"Go Get Them!"

A man was arrested in Stuart, FL and charged with aggravated battery. He is accused of releasing his two pit bulls to attack a group of people.

“Go get them!” the man allegedly said as the dogs charged the group.

The story sounds bad, doesn’t it? But wait, it gets worse.

The group that was attacked was, along with the accused, seeking shelter in their office building from Hurricane Frances.

Someone called 911 but police could not respond because of the storm.

A man suffered deep bites to his stomach, face, throat, and hands.

A woman was bitten on the leg.

One member of the group stabbed a dog while another used a hammer to defend herself.

No doubt being confined with a group seeking shelter from a hurricane can lead to some frustrating interactions. But can you imagine yourself in this terrifying position — huddling with a group trying to avoid flying glass when a pit bull bites your face?

But there’s one more detail about this story that really captures my attention. The man who stands accused of this bizarre crime is an anger management counselor. This mental health professional tasked with helping people control angry outbursts just lost it!

What a reminder of the need to live a lifestyle consistent with our purpose.

Remember the rebellious church members at Crete who valued the commands of men over truth? The mere talkers who had a warped sense of purity? The deceivers with corrupt consciences who needed to be rebuked, even silenced?

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” Titus 1:16 a.

May we claim to know God, and back up those claims with love.

— Bob Clark

9/21/2004