tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984892256393318710.post6018538989324260680..comments2011-04-13T14:24:26.840-06:00Vikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05832023512057709930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984892256393318710.post-74365842777226426312007-11-05T16:03:00.000-07:002007-11-05T16:03:00.000-07:00Hi Karon,<BR/><BR/>I'm with you in that I am not having issues with major offenses right now. Granted, I have had major offenses in my past, but the majority of them have been worked through. This book should help me wrap up any loose ends in that area.<BR/><BR/>My goals for this book are that it will:<BR/> <BR/>1. Help me to calmly deal with everyday minor offenses.<BR/><BR/>2. Help me put to final rest to any past major offenses. <BR/><BR/>3. Help me to prepare for any future major offenses.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for joining us in our discussion, Karon!<BR/><BR/>VikiViki Nygaardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05832023512057709930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984892256393318710.post-27211885431774744902007-11-05T09:27:00.000-07:002007-11-05T09:27:00.000-07:00So far, I'm finding this book a little different than I expected. It seems to be directed toward those who have experienced a significant hurt in their life. The offense I struggle with, however, is more along the lines of someone volunteering me without asking me first or people who seem to live by the motto, "Forgiveness is more easily obtained than permission." <BR/><BR/>While I have suffered emotional harm at the hands of others, I'm not currently dealing with any situations like that. I do struggle daily with instances like this, for example:<BR/><BR/>We made a firm decision last Wed (Oct 31st) to purchase new countertops. I went to the showroom and worked out all the details. The person wrote up the order, took my credit card information for a deposit and told me someone would call in a day or two to setup an appointment so they could come out and get the exact measurements. I still haven't heard from anyone. <BR/><BR/>Out of curiosity, I went online to view my credit card statement and saw that my card was charged for half of the total the same day I went in. That ticked me off (offended me). Now I'm all huffy about that and have thoughts running through my head like, "How dare they charge my card almost a week ago and they haven't even called to MAKE the appointment yet, much less come out and actually measure anything!"<BR/><BR/>Viki, the instance with Cody's transportation is a typical thing. You mentioned this was a good opportunity to become offended and that you didn't. That's the type of stuff I'm typically dealing with. <BR/><BR/>But... with that said... :) I'll give you my answers.<BR/><BR/><B>Which of the fruits of offense have I experience?</B><BR/><BR/>hurt, anger, outrage, strife, bitterness and resentment<BR/><BR/><B>List of 5 people who have offended me.</B><BR/><BR/>This could go on forever - LOL, but I included:<BR/><BR/>Sylvia<BR/>Todd<BR/>Jacky<BR/>Laura<BR/><BR/><B>Prayer</B><BR/><BR/>Father, I want my relationships with others to be right so my relationship with You will be right. I ask You to help me overcome trials in my life and avoid being offended. In Jesus' name, Amen.<BR/><BR/>For Day Two<BR/><BR/><B>I Peter 1:6-7</B><BR/><BR/>God purifies us with trial by fire.<BR/><BR/><B>What impurities do I have?</B><BR/><BR/>Being judgmental, taking offense at little things, not walking in love always, and many others. <BR/><BR/><B>Prayer</B><BR/><BR/>Father, I think my problem is not blaming others but rather being judgmental and harsh toward others. I know this is my fault and that I tend to be too sensitive about certain things. Please help me to walk in Your love and be kind to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.Karonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984892256393318710.post-21522836828474277312007-11-01T13:44:00.000-06:002007-11-01T13:44:00.000-06:00Hi Joel,<BR/><BR/>You brought up an excellent point, and that is that we can’t allow offense to separate us from the “pack.”<BR/> <BR/>While reading my October 31, 2007 devotional from Turning Point Magazine last night, I came across the perfect illustration for what you described in your post. I’d like to share it with you:<BR/><BR/>"An Aesop's Fable perfectly illustrates the importance of unity in the body of Christ. A lion prowled about a field in which four oxen dwelled. Often the lion tried to attack them; but whenever he came near, they turned their tails to one another so that whichever way he approached them, he was met by the horns of one of the oxen. At last, however, the oxen started to quarrel among themselves and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. The lion saw his chance, attacked them one by one, and soon made an end of all four."<BR/><BR/>In other words, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us, Joel!Viki Nygaardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05832023512057709930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984892256393318710.post-36503858018045726492007-10-29T16:13:00.000-06:002007-10-29T16:13:00.000-06:00I do not have any questions or devotionals at the back of my book, so I'll be posting a little differently.<BR/>In the introduction to his book, Bevere mentions nine fruits that result from offense. I chose hurt, anger, outrage, and bitterness as the fruits that I have experienced because of offense.<BR/>Jesus said that it is inevitable that we will be offended every day. He also said to keep forgiving; if a repentant offender asks for forgiveness, we are told by Jesus to forgive them 7 X 77 in a day. Wow! I have a hard time forgiving the first time. But that's why this book is such a valuable tool because the devil will use offense to try and take us out of God's will. Bevere says that no man, no woman, no child, and no devils can EVER take us out of the will of God. Only we can take ourselves out. Bevere mentions that we get our word "scandel" from the same Greek word that is translated "offense" in our Bibles. What does the Greek word refer to? He says it means to disquise, to be sneaky. Anyone that has ever hunted knows that you need to bait the animal to have a much better chance of catching them. But you also know not to bait it, and then stand around and wait for it. You have to be smarter than the animal. The devil knows our weaknessess, and he tries to exploit them all the time. He is very cunning, and throws bait out every day. Now that we have this powerful resource, maybe we can withstand his attacks. Bevere uses insights about predators from nature shows he has watched, that warn about isolating from the pack. If we allow offense to seperate us from the "pack",(family, friends, church body) we become lone rangers, we are isolated, and we are beaten by the enemy. No matter what offense happens, do not let it seperate you from the pack. My scripture verses that I would like to share are 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "For though we live in this world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguements and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."<BR/>And 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers (and sisters) throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."Joel Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088717494779378453noreply@blogger.com