One thing I did with a blog was put a list of rules for acceptable entries.  It was a blog about unhelpful things people had said to us, and why we found them unhelpful.  I had four rules, which were designed to help people express their concerns without pointing fingers at anyone.  I felt bad, because I had to remove one entry, but it identified someone, and that was against the rules I had stated.  I sent an email to the person who put the entry in my blog, explaining why I removed the blog response.

One situation where I didn't respond well was addressed better when I got in touch with the blog owner, and asked that a comment directed towards me be removed, along with my bad response.  Next time I'm just getting in touch with the blog owner. 

I agree that we need to act like we are followers of Christ in all we do and make the environment in MyChurch one that He is comfortable with. Thank you for your blog.

I also agree that it is okay to delete a comment that is off-topic and/or is full of self-promotion.

Whew, I have been offline for a while and come back to all these wonderful comments!  I hope I address everyone, but thank you all for your comments. 

Jess, I think it is a great idea to get in contact with the blog owner if you find something personally offensive in their blog and/or blog comments. 

Jay, thanks for your comments...I agree that deleting a comment that goes off the subject or promotes self is a good idea.

DC, good advice that you added, the four actions to take if anyone finds a post offensive.  Those are all good suggestions.

Kathy, I have read your blog on etiquette, and it is a very good blog full of useful information.

Pastor Aminata, thank you for your comments...I do not know what happened with your blog, but I think that you did the appropriate thing to address it.  I think there are times when we do have to report some things.  MyChurch is a great forum, but like you said, we do need to remember there are people behind the words that are written.

Mike, reminders are always good!

Disciple Of Jesus Christ, the hardest thing to do when someone speaks to us in a derogatory manor is to respond in kindness.  It is too bad that people responded to you in a bad manner...we can still disagree with someone, but we should do it with kindness.

Christine, thanks :)

Cheryl, I am glad that I could be of help to you.  Please go up and check out Kathy's link to her blog on blog etiquette, it is really helpful.  You said that you did not take any actions without meditation, prayer and Godly counsel, and this is excellent advice.

One situation I just do not know how to deal with is when someone uses my blog as an opportunity to confess things that aren't appropriate.  Any suggestions?

This is a slightly related topic.  Someone recently put a comment on my mychurch home page that was addressed to anyone who might come to the page.  It was basically preaching, but using my home page to do that.  I suggested they use their blog instead, let them know I prefer they not use my comments section to talk to all and sundry, and deleted the comment.  It wasn't that they had something bad to say, it was actually encouraging.  I just didn't feel it was appropriate to use the comments section (where people leave messages for the person who owns the home page).  Does that make any sense?

Pastor Aminata, I agree that that just doesn't seem right.  Make use of that delete button!  lol

MH, thank you!

Disciple, You can comment all you want.  I don't like it when people are rude.  They can disagree all they want with what I have to say, but they need to be nice about it.  No need to be rude.  I'm sorry that people were rude to you.

Cathy, Hmmmm...I don't know about that one.  I don't know if that is serious enough to report?  Anyone have any thoughts on that?  I would definitely send them a message and say you're not interested though!

Howdy All,

Thanks for the support Pastor Aminata.

Disciple, I'm not referring to the comments that are a response to a blog, but the comments section of my home page.  I agree that any response to a blog should pertain to that blog and show God's love in every way.

Cathy, I think Deb is sound in stating a message should be sent.  I'd suggest going beyond stating your not interested, though.  If anyone is making advances to a married woman, that just inappropriate, and should be labeled as such. I'd say give it one opportunity: if they guy makes multiple advances, let the site administrators know about it.  Be honest, firm and kind, but don't worry about hurting feelings.  If someone is making advances to a married woman, they have enough issues that you won't be adding anything to their pile.

Hey, please forgive me if someone has already said this!

Iron sharpens iron!
 

But amongst many believers, iron is sharpened by a cream puff or cotton ball. That might take awhile, eh?

It's interesting to me, how the Lord asks us to present our bodies to Him as living sacrifices, yet we don't want to be uncomfortable. Someone cuts us off in traffic, and we take it personally. We say to ourselves, "they did that on purpose, they probably know that I'm a Christian!" All the while, I wonder if the Lord ever looks at us and say's, "how will they ever handle what My Son handled?"

Next thought or reaction * * * On some blogs, I share what the original topic made me think about, not necessarily staying with the topic - a rabbit trail, I think they call it. I usually even say this, "this is what your article made me think of." But even when it's a bunny trail… do you know what some people have done?  They have blown up the bunny by detonation... they press the delete button. So on the one hand, we could be a little more tender, while on the other hand, we need to be a bit tougher.

