Sometimes the word, 'offend' seems like two words ...'off' & 'end', as off the deep end. Yet, not really very deep at all.

Not willing to accept one federal judge's ruling, a group is taking their case to the federal appeals court, stating the mere “existence of the cross” has given them “depression,” “anxiety,” “mental pain and anguish,” and even “headaches.” 

Of course, others have looked at the cross seen here from the Ground Zero wreckage of 9/11 ...as a symbol of hope.  

They get offended by a cross ...what if I say I get nauseated and suffer mental anguish if I see a triangle?

What if it's two triangles and a Sphinx ...and I say, that even trying to pronounce the word 'Sphinx' makes me drool, and who could deny drooling in public would cause mental anguish?

And what if I walk around the thing ...I mean, the triangle?  It's actually multi-dimensional triangular. Pyramids could really give me a triangular headache.

And how about this symbol ...it has a triangle, and though it could stand for the Appalachian Trail, some would say it also stands for something else.

And three or more multi-sided triangles ...well, that could really send me over the edge.  

But, wait a minute ...maybe I can handle all of this.  I think I'm okay, after all.  Maybe that's the three wise men passing by.

Yes, maybe ...and if it's not, I'm still not going to let it pass me by.  I follow Jesus ...and He is my focus, beyond any symbols.

But, maybe that's why symbols are so offensive to others.  If they don't have Jesus in their life, then I would expect there to be some anguish.

I don't believe in Smurfs ...but I don't get offended if someone waves something blue in my face either.

I like the color blue ...but it doesn't make me believe in Smurfs, nor am I offended by something I claim I don't believe in.

If I waved something in someone's face that I had, which someone else didn't have ...though they wished they had, I would consider myself as being cruel.

But, what I have by virtue of the death of Jesus on a cross ...is something you can have too.

I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to.

Yet, I understand how uncomfortable you may be until you reach that point of accepting Him.

And I hope you aren't offended if I pray for you.