A meaner man I've never met in person. Like he came right out of a movie!

Thanks Jason!

Thanks Shirley! My son's teeth will be mended, but it's a lot tougher to mend a soul!

Donna, God has blessed us both with that insight!

Ima, some make it go 'round, and some try to make it spin out of control!

Steve, your comment blessed me - thank you.  And I agree, to withhold forgiveness is also to misunderstand the whole gospel!

Thanks Marilyn, you've blessed my day twice now! 

Greetings Dear Mike and Friends:

So sorry about the incident and your sons teeth! Yikes!

I'm also very sorry that the opportunity was not able to be taken to provide hope, support, comfort and encouragement for this man and perhaps his family that he and they most certainly need. 

On many occasions while serving communities in both inner city environments, suburban and rural locales, I have been confronted with a variety of dangerous conditions, and they can leave an individual caught quite off guard if the proper mindset is not engaged.

That would simply be the mindset of Jesus. Allowing the words and love of Christ to fill your heart, your mind, your body... and your words and actions will follow accordingly. (Sounds simple, right? : )

Most Christians do not know what to do or how to react if confronted with a potentially dangerous condition that is somewhat (or very much) outside the normal comfort zone of activity.

Humans by design are a fight or flight species.

Christians by design are to stand firm in faith, reach out, and love our enemies as we love Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe me, when surrounded by groups or individuals that are angry, violent, armed, and threatening to kill you, rob you, and injure you or your family, it can be quite a challenge! 

But... we can do it! I am still alive to prove it. (Many times over)

It's not too late. Invite the individual over for coffee and a visit. Does he have kids? Are you running any ministries at home that you can engage his children? Music, art, science, Bible studies, community service? Or simply other areas of significance to provide common ground for exploration... and allow you to deliver your positive position of faith and love to those in need.

JamesAD62
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Live Jesus. Be Church.

The devil's teeth knocked out?? lol!

Satan is a powerful foe, Michael my friend. But you're right, his power and influence are limited, he can only accomplish what the Father allows. God bless you buddy, glad your place is clean now! (oh, and thanks for makin my stomach queazy w/that friday blog, I saw it today! lol)

Thanks James, you truly have a heart for all  mankind. I have been praying for this man and his unfortunate family (who knows who else lives w/him, though he has at least one kid). I continue to seek the Lord's direction in terms of what action to take, if any. Blessings bro!

Great blog, Mike! I was thinking as I was reading that it seems tough to extend forgiveness at times, because we are trying to move into a place of forgiveness without first having moved into compassion. It seems like the measure of compassion with which you meet an offender directly affects the measure of forgiveness you are willing to extend.

Poor doggy....he was probaably trying to run away from home....can you blame him for making the great escape? Poor little guy, (your son)--having to go through all of that, not just the dog and the scary man, but the dentist too! Must have been so traumatic for him. 

Oh Birdie, my poor son. I too endured in the dentist's chair at a young age. To this day I remember the trauma! And yes, poor dog. I don't know what came of him. My daughter who witnessed the whole thing wept as she looked on.

Tonya, thanks dear sister, you have encouraged me.

Oh Lori, that's AWESOME to hear, thank you for posting! Thank you!! Isn't it exciting when God alters our perspective? Mine too!!

Cathy (Mama Strout), thank you -- I wish he'd teach us a little less painfully though! 

Cella Jean, I'm glad God has opened our eyes together sister. Much love to ya -

Deb, fear of dogs he can do w/o, but I'm thinkin fear of scary men might be a good thing! Thanks for your comment ~

Thanks Donna! I'm always learning, and this incident opened my eyes a little more to God's perspective on forgiveness (I believe).

Ah, Todd. Thanks, interesting post!! It appears you sacrificed much to forgive. Including your right to seek justice, as provided by the "system". I can't tell you if that was the "right" thing to do or not, but I admire you and your wife for doing it. It seems your experience was similar to mine, only on a greater scale. And like the mean guy that beat the dog in my blog, your "offender" was a pitiable individual -- low position in life, likely not knowing God or caring much about other people. Our choice, hold him responsible and seek compensation according to our rights, or pity and forgive....which is what you guys did.

The forgiveness thing is a hard thing to do innit Mike?  As you wrote in your blog, there was a part of you that wanted to strike back (even if it was only getting compensation from the man for what happened), the thought was there for striking back for what had happened.  There's always the tendency of "what she did, he did or they did" and for somebody else to pay for it. Think of it another way Mike.  Wonder what Jesus would have done for what happened to Him?  Would He have sought compensation?  Given the circumstances, what woukld Jesus do? 

Personally speaking, there's too much emphasis on people seeking compensation from other people for what somebody else did, for instance - the dog, when at the end of the day it was just an accident. Think about it.  Given the circumstances, what would Jesus do?  Sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes the forgiveness thing is a hard pill to swallow - especially when it happens to someone so close to you right on your own doorstep.  But its another thing entirely when it happens to somebody else. When it happens to somebody else, there's always the constant reminder from or to people - to forgive.  Bitter pill to swallow innit? because the first thing people want to do is strike back for what happened.