Zach, There is a new spell chekcer dude, chekc it out!

 The first mention of the fruits of the spirit is love. It would be nice if we all agreed with each other but we just won't. If I can't love people then how can I say I love God. Love allows us to disagree but still commands us to love.

This little birdy (whom I hope isn't offended by me calling him little (or a birdy)) told me there were comments about me here.  Frankly is related to Surely, btw.

I hate political correctness.  Not that I'm interested in personally offending someone, but because all too often these things completely impede conversation.  As someone who doesn't naturally strike up conversations with strangers, this plays a big part (along with "am I butting in where I shouldn't?" and "Do I really care to talk about the weather, again?").  It's one of those oddball things in a nation where moral relativism is becoming the flavor of the day.  We can do whatever we want (supposedly) without offending as long as we don't say whatever we want.

In the end it's all a ploy to distract us from what is important.  It's a wedge to divide us.  So if I offend anyone, I'll apologize now (and probably later), but at some point honest communication needs to happen.

I'm feeling like I'm rambling.  And I've been in hiding on here.  Actually it's more that I've been really busy elsewhere.

Cheers...

NOOOooorm

(still works better with monospace type) 

I'm offended and you know what? That's a good thing.  It gives me a chance to see if I am really doing as my Father asked me to do or is the flesh reallllly trying it's darndest to win.  Constant battle but it keeps me in the word..

Good blog Mike

Mary, that darn flesh is so easily offended!! But funny thing is, it's the flesh that's most offensive too! Gotta love the irony...

Amen.

Being such a toddler in my Christian walk, I sometimes can be easily angered (offended) and do not always demonstrate tru love the way we are taught in God's word.

So yeah, I will probably offend my friends too. Please don't take it personal, I am still growing and learning how to Love like Jesus. But then again here are some versus that I have to fall back on when I think about being offended or offensive.

I have actually had to weed out some of my friends because they are too easily offended at anything, even if it is said out of love by myself and others trying to help them get out of a bad spot in their anger. Everything is a fight with them, then I have to remember this verse.

But I often find that when I find it offensive it is probably true or a sore spot that I need to work on anyway and it was probably God that put in your mind to say it to me. You were just being the humble and obiedient servant by saying something that may be semi-offensive to me. I learned a valuable lesson in AA that has always stuck with me in life, church life, and even here on mychurch, it is "take what you need and leave the rest".

Overall these are what I truly need to remember in addition to 1 Corinthians 13:5 and the teachings of Jesus.

Thanks so much Mike, You really hit on something I needed to do a short and quick self check and bible search on. Sorry I wrote so much in a comment on YOUR blog.

This is a great blog! 

You say,

"Actually, shouldn’t we always be prepared for people to offend us?

Actually, IF I am offended, I am not loving. 1Cor. 13 says that love is not easily offended. As you mentinoned we do offend others but that is often because they are somehow expecting to be offended. IOW, they have very thin, unloving, skins. Love demands that we develop not easily offended natures. Yes, this is supernatural but the way of love is the better way.

Certain groups, like Bill Gothard's, spend much of their time on avoiding offending people. They waste years trying to figure out what might offend people. I've seen these groups get into homeschooling roller skating events, for example, and strip any good music right out of the play list (so people are not offended and fall into sin). The music that results is actually worse than the worst Laurence Welk music as a result. It ends up that not even Christian music is played at these events.

The result of constantly trying not to offend is that our lives can become totally dull. There is a stripping down of all culture (possibly) as a result. How much better would it be to look for the best most enriching music for whatever the event and let the chips fall where they may rather than worry constantly about imagined offenses given to those that are simply unloving due to their easily offended thin skins????

Maturity is to love and that demands NOT being easily offended. 

Good word Mike.  I needed that reminder.  :)

Don't start nothin, won't be nothin. That's how i used to live. But then I realized that if I take matters in my own hands and try to get folks back for makin me mad then I have stolen from God. Cause God says vengence belongs to Him.

However, you haint never offended me Mike. And if you do I will just tell you and we'll work it out man to man. Cause I know you always got good intentions. Love ya man. God bless.

Is it just me, or is Norm's cat offensive ... to nature ... and the rest of creation ...

That furry blob just kinda gives me the jibblies.....

Just kidding of course =D 

It's ok!!  If you offend me for any bad reason, take ease in knowing that you've probably offended God even more.

...Wait.  That's not something to take ease about, is it? :P 

I remember.... once you thought you called me a brother.  I couldn't sleep for weeks.   
I posted it on my profile that I was sister, not a brother but the damage was done...  Now look at me

I love the idea of pre-forgiveness! That is great marital advice as well. We should start each day asking our spouse forgiveness for anything we have done or will do that day! (This is from an old joke, can't remember where it came from, sorry..lol)

You made me laugh! I love this, it's so true!

Offend.... you don't offend me, really.  You make me laugh.  So here is that early gift that you need.  (again).

Lord help me... I offend people daily... that is all I can say about that.