At our local abortion clinic (where we go sometimes), people can cuss at you, spit at you and some people have even gotten hit. That's not crème puff stuff, that's reality. If the world really does hate us, because of our godly stance and identity, shouldn't we be a bit more strong in the power of his might?

If the armor for warfare in Eph.6, can protect us against the devils flaming missiles, it ought to be able to withstand that lady in the choir, who said something negative about our blog. - But stand by with that delete key!  That thing might bring down the whole site!  We've got to intercept it… before there's mass destruction!
 

Eh?, am I the only one who's not living on fantasy island where everything is crème puffy and there is always a good cotton ball to cushion your head on?  Hello? 

my side, me R…

Deb,

I've re-read your comment above again; and I'd like to add this thought also.

Yes, we rarely get courteous actions from people while witnessing at the abortion clinic, and we rarely get it from other Chritians also. One lady that my wife and I were talking to the other day, said that she and her husband were asked to leave their Church, if they wouldn't stop passing out bumper stickers that read, "abortion is murder."  Why?

I have an opinion: some may have felt obligated to put the sticker on their car rather than telling the person handing them out, that they didn't want one.
 

So I repeat, on some things maybe we need to be a little more tougher, while on others, we need to be a little more tender.

The bad news is, sometimes we get these backwards. We are to tender on the things that we should be tough on and vicea versa on the other. Just my two cents... and I do realize it strays a long ways from what your blog started out with, but it is what it made me think of.  R...

Hey Deb,

Please consider this reply from one who's been there.  We don't have to use theories here, we know it for certain, and so do the members of Denver Bible Church.  Afterall, legalized abortion started here in Denver and DBC and it's members, were committed to combating the devils victory from the start, and they are still there.

But now it's spread to every State... so what are the people of MyChurch doing about it?  Not many talking about that un-important stuff, are they? Why?

Also, you said, "R., Let's use your example of an abortion clinic...Do you think you get many results by trying to convince people, forcefully, that they shouldn't have an abortion?"

Yes Deb!  Here at the Denver Planned Parenthood (abortion clinic), 53 people changed their minds, this year, because prayer (which is mighty in God to bring down any stronghold) signs and shouts (raw convicting force from believers who know that it is murder) worked.
 

If my memory serves me correctly, it was near, or over 80 last year. However, even one would be enough to use such force, don't you think?
 

If the men and women responsible for the pregnency would deal with the natural consequences, instead of abortion, some of the adultery would be back to being a fearful thing, and one to avoid, at all costs, instead of what it has become. Now even little girls are dressing like prostitutes.
 

While Christians?, they have these big ideas that they never put into action, they sit on the sidelines and say, "I'd do it this way, NOT the way your doing it."  Well do it then. Let's see the numbers. You pray for us and we will pray for you. But move!  Do something!
 

God says He hates the shedding of innocent blood... and that if anyone harms one of these little ones it would be better for that person to tie a stone around their neck and drown to the bottom of the Sea. If we won't care for the least of these,  just what kind of power and victory do we have?
 
People don't need to wonder what they do over there at Planned Parenthood... we know, they murder the children that people including Chrisians, don't want.

You said, "once a person is coming to an abortion clinic, they have probably already made up their minds about what they are going to do.  I doubt you can turn too many people around at that point..."

Your doubts are wrong. For the record, 53 this year were turned around and sent home to deal with the natural outcome. Some where sent to the organizations that you mention.
 

You said, "as my brother says, "you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar."

All I can say is, get the honey and go. I'm all for honey.  But when vinegar works, don't do away with the dressing either! 
 

Next you said, I have heard of abortion clinics being bombed,  just because someone was trying to make a point."

Deb... do you know how many people say that?  Many.  It's their reason for doing nothing.  I don't get it. The only point that they made... was they were not true believers lead by the Lord. That's the only point, that I get. It was a tactic of the devil.

You said, "two wrongs don't make a right.  Our church supports a group in our area that is called the Pregnancy Center...it is for those with unplanned pregnancies, and it offers help in deciding which options are best."

First, many of their clients probably come from our efforts at the abortion clinic. In fact, if we stopped... their numbers would be effected as well. But what worries me the most about what you just said is, is abortion ever an option there?  If it is, then they do not understand thou shall not murder, and I would agree with you then... "two wrongs don't make it right," especially with God.

You said, "your time might be better spent doing something like that."

No. I'm not ready to let 53 children be murdered, while I'm on watch. You and some of the Church can go do what you suggest... you can have a part, don't worry about getting a spot, Deb. there is pleant of room there I'm sure.
 

Again, you pray for us and we will continue to pray for you; not against you, but for you.

Please do the same for us.  We love dropping the prayer bombs, to wipe out the devil... not the people who are under his spell. It works and has been working from the beginning.  R...