People sometimes disappoint me.

[Dave McClung]

When you attend the same church with people for 10 years, you think you know them.

The guy mentioned in this story was a member of our church. He moved several years ago, but recently came back. He is not a member, but is a regular attender. I thought I knew him well and would have never believe he would be involved in anything like this.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/0...ity-place.html

http://inyourneighborhood.blogspot.c...k-robbery.html

What would cause a person to do something like this?

[James Diggs]

What would cause a person to do something like this?

hopelessness and desperation?

[Wes Smith]

It would be interesting to know his motivation. Perhaps he looked at the economy and saw 3 meals per day and sleeping quarters provided by the government.

[David Pettigrew]

I would at least consider the possibility of dementia or other mental disease. He is 81.

[Dave McClung]

It would be interesting to know his motivation. Perhaps he looked at the economy and saw 3 meals per day and sleeping quarters provided by the government.

I think you may be right.

[Craig Laughlin]

Very strange... 25 years ago when I was working in the grocery business I stopped a 60 something man who was nicely dressed but had put a bag of candy under his coat and walked out the front door. It was the holidays and the whole time I was following him I kept thinking... I really hope this guy isn't dirt poor and just stealing some candy for when his grandkids come over. When the cops showed up and went through his wallet it turned out that he lived in one of the nicest parts of town. Had a MUCH nicer home than mine, had nearly $100 in his wallet and was well respected in the community. (which was of course now forfeit) I asked the cop about it and he said the guy was probably a clepto and just hadn't been caught before because he dressed well and didn't fit the profile. (it was just dumb luck that I caught him)

People do strange things. I would love to hear this guy's story.

[Paul DeBaufer]

I would at least consider the possibility of dementia or other mental disease. He is 81.

That would be nice for this occurrence, but what about the robbery 40 years ago for which he was also arrested?

Desperation, hopelessness, fear?

Doug said he'd known this man years ago. Maybe he had been a criminal, found Christ and was change. Then something happened recently, verge of losing his house, whatever and turned to an old behaviour that had been profitable????

[Mike Wooldridge]

Dave, is the man married? Does he have family in the area?

[Dave McClung]

Dave, is the man married? Does he have family in the area?

This man's wife died a couple of years ago. When I googled his name, I found that he had been listed as a lottery winner (small amounts) on two occasions. His friends are saying that he had a gambeling problem.

He does have an interesting past. He ran away from home at age 14 because he was being abused. He has a lot of interesting stories about his youth, but had not shared his past bank robbery.

Dave McClung

[Dennis M. Scott]

Unfortunately, people do often disappoint us. Sometimes it seems to be their nature, and one's testimony about God at work in their lives doesn't always prevent them from disappointing. Somehow, we all need the Lord's help to love people anyway. One of the things about people is that they're all human.

It would be easy to be so pessimistic that we hesitate to get close to people: it doesn't hurt so badly if we're not close.

We need God's help to love as He does.

[Bill Morrison]

Dave:
From what you have said here and from what I have heard about a previous sad incident in your local church, I can only conclude that Satan is working overtime to try and destroy God's work there. I would take that as a backhanded compliment: your church must be doing a lot of good or be on the verge of doing so in the near future or Satan wouldn't be so active in trying to hurt you. (Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.) I pray that your pastor and church leadership, of which I assume you are a part, will have the wisdom and power to build the Kingdom and triumph, even against these trying circumstances.

BILL

[Dave McClung]

Dave:
From what you have said here and from what I have heard about a previous sad incident in your local church, I can only conclude that Satan is working overtime to try and destroy God's work there. I would take that as a backhanded compliment: your church must be doing a lot of good or be on the verge of doing so in the near future or Satan wouldn't be so active in trying to hurt you. (Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.) I pray that your pastor and church leadership, of which I assume you are a part, will have the wisdom and power to build the Kingdom and triumph, even against these trying circumstances.

BILL

Bill, I am not sure that Satan is working any hader in Gig Harbor than in other churches, but he certainly is working here.

Families in our church seem to have had more than their share of problems. I wouldn't start to list them all, but they include a house that burned to the ground, children in trouble with the law, broken families, and lots of long-term unemployment. If I made a list and focused on only those things, it would be depressing.

At the same time, there is another list of great things that are happening. People are being healed, people are getting promotions in their jobs, marriages are being restored, and many people are coming to the Lord. Not long ago, I posted a praise that listed some of the great things.

I guess it would be safe to say that ther is a spiritual battle going on in Gig Harbor. I am glad I am on the right side.

[Dave McClung]

Unfortunately, people do often disappoint us. Sometimes it seems to be their nature, and one's testimony about God at work in their lives doesn't always prevent them from disappointing. Somehow, we all need the Lord's help to love people anyway. One of the things about people is that they're all human.

It would be easy to be so pessimistic that we hesitate to get close to people: it doesn't hurt so badly if we're not close.

We need God's help to love as He does.

One would think that when a Christian reaches 81 years of age, Satan would give up on them. This incident just reminds me that I have to keep liviing the Christian life as long as I live.

[David Morris]

What would cause a person to do something like this?

I wonder how often people would say that about me when I act selfish or prideful. I'd hate for my worst days to be on the front page of a newspaper.