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| A Picture of Christ |
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A Picture of Christ
I had the opportunity to visit Savannah, GA, my hometown, over the Saint Patrick's Day Weekend. I did not go to Savannah to celebrate the Holiday or participate in the parade. I went for the sole purpose of spending time with my children and being able to plant some seeds of love into their lives. Each one of my children has said "the sinners prayer" and I fully believe that each and every one of them is saved. Not only because they said that prayer, but because I witness the condition of their hearts.
Granted, neither of them knowingly shows any outward signs of living a Christian life. They do not live in a Godly environment, nor attend church, nor admittedly pray and seek God, but I believe with all my heart that the influence my mother had on them while she was alive, and the witnessing that I have been able to do, and the fact that they each have a genuine love for others is positive proof that they are indeed children of God.
In preparation for my trip I spent a considerable amount of time in prayer asking the Father to let this be an opportunity for me to further witness to them. I was praying for ways to be able to share the grace of God with them without coming across as preachy or religious. They have come to have a bad taste towards religion and this only further confirms to me that they are saved, but that's another subject and I'll refrain from going there right now.
So anyway, Friday night my oldest son Joshua was supposed to come spend the evening with me. But he called me and said that some of his friends were having a party and asked if I would mind if we waited until Saturday to get together. I was slightly disappointed but understandingly, I agreed. I got a sense in my heart that something was not quite right about that request but just encouraged him to be careful and then thanked God for his hedge of protection. Then my middle son called and said that he wanted to come spend the night with me and that opened up a door to some great one-on-one time with Greg,. Thank you Lord.
After we had both gone to bed, around 11:30 PM, my cell phone rang. I instantly knew that this was not going to be good news. It was Joshua's mother. She was frantic and informed me that a group of teens had just jumped Joshua in his own front yard and we was out cold and needed to go to the Hospital. I was scared, and instantly began praying in the Spirit for his well-being. Needless to say, I woke up Greg and hurriedly drove directly to their house.
Upon arrival there were three cop cars, an ambulance, and lots of neighbors standing in the driveway. It was a creepy kind of moment. We had had a huge storm come through earlier and the entire city was in a blackout. The earth was dark, I say that because it plays into the point I am trying to make here. Remember that last line.
I expected Joshua to be in the ambulance but he was seated inside at the kitchen table and being questioned by the police. All he kept saying is "can somebody please tell me what just happened" Even after we had answered him several times, he still kept asking. He had suffered a mild concussion.
His front teeth were chipped, he was covered with blood from head-to-toe, his left eye was swollen completely shut and bleeding profusely. Several gashes were on his face and head and he was scraped in several places. He was hurt bad and it wasn't pretty.
Josh had gone to the party earlier that evening with one purpose in mind and it wasn't to party. Joshua went to the party to take a stand for righteousness, His girlfriend's best friend had been taking abuse from another teenage boy in the neighborhood. Apparently she had been cheated on, and lied to, and God knows what else. Joshua had become sick of seeing this happen to her and went to the party to confront this kid who had been tormenting her. Joshua is not a violent or angry person. He confronted this kid with seriousness and just gave him advice that his behavior was going to stop.
Joshua arrived back at his mothers house around 10:30 and was outside helping a neighbor track down his run-away dog when the chaos began. Two cars pulled up in front of his house and four guys jumped out and attacked Josh. My daughter Paige was outside and witnessed everything that happened. Apparently Josh took the first blow to the eye immediately followed by a strong blow to the cheek and down he went. But they did not stop hitting him. Page said they continued to hit him and kick him in the head even after he was down on the pavement. After several minutes they jumped back in their cars, and off they went. But Joshua lay unconscious, while bleeding in the street.
I took Joshua to the emergency room and we spent the entire night, until 5:30 AM, waiting on someone to see him. It was the day of the St. Patrick's Day celebration and the emergency room was filled with all of the unfortunate partiers who had fallen victims to fights, violence, and accidents.
Praise God, the cat-scan and other tests they finally ran brought back reports that no serious damage had occurred. There were no broken bones and the concussion was only minor. I watched as they cleaned him up and stitched his eye lid and cheek and the entire time I was thinking of the great sacrifice he had made.
The next day I had a lot of time with Joshua. I repeatedly assured him of how proud I was of him. He had done the right thing. He took a stand for righteousness and justice. Yes, he may have in fact taken the beating, but it was he that was the victor. He didn't lose a fight, he won a major battle.
This story sounds kind of familiar doesn't it? One man taking a stand for the well being of another. One man laying aside all fear and self centeredness and taking a beating because he cared for someone else. Joshua was bruised. He was beaten. He suffered shame and humility. I am sure he was laughed at, mocked and more than likely is still being talked about. He was hurt. He sacrificed part of himself because a friend of a friend was being mistreated. He took scars upon his body and poured out his blood but by his stripes she was healed!
