible. God's word truly is "living and active . . ." (Heb. 4:12a).

Thus, I will use this blog to share my "musings" on the truths of God's word--as well as my "musings" of life and the times in which we live. "Musings" . . . Stay tuned for more.