The Karelian is a breed that needs a purpose in life. The true outdoor enthusiast and dedicated hunter can look to this hard working breed with delight and satisfaction.The Karelian Bear Dog is willing to take on virtually any game animal. The Karelian is a hunter of unyielding bravery and determination.
http://home.gci.net/~lindalr/The%20Karel..."I have a friend... much like myself... lacking a "social filter" and certain etiquette. But one thing he has that I admire and would like a bit more of is: ..something life on the street gave him... something time in prison gave him... something a childhood in an orphanage gave him... perspective! My friend does not "fit in" too well. He doesn't "play well" and shoots his mouth off... at the most incredible times."
http://www.rantrave.com/Rave/Wanna-be-li...Sometime back I wrote a story about a friend of mine that said that he wanted to be more like his dog... loyal friendly and obedient. An update as to how that is working out, I had a heart to heart with him and how things are progressing. The things that I share now, like back then, are the things that he has not shared in confidence... rather in front of all his friends and acquaintances.
Yesterday he told me that for the past few months he had been existing on a disability pension and how even it was taken away. First the payments were withheld, and then after they were released he was again prevented payment because his case was under review... after all was cleared they gave him his back-pay and then penalized him for getting too much money at one time. This is a man that can barely take care of his tween daughter... having sole custody because the mother ran off.
Let me give you some history... this man was "connected" and a collector for the underworld, as such he had no standing and was doing the dirty work for those higher up. In this state he found out that his run-away girlfriend was pregnant, at which point he decided to help... he ended up leaving his "life" to raise this child, by himself. But I want to go back a bit further, and how he got into crime.
My friend was a non-typical "family guy" ...he was the wild type with a family. In his younger and older years he Boxed and had won many championships and "Tough-Man" competitions. He wasn't the best dad or husband, and he hung out with the rough crowd and made his share "time" and mistakes. But one day everything changed for him, that would separate him from his kids... someone "touched" them. All his worst fears were realized and this sent him off the deep end!
He found a gun, loaded it and went to the guilty guy's home... also the home of one of his buddies, it was his brother that hurt his children, as he was babysitting. As he showed up on this family's steps, he was met by the dad with his own gun, so my friend said that this guy's son better turn himself in or he would be dead. Long story shorter... there were hostages taken, the guy confessed and my friend was separated from his own kids for years because of it. The judged allowed a plea to a lessor crime and my friend was let go on probation. Yet, with a restraining order, separating his family.
When I came to know him, he was just starting over with his new daughter and new God... an uphill climb for one who was considered the dregs of society. He has been that, and because of it he has modeled how we too can get "lost" in this life and find a hand up if we are willing. My story today is how he has been made aware how demanding he has been to others, and to God... and how he should rather be thankful and humble for all that he has received. He said he had a "vision" the other day while praying, and he said it was like God was saying to him... "maybe you should be on your knees" ...to which my friend said he didn't realize how much pride he had until then.
As he knelt down, his heart broke... without a petition... he just thanked Jesus for all he had been through and all he had been saved from. He said God revealed to him how self-pitying he was and how he judged others for not helping him or others... and also it was revealed that he should go to those and offer his humility and thanks for their efforts in helping him and his daughter (he had been struggling with alcohol and drugs again). But it was the statement "on your knees" that touched me. As a child I always prayed on my knees... it was the religious mode of access to God in our Church growing up, and the way I have approached God in times of greatest need since then.
I know that there are many that feel that they can approach God any way they want, and a "position" is not going to get them closer to the answer they seek, or the thanks they would like to give. But when my friend said those words "on your knees" I had a picture of a great King who deserved my humility... not for His sake, but mine. I also pictured a great King giving a loyal servant a position of "Knighthood" as they bent their knee. I was impressed that humility comes before honor.
The dog in this rave is as stated before a Karelian Bear Dog, fearless and loyal... and yet they have never been used as guard dogs, and can be trusted with infants... little cats and baby dear. This I know true of "Tod" my friends dog. Tod is fearless defending and courageous.. yet he will allow other dogs to bite and hurt him without defense... as he waits for the word of his master. Tod will lay down when he wants to go, he will go when he wants to lay down, all at the command of his master. BUT there is one thing that Tod will not do for his master... that is attack on of his master's friends! That's right, my friend can command Tod to attack me or any other of his friends and Tod will simply bark at his master... because Tod innately knows his masters heart, regardless of his commanding words.
This dog will sit for food, lay down for a pat, bark to warn, chase his tail to show off, and bow in respect to an order. NONE of which diminishes his powerful presence, this dog scares me! He is simply intimidated by outside forces that are not his master. Tod demands respect and fear where ever he goes... yet he is restrained and meek. Quite a picture of how we can be in the masters hand. Not using our power or authority to harm but to help, our words to bless not to curse, and our resources rather to serve than to save. This dog lives a million percent every day... with nothing saved for tomorrow... fully dependent on his master.
One time my friend was broke and no one ate anything for a couple of days... except his daughter... I happened by and found this out and shared some of what we had. I noticed that his dog didn't run away, or whined... it just looked thinner like his master... would we endure for our master if it meant hunger? Would we remain faithful if it meant no job? or if our mate walked out? I don't know why we are tested, but it is necessary. Testing brings our the truth of heart... unfortunately the truth is I for one don't pass the test very often, and that makes me more compassionate and humble.
I love my friend, he is one of the best preaches and one of the biggest failures...
easy to listen to and worthy of respect. If you have an extra prayer kicking around,
please send it up anonymously for my friend and his daughter...
and if you really want to experience what I am talking about...
send it up... down "on your knees".
God bless you real good!