This event, as tragic as it was, has given me a great opportunity to share the story of Jesus, not only with my children, but with several other teens the remainder of that weekend. It's a perfect example of love. Through this light affliction my prayer was answered for an open door to share the Gospel and because of it I firmly believe that lives were changed.
People often wonder what Jesus looks like. We try to picture him in our minds. We think of the common image that has been portrayed as Jesus for hundreds if not thousands of years. What does Christ look like?
He looks just like you. He looks just like me.
He looks just like my son, with whom I am well pleased.
I love you Joshua!
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Michael~~ I was touched by this story and even though the picture is horrid, the marks of love on your son are beautiful to me.
Shannon |
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Cheryl |
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March 27, 2008 at 1:04pm |
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....my heart goes out to you Michael and to Joshua, you are family to us. Wow, the stand of a good man.....yeah, Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God. Thank you Jesus for what you endured for us. |
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Thanks Shannon!
I have got to tell you, I cried while I was writing this. They were not tears of sadness for Joshua, although I am sad that this happened, yet, they were tears of joy and thankfulness for the price that Jesus payed for you end me, Wow. I am still shaking even now as I think of the great sacrifice he made.
We are such a truly blessed people! |
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| I am too touch by the story |
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| My Brother God works in mysterious ways! I thank God that your son was not hurt to the point of no return, and I am happy you got to share the Word of God! I will be praying for your son;s and those you shared with. |
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Deb |
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March 27, 2008 at 3:10pm |
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| Great blog Michael...one question I have, were they able to catch the guys that beat Joshua up? I am hoping that since your daughter witnessed it she saw what they were driving. Anyway, my heart goes out to you and Joshua. Thank for this great story reminding us of what Christ did for us. |
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Thank you kindly everyone for your cares and concerns.
Deb, that's a great question and it has prompted me to ask for your prayers until this situation is completely resolved.
Yes, they know exactly who these boys were. The policemen themselves knew exactly who they were and mentioned that they were already being investigated for similar occurrences.
Joshua filed assault charges against them. The first hearing is tomorrow. While I agree that punishment is in order, I also pray that these boys are taught a lesson but that it doesn''t permanently harm them. That may have not been the best way to phrase that but what I have found out is that one or two of them already have criminal records. Apparently one of them has a case pending involving theft of a federal weapon.
I hate to see a young person's life messed up in the court systems but at the same time justice needs to be served.
Please pray for the right sentencing and or punishment and that somehow, through all of this, all of these boys will come to know the love of Christ.
What I would pray would happen is that at the very least would be held responsible for his medical and dental bills and reimbursement for time lost from work.
Thank you all in advance for lifting this situation up before the Lord. |
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| The world will not understand us when we say "the marks of love on your son are beautiful to me." Shannon, I whole-heartedly agree with your sentiments, it was the first thing in my mind too! |
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Sharon |
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March 28, 2008 at 2:38am |
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| What a lovely blog.You should be very proud of Joshua I know I am.He's awsome and an inspiration. |
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Libia |
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March 28, 2008 at 12:47pm |
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Sorry Michael.. I hope your son is very well now, that nice you was there ..I will be praying for you |
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Deb |
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March 28, 2008 at 1:12pm |
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| I will certainly pray for this situation and these boys. God is in the business of changing lives. Let's hope these boys will take this lesson that they will no doubt receive from this, and let it change their lives to the good. I hate to see such young lives so messed up already. God help them before it is too late! |
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Thank you for all of your prayers.
I spoke with Joshua today. They went to the hearing yesterday and the case was dismissed. Apparently the parents of the culprits have agreed to help with the medical expenses.
I am a little disappointed that there was no form of punishment from the courts but on the same hand I am glad that they will not be hindered from learning a lesson on their own. I pray that God has spoke to their hearts through this situation. |
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| What a guy! I am praying for your children, and I feel as if I know them better now and have more direction with it. |
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Gene |
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March 29, 2008 at 9:11pm |
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It's sad when you teach your children what's right and they get hurt because they are willing to stand up for the truth. Its so important that there be the opportunity of redemption for those that did this to Joshua. Maybe the dismissal will give that opportunity.
On a side note - you don't look old enough to have a teenage son. Congrats on surviving the ages. And yes, Jesus looks like that. |
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Thanks for the compliment Gene!
Truth is, I would love to be able to raise them all over again!
I am very proud of Joshua. He is one fine young man!
Thanks Lara, I wish my daughter knew you. She is going to be 17 real soon and needs a Godly woman in her life! |
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Please lift Joshua up in prayer.
I just spoke with him this afternoon. He said he received the hospital bill and it was $3,200.00. That doesn't include the dental expenses. Apparently the parents of the culprits are not taking any responsibility.
Josh was no longer on my insurance after he became of age and his insurance through his job has not taken effect yet.
I hate it for him. I am going to help out as much as I can obviously, but he is still a little down over this situation.
Thank you in advance! |
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Gene |
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April 09, 2008 at 4:17pm |
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| praying for him - and you. |
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