Comments on: The Art of Grace… Choosing not to be Offended http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/ Sat, 12 May 2012 16:08:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tracy-pebbles http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-443 Tracy-pebbles Thu, 31 May 2007 17:06:40 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-443 As I read this I found myself identifying people in my family who are like this and then I thought "I need to be sure I'm not one of them!" It's so easy to find fault with others that I need to be aware of my own! A quote from a friend of ours..."If you think being meek is being weak, try being meek for a week!" As I read this I found myself identifying people in my family who are like this and then I thought “I need to be sure I’m not one of them!” It’s so easy to find fault with others that I need to be aware of my own!

A quote from a friend of ours…”If you think being meek is being weak, try being meek for a week!”

]]> By: Mary Roberson http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-439 Mary Roberson Sun, 27 May 2007 03:56:38 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-439 This couldn't have come at a better time:) Thank you so much! This couldn’t have come at a better time:) Thank you so much!

]]> By: piapie0206 http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-442 piapie0206 Sun, 27 May 2007 03:25:41 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-442 This couldn't have come at a better time. I have prayed for grace numerous times and just can't seem to overlook and forgive some people in my life. I really do try and want to forgive but they keep disappointing me and showing me their difficult to forgive side. I continue to pray. I know deep down I need to forgive and forget but it is extremely difficult. Just yesterday I was watching Oprah and she said that holding onto a grudge and not forgiving someone is like taking poison and wishing ill on others. Just not possible. I also know you can't be healthy - physically and emotionally - if you can't forgive. I will keep your concepts in mind and refer back to them quite often. (awesome comments! Remember this though, only God can forgive and forget. He never asks us to do that He asks us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Also forgiving doesn't mean you put yourself in danger of being attacked again if that's a reality you deal with. Perhaps I should share a little of what I've learned about the practical aspects of forgiveness in the future? Hugs, AJ) This couldn’t have come at a better time. I have prayed for grace numerous times and just can’t seem to overlook and forgive some people in my life. I really do try and want to forgive but they keep disappointing me and showing me their difficult to forgive side. I continue to pray. I know deep down I need to forgive and forget but it is extremely difficult. Just yesterday I was watching Oprah and she said that holding onto a grudge and not forgiving someone is like taking poison and wishing ill on others. Just not possible. I also know you can’t be healthy – physically and emotionally – if you can’t forgive. I will keep your concepts in mind and refer back to them quite often. (awesome comments! Remember this though, only God can forgive and forget. He never asks us to do that He asks us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Also forgiving doesn’t mean you put yourself in danger of being attacked again if that’s a reality you deal with. Perhaps I should share a little of what I’ve learned about the practical aspects of forgiveness in the future? Hugs, AJ)

]]> By: Harriett AKA bussie http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-441 Harriett AKA bussie Sat, 26 May 2007 20:01:02 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-441 Very interesting reading AJ. So much to ponder. I find my sister is very easily offended these days and always step back and try another way to say what I have to say. She is just coming off a year of breast surgery, 6 months of chemo and 3 mo of radiation therapy so I think I can allow a little room until she gets her feet under her again. I know the reason for her actions so I can be a little more lenient. Thanks again. Need to go back and read again later. Very interesting reading AJ. So much to ponder. I find my sister is very easily offended these days and always step back and try another way to say what I have to say. She is just coming off a year of breast surgery, 6 months of chemo and 3 mo of radiation therapy so I think I can allow a little room until she gets her feet under her again. I know the reason for her actions so I can be a little more lenient. Thanks again. Need to go back and read again later.

]]> By: nanajoe http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-440 nanajoe Sat, 26 May 2007 19:56:09 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-440 Thank you this AJ......it helped me to understand a little better the people that act so selfish and vindictive. I will take the high ground and returen hatefulness with kindness. Thank you this AJ……it helped me to understand a little better the people that act so selfish and vindictive. I will take the high ground and returen hatefulness with kindness.

]]> By: DebD http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-438 DebD Wed, 23 May 2007 13:43:53 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-438 AJ, thanks for your list of 6 ways to have grace. Those are something that we all need to strive for. As you say, it is not easy but I am going to try to be better at it in the future. As always, your Blog is very well written and has substance and meaning to it. Fortunately, I don't have a lot of conflicts in my life with other people but I do tend to take things a little too personal sometimes. AJ, thanks for your list of 6 ways to have grace. Those are something that we all need to strive for. As you say, it is not easy but I am going to try to be better at it in the future. As always, your Blog is very well written and has substance and meaning to it. Fortunately, I don’t have a lot of conflicts in my life with other people but I do tend to take things a little too personal sometimes.

]]> By: Phyllis http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Phyllis Sun, 20 May 2007 21:14:13 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-437 If someone offends me it is because I have taken ownership of that 'offense'. Threfore I am allowing that person to control me. If I choose not to become offended, angered, etc. I have not given that control away. It is the grace that God offered us through Jesus Christ that has taught me how important it is to forgive. I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said "Do I have no enemies when I make them my friends." The choice is ours. (Fabulous comments Phyllis, thank you for taking the time to share them with us all! AJ) If someone offends me it is because I have taken ownership of that ‘offense’. Threfore I am allowing that person to control me. If I choose not to become offended, angered, etc. I have not given that control away. It is the grace that God offered us through Jesus Christ that has taught me how important it is to forgive.

