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9 Comments:
Definitely Rick Lambert at Indy.
Without hesitation, George Mattix deserves this award. There is no one who exemplifies the dictum “let mercy be the exception” more completely than Mr. George Mattix.
The fall of 1992 was full of promise for me as an up-and-comer in the organization. I had successfully proven that I was more astute than all others in the following requisite leadership categories:
1. Infiltrating cliques and sowing mistrust amongst its members.
2. Reporting delinquent staffers who wore boxer-briefs.
3. Forsaking friendships for the sake of unity.
4. Compiling the longest list of standards.
5. Outlasting Bill Gothard in a sleep-deprivation contest.
6. Reading the entire Bible 3 times in one 22 hour session.
7. Memorizing the complete Basic and Advanced Seminar in 68 foreign languages, including sign.
Having proven myself worthy of trust, I was asked by George to help take this gospel to the people of Moscow. After twenty months I had been directly responsible for 18 expulsions from the program, exorcising a total of 137,000 demons from 4 young staffers, converting 12 Russian teens in to sold-out agnostics, getting 2 boat-crew members fired, and bankrupting 1 local church. Every bit of this is documented and is displayed on my resume. I even had one of my letters to Mr. Gothard printed in the ATIA newsletter (at least, I think it was mine…I don’t remember writing most of what was printed. Nevermind.)
I was the pride of our group and was poised to take over the empire the day George would be sent to prison for assault and battery.
I was 15 years old and ready.
But one fateful night I submitted to my rebellious heart and was found sledding with an equal number of boys and girls. Only George noticed my rebellious behavior as a cry for help. And help was on the way.
After they conducted the mandatory pregnancy tests on the girls, I was locked in my room for 5 days, had my meals delivered to me, my window locked and blacked-out, and had to report to my “mentor” each time I had to go number two. On evening number four, after having consumed the botulism they called dinner, I found myself in the bathroom proving that distended bowels are indeed possible for men under 70. I regrettably surpassed the 3-minute mark and found that Mr. Mattix was a man of integrity – for mercy was truly the exception on this night.
Finding that the dead bolt could withstand the full force of his foot against the bathroom door, and seeing that repeating the phrase “foolishness is bound in the heart of child” like the rosary would not persuade me to unlock the door, George resorted to the well of righteousness that is his heart, and delivered the fateful words, “I’m calling Bill.” Twenty-four hours later I was on my back porch in Topeka, KS with a severe case of jet lag and culture shock. Justice was served, praise the Lord. George Mattix was the only one who correctly read my behavior as a cry for help, and single-handedly saved me from further rebellion.
George Mattix deserves this recognition. For he has not only influenced me, but has profoundly affected my wife as well. She and I will forever be indebted to George for teaching us that “women don’t like to be touched…specifically in the small of their back”, and that “when looking at a woman, focus only on her hairline”. My wife loves that. As a child she longed for the day that a man would look her squarely in the forehead and profess his undying love for her qualities of attentiveness and alertness. She found just such a gem in me, and I have only George to thank for it. For years my wife and I dabbled with sin, and on more than one occasion we even fully embraced each other. But please know that we are back on the wagon and ready to serve. We will never touch each other again.
But most importantly, George Mattix deserves this award because he taught me that ones faith is linearly related to the number of standards one is committed to, that hope doesn’t exist, and that love is most clearly expressed through judgment without mercy. Amen? Amen.
Thank you, George. Thank you.
that was hilarious about George :) Very good
Ahh this is too good... Especially the part about casting out the demons... came back to Topeka, KS ehh? Who might you be be since I've lived there most of my lovely life?
Seriously, Tim Levendusky was my all-time favorite. In other words, the only one I truly enjoyed working with.
From one bump to another Mr. Kansas... :) I have to agree, Mr. Mattix was most - educational. I'm so glad you found this sight!
"Seriously, Tim Levendusky was my all-time favorite. In other words, the only one I truly enjoyed working with."
Dr. L was a really nice guy. :) But he never let us play any type of sports cause he thought he wasted to much time on it as a kid and he didn't want us guys to make the same mistake. But playing a little catch is totally different than being consumed with a sport like he was. :]
I have a lot of problems with ATI and after working at ITC, OTC, Headquarters, Northwoods, etc, I saw many problems, lies and horrible treatment of people. However, there are many great things that I learned about how to apply Scripture through ATI and so I've tried not to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater', even though I would have loved to at times. I loved working with Dr. L, Robert and Rebecca, Mr. Crouch, etc. and it's with mixed feelings that I think back to those times.
Tim Levendusky was by far the worse. ATI in general sucked. If TL and I met face to face, I'd have a few kind words for him.
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