FOILED BURGLAR SUES STORE EMPLOYEES FOR 'EMOTIONAL DISTRESS'
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A man who was beaten by employees of a store he was trying to rob is now suing.
Police say Dana Buckman entered the AutoZone in Rochester, New York, last July, brandished a semi-automatic pistol and demanded cash.
That's when employees Eli Crespo and Jerry Vega beat him with a pipe and held Buckman at bay with his own gun.
Buckman escaped when they retreated into the store to call 911, but he was arrested a week later. He pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to 18 years in prison as a repeat violent felon.
Now Buckman is suing the auto parts store and the two employees who beat him, claiming they committed assault and battery and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
picture courtesy images.google.com & story courtesy foxnews.com, 6/17/06
12God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. 14Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. 15These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. 16So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE TEACH US ABOUT PLAYING THE 'BLAME GAME'?
Tyndale's LIFE APLLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
1:13-15 It is easy to blame others and make excuses for evil thoughts and wrong actions. We use excuses such as: (1) It's the other person's fault; (2) I couldn't help it; (3) everybody's doing it; (4) it was just a mistake; (5) nobody's perfect; (6) the devil made me do it; (7) I was pressured into it; (8) I didn't know it was wrong; or (9) God is tempting me. A person who makes excuses is trying to shift the blame from himself or herself to something or someone else. A Christian, on the other hand, should accept responsibility for his or her wrongs; confess them, and ask God for forgiveness.
You and I may laugh and shake our heads in disbelief at today's story of the burglar suing the guys who beat him up while he was attempting to rob their store. But if we're honest, we all make excuses for our sins.
No more 'blame game'. We're not victims. In the Name of Jesus, let's confess our sin and let Christ give us a fresh start!
- Read today's passage several more times this week and listen to God's Spirit teach you through His Word and love.
- Be totally vulnerable with Jesus and write a note to Him that honestly indentifies (He already knows, but this is for you) some sins that you constantly struggle with. Be specific about the excuses you use to rationalize these sins. Ask Jesus to make the necessary changes in your life. Every day, for the next 30 days, read the note aloud to Jesus. Evaluate after one month. Get ready to really praise Jesus!
- Share what you learned today or in the 30 day exercise with a friend.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.