I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said “Do I have no enemies when I make them my friends.” The choice is ours. (Fabulous comments Phyllis, thank you for taking the time to share them with us all! AJ)

]]> By: Ann Carroll aka GranAnn http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-436 Ann Carroll aka GranAnn Sun, 20 May 2007 10:27:46 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-436 Thank you AJ for your insight into a major problem for me. I have always been considered as the "peacemaker" of my family. I have also considered myself as being"stepped on" for being this way. I never realized that I was choosing to do this. Nathan, I don't mean to bring myself into this discussion, it is just how I "relate" to a situation. Thank you AJ for your insight into a major problem for me. I have always been considered as the “peacemaker” of my family. I have also considered myself as being”stepped on” for being this way. I never realized that I was choosing to do this. Nathan, I don’t mean to bring myself into this discussion, it is just how I “relate” to a situation.

]]> By: Nathan Pralle http://audreyjeannesblog.com/BlogShop/2007/05/the-art-of-grace-choosing-not-to-be-offended/comment-page-1/#comment-435 Nathan Pralle Sat, 19 May 2007 20:19:09 +0000 http://www.daisiecompany.com/blogs/audreyjeanne/?p=116#comment-435 Well said, AJR. The thing that most frustrates me about having discourse with others in this day and age is people's seemingly inability to disconnect their personal selves from the debate at hand. I am unable to debate religion or politics with any of my family as their reactions draw upon their personal feelings into the subject instead of debating the subject on its merits. I realize these can be very personal subjects, but at the same time, an intelligent person should be able to examine an issue and evaluate it based on the facts without emotionally attaching to it. This is where a lot of offenses and misunderstandings come from, I believe. You are also quite astute about the relationship to the viewpoint, experience, and context of the people involved. Without understanding the background influencing a particular statement it is almost impossible to truly relate to someone. I have found myself in life getting to know someone very well before launching into sensitive subjects so I know when I hear a response I have a better idea of its roots. I smiled when I saw you quote Luke 6:28-29. Many people view the "turning of the other cheek" as an act of weakness and perhaps cowardice, but if you take the historical context into play, it suddenly presents both a sign of strength as well as a bit of admonishing by Christ. In that day and age, striking anyone on the face was considered a ghastly offense, much more than you might imagine today -- it was simply one of the most offensive things you could do to publically offend someone. People slapped backhanded and used their right hand, as the left was considered "more unclean" due to its use in various bathroom activities. Thus, to "turn the other cheek" was not only saying to the offender, "go ahead, offend me again" but by turning the other cheek it was admonishing them, meaning that if they were to slap you again, they would have to use their opposite, "dirty" hand to do it, which was unthinkable. Again, context means everything. Choose instead of being offended to see it as an opportunity to educate -- either the other person or yourself. You'll both end up better for it. (GREAT COMMENTS, NATHAN! Thanks for the further insight on the slap, I didn't know that, so I learned something today. When we meet, no matter your politics, we'll have a GREAT discussion :-) AJ) Well said, AJR. The thing that most frustrates me about having discourse with others in this day and age is people’s seemingly inability to disconnect their personal selves from the debate at hand. I am unable to debate religion or politics with any of my family as their reactions draw upon their personal feelings into the subject instead of debating the subject on its merits. I realize these can be very personal subjects, but at the same time, an intelligent person should be able to examine an issue and evaluate it based on the facts without emotionally attaching to it. This is where a lot of offenses and misunderstandings come from, I believe.

You are also quite astute about the relationship to the viewpoint, experience, and context of the people involved. Without understanding the background influencing a particular statement it is almost impossible to truly relate to someone. I have found myself in life getting to know someone very well before launching into sensitive subjects so I know when I hear a response I have a better idea of its roots.

I smiled when I saw you quote Luke 6:28-29. Many people view the “turning of the other cheek” as an act of weakness and perhaps cowardice, but if you take the historical context into play, it suddenly presents both a sign of strength as well as a bit of admonishing by Christ. In that day and age, striking anyone on the face was considered a ghastly offense, much more than you might imagine today — it was simply one of the most offensive things you could do to publically offend someone. People slapped backhanded and used their right hand, as the left was considered “more unclean” due to its use in various bathroom activities. Thus, to “turn the other cheek” was not only saying to the offender, “go ahead, offend me again” but by turning the other cheek it was admonishing them, meaning that if they were to slap you again, they would have to use their opposite, “dirty” hand to do it, which was unthinkable.

Again, context means everything. Choose instead of being offended to see it as an opportunity to educate — either the other person or yourself. You’ll both end up better for it. (GREAT COMMENTS, NATHAN! Thanks for the further insight on the slap, I didn’t know that, so I learned something today. When we meet, no matter your politics, we’ll have a GREAT discussion :-) AJ)

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